Where Hesitation Meets Peace: A Walk in Muir Woods

I hadn’t planned on visiting Muir Woods that morning.

I fed the dogs and ensured the house was in good shape. I checked my GPS on a whim. It was only about an hour away. I thought, why not? and decided to make the drive.

To reach the park, you have to travel down a narrow, winding road for about four miles. The morning was blanketed in fog, and each curve felt a little eerie — beautiful, but unsettling. When I finally reached the bottom and pulled up to the entrance, I realized I had no signal. The park ranger explained that I needed a parking reservation. I would have to drive back up those same four miles to make one.

So up I went again, through the same twists and turns. For a moment, I thought about not going through with it. The fog, the quiet, and those sharp curves made me nervous. But something in me said, you’ve come this far — follow through.

At the top, I finally got a signal, made my reservation, and started back down. This time, the fog began to lift. Light filtered through the trees, and what had felt intimidating just minutes earlier now looked peaceful — almost welcoming.

When I arrived, I parked and stood there for a moment, still unsure if I could handle the trail. Then I saw another woman moving gracefully along in her motorized scooter, smiling and taking in the view. That was all the reassurance I needed. If she could explore, I could walk.

So I did. I walked about a mile into the forest, surrounded by redwoods that stretched higher than my thoughts. The air was cool and damp — that clean kind of damp with a hint of pine. I stood still, breathing it all in — grateful I hadn’t talked myself out of the experience.

And crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to get there? That was its own quiet gift — a reminder that sometimes courage starts with a single, spontaneous yes.

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Reflection Prompt:

When life asks you to travel the same winding road twice, what helps you keep going?

And who reminds you — even without words — that you’re more capable than you think?

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Author’s Note:

This reflection began as a spontaneous voice note during a California housesit. That winding road — and the woman in the scooter — reminded me that courage is often quiet. Keeping through isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence. Even when the fog hides the view, steady steps still lead to clarity.

By Tonia Tyler | #ConfidentStrides | Sweet N Social

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