Hello and HAPPY Fall Y'all! Since the last time I posted, the rainy season is already rearing its ugly head here in the PNW. Ironic since the first day of fall was yesterday and today is the first day we have seen rain in close to two months. I have to say that now that rainy season is starting, there is something oddly comforting about it....maybe its the dark dreary days that make taking naps and drinking endless cups of warm beverages so enjoyable, or that I get to wear skinny jeans and rain boots pretty much every day.... I am not actually dreading it like I have for the past two years (ASK ME AGAIN IN APRIL how i feel!)
When we arrived here in 2012, I owned one singular rain jacket.... because, well, it seems like a silly thing to own more than one rain jacket. Having lived here two full years now, I own....FOUR rain jackets. I know I know, you may ask yourself, WHY ON EARTH do you have so many....well, if you had told me two years ago that I would need that many I would have laughed in your face. Rain is rain..Right?!
The fact is rain is not rain....especially not in the PNW. I have never lived in a place that has SO many different types of rain. Think about the scene Forrest Gump, that about sums it up! After only a few months here, I discovered, that my beautiful NorthFace rain/cold jacket, with the fleece zip in , although fantastic for a light rain, or a chilly/snowy day was NOT going to cut it out here. In the PNW, you need the good industrial strength Gortex rain jacket. One that can handle whatever mother nature can throw at it! Thank goodness there is an REI near by so that I could check out all the different types of rain gear!
One may ask, WHY I have four rain jackets now...well, I have learned a few things
1. It is necessary if possible to have multiple rain jackets in the PNW...it is possible to rain on any given day SO MUCH that you will need to switch out jackets, to allow time for one to dry (NOT KIDDING YOU ON THIS).
2. You will need a thicker rain jacket that also can serve as a protection against cold...it doesn't ever get REALLY cold in Oregon, but 45 degrees here feels like 25 degrees. Its wet, and damp and chills you to the bone.
3. You will need a nicer dresser rain coat for work/nice occasions. Prior to moving to the PNW, I just threw on my NorthFace and rolled out, however, in the PNW, it is work etiquette to have a nicer jacket for days when you are having an important meeting and need to wear a suit, and perhaps the bright green Columbia is not going to cut it! Although not all in the PNW adhere to this rule, this has been my observations.
So that my friends, is how my wardrobe evolved from one single jacket into four....and I have to say, the evolution is probably not over. I am always looking for a new coat (kinda like getting a brand new pair of Yellow Box flip-flops in the Springtime in the South). I would have never thought it was possible, but I suppose I this is all part of the process of acclimating to becoming an Oregonian!
Until next time y'all,
Emily
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