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The Washington Department Of Natural Resources Twitter Has People In Stitches With These 41 Tweets
Interview
Government agencies delving into a little bit of humor on their social media accounts may be surprising, but it’s only a natural progression because these kinds of platforms are supposed to be fun.
While surprising to others, it is nothing new to Bored Panda readers, because we already covered what funny posts the Official Oklahoma Department Of Wildlife Conservation and National Park Service share. This time it’s the Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources that is entertaining us.
More info: Twitter
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Marilyn Russell 2 years ago
Yeah - stop that. Like the people here in Ontario that destroy farmers’ crops of sunflowers or lavender. That’s a d**k move because that’s their livelihood your trampling, and it’s illegal.
That guy Nic B. 2 years ago
Oooh like the time a mob of Instagram influencers ruined the poppies at Walker canyon
Susan Reid Smith 2 years ago
If that is the Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore, they ruined it everyone else since the canyon has to be closed off.
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HelluvaHedgehogAlien 2 years ago
I think I’m beginning to hate influencers, and I don’t even have social media and tiktok
Couragetcd 2 years ago
Same. Unless BP counts? I count this as my socializing quota 😊
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Danse Macabre Cat 2 years ago
“If I like a moment... I don’t like to have the distraction of the camera. I just wanna stay in it" I wish more people felt thos way that likes
Milo Ashton 2 years ago
I get it. I've caught people rolling around in a patch of lupine in my front yard, pulling the flowers out of the ground and tossing them in the air for a spontaneous family portrait. When I asked what the f**k? Can I follow you home and tear up your yard they acted like I was unreasonable..
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was founded in 1957 in order “to manage state trust lands for the people of Washington.” The Department overlooks 5.6 million acres of forest, range, agricultural, aquatic, and commercial lands.
Its primary mission is to “Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.” One of the ways to do so is to educate people, but knowing that people don’t like paragraphs of safety precautions, the organization thought that it’s best to adapt their language to their audience if they want to get their point across.
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#2
Lydia 2 years ago
Isn't that the whole point? No noise? Just the wholesome nature? Like nothing? Or maybe birds and the occasional aeroplane? It wasn't about going in nature with the same noise as home, right ?
Jig Jive 2 years ago
We do it when we are in areas with bear, large cats, or hunters/poachers. Just helps us not get a nasty surprise. Tried the bells but it didn’t seem to work well.
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Susan 2 years ago
This applies everywhere! If people really want to listen to their music there's earbuds for that. And same goes for talking to people on speaker phone!
Taki Takanashi 2 years ago
People in the comments don't understand the joke... Guys, the playlist is empty.
Justin Rogers 2 years ago
Always one that has to blast their crappy music at full volume and ruin the experience
Human on a stick 2 years ago
Have you heard.... 4'33" by John Cage? It's the song we're begging you to play everywhere, even in libraries!
#3
AceOfSpad3s 2 years ago
Why did I read the graphic to "We Didn't Start the Fire" Seriously, I need to know
Dekker451 2 years ago
Because it's been burnin' since the world's been turnin'.
Load More Replies... ConstantlyJon 2 years ago
Also, we all now know that you pronounce "hostile" like a war criminal.
That is why if you go to DNR’s Twitter, you will find some funny posts telling you what to do and not to do in forests as well as giving you knowledge in that small Twitter format. They are just as funny on Instagram, sharing what type of mushroom you are based on your zodiac sign.
However, it wasn’t like this from the start. The Twitter page was created in 2009 and the social media team, including Mary Watkins and Rachel Terlep, took a risk for the first time in August of 2021 with a tweet saying “As temperatures rise, remember to treat hydration like you'd treat dating: Don't wait until you're thirsty.”
#4
AceOfSpad3s 2 years ago
Seriously though, wildland firefighters are extremely underrated and underpaid for the work that they do to not let entire states burn to the ground.
ConstantlyJon 2 years ago
I'm sure if you created a firefighter calendar you'd get some actual influencers as well.
Lindsey Collett 2 years ago
I was a structural firefighter for more years than I want to share. These firefighters are the toughest sumbitches I know. I couldn’t do what they do….and they get no respect and they never get paid what they are owed. GOD bless them.
#5
John McLeod VII 2 years ago
Only if you don't want your hand (and possibly arm back).
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Xandra 2 years ago
I was so surprised when I learned it's pspsps in English too! Since the Romanian word for cat is pisica, I always thought pspsps comes from that...
Vera Diblikova 2 years ago
As a Czech, i say czi czi czi, pocem, Micinko.
