Hi, looking for information on wintering in either WA or OR during the winter. We are planning another trip out west and thinking of wintering in either WA or OR. Your thoughts, suggestions and places you may have winter in either state. We can stand cool, but don't like cold.
Super Wife Linda, me Bob &
(Blazer & Lilly's ashes on board)
2011 Carri-Lite 36XTRM5, Linda's ride-2011 HHR
07 Chevy dully duramax 6.6 allison our BLOG & info on 4 mo AK 09 trip http://www.bobandlindasrvtravels.blogspot.com/
Spent a winter workamping in Long Beach WA. Lots of wind and rain. Overnight temps could drop below freezing but usually rose above freezing during the daytime.
Why in the world would you want to spend your winters in Oregon or Wash? Both states get lots and lots of rain in the lower elevations snow in the higher. And "cold" isn't the word for it.
The only area I'm aware of that doesn't typically get below freezing is the coast...and I mean right ON the coast. But wind and rain is almost daily as those low fronts coming down from the Gulf of Alaska are almost one after another.
I'd head a little more south if I were you.
Ron
Ron & Sandie
'08 Safari Simba SBD35 CAT C7
Toad: 2011 GMC Terrain SLT2
Tow Bar: Sterling AT
Toad Brakes: Unified U.S. Gear
TPMS: Pressure Pro
Member of: GS, FMCA, Safari Intl, CAT
I'd really recommend going south for the winter. We like Yuma, Arizona. We normally head down just after Christmas and come back when it gets too warm, or about April 1st.
I'm familiar with the weather in Ohio and Michigan, so I'm assuming you are tired of having four distinct seasons each year. (Too cold, nice, too hot, nice, and too cold again.) In Seattle, we have days in January that are nicer than days in June. It's not that January is so nice, it's that June can be cold and wet. We've lived in the Puget Sound (Seattle) area for over 50 years and enjoy the moderate weather. But, it RAINS a lot. Not heavy rain, but drizzle. You won't need a raincoat or umbrella but you will need lots of patience. You'll also find out why everything stays green year around. Being on the coast is even wetter. So, would I recommend wintering here in an RV? No, I would not. Eastern Washington or Eastern Oregon is more like Pennsylvania with four distinct seasons including snow in the winter, so you would have little to gain by wintering there.
Holiday Rambler Navigator DP, Hummer, and Honda VT1100C Shadow
I stayed at the Travel Inn RV Resort in Elma, WA from October 2011 to May 2012. linky. It is part of KM Resorts, which I am a member of.
Basically you want to stay west of the Cascades. East of the Cascades = snow. In Elma, we had only 1 snow storm the entire winter and the snow melted away within a week. The coast of OR and WA will also be much more windy than, say, 40 miles inland. Because it rains a lot in the winter here, you will need a dehumidifier, heat tape or foam insulation for the water line, umbrellas and rain gear. You'll also need to be set up with 2 propane bottles (or 1 external bottle for motorhomes). I was able to top off my MH's onboard propane tank at the beginning of October and use a 20lb external bottle as my primary source for the entire winter - only switching over to the onboard tank long enough to refill the bottle.
Here in Elma the winter rain mostly blows from west to east. It will be to your advantage in OR and WA to choose a north/south site in an RV park where the coach door (and awning) faces east. Temperatures were mid 30s F to low 50s F. There were a some days in the 20s F. They did not last long.
This coming winter I may stay in Sequim, WA. Sequim is in the lee of the Olympic mountains and on average gets about 16 inches of rain per year. This makes it one of the driest places in Washington state - even in the winter.
2005 Cruise America 28R (Four Winds 28R) on a 2004 Ford E450 SD 6.8L V10 4R100
2009 smart fortwo Passion with Roadmaster "Falcon 2" towbar & tail light kit - pictures
I live in Washington and yes we have rain and yes it gets cool, but when the sun comes out and the green sparkles, its wonderful. Sequim Wa is a wonderful place to Winter. Its protected from the rain by the Olympic Mountains, its right on Hwy 101 and near tons of stuff to see and do, including the Olympics, the Straights of Juan de Fuca, Canada especially the ferry to Victoria, Historic Forts to explore, Port Townsend and the list goes on. Elma is also a wonderful idea and we often go to the beaches in winter and only take a winter jacket. Check along the Oregon Coast as they have wonderful places also and remember storms often bring cool treasures. (including 60 foot docks)
I do not like "cold" either but I live up here in Oregon and I have a nice warm house. I can tell you this, if you stay any where in Or or Wa, you will need lots of propane or small electric heaters to keep from freezing you back side off.
On the Oregon coast I would think of Brookings. It is often windy, rainy, but seldom freezes, and when they get the Chetco effect in, the temp can reach near 80 in January. Not often though. It is usually mild.
Mike
2003 Dodge 2500 CTD, 4X4,
1994 Alpenlite 26'fifth wheel
See picture in profile.
Offline
