I know that there are plenty of other cities that suffer from the brown cloud syndrome. Unfortunately, they are often in beautiful settings and sometimes it is a direct cause of the surrounding mountains holding the pollution in the "bowl" and not allowing it to escape into the atmosphere. It was often mentioned in the news (during certain times of the year) when we lived in Denver and Boulder.

I have a friend in Diablo that refuses to run on busy roads becuase she fears that the exhaust does more harm than the exercise does good.

Perhaps we should be wearing masks? Gosh, that would be pretty funny, can't imagine how I could suck in enough air to get me up a hill with a mask covering my mouth. I could just see it coming untied and sucking it down my throat as I gasp for more air! Guess I'm letting you all in on my level of fitness.