It has been suspended over the San Francisco Bay my entire life, a familiar sight from earliest childhood until now, in my 64th year. I remember visiting Great Aunt Bess in The City. Me, small and young, dressed out-of-character in a cream-colored coat with pearl-buttoned white gloves holding on to my mother’s hand, a toddler walking within view of the icon. I am not so young now, but still small compared to this structure that has spanned the bay and posed for viewing by millions of visitors. I’m no stranger to the Bridge, but today, I will walk the Golden Gate for the first time in my life.
I arrive on the 81st birthday of the several-week period from when the Bridge was completed until when it opened. If I had been here two days before, I would not have been able to walk, because others were running across in a footrace. If I had come next weekend, I would have walked among a crowd of Girl Scouts in one of their planned events crossing the Bridge. It is a busy place; I am glad for this calmer Tuesday morning visit, because heights scare the be-jesus out of me and crowds make my elbows defensive.
The approach to the Bridge from the Marina neighborhood of the city gives a familiar view. Today, the classic postcard photo travels alongside me, step-by-step closer to one of the world’s treasures. Slips and cut-off portions of the old Army Presidio lay to my left and its WW2 air strip, Crissy Field, stretches to my right. The San Francisco Bay is beyond that, lapping against a shore of beaches interrupted by two or three public wharves. A brown sign directs me up a hill between old military buildings that appear to be rented out to private businesses – a bike rental company, a car repair garage, a yoga studio.
Up the hillside, I disappear into temperate forest. Ferns and nasturtium tangle with gnarled pine trees dripping with moss. I am presented a choice: an easy path or a low tunnel with a steep incline. I choose the tunnel, and am surprised when the incline is so steep I get a bit dizzy. This is a feeling I am trying to put-off. I didn’t expect to face dizziness until I put my foot on the Bridge. I look up.
The Golden Gate Bridge seems to be sitting on my nose, straight ahead. So big and so high off the water, my toes already tingle and want to curl away from the task I am electing to accomplish. I walk on.
An unceremonious step onto a broad sidewalk sets walkers along that famous path. No welcome sign, no archway, no photo stop. One moment, I am off the Bridge, the next I am heading toward an iconic moment. Views all around, the bustle of work-day traffic, the sturdiness of the structure, one step, then another, then another. It doesn’t seem like such a big deal, and I am glad to feel a relaxed sense of enjoyment take over.
Half-way across, I notice the cloud cover, which brings milder temperatures and means there is little wind. For the 1.701 miles of its length, I never once fear heights. The path is wide, and I share it with few other walkers this early in the morning. My real danger is the occasional fast bike that whips by, its approach drowned-out by the traffic noise. Even with the misty clouds, I can see the cityscape in the distance, the Island of Alcatraz straight ahead to the east, the sister Bay Bridge and the Oakland-Berkeley cities in a morning haze. I see the Sausalito area to the north, looking rural in contrast to the maze of architecture in San Francisco itself.
The walk is over sooner than seems possible. I know going back will be as long, and am glad to have a second chance to relish the experience, to feel the transit, to test my fears.
Before now, I had flown over the Golden Gate, sailed under the Bridge, and crossed the expanse in a car. Today, I put my simple feet onto a dream, and turn it into reality.
Please join the Monday Walk with RestlessJo and friends:
The Golden Gate Bridge is so beautiful and iconic. I’ve driven across it many times but have walked it only once, many years ago. Thank you for overcoming your fear of heights and taking us along with you,
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Janis – I was so surprised at the experience. It was fun and full of views, and not a bit scary or challenging. Hope you do it again one day…
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I’m ok with heights unless I’m on a cliff top and near the edge. I would be so excited to be on that bridge, Susan, you might never get me off. 🙂 🙂 Many thanks for sharing.
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RJo – As I understand it, there’s an almost-duplicate bridge in Lisbon! You can test out your theory about heights (but please don’t get too close to the edge 😉 )
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There is- that’s so true. 🙂 🙂 I’ve driven across it a couple of times. Next time I shou;ld get out and walk.
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What a great experience! I think I would choose the easy path to the low tunnel – that sounds claustrophobic as well as being steep.
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Anabel – You would have chosen wisely. I happen to like tunnels and Hobbit-like holes, so I wasn’t going to pass this up. Cheers – Susan
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I’ll be in San Francisco next week. Maybe I’ll get to walk in your footsteps.
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I hope you do! If you have time to add to your plans: I thought the botanical gardens were a great deal ($14 for two of us – I think there was a senior discount involved) And, if you are near the Cow Hollow/Marina neighborhood, Lucca’s Deli is wonderful and HomePlate Cafe has great breakfasts. Hope you have a wonderful time. And if you head south to Morro Bay, let me know!
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We’ll actually be staying in Mountain View.
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Enjoy the lovely weather 🙂
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Delightful walk, as usual! Many thanks.
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Thanks for walking along, Hugh.
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What a beautiful description of this memorable event, Susan. Loved the image of you as a small girl – very pretty 🙂 I have never crossed that bridge, only flown over and boated under it. Maybe one day I will cross that bridge…
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Crossing bridges … if it’s not literal, it can be metaphorical, and then again, you ‘virtually’ crossed with me, just as I have visited your salt marsh many times! Hurray for blogs 🙂
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So many ways to view the same scene. -Cuz-O
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K-O: Revisiting these fabulous places in different ways is always fun, yes?
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