Moving to Richland (Pasco: how much, maintenance, store)

[maine52]

I am moving to Richland next month from Maine. I have a few questions. Does the river freeze during the winter? Do people leave their boats in the water year-round? If not, where can you store your boat? Also, am looking for a good church to go to...either Congregational or Methodist...looking for a fairly traditional service, friendly church. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[M3 Mitch]

The river (Columbia) does freeze over sometimes, it's seldom enough to walk on though. There are a couple of marinas, one in south Richland, another one in Pasco IIRC.

I don't know about the churches in town, but someone will post up about that soon probably.

You probably know all about the climate differences, but if not, ask.

Are you shipping your boat, towing it, or what, BTW? How big a boat?

[maine52]

We have the boat there already. My husband arrived a little before me. It's in the marina in Richland. He talks about leaving it in the water year-round, but I was wondering if that was the way to go.

Yes, I've been reading up on the weather difference from Maine. Looking forward to it!

[M3 Mitch]

You Mainers will probably use the boat year round anyway, and consider the winter here to be a joke...Of course depending, you may need to get the boat out for maintenance, but you no doubt know all about that.

I don't *think* the Columbia ever freezes to the point of being able to damage a boat, I have friends that own boats but I don't.

You probably should get AAA if you don't already, I'm not positive about the best exact route, I guess you will essentially get on I-90 and go for it. August will probably be hot in the upper midwest. Get your car checked out, particular attention to tires, accessory drive belts, at least the upper radiator hose if you don't replace both (the upper gets hotter and ages faster...) possibly tune the engine (essentially just replace spark plugs) check out the spare tire and jack...

Don't beat yourself up on the trip, don't press on into the setting sun, try to arrange to stop for your evening meal when the sun is about ready to set. Hold your hand out at arms length towars the sun, each finger width is approximately 15 minuts of sun "movement" towards the horizon (watch doing this while behind the wheel obviously) to help you judge how much daylight is left.

Good luck with the trip!

[maine52]

Well, yes, I expect "winter" in Richland will be a far cry from winter in Maine! Typically, we average 100" of snow a year, however, we've also had some pretty low numbers, too. A year or so ago, we only plowed a handful of times, which is quite unusual. I'm looking forward to the change.

I guess we'll have to find a place to store the boat out of the water during the winter months. I don't relish boating in 40 degree temps, even if the river doesn't freeze!

Thanks for all the info!