Aerial Views of Our Spectacular Cascade Peaks

Seattlest, and all the other -ist sites, tend to embrace metropolitan living. The goings-on, trends, and fast pace keep life entertaining, interesting, and almost always on the go. Fortunately for Seattleites, when your fledgling software employer has you working 70-hour work weeks for the fifth year in a row, or you have had it with yet another traffic jam on 520, or you visit Fremont and let out a heavy sigh at the realization that the "center of the universe's" soul has been sucked dry, there is solitude and the beauty of nature only a few hours away to renew your well being.

On a clear day, the snowcapped peaks of the north Cascades are easily visible from the city, as are the Olympic Mountains. Both are easily accessible from the city. And for some lucky Northwesterners who can pilot small airplanes, the mountains are especially easy to get to. One such pilot, John Scurlock, also happens to be a spectacular outdoor photographer. He specializes in photography from his airplane while soaring among the peaks that so few of us ever get to see up close. Sure, we hike, maybe even climb, but from Mr. Scurlock's vantage you can see the wonders of our backyard playground like few others. Fortunately, his photos are online. His most recent photos from April 19th, 2005 are some of the most dramatic images of the Cascades this Seattlest writer has ever seen, and I've had my fair share of outdoor experience around here. Check them out from your work desk for a bit of a breather and to remind yourself that nature can trump the beauties of the city most any day. And if you're like me, they will inspire you to waterproof your hiking boots, fondle your outdoor gear, and prepare for your next hike of this nascent season.

Photo courtesy of John Scurlock