Sentiment in favor of living in smaller communities tends to ebb and flow. The romantic image is that in towns, relative to cities, the pace is slower, people are friendlier, and streets are safer. Yet the economic and sociological facts are that many younger people leave towns for urban life in pursuit of opportunities and variety.

Our family has experienced two different points on the spectrum. One was the dynamics of the Silicon Valley. The other point was the quiet life at both 6,000 feet in the Sierra and at sea level on an island in the Pacific Northwest. We fit better in smaller communities than in larger ones. That's us.

For the most part, the pieces in this section are meant to be descriptive. Other buttons in LIVING FULLY will take you to the seamier side of small town life, namely, boatyard tales and battling development. Non-stop excitement!