Another Beautiful Foggy Day

A decade gone by on this wonderful Sonoma memory

Oh, joy! It's another beautifully foggy day! Even more exciting, getting into my Subaru and driving during the height of the morning commute. I am positively giddy.

The fog is thick. I mean really thick! We live in the city and when fog is at street level you know it's bad out in the open spaces. But I am not concerned. I am one of the few sane drivers who actually slows down in this pea soup weather and keeps a real distance between my Subaru and other auto projectiles.

As expected, out on the freeway, people are whizzing...jetting...zooming at rates that simply can't be defined by simply saying they are speeding or driving too fast. In this stuff, whatever it is they are doing is simply insane! Staying in the right-hand  lane, I let anyone who wants to pass me go right ahead. I won't exceed the posted speed and, imagine, I'm actually driving a little under the legal limit.

The fog is heavy until just past Davis and then. as if some unseen force had wiped the haze from your eyes, it's suddenly clear blue and sunshine. I'm still enjoying my blissful cruise along the interstate; heading for one of my favorite destinations—Sonoma! The anticipation is almost heart-stopping.

Speaking of stopping, suddenly traffic comes to a near stop—a crawl—as we approach the exit to Sonoma. I have no idea what's happening since I've never been at this junction, I-80 and Hwy. 12,  so early (8:00am) before. Are all these cars heading up valley (that would be Napa) or is this some shortcut I don't know about? We creep along, but I don't mind. It gives me time to almost enjoy the scenery because now the fog has returned. Newly greened hillsides and rural landscapes are visible through the ghostly mist. Soon the terraced vineyards appear. Stripped bare for winter their vines twist above the velvety rows of cover crops.

Suddenly, just out of the corner of my eye a vision flapping, descending—the fancily form of a great blue heron comes floating out of the fog to a graceful, one-legged perch atop a grape stake. I am awestruck and wonder if any of my other road-mates observed this marvel. Just then I see, an overturned big rig has spilled a load of sand onto Hwy. 12. OMG! This is the reason for the  rush-hour crawl. It appears no one is hurt and cars are easing by and (of course) quickly back to pedal to the metal. Personally, I am thankful for this momentary lag in my morning drive. 

I leave all the traffic behind me as I head towards beautiful Sonoma and the yet to be discovered, Relais du Soleil  a rustic country ranch B&B tucked away in the hidden wilds of Sonoma County. I have no idea the wonders that await me.  The visions of a landscape that seem almost forgotten by time and a rutted and narrow road. My Subaru and I live for just the sort of thing.

If my Subaru can't get me there, 
that's a good reason not to go!

Comments

[Maria Wegner]

I also enjoy driving during the early morning and savor the cool breeze. Regardless of weather or season, it is important that every driver drives safely to avoid accidents. And yes, with this scenic view, who wouldn’t want to slow down for a while and appreciate the beauty of nature?

[Tyra Shortino]

I’ve experienced driving through a thick layer of fog when I went to Sussex, England last year. It was really scary at first since I hardly knew the place. Plus, I was all alone but the experience taught me one great lesson: if one of your senses fails you, strengthen the rest. Since I couldn’t see properly, I tried my best to sense whether there’s a car in front of me or something. =)

[Dante Mallet]

Driving through a street filled with thick fog makes me feel like I’m driving through Silent Hill, hehe! But even though I’m a bit scared, I also feel excited to see the scenery when it clears. Maybe I should just avoid driving through fogs during night time, eh? =)

[Clint Moore]

Good to know that you’re a very careful driver, especially when the fog is that thick. I know that feeling of excitement as the road unveils itself from all that fog. It’s like seeing the road in a new way. Like you, I also take time to appreciate the things around me while I’m driving. It starts my day right too. I hope you’ll have more amazing drives like that! =)

[Sebastian Gaydos]

That's the joy of having a ride on a foggy day: experiencing the suspense of going to your favorite destination behind the fog. And then, once you reach it, there's a feeling of complete fulfillment in your journey. I wish I can experience that every day! That would make driving a much more enjoyable experience!