Troydon does a euro table on the Cougar Ridge Trail in Bellingham, Washington. Troydon is one of the owners of Crestline Bikes.

Jamie Kepros, left, and Sharon Benton talk about their week over brunch Dec. 8 at Diamond Jim’s Grill in the Fountain District of Bellingham. Friday brunches are their weekly dates and their time to relax and connect before final prep for each of their Sunday services. (Andrew Ford/Cascadia Daily News)

Opening day conditions at Mt. Baker Ski Area on Wednesday, Dec. 13 exceeded expectations despite the low snowfall this year. Skiers and boarders said they were apprehensive to travel to the hill on Wednesday due to this fall’s warm and rainy weather, but they were pleasantly surprised.

Cascadia Daily News: Mountain Biking Orcas Island