Patterns and Predictability

~ Crystle

Growing up in Bakersfield, CA means I’m well conditioned to brutally hot summers and cool foggy winters: those are pretty much the only two seasons we saw down there, and they were painfully redundant.

Two hour fog delays were common anytime visibility dropped in the valley from the phenomena, which made it a welcome happenstance for city kids, and probably a nuisance for adults who didn’t get to share in the weather delay. This was our weather ‘thing’ and we were all used to it.

Nowadays, I realize that I can no longer be comfortable in weather patterns like I was in California. And gone are the days where I could mark the passage of time by distinct periods of fall, winter, spring and summer like I did while living in Oklahoma.

My one surety is knowing I’ll be nomadic for the foreseeable future while my husband serves our country. Did I mention we’re heading to Alaska next October?  We are, and that assignment has me both excited and terrified at the prospect of extreme Alaskan weather patterns as we build a life for our young family on the Last Frontier.

Those thoughts have been heavy on my mind lately, so to be greeted by that old familiar Bakersfield-type fog over our new neighborhood was comforting. After filling out my absentee ballot and handing it off to my diligent husband to fax off, I took a stroll on the William B. Ives trail just a few hundred yards from our front door.

I wanted to walk in the foggy woods because I wasn’t sure when I’d have the chance to do so again. Bakersfield fog hangs around awhile, but Puget Sound Fog? I have no idea. During my stroll, low fog hugged the tall evergreens as I walked slowly below. I caught glimpses of mushroom clusters and thick hanging moss that made me wonder what life will bring in Alaska, and beyond.

No matter what, one more year in Washington means I’ll have plenty of time to travel to the nooks and crannies that I’ve yet to visit around here, and I’ll have ample time to plan and dream about our future three year stint in Alaska with our upcoming bundle of joy, Margot.

Published by Crystle

Maker, doer, and nomad.

61 thoughts on “Patterns and Predictability”

  4. I smiled SOOO much at the Bakersfield comparisons! I too was born and raised in Bako and graduated from BHS! The family and I now live in central Missouri but I too sometimes miss the soft morning fog. This was a great post, thanks for sharing! Also, isn’t it MUCH more beautiful up in WA than in dusty Bako?

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    1. Yes! So glad another Bako person read this! I went to EBHS, and lived right off the bluffs so I have fond memories of that morning fog.

      And you are absolutely right, Washington’s beauty far exceeds that of Bakersfield. That’s probably why I rarely go back to visit!

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      1. Haha I always say Bakersfield is a “Good place to be from” but not to live in. That’s so funny how small the world is sometimes. My grandma still lives right off the bluffs and I used to run/bike them during the summers. I also hardly ever visit, the country has waaaay to much to offer to actually be satisfied with B-town. What year did you graduate?

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        1. I completely agree. I graduated in 2004 and spent close to a decade in Oklahoma enjoying the midwest. After I married my husband last year, the Army sent us to Washington. Next year, it’s onward to Alaska!

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  5. Beautiful pictures and beautiful patterns! I have always liked Bakerfield as it means when driving between San Diego and the Bay Area it is the midway point!

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    1. That’s one thing I loved about Bakersfield’s location: it’s a launch pad for travel. Let me tell you, it’s quite a rarity to be two hours from mountain ranges and warm coastal beaches!

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    1. I know that during the summer solstice the sun hardly goes down at all. It’ll be sunny at midnight! The opposite is true for the winter solstice. That’s when there is hardly any daylight. Can’t wait to check it out for myself 🙂

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  21. Beautiful photos… Was like a window home for me as I grew up in Wahington and miss it. We’ve recently made our home in Alaska, you’ll find it lovely and unexpected, as I do I’m sure.

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  24. I used to be an AC Op with the Canadian Forces. We had international postings to Anchorage (and I’m assuming that’s where you’re going). From what I’m told…the weather there is nicer than North Bay, Ontario Canada. Although…I don’t think anything could be quite as great as West Coast Washington State/BC Province Area.

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    1. I wish! We’re heading straight to Fairbanks, AK. Brr! It was already -20F the other night up there.

      I totally agree about the beauty of Washington State and British Columbia; never before my visit here did I comprehend such majesty!

      Reply
  35. Pingback: Photographs Equals Life Stories | Female Eyes

  38. these are such lovely pictures! exploring washington while you can sounds like the best idea…and alaska! omg…it’s so beautiful. we have some friends who live there (in juno) and mark has been several times…it’s breathtaking.

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  42. What a beautiful area! I have to say, I’m a little jealous of your upcoming stint in Alaska next year. A friend of mine spends her summers directing a theater camp in a small fishing village in Alaska and has told me many wonderful things about the people and the scenery there. I’m sure it’ll have its downsides but I bet it will be a great experience for you and your family!

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  43. What a wonderful post! Beautiful photo’s and thoughts. That’s what a walk in the woods brings you, right? And three years in Alaska, what an exciting prospect!
    I’m glad you followed me on twitter, so I could find your blog. Nice meeting you!

    Reply

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