Before the First Storm: What Mountain Homeowners Do Every Fall

The first real rain up here is something I look forward to and also plan for. Both things are true.

It smells incredible. The dust settles, the redwoods drink, and everyone at the market has an opinion on how long it will last. It's also when you find out what you forgot to do in September.

Here's what most of us do around this time of year, and what new buyers should know is part of the deal.

Gutters and roofs get cleared of needles and leaves, because a redwood can fill a gutter faster than you'd think. Drainage gets checked, especially around the foundation and crawl space, since water needs somewhere to go. The generator gets tested before you need it (the anthem of the redwoods, as I like to call it, and yes, the neighbors can hear it too 🤪). Firewood gets stacked, away from the house. The pantry gets a little fuller, and the flashlights get new batteries.

And then there's the road. Depending on where you live, a storm can mean a downed tree or a slide, and that can mean you're staying put for a bit. In places like Lompico, with one way in and one way out, that's part of the plan. Know your neighbors. Know who has a chainsaw.

None of this is meant to talk you out of the mountains. It's the rhythm of the place. Nature becomes part of your routine, not a weekend plan, and there's something steadying about that. Some of the best evenings I've had up here are the stormy ones, with the fire going and the girls doing their thing while it pours outside.

If that sounds like the kind of life you've been feeling pulled toward, you're not crazy. It's worth exploring, and I can help you do it. Find me at sjwrealestate.com.