Alison, I love the fog, but have learned that up here, the changing to more what's called "blue days" has ended up with far less rain and fog than in the past. For me Eugene is that happy balance between the rain, which I need, and the sunny days, which I also need. The climate is changing all over so what people might tell me is normal or not normal probably is based on how long they've lived here. There are days when it is indeed overwhelmingly foggy and raining, and you can likely drive to the ocean and find sun. The proximity to the mts and the ocean is what did it for me, and that is part of why Eugene is perfect. It doesn't take much of a drive to find sun or rain or fog or water. As a writer the moody days feed my muse, and I have no issue with them. I am going into my second year and have so far thoroughly enjoyed the foggy mornings that break into sun about mid-morning.