Seahawks vs. 49ers | For The San Francisco Chronicle

Auburn, WA, resident and 49ers fan Jessie Leota proudly sports his favored team's cap in the hours before the Seahawks and 49ers game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Seattle 49ers' fan Carlos Alegria, in white, reaches out for an autograph during warm up before the Seahawks and 49ers game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Michael Crabtree, right, of the San Francisco 49ers, glances at the scoreboard after a touchdown for the Seahawks during the first half of a game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, looks on in disappointment after a score by the Seahawks  during the first half of a game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. Seahawks led 28-6 at the half. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Marshawn Lynch, left, of the Seattle Seahawks, pushes through 49er defense during the first half of a game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Michael Crabtree, right, of the San Francisco 49ers, tumbles over Seahawk Bobby Wagner, left, during the first half of a game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Colin Kaepernick, center, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, looks for a teammate to pass to during the first half of the Seahawks and 49ers game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Anthony McCoy, left, of the Seattle Seahawks, makes a touchdown catch during the first half of the Seahawks and 49ers game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. The Seahawks led 28-6 at the half. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Anthony McCoy, of the Seattle Seahawks, rejoices after making a touchdown catch during the first half of the Seahawks and 49ers game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. The Seahawks led 28-6 at the half. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Seahawks fans - soaked in rain - cheer for their team during the second half of the Seahawks and 49ers game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Seahawks' running back Robert Turbin, left, congratulates his teammate Doug Baldwin, center, for a touchdown during the second half of a game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Seattle-local singer songwriter Allen Stone performs the national anthem before the Seahawks and 49ers game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Seattle Seahawks' running back Marshawn Lynch, center, skirts and passes the 49ers' defensive line on his way toward the endzone during the first half of a game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Cabin Getaway Weekend | Plain, Washington

Spent a quiet, relaxing weekend with buddies Mark Malijan and Andy Jaeger in the town aptly named Plain, Washington. Got my feet in some snow, felled a handsome Christmas three and drank a beer in the back of an open trailer in a mini-blizzard. All in all, not the worst time I've ever had. Enjoy some pictures from the low-key adventure.

Washington Lives the California Dream | The San Francisco Chronicle

On a stroke of good luck, I was referred to the photo editors of the San Francisco Chronicle to photograph a story conceptualized by the question: "If San Francisco is so liberally left-leaning, then why is Washington state beating it to such passages as gay marriage and legal marijuana use?" After swapping info, I met the Chronicle's reporter for the story, Justin Berton - an excellent writer and good guy to boot - who had flown up from sunnier places to cover the issue. Over the course of two days, I made pictures around the greater Seattle area that embodied the spirit of Washington state living out the California dream. The story is located HERE, and a number of the photographic results are as follows.  Enjoy!

An expansive selection of marijuana strains are grown under hot lamps and controlled conditions Saturday, December 8, 2012, at the Northwest Patient Resource Center in Seattle, Washington. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Jake Dimmock, co-owner of the Northwest Patient Resource Center, examines a expansive selection of marijuana strains grown under hot lamps and controlled conditions Saturday, December 8, 2012, at the Northwest Patient Resource Center in Seattle, Washington.
By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Marijuana reading material litters the counter of a dispensary Saturday, December 8, 2012, in Seattle, Washington. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Pastor Joe Fuiten, one of the region's leading evangelical pastors at the Cedar Park Assembly of God, poses for a portrait Saturday, December 8, 2012, in Bothell, Washington. Fuiten is opposed to the recent passages of gay marriage and marijuana legality in Washington state. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

A selection of marijuana is kept in jars in the back room of a dispensary Saturday, December 8, 2012, in Seattle, Washington. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Ashley Szekely, 28, separates Sweet Afgoo marijuana into one and four gram bags Saturday, December 8, 2012, at the Northwest Patient Resource Center in Seattle, Washington. Szekely is a medical marijuana patient who pursued a job at the NWPRC "to be a part of history" in light of the recent passage of I-502. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Medical marijuana patient and customer Lola Lewis, 63, prepares to make a selection of marijuana to purchase Saturday, December 8, 2012, at the Northwest Patient Resource Center in Seattle, Washington. Lewis is overjoyed at the passage of I-502. "It's better now for those who need to find certain strains for certain types of illnesses," Lewis said. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

