It’s been raining solidly for weeks now. Living in a semi-arid state at the end of a three year drought, most of us want that rain to keep on coming. But it was nice to have a two day break. Yesterday was sunny and warm, definitely Springlike. (In fact, the thousands of tree frogs around here suddenly decided Valentine’s Weekend was a good time to start the mating season.) The forecast said today would be another sunny one, so I was up early for a walk to see the sun break through the clouds. I forgot that the Sonoma sun doesn’t exactly “break out” in the Winter. We have several fog channels that affect Sonoma, the Petaluma Gap and the Carneros up from San Pablo Bay. And just to be different and “Californian”, our fog doesn’t predictably come in and burn off. It hovers, then recedes, then rolls back in again until you don’t know what kind of day it’s going to be.

When we started our walk at 8:00, it looked as if the fog was leaving. Within ten minutes, just a whisp of it could be seen off in the distance.

It looked as if it was going to be a great day for barking at the pond.

By the time we’d hiked up to the vineyards, the fog was a thick blanket.

So how does fog recede in the valleys but linger on the heights?

By the time we left the vineyards, the fog had pulled back down to the valleys and we were in sunshine.

What is this? Fog hide and seek?

We went to the top of a 200 foot cliff looking over the Western part of the property and watched the fog hugging the valleys.

Oscar, look in the other direction. We're observing fog.

Then, in a matter of minutes, we watched the fog recede again.

Leaving a lot of wet grass.

After a quick check on the wine cave, we headed back home through the vineyards.

And what?! The fog was back.

Until it decided to disappear for good. Or at least for the day.

Just in time for a serious session of barking at the pond.

Nice to see blue water again!

See more pictures here.