In the Northwest, it rains for most of the year, and those of us who live here have to learn how to deal with it! Many pretend it isn't happening, walking through the rain without hoods or umbrellas. Along with socks and sandals and coffee, these are the quirks of Northern Washington. The following are some easy yet helpful tips to enjoying activities in the Northwest, rain or shine.
1. Keep a rain jacket ready.
Having a rain jacket available to you can make a world of a difference when it comes to rainy season in the Northwest. A true rain jacket is light enough to roll up very tightly to be compact in a backpack or car. During a time of year when it rains almost every day, it is nice to have a rain jacket ready to go when there's a downpour.
2. Layers, layers, layers.
Layers are your best friend in the Northwest. It might get warm during the day but freezing at night. Jackets and vests to throw over your current outfit can be a really good idea, especially if you are gone hiking in the evening. Being able to add clothing or take off layers for varying temperatures will help you stay comfortable.
3. Wear hats.
Maybe not an umbrella hat, but beanies and baseball caps are really popular and useful. Having a beanie can help keep your head and ears warm, and baseball caps can block the sun or rain. During fall and winter, I usually keep a baseball cap in my car and a beanie in my backpack. It's nice to be prepared on long walks across campus!
4. Have a plastic bag handy.
A garbage or grocery bag can be kept in the car or in a backpack really easily. They are extremely useful for easy storage of a wet rain jacket during class. During the rainy season, it's really nice to have an extra bag for muddy shoes while driving to avoid cleaning the car so often.
5. Invest in a pair of rain boots.
If they are ready and available in your car, even better! It's better to have them for those days it's raining really hard rather than to get your shoes and socks wet. In the Northwest, it rains a lot, which in turn creates a lot of mud. Rather than ruining shoes way faster than normal during rainy season, save yourself the trouble and just get some rubber rain boots. Water-resistant hiking shoes are a good idea if it's raining and you need more traction, but watch out for big puddles!
6. Use waterproofing spray.
Using a waterproofing spray on your shoes and backpack can help out a lot if you're out in the rain. The spray can mean the difference between you and your stuff staying dry or getting soaked. After experiencing school books wet from a wet backpack, waterproof spray became my go-to during the rainy season in Washington. Just a spray over the fabric you want to slick water, and it will stay dryer and cleaner.
7. Make some hand-warmers.
Hand warmers are extremely useful when it's cold, rainy, and windy outside. It sucks to be stuck inside and having hand warmers can help you feel a lot warmer while doing outdoor activities in non-ideal weather. Making hand warmers is also really easy if you have fabric, rice, and patience. Using a sewing-machine makes this task extremely simple. Using the machine to make a pouch out of the fabric, filling it with rice, and sealing it is an easy way to make microwavable hand-warmers. This is a fun activity to do if you are stuck inside on a winter day!
8. Skimp on makeup and embrace the natural look.
I'm proud to say that many of us that live in the Northwest are outdoorsy. How could we live in such a beautiful, green place and not enjoy it? Whether it's hiking, biking, walking, or exploring, the women here in Bellingham, WA, are all about the natural look, and I love it! After moving here and seeing how women embrace their natural beauty, I am happy to share some knowledge with people elsewhere: Embrace who you are, and embrace nature! Be adventurous and don't worry about "enhancing" or preening when you can be comfortable as yourself in the wind and rain. I'd rather look outdoorsy than like a raccoon!
9. Public transportation/carpool is your friend.
Although it sucks to stand at the bus stop in the rain, it's better than walking or biking to school in a downpour. When it comes to eco-friendly transportation, the bus system really helps me out during the rainy season. Carpooling is a great choice if it's an option, but living close to campus, busing makes the most sense in my situation. The rain and cold in Washington won't stop me from being ecologically-conscious. Think about the environment, too, next time you're trying to travel in the rain.
10. Drink a lot of coffee.
Northern Washington in particular is known for our love of coffee. With winter days so cold and short, it's the only way to wake up early and make the most of our day before it gets dark at 4:30 p.m.! Then, of course, it's time for more coffee to stay up until a "normal" bedtime. From warming me up to waking me up, coffee is an all-purpose, well-loved drink in the Northwest! Limiting alcohol consumption during the dark days of winter is really important, too. Already lacking sunlight, alcohol (a depressant), can hurt your mood over the cold and rainy months. Limiting consumption and maximizing time spent in the sun over the rainy season can keep you active and improve your mood.
Even though it rains most of the year in the Northwest, it's a beautiful place with lots to do! Don't get stuck indoors this fall and winter because of the rain and cold. Dress warm, be prepared, and get out there and enjoy the great Northwest!
