February on the Pacific coast means many things.

Firstly it means that spring is around the corner.  My snowdrops are all in bloom and the variegated spikes of my crocuses have made an appearance.  The flowers themselves are still tightly clenched, but they are awaiting some quality warmth before they explode open.

This also means another change is taking place.  Where it would normally be rainy and gloomy or even clear, freezing and sunny – the fog has moved in.  The unique valley I live in has a number of features.  The valley floor is actually the surface of the pacific ocean, with all its many atmospheric factors.  The mountains along the valley are high, thus trapping in any warming/cooling effects of the air.  This means that in the spring the prevailing feature first thing in the morning is coastal fog.  To some it is depressing, but to most of us if we look up in the sky we see the glow of the sun shining down and know that eventually it will burn off the fog and turn the whole day bright and sunny.  With the coming of the morning fog, this also signals the true coming of spring.  Warm days. Sun and heat. And wonderful riding weather to come.

I love spring.