Twin Peaks Observation Platform

The picture you see here was taken a week ago Sunday, on Twin Peaks, home to some of the most beautiful views of the city … as long as there’s no fog. Last Sunday, boy howdy, there was fog. This was about lunchtime, and the fog never really did burn off that day.

As I write this, I’m sure the view from Twin Peaks is similarly obscured. On clear day, I can see Mount Sutro and Twin Peaks from out of my dining room window. Right now I can’t really see past Castro Street.

This is the weather that everybody talks about when they repeat the “coldest-winter-is-summer-in-San-Francisco” saying. And while I don’t miss the Texas heat I see all my pals complaining about on Twitter and Facebook, I can’t say I’m in love with these foggy damp days with highs in the 50s in August.

This weekend, Saturday was beautiful and clear from the first thing in the morning. It was actually hot, and I went out in a t-shirt and didn’t bring a jacket. It was awesome. But, as I’m learning, a clear hot day is a predictor that the next will be foggy. It’s all due to a tidal patterns, the Coriolis Effect and other geographical and meteorological anomalies. A bit hard to wrap one’s mind around, especially when one’s mind is wrapped up in fog.

In a way, it’s charming, yes. But I have to admit I’m looking forward to September and October, when San Francisco traditionally gets a few days of summer. In the meantime, I’ll have to just think sunny thoughts.

Of course, as I complain, I am thinking of all of you down there in the path of Edouard. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for low winds, no flooding, and no twisters.