@Zungle - maybe it's because I've had to deal with too many tools that live in that area (come to think of it, I don't like Tacoma either for mostly the same reasons!). I've only actually been to the Tri-Cities area about half-a-dozen times and always for some regional playoff or tournament (darts), so I've never really taken the time to check it out. But, I know the weather they get is not what I'd like.
@Noldar - That makes sense, having been part of a company that tried to help bring power to parts of Alaska, I heard a lot of stories about living up there. When you go for days without seeing the sun, you're freezing AND your power keeps going out, what are you going to do? Stay inside and try to stay warm. Doesn't take long before adding that "anti-freeze" into your system becomes an addiction... I talked with some of the guys in the Delta Junction area last year when they had a "cold spell" and they were playing it off as if it wasn't that big of a deal (it was "only" -62 F!). Brrrrrrr!!!!!