When it comes to elevation, some people underestimate the power that 1,000 feet can do. And when it comes to culture, any closed minded person can have a hard time wrapping their heads around. In my life, I was able to live in two different landscapes: the valley of Portland and the mountains of Central Oregon. And I can tell you that these two areas are totally different in regards to climate and culture.

When people think of Oregon and its climate, the first thing that comes to their minds are that Oregon is flat, green, and rainy. That’s partially true. You see there’s a border that separates dry from wet, low from high, and that’s the Cascades mountain range. West of the Cascades, you get the stereotypical wet climate that people imagine. On the east, it’s dry, sunny, and high, not marijuana high but climate high. I mentioned it in prior entries but seasons are different. In the valley, you get to experience all four seasons. The hot summer, colorful fall, wet and sometimes snowy winter, wet and blooming spring. In the mountains, you only get three seasons. Summer is hot, fall is colorful, winter comes in cold, by February a blizzard would come through, 30-40 degree chills would stick around in March and April, same for the snow, and by April or May that’s when trees start blooming. So in other words, we never get a spring in the mountains, but an extended winter. And with the elevation difference of 3,462 ft, working out is no joke. This morning when I worked out, I couldn’t finish the workout due to the elevation. Also heavy breathing, dry lips, and being parched is also going to happen. It’s no wonder why some sports teams from the valley would train up in the mountains and why mountainous sports teams win! The endurance helps in higher elevations. And due to the elevation, the temperature drop is alot more than the valley. During the summer in the valley, you have to be prepared for the night out and bring a sweater because of that temperature drop. In the valley, not so much. But the valley can be tricky with its humidity. In the mountains, right when you walk walk outside its exactly how hot or cold it’s supposed to be. In the valley, it can be a little sneaky. You can walk out and it’s fine, wait 30 minutes and you’re either sweating or freezing. Weather is interesting. In Central Oregon, we brag about having 360 days of sunshine, but also we have alot more snow than the valley. In the valley, we would have rain and cloud from October-November all the way to April to May. It would be constant cloud from November to February, sometimes, sunshine would break through but that’s uncommon.

With climate and weather, it can sometimes form culture or culture builds around it. In Central Oregon, they have this one-way mindset of how people should be, which is outdoorsy, active, sporty, and conservative. And if you’re neither, especially outdoorsy and sporty, you’re an outsider. In Portland, they don’t care who you are. Sure, the future is built around Liberalism, potheads, hippies, and city goers. Most of the people are just chill, maybe a little too forward with the Liberalist movement, but they just leave you alone with your identity. Inclusivity is much more common in Portland, celebrating everything, while in Central Oregon, no so much. They’re kind of getting there but keeping it’s conservative side visible.

Whether you come for the weather or the people, one thing is common: Oregon stands on its own, no matter what.