If These Roof Shingles Could Talk...

...they might ask for an umbrella. And a wind breaker. And a parka. And not nearly frequently enough, some suntan lotion.

This is my first summer in the Northwest, so I'm entirely unaccustomed to the fact that spring doesn't really end here until well into late June and that it's light out until well past 9pm.

But the oddities haven't been confined to this part of the country - it's everywhere. Here's some highlights:

- Record cold in Western Washington including several inches of SNOW in the Cascades, stranding three (understandably) unprepared hikers on Mount Rainier (one of whom didn't make it - may he rest in peace and my thoughts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones)

- Wisconsin and Indiana have become a very large, very unfortunate aquarium resulting from damaging rainfall and subsequent flooding with more rain on the way.

-A massive heat wave, one of the earliest on record, took on most of the Eastern seaboard and has broken since.

So, it's been an interesting last 7 days or so. I'd rather be in cool and damp than hot and humid - anyone who has experienced the dog days of summer at any length on the east coast will surely agree with me.

But what happened to June? It's one of those months that is supposed to be warming, and a foreshadow of the summer to come. If this June is any indication, it's going to be a long, cold, dark summer.

I'll admit that the weather here takes some getting used to, and I've been okay for the most part. The real big change is that the seasons are fundamentally different - rainy and dry seasons that change when they want to versus clearly defined spring, summer, fall, and winter.

And having come back west from a short break on the east coast well prepared for warmth and abundant sunshine, I find myself turning the heat on in the house and wearing sweatshirts all day.

Barbeques? Sunshine? Sports? Lounging around?

Only in my wildest dreams...

Ask The Experts: The Readers

I'm planning an upcoming adventure in south-central Washington. I know nothing about the towns of the east slopes, so I'm putting out a call to the experts: knowledgeable and experienced readers. What are interesting towns to visit and things to do there? I'm thinking the general vicinities of Ellensburg, Yakima, Tri-Cities. Suggestions and tips greatly appreciated!