What with last week's and (and presumably this week's) manic storm activity, John Vlahides at 71Miles reports that this week is the week to play hooky. Reporting that the Sierra Crest is "dumping over ten feet of feather-light snow," why not take a day or three off of work to head up to higher altitudes and frolic in the cold? Places like "Squaw Valley," "Kirkwood," and "Heavenly" - terms typically overheard from the mouths......

Who doesn't love a weekend jaunt to Carmel? Well, those of us who can afford it, anyway. What's more, those of us who can tolerate its cloying horror. John Vlahides, co-founder and executive editor at 71 Miles, knows better. 71 Miles -- an extraordinarily useful local travel site (at last!) for those of us living in the Bay Area (i.e., not tourists) who want to know more about hitting up the greater Bay Area,......