While this region receives a generous amount of precipitation to be sure, it's hardly worthy of Noah's Ark. The surrounding environment is of great concern to Snohomish county leaders, who have continued to support the preservation of wildlife sanctuaries. The laid-back, adventurous spirit of Snohomish residents is infectious. That attitude pervades the entrepreneurial as well as recreational arenas. White-water river rafting enthusiasts frequent the Skykomish, Sauk and Stillaguamish rivers.
Hikers head for the foothills of the North Cascades.
And downhill skiiers who don't have the patience to drive to Vancouver can simply visit Stevens Pass, a resort with plenty of excellent trails. The Pacific Northwest is revered for its high-quality coffees. While the tradition of coffee drinking is all about relaxation, Snohomish residents take their coffee seriously. A visit here will present you with the enviable dilemma of which coffee house to park yourself for a few hours while you relax with a newspaper indoors or at an outdoor table, watching the world go by. Following closely behind coffee are residents' shared passions for antiques, music and art.