[Superman]

Joel, this is the most beautiful place on Earth. I'll bet that if you went to the PNW Forum here and searched for threads chronicling the various excursions our local groups have taken, you will find some pictures that will take your breath away. Island911 takes particularly stunning pics, as do others. We've got a mountain range cut by glacial activity, and one created by plate upheaval and volcanic action. They are different, and both stunning. We've got more lakes than you can shake a stick at and more green vegetation even in the dead of winter than most places ever get. You've GOT to see this place in the spring. Any drive along any road or freeway looks like it is cut through a National Park. Many are, since we have at least FOUR of them within easy reach. If you like hiking, this is Mecca. We have salt water and beaches. We have the Sound. We have Hood Canal, which is a freshwater canal that gets saltwater infusion due to tidal action. Best oysters on the planet. Seafood everywhere.

I've lived here more than sixteen years now and I still rejoice and breath deeply as I notice the morning fog with its 'marine' scent and the dense air. It should be little wonder why we are so passionate about our coffee and our beer. It is a robust environment.

Weather is mild. A reasonably hearty person could just about wear short all year, with a sweatshirt in the Winter. That's a bit of an exaggeration, but our temperatures are almost always between about 40 and about 80, all year. It will be in the fifties today, I think.

It is perhaps a slightly more hearty indivisual that adores this area. It is a place for outdoorsy people. It is also a highly educated area. A good proportion of people here have Masters degrees. We read a lot. Something to do while we're drinking our legendary coffee.