We're back from a slushy day on Mount Hood. There's a ton of snow, still good for sports, but it was too warm to snow, and plenty wet.

Hey, you're in Oregon. You play in all conditions. The right clothes (and a couple of changes thereof in the car) help a lot.

As I cruised around on a picturesque Nordic trail, I couldn't help but think about the contrast with a week ago, when I was prowling around Times Square. America the beautiful, and all that. Life is good.