It was the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and our holiday guests had an early flight. I woke up feeling the lack of sleep, and after dropping them off at the San Jose airport, I was looking forward to catching another hour of rest. However, on the drive home, a thick layer of fog over the Eastern Foothills caught my eye. My plan for sleep vanished; I quickly decided to grab my camera gear and explore the foothills in my neighborhood.
A couple of miles into the drive, the fog intensified, severely limiting visibility. I questioned my decision to sacrifice sleep on a cold morning but decided to press on. The fog only grew thicker as I ascended, yet the morning possessed a serene quality that I found peaceful and enjoyable.
Suddenly, the fog lifted completely, and the rising sun came into view, restoring normal visibility. I was surprised until I realized I had driven above the fog layer—a condition I had never witnessed in this area before. The road was winding and narrow, without any shoulders for parking. I continued until I found a slight pull-off and a good vantage point.
The low, rising sun cast a soft glow across the curved hillsides. The lingering fall colors on a few trees along the slopes were made brighter and warmer by this light. The valley floor was obscured, replaced by a dense blanket of fog. I took in the spectacular scene, snapped a few quick photos, and drove on, hoping for more unique compositions. Unfortunately, the photographic conditions deteriorated. As the sun climbed higher, the fog began to dissipate, and the light became increasingly harsh. Nevertheless, I was grateful to have witnessed and captured a few fleeting moments of such rare and beautiful conditions.
