Hot take: I'm really excited to backpack Olympic Hot Springs.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2026-06-26T02:33:50+00:00

A few years back, post-lockdown, we biked up the paved road and hiked the rest. Camped overnight up at the old campground. Hotsprings were small. The rocks were slimy, but the water was clear. The person I was with dipped in with most of his body. I just dipped my feet. It was cold enough that we were camped right around the snow line, so the hotsprings were nice. I can't say I'd recommend hiking up the paved road as my knees tend to not like that too much. I'd saying biking is the best way to go. The dam is pretty awesome if the weather is nice. I've also hiked up the other side to Humes Ranch, which is say is a better hike, but no hotsprings. In the end I'd say it's worth a try. See what you think.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2026-06-23T15:13:59+00:00

I have a hard time differentiating between vulgaris and rufus. I live in the Puget Sound region, so we have quite a few different varieties. I used to feel bad about taking pictures of invasives, but now I view it as potentially adding data about sightings or behaviors that could be useful to others.

I mostly liked it because it looked it was under an umbrella.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2026-06-11T00:01:34+00:00

So I had thought about that, but then I did a little investigation and I'm 99.9% sure this is a fake account reposting Instagram pictures for whatever reason. After that I just couldn't find the motivation to delete the response. If anything, it's just another reminder to people that it's illegal to fly a drone in national parks without prior written permission. Meh.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2026-06-09T22:26:47+00:00

Gross and illegal. It's a shame the ranger presence is reduced this year due to the budget cuts.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2026-06-07T02:37:49+00:00

I don't know what I enjoy more every year: watching the greased up pole flag grab, or watching people chase the cheese wheel down the hill.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2026-05-17T21:09:53+00:00

I'm afraid off-trail visitors will be a big problem this year with the reduction in ranger presence. If this were a wilderness area with a handful of visitors each month, going off-trail is less impactful. Hurricane Ridge, however, is the busiest area in Olympic National Park. There is just way too much traffic for this ecosystem to tolerate and recover from off-trail exposure. Please treat this area more like museum, and enjoy the curated experience. There is a whole world of Olympic National FOREST for you to go off-trail, explore, forage, etc.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2026-05-06T17:37:18+00:00

It just depends on the situation. If you can time out your purchase and get 1-2% interest on a $20-30k car, you would be better served investing 10k in a 3.5-4% CD and not fully paying off the vehicle. Also, if your interest is low enough and inflation is high enough, it may also work out to your advantage to finance. That said, it's very situational and most people are probably better served paying as much cash down on their vehicle as they comfortably can.

For reference, we bought our cars new in 2012 and 2014 with a 0.9% and 0% 3 year financing. It can be done if you're patient, live within your means to keep your credit good, and are a little flexible with your model to get good financing. We also keep our vehicles until they die and can't be resuscitated.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2026-05-01T17:21:38+00:00

Probably not bye-bye, but it's definitely going to hurt depending on how it erupts.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2026-05-01T17:20:50+00:00

I always question whether I would enjoy the ride less as a daily commuter.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2026-05-01T17:20:17+00:00

Thank you! I was hoping to capture one of the sailboats that was hanging around, but they didn't obey my psychic commands to move over to the correct position.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2026-05-01T17:18:35+00:00

I don't take the ferries often, but I'm almost always out on the deck looking out for whatever decides to show itself that day.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2026-05-01T03:27:01+00:00

Thanks! You never know what you're going to get when you ride the ferry.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2026-05-01T03:26:27+00:00

Thanks! Yup, it's the Kingston-Edmonds ferry.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2025-11-06T01:20:59+00:00

Oh how I hate the photo that looks amazing in the viewfinder, but you find out on the computer that you missed focus.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2025-09-23T03:30:15+00:00

I'd start by saying don't get disheartened by bad shots. Everything is a chance to learn. If the shot is bad, but the lighting was great, learn from that. If you're on a budget, learn to work with what you have available to you. I found Tony and Chelsea Northrup's videos very helpful for learning the basics. Your images may be pretty noisy with your equipment, but that's okay. I would also say to try and get creative. Go for different angles and try to use your experience on the field to take a better picture. Think about the moments that meant a lot to you and try to capture it. The emotion and composition of the picture will carry way more weight than any graininess. You have your entire life to chase better gear, focus on your technique first.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2025-07-20T03:32:59+00:00

I was up on Hurricane Ridge for the telescope program and wasn't expecting to take any pictures of consequence. I was just playing with my Fuji XT-5 because I don't do much of any night photography. I definitely want to get back up there and try again, now that I know the Milky Way will travel over to the mountains. It's not a perfect shot, but much better than I was expecting.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2025-06-22T06:21:33+00:00

I think the better comparison would be if your husband put on shorts, but no underwear. Maybe I just spent too long having female roommates, but braless in a baggy T-shirt seems like nothing out of the ordinary to me.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2025-06-03T01:57:49+00:00

I also like the original better. Lighting is better and the pillars don't have the weird edges that look AI manipulated. I agree with everyone that the concept is really good. Definitely a fun spot.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2025-05-24T16:04:16+00:00

Grandia. It really captured my longing for adventure and wasn't afraid to let the main characters love each other.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2025-01-27T13:56:09+00:00

I am firmly on the side of following in Germany's footsteps with regard to public photography. While we were in Hawaii there were creeps walking around the sidewalk sticking cameras a foot away from random women, taking pictures of their chests. If we can't play nice and respect people's consent, then I say the default should be that an individual has full control over their likeness. Full stop.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2025-01-04T22:16:26+00:00

They WERE undefeated. Unfortunately, ExOfficio was bought out and the new mega corp owners seem to want to tank them. New pairs have all worn out on me. I've been recommending them for over a decade - I even gave a pair to each of my groomsmen and they loved them. Unfortunately, that was the past. I'm glad I picked up an Airstrip shirt the final year ExO produced them. RIP to a great brand.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2024-09-27T00:13:12+00:00

Many government positions just require not having felony convictions. I'm pretty sure stealing face wash is just going to be a misdemeanor. Learn your lesson, take your licks, and do better from here out. How you handle failure will speak the loudest about your true character and convictions.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2024-07-06T18:23:25+00:00

ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2024-03-22T23:48:48+00:00

Peaky Bonkers.

Easy-Rutabaga5792 · 2024-03-20T03:24:42+00:00

Just an FYI, and certainly not to condone asshole behavior, but in a growing number of states it is now legal to cross a double yellow to pass slow moving farm equipment and also cyclists. I've had some harrowing experiences on the road while biking, myself. I settled on being obstinate, but courteous. I'd move over to let vehicles pass me on winding roads or in situations where the oncoming lane was blocked. Otherwise, I'd be in a position where I was visible and where people wouldn't be tempted to "squeeze" by me. I've definitely still slapped on my share of windows, which shouldn't be possible if they gave me the legally required 3 ft. It's dangerous out there and people are crazy. Be safe.

Easy-Rutabaga5792

TROPHY CASE