It rains too much in Washington: and other debatable 'facts' about life around McChord air force base

An omniscient, crusty chief master sergeant once said when explorers named Iceland and Greenland, they called the more frigid, less welcoming land "Greenland" and the more beautiful, temperate island "Iceland."

Their hope was newcomers would gravitate toward the kinder concept of "green," and fewer would infiltrate the land whose name brought to mind a frozen land mass.

It's the same kind of idea with the reputation locals foster about how much it rains in Washington. People who live there are typically pretty fond of it. Even possessive. Some generate subliminal messages that the Pacific Northwest, home to McChord Air Force Base, isn't as great as it appears, hoping to curb the influx of new settlers.

However, chances are you can't pick up and move here on a whim. But if you promise not to tell, here are just a few inside images from a northwest native just in case you get an assignment to McChord.

The outdoors

I mentioned the rain. Don't get me wrong, it's a factor. But not necessarily near McChord. Parts of the nearby Olympic National Forest receive up to 240 inches annually. But near the base? A whole 37 inches per year. Compare that to Miami and Atlanta at 56, or New York at 42, and the myth begins to unravel.

In the winter, rain typically turns to snow in the mountains, but it rarely snows near the base. Still, depending on the snow level, and more importantly, energy level, a person could conceivably snowboard Crystal Mountain all morning. Then take a mountain bike throughout the 90,000 acres of trails in the nearby Capital Forest in the afternoon. And as the sun sets, finish the day by kayaking to an island only accessible by boat and cooking your evening meal by campfire. And, there's nothing like kayaking at midnight during a full moon.

However, to ultimately enjoy the hundreds of miles of South Puget Sound coastline, it helps to have a boat with some speed. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, estimates nearly 2 million pink salmon will navigate nearby waters and return to Puget Sound streams this summer, providing ample fishing opportunities. In the fall, the Deschutes River is a rewarding place to watch salmon move upstream before spawning.

Washington's "terroir"--blend of climate, soil and geography--produces a wealth of award-winning wines. I'd highly recommend a weekend touring and tasting some of the vineyards that led to Washington's recognition as "Wine Region of the Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Don't drink and drive. You can visit the Columbia Winery by way of the Spirit of Washington dinner train.

Coffeehouse culture

Don't like wine? How about some coffee? I'm writing this while sitting on a lounge chair at Starbucks, the international coffee icon based in Seattle. There's pretty much one on every corner. What's the draw? Blame it on the rain, but I think it's the people. Washingtonians like to hang out. By themselves or with others. With or without reading material.

The guy next to me crashed on a long purple velvet couch like he's in his own living room. And no one but me notices. Cliques of all ages come to spend hours playing chess, sipping drinks, telling stories about the previous night or just making something up. It's where people connect, even if it's just by being in the same place at the same time without conversation. It's a lifestyle, a philosophy. These words are painted on the wall:

   Speak softly
   People will listen
   Take your time
   The world will wait

Just when you've finished your second Italian Soda or Chai Tea, don't be surprised if a few tattooed guys and a girl dressed in black struggle through the door with guitars, amplifiers and even a set of drums. Grunge music that emerged in the '80s began right here with bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam and hundreds of others that made "indie rock" (or, music produced with independent labels) viable. Even on most weeknights, there are about 40 live music venues featuring groups like Lucy Lunchmouth, a Seattle band with an alternative folk-punk sound. And, an Air Force tie. Kim Ryan, wife of C-17 instructor pilot, Maj. Scott Ryan, is a Lucy Lunchmouth band member. Kim says because of the high number of bands in Seattle, they often have to share the stage. But, with so many options for music lovers to choose from. Kim said it means the most when members from the 97th Airlift Squadron turn out for her gigs.

Read the fine print

Music, coffee and fresh air ... it's so easy to discredit purely positive opinion. But life isn't all positive in the great northwest. There are some "downsides:"

* You may actually get your sports utility vehicle muddy. There's a lot of water in Washington in the form of lakes, jagged Puget Sound coast and melting snow from nearby mountains. Even if you never get out of your car, the scenic drive to Mount Rainier, "fourteener" (reaching 14,410 feet), is a worthwhile 45-minute drive from McChord. Nearby Pacific beaches offer whale watching, clam digging and, for the brave-hearted, surfing in full-body neoprene wetsuits.