On some fall mornings, fog settles in the low fields around Bolivar and hangs over the water at Pomme de Terre.
If you are already up, you might catch it on your way through town or during a walk near the water.
How fog forms
Two types you may see are fog over cooling ground and fog above warmer water.
On a clear night, the ground loses heat and cools the air just above it. If that air cools to its dew point, water drops can form in the air. This is called radiation fog.
Steam fog can form when cold air moves over warmer water. You may see it rising from the surface of a lake or pond.
The mornings to watch for
For ground fog, watch for clear skies, light winds, and moist air overnight. A stronger wind can mix the air and make this type of fog less likely.
Check the local forecast for fog and low visibility. A forecast temperature close to the dew point is a useful clue, but it does not promise fog in a certain field.
Fog may fade as the ground warms after sunrise. Its timing and thickness vary, so leave the plan loose.
Where it sits
Low ground and places near water give you a few places to look. Some mornings, the fog stays patchy.
The Frisco Highline Trail, where the tree line closes in and the trail ahead of you disappears into gray
Dunnegan Memorial Park early, before the walkers arrive, when the mist is still caught in the trees
Pomme de Terre, where you may see mist above the water from a public access point
The county roads north and west of town, where the pasture dips and the fog pools in the low spots
Pull off somewhere safe if you stop on a county road. Fog cuts both your visibility and everyone else's.
What to take with you
Boots you do not mind soaking. The grass holds more water than it looks like it does.
A warm layer for a cool, damp morning, especially if you plan to stop for a while.
Coffee, obviously.
For a phone photo, try a clear shape against the fog: a tree, a fence line, or a person walking ahead of you. Tap your subject to focus, then check the picture before trying another angle.
Going anyway
Check the forecast the night before, then see what the morning brings. The walk can still be worth taking if the fog does not show up.
Most of the ones I have seen out there I found by accident, on the way to something else, and pulled over.
