20 Mar Four Tips for Conquering Your Inner Weather Wuss
The clouds over Puget Sound threatened rain as my husband and I readied for a winter weekend hike. But then, what else is new? There’s a saying in the Pacific Northwest: If you wait for the skies to clear up, you’ll never go outside.
We pulled on our hoodies and laced up our waterproof boots, threw a scarf guard around our neck and put hats in our pockets for safe measure. All of this gear is relatively new; our previous lives in Philadelphia called for armor of a different sort (namely, a sharp retort for city drivers who saw our pedestrian status as a personal affront). But whatever start-up costs we incurred readying ourselves for damp outdoor adventures has been paid back many times over with mountain sunsets, kayaking thrills and eagle sightings.
Don’t let less than desirable conditions ruin your vacation (or keep you indoors in your own hometown). Here are a few tips to help you conquer your inner weather wuss:
1. Go at the right time. I am amazed, often, at friends who don’t research the weather when they go on vacation – and then complain about the obvious. Summer in the South or East Coast? Brutally humid. The Caribbean in September? Hurricane a’coming. I still shake my head when I recall the friend who visited our favorite Costa Rica bed & breakfast – in the middle of the rainy season.
I understand why people travel at less-than-ideal times. You can save a lot of money by vacationing in the off-season. Keep in mind, however, that the crowds are gone for a reason. You’ll pay, one way or another. (Personally, I suss out the shoulder season, when prices drop but the weather hasn’t turned nasty).
2. Have the right gear. My husband hates shopping – unless we’re going to REI. There, he turns into a one-man shopaholic, comparing features with a critical eye worthy of Consumer Report. He reads my travel itineraries carefully and makes sure that I have exactly the right gloves for snowshoeing or water shoes for snorkeling.
I used to laugh at him, until the wind pants he bought me kept me warm in blustery Patagonia. While others around me complained, I took the gusts in stride, and enjoyed the views. Having the right clothes for your intended climate is the absolute best thing you can do to enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
3. Create a backup plan. The same weather conditions that produce tasty powder in the Colorado mountains can also spawn blizzards; Alaska’s lush Inside Passage appears that way because of rain. Even if you’re prepared, several days of dreariness can make even the most laid-back vacationer a little stir crazy. Make sure that your resort, condo or villa has enough services where you have something to do if Mother Nature turns nasty.
4. Know your deal-breakers. A Minnesota childhood means that I’ve had quite enough of subzero wind chills, thank you. So winter trips where the snow is deeper than my ankles are almost always out of the question. And I’m OK with that. Knowing your boundaries isn’t wussy, it’s smart.
Latest posts by Chris Gray Faust (see all)
- In Praise of the Reading List: How Books Enhance Travel and Vice Versa - September 29, 2013
- Six Memorable Drinking Experiences Around the World - June 15, 2013
- Eight Things to Love About Russia - May 28, 2013
No Comments