I live in the mountains of Washington State. It's great. I've got a beautiful view of the valley and Wenatchee River from my house on the side of a mountain. Once in a while we see a rattlesnake but if you don't bother them they won't bother you. The seasons are extreme. Air conditioning kicks ass!!! We are a few hours from Seattle, but the crime rate is tiny. We live next to an apple orchard so harvest time is also apple pie makin' time...which also translates into "my ass is growing time"
Enchantress