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Headless chicken 2 years ago
I always make a T sound, but different. Instead of tah, it’s just a t clicking sound
Huddo's sister 2 years ago (edited)
I just do kisses. I wonder if it's a regional difference?
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Vera Diblikova 2 years ago
No, looks like when a US Marine will look nice.
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#6
Senior Social Media Manager Rachel Terlep told King 5 that there was a bit of deliberation whether they should post the tweet, “We were like, 'Should we do it, should we not do it?’” As it is evident from the tweets, they changed their approach to their posts and noticed that it piqued people’s interest.
Rachel said, “I've never expected people to be this excited about their state agency, their state natural resources agency. We're talking about things like geologic hazards, forestry, and wildfire safety. The funny parts are great, but when people take those actionable items and apply it to their lives, so they learn something, that's the most rewarding part.”
When Bored Panda contacted Rachel she said that when they started changing up their style of language, "the change in engagement was pretty pronounced, and the reception was overwhelmingly positive. It’s what empowered us to keep pursuing that voice on Twitter."
#7
majandess 2 years ago
The ALT text: "At a trailhead, one trash can stands over another fallen trash can -- both photoshopped to appear severely underfed. Little X eyes appear above the fallen trash can's mouth. "If...only...they fed me their pistachio shells..." it gasps. "Shhh save your strength," the other says. "Greg is on the way with a granola bar wrapper.""
Little L 2 years ago
If your dog poops on the trail can't you just pick it up and throw it into the forest?
Nonesuch 2 years ago
Rain will melt it and the poop will nourish the forest.
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savage silence 2 years ago
Omg!! Hahaha...oh man...I have a migraine from hell right now and laughing is killing me but I can't help it!!! Lol
TiredTomato 2 years ago
I did recently read an article about the decline of the trashcan population, it's so sad to see another species on the brink of extinction....
#8
Dekker451 2 years ago
I didn't know you had any baby cows. I'll see myself out...
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Anna Repp 2 years ago
Yeah! Because that's when you realize that it's only four more miles to your destination!
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Gladys Hayes Southerland 2 years ago (edited)
It would be so neat if we started out wiped out but by the last mile we are full-out running, with some to spare!
Marvin HoG 2 years ago
Lol I was on a 3.5 mile hike onces and came across a little creek. It was a tiny lil crick so I decided to follow it to see if I could find where it originated. It was so small, the beginning couldn't be that far away! And I found it! Around mile 20. I slept like I'd never slept before that night!
Every time you see a state agency being sarcastic, passive-aggressive or referencing to pop culture, you catch yourself thinking, "Who allowed them to wrote that?" Because we assume that the organization wouldn't want to be associated with silly tweets.
Rachel told us that it was quite the opposite, "My then-communications director bought in right away. I was fortunate that she understood the culture of the internet - for better or worse. There were certainly some long-tenured members of staff that had a few hesitations because they didn’t want our approach to damage the reputation of the agency, but I think many of them have come to see the value in what we do and how it ultimately supports and amplifies the agency’s mission."
Rachel explained to Sea Today that they use this kind of language that includes jokes, funny posts about astrology and associations with bad relationships because they feel they “have to speak in the language that people are used to seeing their messages in.”
If they posted funny dog videos and memes unrelated to what they do and then squeezed in relevant information in the standard format, Rachel believes that “those tweets that are competing for attention, people are going to look right over them.” So they needed to combine the two.
Mary adds that “humor really sticks with people. Like if you see a funny post about recreation and then you’re hiking, and you pass a bag of dog poop on the trail, you might think of that funny post that we made about the starving trash cans and pick it up. I think that humor is a really great, subtle way to remind people of the important messages that we need to tell.”
When asked how the DNR tweets are different from what the Oklahoma Department Of Wildlife Conservation and National Park Service posts, Rachel said that they all are actually forming a new tweet style, "There’s definitely a certain 'Twitter style' of humor that government agencies have started picking up on because, at the end of the day, we’re all trying to educate folks and we know the best way to do that is to draw them in with something entertaining or funny."
And the thing that makes DNR different is that they have their own way of delivery, "some of us are deadpan, some of us are unhinged, some of us are punny. We’re also often talking about different things. We - for example - are a natural resources agency. So we’re finding ways to teach folks about forestry, geology, wildfire, aquatics, recreation safety. Whereas other agencies are talking about parks or wildlife."
#10
#11
kitten levels tokyo 2 years ago
Free idea to make your millions: giant thick foam bathing suits. Speedo-style for men, bikini for women, foam 3-4 inches thick. Floatation without messing up the tan! 😎
JMC5003 2 years ago
Hmmm. Picturing a floating butt attached to a drowned man.
