If you have never lived in the Pacific Northwest, you might wonder how Seattleites cope with so much regional rain. We who do live here ask ourselves the same thing, of course, especially by the time January and February roll around. But true Seattleites find a variety of ways to ward off the seasonal blues. Here’s our survival guide:
1) Go climb a wall.
If the seemingly endless gray skies make you feel like climbing the walls, why not do just that? Visit the REI flagship store where you can Climb the Pinnacle for a mere $7.00 (members) or $20.00 (non-members). Just be sure to make a reservation first and prepare to sign a waver of liability.
Or head to Vertical World at one of several locations where you can sign up for a range of classes or packages from “Intro. to Climbing” to “Lead Climbing.” How better to test your strength and resolve before tackling mountain climbing in the Northwest? Of course, if you’d rather simply stop by and climb the walls, you can do that, too.
2) Hop on a ferry.
When you’re ready for a short skip out of town, Washington State Ferries are ready to be of service. With so many routes available, your only challenge lies in choosing where to go. For a quick getaway, you can board a ferry to several nearby destinations: bucolic Vashon Island, the artistic community of Bainbridge Island, the town of Bremerton on the Kitsap Peninsula for a visit to one of the world’s largest U.S. Navy repair yards, or Whidbey Island, for saltwater beaches and hiking trails. For longer visits, the San Juan Islands (Lopez, Shaw, Orcas and San Juan), Alaska and British Columbia beckon.
3) Make a museum date.
One day you feel like viewing the paintings of renown artists, another day exploring your fascination with dinosaurs. One day your mood runs more to rock n’ roll, another day to aviation, natural history or sci-fi. Whatever your inclination or budget, Seattle has a museum for you.
4) Embrace the rain.
That’s right. If you can’t beat the gloomy weather, you might as well get out and enjoy it! Just don a waterproof hat, jacket and pants and you’re all set. You’re not going to let a little drizzle dampen your spirits, are you?
5) Follow the Sun.
When all else fails, Seattleites start planning their escape to the Sun Belt – Arizona, California and Florida are popular destinations. But sooner or later visions of tropical paradise, swinging hammocks and island living spring to mind. And when they do, Hawaii lands at the top of the list. Honolulu and Waikiki, Kaua’i, Maui and “the Big Island,” are perennial favorites with Seattle locals.
What about you, Wanderboomers? How do you beat the winter blues? What’s your favorite place for sun n’ fun?
The climbing wall looks like fun. You found some great ways to beat the weather.
Thanks, Lisa! You do what you have to do. When the rains are too much with us in Seattle, we have to get creative. My daughter is awesome on the climbing wall!
I loved Seattle in the rain. That’s what makes it so lush and green. I lived there for eight years and it was heaven. Of course, now that I’ve been living in San Diego, it would be hard to go back. But not because of the rain, but because I’m no longer used to the cold!
You have a point there, Monica! The dampness settles in your bones here after awhile. But it is so unbelievably green and beautiful. And when the sun does come out, we remember why we live here. Thanks for stopping by ~
I’d definitely settle for the museum, though climbing the walls would probably be better for me.
I don’t live in Seattle, but I’m in the Midwest. It’s cold, rainy, and gray and doesn’t work for me. There’s not a lot to do. So … I beat the rainy blues by thinking about Arizona. I lived in Arizona for four years. I think about how I used to hike South Mountain Park in Phoenix, and started to get into rock climbing. I think about how I ran and powered walked in the ‘clean’ parks. I think about the 85+ degree temperatures. It’s so easy to keep in shape because the weather’s beautiful. I had no excuse to stay indoors. The cold and rain doesn’t motivate me to go outside and run. I do my best to ‘psyche’ myself up, but it doesn’t work. I miss living in the Southwest. BTW: It’s close to California … I love CA too. What can I say? I prefer to live in a sunny part of the U.S. I recently thought about moving to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
You and me both, Marcia!
Visualizing sun is always a good idea, Amandah! I’m a sun-loving gal, too, fair-skinned though I be – which does make me wonder what the heck I’m doing in Seattle. Ah, but then the sun comes out again, and (almost) all is forgiven. Here’s wishing you lots of short jaunts to sunny locations ~