Rain versus Outdoor Activities (extended stay, construction, income)

[saibot]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

By contrast, we could live somewhere without rain or clouds on a more regular basis, somewhere drier, less lush and green with constant sun and heat. But where's the fun in that?

"Less rain and clouds than the PNW" does not necessarily equal "constant sun and heat." Your choices are not Vancouver and the Sahara Desert.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by saibot

"Less rain and clouds than the PNW" does not necessarily equal "constant sun and heat." Your choices are not Vancouver and the Sahara Desert.

Yes, of course. But for us that is what it boiled down to after eliminating all the other places we knew we didn't want to live in. That includes anywhere with more snow, no dry high desert areas like CO (been there, done that), no midwest or east coast. So that leaves the southwest which is hot, dry with too much sun for us. Plus, we want to live near a coast. Then there's the south which is also green with plenty of rain. We have relatives in Florida and out of all other options, that would be a decent alternative. But my wife isn't interested in living in the south. So, we're left with hot, dry, dusty fire prone areas on the west coast or the wetter side.

Keep in mind many folks, including the OP, are coming from CA where COL is too high in the more desirable locations where $million+ homes are the norm. So, while the climate is generally 'mild' there, its not the location of choice given many other factors. They've got too little rain living in constant droughts.

Derek

[dav51lin]

i stand up paddle year round everyn month of the year i dress for it what i do not like or go out in is windy conditions i manage at least 240 days a year

[wisker]

Thanks for the great pictures Mtnsurfer!

[Botev1912]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

$19.90 direct flights to SAN were great for the few yrs Spirit Air offered.

To SD at 5AM and return to PNW at midnight.
Sunrise above PNW clouds is often great at 10000 ft.

Of course all is subjective, as I grew up on a Colorado ranch with adequate sunny days, and I love chopping ice on ponds for cows and hauling hay via snowmobile / sled. We ice skated every day after school during winter. You can work outdoors all day in the mtn states dry powdery snow and not get wet! Fall down once in PNW snow and be soaked.

Just deal with it wherever you must be.

Camping for weeks in the rain is not my favorite, but camping with lots of gear is not a favorite activity for me either. Southern CA spouse just loves camping, regardless of weather. Thus we often take solo trips, or with friends or siblings.

PNW we_tside, you don't wait for a nice day for your activities, you just do activities regardless of weather. That is quite different than most regions, where you do other things when weather does not cooperate. Midwest or mountain states, we had majority of cooperating days, so it's easy to slightly adjust planning and activities around weather. PNW, that 'nice day' may be weeks or months away. Or never. So just do the task activity, as your clients will be busy when the weather is nice.

Right, NEVER!

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by wisker

Thanks for the great pictures Mtnsurfer!

Sometimes a picture tells a better story than a bunch of people's opinions. Take everything on the internet and especially CD with a Big grain of salt. Then explore these places for yourself. Only you can determine what's the best fit vs. someone else's opinion on rain. We're really glad we didn't listen to all the naysayers and hyperbole. Here's a few pics from a local hike today in the Columbia River Gorge. Too bad it rains so much you can't do anything outside. lol













Derek

[mayfair]

We're having a drier than average stretch of spring. (Weather data backs this up). There are always some nice days and they do make great pics and nice outings. It's great to get out and enjoy them.

But what happens if people move here and say "well, look at those pics of clear days and wildflowers, now it's raining and gray, what's up?"

If you live here long term, you have to make peace with doing things in the rain because it rains... alot.

[Botev1912]

Originally Posted by mayfair

We're having a drier than average stretch of spring. (Weather data backs this up). There are always some nice days and they do make great pics and nice outings. It's great to get out and enjoy them.

But what happens if people move here and say "well, look at those pics of clear days and wildflowers, now it's raining and gray, what's up?"

If you live here long term, you have to make peace with doing things in the rain because it rains... alot.

Mid April - Mid June have been very dry for at least 4-5 years now. That is why fire danger is very high by August. May has been averaging 67-68F (high temperature) in the last 3-4 years. May 2018 saw only 0.12" of rain which is drier than a typical July. On the other hand, winters have been getting wetter.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by mayfair

We're having a drier than average stretch of spring. (Weather data backs this up). There are always some nice days and they do make great pics and nice outings. It's great to get out and enjoy them.

But what happens if people move here and say "well, look at those pics of clear days and wildflowers, now it's raining and gray, what's up?"

If you live here long term, you have to make peace with doing things in the rain because it rains... alot.

I don't think anyone on this forum or anywhere ever said it doesn't rain much in the PNW. The fact that it rains a lot in the PNW is obvious and common knowledge to all. Instead, you see claims to the other extreme here... a lot. That is posters greatly exaggerating how much it rains and therefore they can't do things you would otherwise do outside. The notion that you can't camp or do other outdoor activities is complete hogwash.

The only season that really limits someone, if they don't like to be out in the rain, is the darker, rainier winter season. Spring rain, when it happens, is typically lighter and not for weeks on end. The same is true of fall. Then summer has too little rain, if any at all. So, most hiking, camping or other outdoor activities can easily be planned knowing this. They are not normally impacted by rain unless during the midst of rainiest winter season or some big off-season storm happens to rolls through. Then one plans accordingly knowing the probability.

The part I find most disingenuous is when folks are claiming they can do more including camping in areas with much crazier and unpredictable weather like the mountain states where it will snow, hail, lighting and flash flood virtually any time of the year. That is why states such as CO there are so many deaths from lighting strikes among other weather related incidents. Fast moving storms hit without warning in these unstable areas while people are out recreating and catch them by surprise. We won't even get into hurricane and tornado season in other wonderful states which hit annually with much more to ruin one's day than a little rain.

It's not like other states don't get rain or the potential for harsh weather when storms roll through. Unless you live somewhere with traditionally 'very low' annual precipitation, rain is a normal part of everyday life. It's what makes the PNW a beautiful place to enjoy with waterfalls, flowing rivers, lush forests and yes, amazing wildflower displays. Its certainly nothing to freak out about or ruin outdoor activities.

Derek

[mayfair]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

Mid April - Mid June have been very dry for at least 4-5 years now. That is why fire danger is very high by August. May has been averaging 67-68F (high temperature) in the last 3-4 years. May 2018 saw only 0.12" of rain which is drier than a typical July. On the other hand, winters have been getting wetter.

Very true. People who moved here in the last five years aren't experiencing the same weather patterns longer term residents have. Who knows if it will go back to wetter springs or if this is the new normal.