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#12
kitten levels tokyo 2 years ago (edited)
For those wondering, the 7 other hiking essentials are water, shelter, appropriate clothing, sun block, mosquito repellent, food, snacks, snacks to give squirrels, a roadside assistance kit, a spare tire, and a pet fish. EDIT: Many people are making the excellent point that we should not be feeding wild animals like squirrels. I completely agree. Let’s decide right now that the squirrel snacks are NOT FOR FEEDING. They are only to SHOW the squirrels, then firmly put them away. Squirrels benefit from learning that everything in life will not go their way everyday.
Milla Dahmer 2 years ago
Don't forget your trusty towel, it's really the only thing you need anyways.
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Rougarou Cher 2 years ago
I was hiking with friends in a national forest and they would not would not would not believe me that the trail did not loop and we would have to go back. They also brought no supplies, it's very isolated, and there's no cell phone reception out there. I'm glad I was with them because they could have gotten really messed up.
hhh cubed 2 years ago
There is a term for people like that, natural selection.
Load More Replies...The posts are funny not only because they are unexpected for a government agency, but they are actually genuinely funny. It might be due to the fact that Mary and Rachel often get ideas for a post randomly. Mary told Sea Today, “I find inspiration just while I’m scrolling on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. But it will also hit me when I’m doing something random like exercising, or when I’m hanging out with my kids. And I just think, oh, this could be a catchy Instagram post or this could be funny on Twitter.”
Rachel explains that there are even more people involved in the process because there are a lot of fields to cover, like wildfire, geologic hazards, forestry and others. Some ideas are born in brainstorming sessions, so it’s not always random.
To a degree the team now feels that they are expected to keep up the tone and feels a bit of pressure, "while that’s empowering in some ways because it’s thrilling that people see what you create and want more, there’s also a degree of 'Well, I better deliver.' And some days - some weeks, even - you’re just not feeling funny or you’re busy with other work and don’t have time to be funny."
Good news is that people now are more interested in what the organization posts and it doesn't actually need to be in a meme format, "I’ve also noticed that we get a pretty great response when we switch up our delivery a bit - like posting an educational thread or playing around with creative writing. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to play one note to get people’s attention."
That is why in the future Rachel thinks that there is room for evolving their content on social media, "we definitely never want to get stale or become too one-note. I recently dabbled in a creative writing thread to promote a children’s art contest, and that got an incredibly receptive response, so I’d like to dabble in that style some more."
#13
Dizavid 2 years ago (edited)
It's just a dark secret that sometimes reindeer, upon seeing a woman whose own children have had children, will enter a blood raged frenzy that not even Mother Nature can turn off once set it motion. It can only end when one of them dies. So yeah, MOST are preventable. Most.
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ispeak catanese 2 years ago
It's in reference to a silly Christmas song called Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer.
Amberlie Mikelsen 2 years ago
🎼🎶 Grandma got run over by a reindeer, Walking home from our house Christmas Eve! You can say there's no such thing as Santa, But as for me and Grandpa, we believe!
Thomas Santiago 2 years ago
🎶 Some of you may not believe in Santa, but as for me and Grandpa we believe. 🎶
pamela nichols 2 years ago
I just love that Xmas carol, I used to sing it to my mother all season.
#14
Worst Cop in Britain 2 years ago
Someone needs to look at Mario again... 🤣
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Lucy Cope 2 years ago
I saw this on the news they’re so stupid but people are paying like hundreds of dollars
You will also notice that when a tweet gets a lot of attention and people raise questions, the Twitter account will respond with more information in all seriousness. Rachel and Mary told The Urbanist that they want to show that the Twitter account is managed by people and that it is an actual means to get official information.
The social media specialist noticed that both humor and this kind of engagement from their side increased the engagement from people and their proof is that “Every once in a while we’ll slip our job opening link, you know, at the bottom of a Twitter thread or something, and it’s pretty bonkers the kind of engagement it gets.”
#15
Allison Crook 2 years ago
What is the source for this information? I learned in my first aid class in college that cold water hydrates faster, and a quick Google search showed the same thing. Happy to be wrong though if there is a better way to hydrate!
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#16
#17
I'm.Just.A.Girl 2 years ago
This really pisses me off. I live in WA state and I don't want to see a hillside of your trash because you can't be bothered to pay at the dump. It's really sad, I see this everywhere! Next time make sure you throw away your mail too jackass.
Nikki Sevven 2 years ago
My daughter is an avid hiker. She and her best friend and hiking buddy always bring a couple of small trash bags with them. They're always full by the end of the hike.
