This is November on the West Coast: warm, foggy, a bit drizzly, dark early. It’s the kind of weather where I simply force myself to throw on a backpack, load Abby into the car and go…. And then I’m so glad I did.

This morning, we hiked up to Heart Lake and it was beautiful and lonely in the fog. We saw hardly anyone else. Most of the three hours, we were alone – in the mist.

And it was fine.

And the rest of the day was and is and will be about finding comfort in this weather. I believe the Danish word is “hygge.” My version: I bought a bottle of Chardonnay that is chilling in the fridge. I have soup in the fridge. I am on a reading jag of the most simple possible rom-com books that are all about the south of France and happy endings. I am also all about extra bits of chocolate and down throws and down vests and hot water bottles in bed at night.

November doesn’t seem so bad after all.