As I sat down at my computer around 6:30am yesterday morning and began reading my favorite RV blogs, it soon became clear that the biggest topic was the weather, and in particular, rainy weather. From coast-to-coast in both Canada and the U.S., it seems most, but not all, were talking about either rain or unseasonably cold temperatures. It was raining here too, but that’s good as we’ve been in a record drought since April – so, let it pour!
What’s it doing where you live? Or, does this about cover it?
Thinking about rain, and weather in general, got me thinking about a question that Paulette and I are asked quite a bit - “would you ever consider full-timing”? The short answer is a definite “no”. It’s not that full-timing isn’t a great lifestyle, because it is, and we both admire and congratulate those who have embraced it. There is much to be said for not being tied down and being able to move around the countryside at will.
Yes, Victoria does have Palm Trees growing in yards around the City – lots of them!
Paulette and I, however, feel we have the best of both worlds right now. The climate, natural beauty and the fact that we love our home here in Cowichan Bay, means we are quite happy to spend the entire summer here on the Island while still being free to spend 4-6 months in the southwestern U.S. desert during the colder and wetter winter months. What could be better than that?
Remaining half-timers has a lot to do with the fact that we live on Vancouver Island which is not only one of the most beautiful places in all of North America, it also enjoys a “Mediterranean” type of climate, with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Daily temperatures rise above 86°F on an average of only one day per year and fall below 23°F on an average of only 2 nights per year.
Walking around our neighborhood yesterday, I counted 8 homes with Palm Trees
It always makes me smile when we talk to other RV’ers in the U.S. and when we say we are from Canada, their first question is about snow and freezing weather. I have to admit, it’s a good question as that is the predominant view of Canadian winters. It’s mostly true - except for the lower mainland area of B.C. and southern Vancouver Island – where we live. In fact, we even have Palm Trees growing in parks and yards around the city – no kidding! That just drives my relatives living in Winnipeg nuts when I remind them of that – especially during a prairie blizzard!
Thanks to the blocking effect of the nearby Olympic Mountains in Washington State, Victoria is the driest location on the B.C. coast, with much lower rainfall than other nearby areas. During the winter, the average daily high and low temperatures for Victoria, B.C. are 47°F and 39°F, respectively. During the summer months, Victoria is the driest major city in Canada.
A young Palm Tree just a few houses down from our home
On very rare occasions, Victoria does experience more extreme temperatures. The highest temperature ever recorded in Victoria was 96°F on July 23, 2004, while the coldest temperature on record was -4°F on December 29, 1968. Victoria has not recorded a temperature below 14°F since 1990.
And what about that dreaded snow so associated with Canada? Victoria averages just 10.2 inches of snow annually. On the other hand, roughly one third of winters will see virtually no snow, with less than 2 inches falling during the entire season. When snow does fall, it rarely lasts long on the ground. Victoria averages just 2-3 days per year with at least 2 inches of snow on the ground.
Victoria famous “hanging flower baskets” located on streetlamps throughout the city
Now, if we happened to live in another part of Canada, we might rethink our opinion about full-timing. But, we don’t, so this January 1st, our plan is to head down to southern California and spend a few months in Palm Springs. Then we’ll be off to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Utah and when we’re all finished touring, it’ll be spring on Vancouver Island and time to head home and enjoy another terrific summer!
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