In a fog...

Today the weather did what it likes to do around here, and changed dramatically! It started out mild and humid, growing warmer throughout the morning... and then, in the middle of the afternoon, the temperature started dropping. I was inside the visitor center and noticed that it was starting to look a little hazy outside; almost that exact moment, a visitor asked, "Does it often get misty like this?" There were wisps of fog visible between the door and the trees at the far side of the picnic area.

By the time I went out to the overlook at around 4:15, it was dense fog. Grand Island was invisible across the water. Even Miner's Castle was extremely difficult to see, although the fog kept lightening up and then coming back thick. So there were glimpses - sometimes just the outline of the rock outcrop, sometimes almost a clear view. I think my eyes adjusted, as well, and were able to look past the fog somewhat. The water directly below the overlook was visible, but the kayaks that came out from behind Miner's Castle were fuzzy outlines, barely distinguishable as red or yellow.

I stayed at the upper platform, talking to visitors about what we were and weren't seeing. There was a group with about five young kids - I think it was two families traveling together - and I was having so much fun with them! The kids kept getting so excited when they could see the rock, or the water down below, or when the kayaks came around and they were screaming and waving! At one point I noticed swirls of fog between us and the trees - much closer than the trees earlier had been - and pointed out that we were standing in a cloud. The kids ran toward the swirls, jumping around and shouting, "I'm in a cloud! I'm in a cloud!"

This is one of the best things about my job - I get to watch kids being kids. It is an endless source of entertainment!