An expansive selection of marijuana strains are grown under hot lamps and controlled conditions Saturday, December 8, 2012, at the Northwest Patient Resource Center in Seattle, Washington. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Medical marijuana patients Brett Skaret, 20, left, and Joe Engelhardt, 22, enjoy the freedom of a smoking room with other smokers Saturday, December 8, 2012, at the NW Cannabis Market in Seattle, Washington. The pair are vehemently opposed to the recent passage of I-502. "The whole thing criminalizes patients," Skaret said. "It's all for the money." By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Strains of marijuana - sold here at wholesale prices - sit on display Saturday, December 8, 2012, at the NW Cannabis Market in Seattle, Washington. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Jesse Pergakis reaches into a jar of marijuana to fish out a sample for a customer to sniff Saturday, December 8, 2012, at the NW Cannabis Market in Seattle, Washington. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Crowds of onlookers cheered and handed out flowers to congratulate recently married gay couples as they descended the steps of City Hall Sunday, December 9, 2012, in Seattle, Washington. Gay marriage was legalized in Washington state on Dec. 6. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Richard, center left, and Liam Sauer-Wooden, center right, of Seattle, descend the steps of City Hall after getting married following 19 years of love on Sunday, December 9, 2012, in Seattle, Washington. Gay marriage was legalized in Washington state on Dec. 6. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Nancy Monahan, retired military, center, and wife Deborah Needham, left, of Renton, WA, leave Seattle City Hall after getting married after nearly 14 years of being together on Sunday, December 9, 2012, in Seattle, Washington. Gay marriage was legalized in Washington state on Dec. 6. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

A crowd of onlookers and media photograph couple Luke Botzheim, right, and Allan Carandang, center, as they descended the steps of City Hall after getting married on Sunday, December 9, 2012, in Seattle, Washington. Gay marriage was legalized in Washington state on Dec. 6. By JORDAN STEAD/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

TEARSHEET:

Group Gay Marriage Ceremony, First Baptist | Reuters

Same sex couples take their vows during a group wedding at the First Baptist Church in Seattle, Washington December 9, 2012. Washington made history last month as one of three U.S. states where marriage rights were extended to same-sex couples by popular vote, joining Maryland and Maine in passing ballot initiatives recognizing gay nuptials.  REUTERS/Jordan Stead (UNITED STATES)

The Diverse Harmony choir, center, performs "Feeling Good" during a group same sex wedding for 25 couples, background, at the First Baptist Church in Seattle, Washington December 9, 2012. Washington made history last month as one of three U.S. states where marriage rights were extended to same-sex couples by popular vote, joining Maryland and Maine in passing ballot initiatives recognizing gay nuptials.  REUTERS/Jordan Stead (UNITED STATES)

Space Needle Smoke-Out | Reuters

Best friends Ingrid Campos (center) and Eli Ramos publicly share a blunt during a marijuana smoke out event in Seattle, Washington December 6, 2012. REUTERS/Jordan Stead (UNITED STATES)

Wearing items representative of the state's historic events, Desiree Moore - a 20-year marijuana activist - takes a sip of her Starbucks coffee at a marijuana smoke out event in Seattle, Washington December 6, 2012. REUTERS/Jordan Stead (UNITED STATES)

Gay Marriage Licensing, Day 2 | Reuters

After 21 years of love, Phebe Jewell, C, and Dawn Mere-Ama, R, kiss after getting their marriage license in Seattle, Washington December 6, 2012. Washington made history last month as one of three U.S. states where marriage rights were extended to same-sex couples by popular vote, joining Maryland and Maine in passing ballot initiatives recognizing gay nuptials.  REUTERS/Jordan Stead (UNITED STATES)

David Mifflin, and Matt Beebe, C, swear to honesty while filing for their marriage license in Seattle, Washington December 6, 2012. Washington made history last month as one of three U.S. states where marriage rights were extended to same-sex couples by popular vote, joining Maryland and Maine in passing ballot initiatives recognizing gay nuptials.  REUTERS/Jordan Stead (UNITED STATES)

High School Football Championships for The Associated Press

Ben Ohashi (8) and Tucker Ibabao (44), of Montesano High School, celebrate their 43-28 victory over Royal High School following the W.I.A.A. 1A state high school football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash.  (AP Photo/Jordan Stead)

Montesano High School players react to their 43-28 victory over Royal High School following the W.I.A.A. 1A state high school football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash.  (AP Photo/Jordan Stead)

As Montesano High School's Tucker Ibabao (44) looks on, Royal High School's Alex Myrick (11) misses a catch during the second quarter of the W.I.A.A. 1A state high school football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash. Montesano High School won 43-28 against Royal High School. (AP Photo/Jordan Stead)

Lynden High School's Caleb Newman (77) and teammates embrace and kiss their trophy following their 41-7 victory over Tumwater High School at the W.I.A.A. 2A state high school football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash. (AP Photo/Jordan Stead)

Crying tears of joy, Lynden High School's Jose Martinez (51) holds onto teammate Marcus Fakkema (52) following their 41-7 victory over Tumwater High School at the W.I.A.A. 2A state high school football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash. (AP Photo/Jordan Stead)

Lynden High School's Zach Vis (11) claps while Tumwater High School's Christian Cummings (30) holds out his arms in confusion following a defensive pass interference call during the first half of the W.I.A.A. 2A state high school football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash. Lynden High School won with a final score of 41-7. (AP Photo/Jordan Stead)

Lynden High School's Zach Vis (11) reacts to scoring a touchdown after weaving past Tumwater High School defense during the first half of the W.I.A.A. 2A state high school football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash. (AP Photo/Jordan Stead)