January 5, 2009
Practical matters
Oregon isn't actually a foreign country, so there isn't too much special knowledge you need to get along well here. But we'll offer a few useful tips anyway for the newcomer:
Learn how to pronounce the name of the state. Saying it right will make you look, well, suave and debonair, at least by Northwest standards.
Don't worry too much about the rain, unless you come here in Novermber, December, January, February, March or April, or perhaps in May, June, July or August. September is often pretty dry, at least for the first couple weeks. October is wet again.
Dress here is always casual.
Oregon doesn't really have mass transit outside Portland. If you squint your eyes you'll find something (a bus system) that resembles public transportation in a few other cities like Eugene and Corvallis. In general, bring your car or rent one.
If you have a bit of imagination and plenty of time and happen to need to travel north to south through the Willamette Valley, take the train. And if you love trains that much, check out Train Mountain.
Finally, if you're from California, remember that Oregonians don't hate you anymore. Honest.
Photo: Elk at rest, 2003
all text and images © 2005-06 by Bob Keefer
no reproduction allowed in any form without written permission