[G.R.]

Steve, I grew and lived on the plains of CO for most of my life, similar in some ways to parts of TX. Believe me NW weather takes some getting used to. Day after day of Gray skies, rain or intermitent rain for days on end in the winter can wear on your psyche until you acclimate...been here 10 years now and am finally starting to, I think.
It's July 15th and sweatshirt or fleece weather here on BI.

The NW is absolutely gorgeous when the sun is out winter or summer...but those sunshine days are few and far between at times. Unless you live right on the coast or in some heavily industrialized area you have no long range "vista" only a variation of trees, rocks and water.

I've been down the coast from Neah Bay, WA to south of Cannon Beach , OR, beautiful seaside areas no doubt rain or shine. The towns and cities along the way usually get more rainfall than we do in the Puget Sound area.

Just a thought or two from another "flatlander" transplant.