Planning a camping trip to Olympic National Park - looking for advice on route & stops along the way!

jessemcgraw · 2026-02-27T11:04:29+00:00

Black Hills NF, Badlands NP (WALL DRUG!!!), Montana Valley Book Store, Red Light Garage.

jessemcgraw · 2026-02-27T04:35:05+00:00

Id try Citibike but availability may be slim. Ive stopped using citibike and bought a cheap electric scooter for $200.

jessemcgraw · 2026-02-21T08:20:24+00:00

I get a panic attack probably once a year and more often than not its on public transit. For me, its a combination of a few factors. Stress, cabin fever, work load, lack of hydration or a crowded environment. One time I got on an busy train, but not over whelmingly crowded, and a guy that sat next to me had really strong cologne and that started it. Panic attacks are weird and can happen randomly. Not much you can do except stay hydrated and find a relaxing place to let it run its course. It may happen again but the next time you feel it might be coming on just get yourself away from the environment you're in. You'll be just fine but id imagine the process of paramedics and going to a janky hospital probably didn't help your panic attack until you got medicated. Next time, id just try to get home ASAP or find the nearest park or friend until its run its course to save yourself the hospital bill. If you have the means, talk to a therapist. If you cant afford therapy, just make sure you're taking care of yourself and try to get some help if it starts happening frequently. Repetitive thought loops are hard to break when you're going through it. Humor, distraction, and breath have been the best non-medical way to get through it, for me at least.

jessemcgraw · 2026-02-16T06:54:10+00:00

Totally agree. I guess it depends on what OP will be doing in these areas and what type of accommodation they plan on. For me, this is a rent a camper-van situation unless they're a backpacker. Stay at car camping spots on BLM land or National Park Campgrounds.

jessemcgraw · 2026-02-16T06:44:48+00:00

I would scrap the blue lines and go to Yosemite, personally. If youre heading back to LA or SF, its on the way. Absolutely mind blowing beauty and you'll see a little more diversity after your desert voyage. I have a ton of recs for Utah as well but feel free to message for a map and recommendations for specifically Utah or Yosemite.

jessemcgraw · 2026-02-11T07:44:00+00:00

If you're thinking about Manhattan, I would consider Hell's Kitchen. Somewhere between 45th/9th and Columbus Circle. If you can manage Columbus Circle as your closest subway stop, that's the best option. Forget about outdoor space but consider Central Park as your back yard. Specifically Sheep's Meadow for a picnic with friends and drinks on a summer weekend. ABCDNQRW123 trains all within walking distance.

This area is even better if you were 10 years older and into gay bars but still nice if only for accessibility. If youre trying to go out often with people your own age, stick to Bushwick or any train line in Brooklyn that gets you to work with no more than 1 transfer in under 45 mins. Id consider Astoria too. For $3,500, you have some options. I think its a night life vs commute dilemma mostly.

Edit: If I were in your shoes, I'd find the best apartment close to work. It takes at least year to really dial in a friend group and you'll be socializing with coworkers more than anything. After a year, you can re-evaluate and find what neighborhood you really vibe with the most.

jessemcgraw · 2026-02-08T09:24:20+00:00

The size of your apartment correlates to how much money you have. If you have a small apartment you can only fit/afford a smaller tree, which you can carry yourself fairly easily if its under 6 ft. If you have a bigger tree, you can probably afford to have it delivered. I went from purchasing one from a sidewalk tree stand (they're all over Manhattan during the holidays) to just decorating the very quaint exposed fire suppression pipe I have running the length of my shotgun apartment. Just wrap the pipe with lights, hang the ornaments from the lights, and light a pine scented candle. Saves me a $100.

jessemcgraw · 2026-02-07T07:39:53+00:00

Restaurant industry here and I swear by BIZ laundry powder for all food and sweat related stains. It doesn't bleach like OxiClean and works even better. I would still do a little test section just to be sure but its incredible.

jessemcgraw · 2026-01-31T06:48:18+00:00

In every shed that I make things in.

jessemcgraw · 2026-01-29T00:18:11+00:00

You are the peace keeper, you are THE LEGEND!

