It's now the tourist season in Pacific County. Slowly, but surely, more and more vehicles are streaming up or down Highway 101 headed for the beach in Westport, Tokeland, Ocean Shores, Long Beach or Ocean Park. If you think you might want to head to the beach too in Washington or Oregon, I have just two words of caution for you: Be Prepared.
You will need to wipe away your preconceived notions of what the season of summer means. Don't allow yourself to daydream about bright sunny skies, hot temperatures and balmy tropical breezes. If you don't heed my advice, you may find yourself in the same predicament that many tourists will find themselves in this very weekend.
I'm sure many of these folks checked out the weather in Pacific County for the past week. What they found were bright sunny skies and daytime highs ranging from the low 70s to the low 80s. So, before heading out for a fun weekend, they packed tank tops, flip flops, shorts, sun tan oil, sunglasses and maybe even a beach ball. Not a long sleeve shirt or a jacket anywhere in the 'ol suitcase.
What a surprise such folks will be in for! The sun has disappeared completely; it has been replaced by low clouds, fog and mist. Those warm days are far behind us -- daytime highs are now hovering in the mid 50s. In two short days, we've migrated from shorts and swimsuits to jackets and rain slickers.
Of course, for those of us who call coastal Washington or Oregon home, this is run-of-the-mill normal. It's never a surprise to see lows in the 40s and even 30s during the "dog days of summer". It's also not surprising to find highs in the 50s or even high 40s as late as June or July. It's simply part of our rather unique ecosystem.
But to tourists, it's like a cultural shock! It can be very difficult to enjoy a romantic late evening stroll on the beach in shorts if a gale is blowing, rain is falling by the bucketful and wind chills are in the 40s.
So, if you plan to come our way this summer, please pack accordingly. Throw in a couple of pairs of wool socks and a parka...because you never know what Mother Nature has in store for you. :)
You will need to wipe away your preconceived notions of what the season of summer means. Don't allow yourself to daydream about bright sunny skies, hot temperatures and balmy tropical breezes. If you don't heed my advice, you may find yourself in the same predicament that many tourists will find themselves in this very weekend.
I'm sure many of these folks checked out the weather in Pacific County for the past week. What they found were bright sunny skies and daytime highs ranging from the low 70s to the low 80s. So, before heading out for a fun weekend, they packed tank tops, flip flops, shorts, sun tan oil, sunglasses and maybe even a beach ball. Not a long sleeve shirt or a jacket anywhere in the 'ol suitcase.
What a surprise such folks will be in for! The sun has disappeared completely; it has been replaced by low clouds, fog and mist. Those warm days are far behind us -- daytime highs are now hovering in the mid 50s. In two short days, we've migrated from shorts and swimsuits to jackets and rain slickers.
Of course, for those of us who call coastal Washington or Oregon home, this is run-of-the-mill normal. It's never a surprise to see lows in the 40s and even 30s during the "dog days of summer". It's also not surprising to find highs in the 50s or even high 40s as late as June or July. It's simply part of our rather unique ecosystem.
But to tourists, it's like a cultural shock! It can be very difficult to enjoy a romantic late evening stroll on the beach in shorts if a gale is blowing, rain is falling by the bucketful and wind chills are in the 40s.
So, if you plan to come our way this summer, please pack accordingly. Throw in a couple of pairs of wool socks and a parka...because you never know what Mother Nature has in store for you. :)
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