By McKena Miyashiro
Everyone knows it only rains twice a year in Portland: October through April and May through June. With an average of 154 rainy days each year, Portlanders are not easily fazed by rain. However, for those of us who haven’t become accustomed to the weather, our cries of, “Rain, rain, go away,” do not, and never will, make Portland a drier place. Not sure you want to brave the rain? The Beacon has you covered. Welcome the rain with our favorite on and off campus indoor activities.
On Campus Activities
- Take advantage of Kenna Halls’ sauna. Turn up the heat, relieve yourself from stress, and soothe your aches and pains while staying out of a storm. Don’t forget to hydrate!
- Fall is the season for superfoods. Apples, pears, and sweet potatoes are hitting their peak in the garden and can easily be found at the grocery store. Grab a few friends, head to the kitchen, and cook up a feast for a rainy day.
- If a movie, popcorn and some brew sounds like your idea of a perfect night in, head over to St. Johns Twin Cinemas & Pub to get out of the rain. All showings before 6 p.m. are five dollars and all showings after 6 p.m. are seven dollars.
- Portlanders love their museums, and their city boasts the Portland Art Museum, the Portland Children's Museum, the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Did you know the Portland Art Museum offers admission to students for only 12 dollars? Also look out for great ticket deals online during special events or show openings.
- Powell’s City of Books, located in downtown Portland, is the largest used-and-new bookstore in the world. Spend a day getting lost this city block of bookshelves. If you’re willing to brave the rain, recharge yourself with a warm chocolate shot at Cacao in the Pearl District.
Worried about looking good in the rain? The Beacon also has you covered with Beacon-approved style tips.
- Pacific Northwesterners may have their reservations, but a lightweight umbrella is sure to keep you dry. Style tip: Clear, bubble umbrellas are definitely in. And cheap, too.
- Go big or go home with layers on layers. I’m talking about a base, mid, outer and shell layer to keep you warm, dry and comfortable in the rain. Style tip: Wear thin materials as the base layer to prevent you from looking bulky.
- Looking to keep it classy, East Coast style? Transition your summer dresses by adding black tights and a trench coat to wrap it all together. Style tip: Keep in mind that flats are both functional and fun.
- Gray clouds and dreary skies shouldn’t keep you from adding a pop of color to perk up your outfit. Style tip: Pink goes well with all neutral colors.
- Embrace your inner hipster and get decked out in flannel. Style tips: Lace up your favorite pair of combat boots and slide them over a pair of knitted socks.
The lushness of the Pacific Northwest comes at a price, that being the dark, dreary days that seem to stretch on for months at a time. As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, seasonal depression can take its hold. Alfred Lewy, a nationally regarded SAD researcher at Oregon Health & Science University, estimates as many as half of Portlanders experience at least one symptom during the seasons. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression mostly experienced in the late fall or early winter months. Symptoms include daytime drowsiness, increased sleep, diminished concentration, fatigue and irritability. If you’re feeling down and out, schedule an appointment with the Health Center. Counseling is free and confidential.
McKena Miyashiro is a reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at miyashir17@up.edu.
