We all know about snowbirds, right? They’re  people who leave places like North Dakota and bitter cold and snow for somewhere warmer down south.
Well, here in the northwest we have our own version of those people: rainbirds!
And in my continuing series of Friday interviews, I’m talking with the couple you see here, Jack and Loett.
They’re from Fairview, Oregon, which is on the east side of the Portland-Vancouver metro area.Â
They spend most of our rainy season in Palm Desert, California, which is just south of Palm Springs. This is a place that averages fewer than 20 days a year with rain. Portland has 150 days. And when it comes to sunshine, it’s one of the sunniest parts of the entire U.S.
Jack did the talking…
What’s the best thing about spending the rainy season in the desert?
Naturally, the weather. You can sit by the pool, you can BBQ. You can sit on your patio all evening. That’s what we love to do.
How many years have you been doing this?
In 1995 we started coming south for a week or two. In 2001, I retired and we started doing a month or two. Now it’s 5 months out of the year.
Do you know other Northwesterners doing the same?
Oh, heavens yes. Both Oregonians & Washingtonians–at least 20 other people. Some friends have come to visit and next thing you know, they’re renting long term or buying a place down in the Palm Springs area.
What do you miss while gone?
I miss our house back home and friends that are back home, too. That’s about it.
So why come back?
Great fishing. Well, fishing…I hope it’s great!
For now, I don’t want to miss the rainy season because it’s a whole lot of fun to forecast. But someday, when I’m no longer doing the weather, I would love to be a rainbird!
Leave a Reply