Golden Gate Park

From Ramesh In Training

One of the best things about my new home in the Bay Area is running in Golden Gate Park. I try to do it as often as I can when I go into the city, because there is something really special about that place, and it seems to be best experienced by running.

I have basically stuck to the main roads every time so far, and every time I am completely happy. t's been about ten or fifteen times now. Getting to know the same routes is a wonderful part of running through natural wonder as I learned in Seattle. If there is something I am truly proud of in my life, it is how much time I have spent running in forests. I am glad this will only continue to grow here in California. Some of the best runs I have ever done were last year in the cypress forests in Point Lobos and along the Monterey Bay, and I haven’t even started exploring Marin by trail yet.

For now, when I go to Golden Gate Park, I park behind the Flower Conservatory and run down to the main road (JFK, I think) and follow it past the Da Young and then a creek starts to form along the path. The first time I got to that creek and waterfall, I was SO happy -- and every time since, the negative ions continue to fill me with joy. The sound of rushing cold water at your feet, and the amazing stands of eucalyptus take you far away from being in an urban center. The setting of the waterfall always reminds me of New Zealand. If you keep going, you get to a windmill and the ocean opens up with beautiful cliffs and crashing waves. Every time I see it, it really does fill my heart with joy. Here is the view:


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Here is the view down JFK in Streetview. You can see the route I did last time in my training map.



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