The Cascades are a just over an hour out of Seattle and we went there to unwind and try some snowboarding (I stink).  The drive is pretty amazing as you go from city, to farmland, through Indian casino country, through the dry forests at the base of the mountain, and finally you ascend (thinking that there won't be any snow), and it's hella ...

Blast from the past.  I caught up with andre (of the drey day / caroline collective) for some frothy cocktails.  It turns out there are quite abit of U Chicago alumni who make it up to Seattle.  According to dre and my buddy Corry, the local economy is quite strong with companies like microsoft, amazon, wamu, starbucks, gates ...