Forget What People May Say-- the Pacific Northwest is a GREAT Place to Live!

As I watched the national weather forecast the other day, I realized just how fortunate I am to live in the Pacific Northwest - at least in the part of it I call home.

The forecast called for a major storm to hit the Eastern Seaboard, with snow all the way from Washington D.C up through the New England states. Meanwhile, our forecast was for rain, with temperatures in the low 50s.

That weather forecast was right on the money. Several places in the east got record snowfalls- some recording the largest accumulations ever from one storm. We, on the other hand, got about an inch of rain, which isn't at all unusual for us, after all, this is the Northwest, and it rains here all the time, right?

Actually, no, it doesn't! In fact there are a lot of misconceptions about the Northwest!

Let me clear some of them up for you.

It's true we get a lot of rain between November and March, sometimes even into April or early May. But rain is easy to deal with. You don't have to shovel it! And you don't have to bundle up like an eskimo to go out in it! Usually a sweater and a light, weather-proof jacket are all we need in what we call "winter" around here.

Sure we get an occasional snowfall, but most of the time it's pretty minor- a few flurries just to remind us there really is such stuff. On a rare occasion we actually get snow that accumulates and stays around for a few days, but we don't mind that. In fact, most of us just get out in it and enjoy it while it's here!

Our winters don't last too long. It gets cold in December, (by OUR standards, anyway, meaning it actually slips below freezing some times!), but it starts warming up by February. By April, we're usually fully into springtime. The rain has stopped. Gardens get planted. Flowers start blooming, (many will last right into December!)

May through September are the banner months. The weather is pleasantly warm, but not too hot. Except for an occasional hot spell, temps in the high 70s to low 80s are the norm. And there is almost unlimited sunshine! The weather systems that bring the clouds and rain in the winter go elsewhere during the summer. Rainfall is usually in short supply during this time of year.

Summers are glorious- made more so because, at least where I live, mosquitoes and bugs are rarely seen. In the evenings you can sit outside in comfort, without smelling like a chemical factory! Mosquito repellant? What's that?

Long summer days make for all kinds of recreational activities, but the most popular ones involve the mighty Columbia River, which is right at our doorstep. At times, especially on lazy Sunday afternoons, the river gets pretty crowded. Sailboats of all shapes and sizes, motorboats, jet skis, and large luxury yachts all vie for their place on the water. There are regattas and races throughout the summer, too. Thankfully, some enterprising individuals saw them coming a long time ago, and set up some great "watering holes" right along the river, where you can sip a local brew while you watch the goings-on.

As daylight begins to wane, and the sun sinks slowly in the west, a spectacular show begins to play in the east. Mt. Hood becomes resplendent in a colorful kaleidoscope of colors, changing moment by moment from pink to red to purple, signaling the end of another fun-filled day on the water.

That same Mt. Hood, only sixty miles from my door, offers still more recreation for the area. The incredible snow pack it receives each winter provides unmatched skiing and snowboarding opportunities. Often the snow pack is so deep, the skiing can last into late June, and on rare occasions, early July!

Mt. Hood is one of the most popular mountains for climbing, too. In fact, it's the second most climbed mountain in the world. Summer and winter, Mt. Hood keeps us busy!

Perhaps the best thing about living here, though, is the lifestyle. No pretensions necessary! It's very laid back and casual. Normal dress is blue jeans and runners in the winter, and cut-offs and sandals in the summer, unless you have to work, of course.

Lest you think it's only fun and games, this area is home to several American corporate giants, too. Thousands are employed at Microsoft, Boeing, Nike, Intel, and a host of other industries. We make everything here from airplanes to micro chips, and running shoes to cell phones. We have some of the busiest ports on the Pacific coast, including two large inland ports in Portland and Vancouver.

There's so much more that could be said for this area, but let me sum it up this way: Friendly people, wonderful climate, great natural beauty, and all the essentials for enjoying life make this part of the world one of the best places-if not the best-on earth to live. It's my home sweet home, and I never want to leave!