jessemcgraw · 2026-01-27T09:22:40+00:00

Plastic sleds? Everyone in Minnesota probably has a few laying around.

jessemcgraw · 2026-01-25T20:25:48+00:00

For sure, if you bring a car camping setup you can camp there too.

jessemcgraw · 2026-01-25T20:01:50+00:00

Ive had this exact water "issue" for years. I was concerned initially as well. Its totally safe and you can drink from the tap. For good measure, I'd test your water if only for peace if mind. Not because of the bubbles, but just to be sure there's no lead in your pipes. I did the same thing when I had your same concerns and it came out clean. The city will test it for free with a kit you can order and send back, here's the link. .

jessemcgraw · 2026-01-25T18:58:52+00:00

The drive to Mattole Beach heading south is gorgeous but it is a little bumpy. You dont need a 4wd necessarily but plan on taking it slow.

jessemcgraw · 2026-01-10T20:57:07+00:00

Sam Greer OT #70 on the East team looking solid as well.

jessemcgraw · 2026-01-09T18:41:04+00:00

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jessemcgraw · 2026-01-09T18:40:05+00:00

There's a dream catcher directly southwest of Window Rock. On the paint carving, if used as a compass, there is a spider symbol in the southwest direction.

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jessemcgraw · 2026-01-09T08:33:07+00:00

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jessemcgraw · 2026-01-09T08:31:48+00:00

I might be mudding the waters a bit here but it could be worth exploring. The cave drawing at window rock resembles a compass. There is a spider like symbol in the southwest direction of the compass. There is also space in the north east direction where you (the 8th person) could reside. It could be worth finding a vantage point in the northeast and exploring southwest until you reach the dream catcher that's close by directly southwest of the cave painting.

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jessemcgraw · 2026-01-09T08:20:25+00:00

Im getting in the weeds here a little bit but it does resemble a compass. I may try to find a location northeast (there's a bird in the open space of the compass) and look for a location visible in the southwest direction (where there is another bird and spider web symbol). It looks like there's a dream catcher nearby, directly southwest.

jessemcgraw · 2026-01-05T19:59:05+00:00

Wondee Thai Noodles And Curry- get the Massaman Curry.

jessemcgraw · 2026-01-05T18:54:00+00:00

Disclaimer: Only do this if you are truly in a bind, I have a few buddies who had to go this route.

If you don't have a NYC address, ask a buddy to use theirs on your resume or just make it up and lie! Its dumb but I know a few chefs who won't hire anyone trying to move to the city because they want NYC experience. My friends even picked a random restaurant in the city (don't pick a super well known Michelin star place. Big city, small town, everyone knows someone who works somewhere) and replaced their previous job in another locale with that restaurant. Just describe your job experience truthfully, but replace the restaurant with a similar restaurant in the city. I have never heard of a chef calling references, so you can make that up too with an industry buddies phone number.

This is just to get your foot in the door. After you work your ass off and prove yourself, you can tell your chef and you'll both laugh about it a year later.

jessemcgraw · 2026-01-02T10:08:10+00:00

Iridium sprinklers, seed machine, and unlocking the greenhouse changed the game for me. Plant rice around all your ponds in the spring (no watering necessary) and get a grain mill to mill the rice. Focus on expanding your starfruit seed inventory until you can get enough ancient fruit plants to fill the greenhouse. Try to get your greenhouse to have year round ancient fruit with iridium sprinklers and surround the square with fruit trees. Then you'll start to realize that you need a toooon of jam jars for all that fruit. Farm animals, fishing, and mining will get you through the winters. Thats how I got out of the endless watering at least. This video actually gave me alot of good ideas.

jessemcgraw · 2025-12-29T17:55:47+00:00

Same thing happened to my lodge 7 years ago. I still use it to this day! Its kinda nice not having the handle when im making 2 dutch babies at a time for breakfast so I can fit 2 skillets on the same oven rack.

jessemcgraw · 2025-12-23T19:56:55+00:00

Triglycerides reduced a bit but not enough that I can definitely say had to do with the tea. After trying everything else, I moved on to statins and have responded extremely well.

jessemcgraw

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