Justin Rogers 2 years ago
Not only do our streets look like this but our wild spaces look like this and unfortunately it's the new norm
Marilyn Russell 2 years ago
That’s so rude. People do that around where I live too and the dump isn’t so far away and doesn’t cost that much. Honestly.
Justice Madeoneup 2 years ago
Make trash disposal paid for by federal tax dollars. It already costs tax payers for illegal dump cleanups plus the environmental damage.
Cathryn Cade 2 years ago
We even saw this on the Big Island of Hawaii ... so tragic. Humans will mess up Earth's most beautiful places.
One of their most popular tweets is the screenshot of an empty playlist titled “Songs people on the trail want to hear from your Bluetooth speaker.” It has over 160k likes. A tweet that has not that many likes but was seen by 1 million people actually throws shade on Leonardo DiCaprio’s dating tendencies. A tweet about firefighters being influencers making forests stop being on fire reached even over 8 million people, so it’s safe to say that the team is doing a great job.
Rachel told us that she is thrilled to see "government social media is having its renaissance moment" and points out that "For the most part, the posts you’re seeing are coming from one- or two-person in-house teams and they’re doing social media management on top of copywriting on top of video editing on top of graphic design. What we all have in common is that we’re passionate about the work our organizations do and we want to share it with you."
The account now has over 134k followers but we expect the number to grow. Will you follow DNR for their genius sense of humor? What do you think about government agencies loosening up their presentation on social media? Let us know what you think and don’t forget to upvote the tweets that made you laugh the most.
#18
that weird wallflower 2 years ago
"Hello, do you have a moment to talk about our lord and savior, the Big Mac? you can get two sides and a drink with a purchase of one Big Mac, only at Mcdonalds! (I'm lovin' it! 🎶Buh duh bum bum bummm🎶)"
Potato god 2 years ago
Do you have time to talk about our Lord and savior Dwayne The Rock Johnson?
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#19
Frank Ciccarelli 2 years ago
They don't work very well in a studio apt. tho ..
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Dekker451 2 years ago
Actually, Donkey is not a miniature horse, but rather a donkey. You can tell Donkey is a donkey because Donkey looks like a donkey. Also, because Donkey's name is Donkey. DONKEY
Severus Snape (she/her) 2 years ago
Nature Documentary Voice: Now, unfortunatly the shrek species is now extinct.
LovingKnuckle 2 years ago
Horse in a swamp makes me think of Artax. RIP you sad majestic steed.
Kioh81 2 years ago
Now I have that stupid All Star song stuck in my head... "somebody once told me the world is gonna owe me, I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed...."
#20
ConstantlyJon 2 years ago
a beaver wearing flannel sounds like the cutest thing ever actually.
ohjojo (you/your's) 2 years ago
It's not nice to call your female staff beavers. Unless you refer to your male staff as bottom dwellers
#21
I'm.Just.A.Girl 2 years ago
It's amazing how animals can find their way home. Nature never ceases to amaze me. ❤️
Lawrencium 2 years ago
Nature however will cease to amaze on March 31st from 9:00pm to 11:00pm PST for scheduled maintenance.
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Jungle Empress 85 2 years ago
I have an awful sense of direction. I don't think GPS can fix that.
Patricia Duncan 2 years ago
I live in MD and it's beautiful. We respect our wildlife. We keep our state clean. I live in a senior bldg and our cats and dogs are family to us. They are treated so well and loved so much
#22
Jonathan Southwick 2 years ago (edited)
I went cycling the other day and I passed a grove of trees that at first I thought looked suspicious … but then I realized they were just a little shady. 😏
Luna Crow 2 years ago
The PNW really does have the best shade trees. It's one of my favorite things to sit under one and read or draw. And some of them are so inviting that you can't help but climb them. I love our trees!
Phyzzi 2 years ago
I will say Northern CA has some pretty amazing shade trees, but PNW is good if you can find enough direct sun for shade to be a thing.
Load More Replies... #23
Allan Hart 2 years ago
No need to be a serious hiker to find these funny. I in fact have never been on a hill taller than 5' and I think these are hilarious
Amy Beckler 2 years ago
I backpacked in a national wilderness I New Mexico- could Always tell when we "deviated" into a National Park area... kind of demoralizing...
#24
L 2 years ago (edited)
hmmmm, I took this to mean and they forgot to water their plant and it dried out. (edit - I type in typos!)
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#25
ValdaDeDieu 2 years ago
It's odd how "Walk softly and carry a big stick" works so well here...
Doofenshmirtz Evil, Inc 2 years ago
I don't have a love life because I'm aroace and a teen, you're lucky I want to keep nature clean <3
#26
King Julian 2 years ago
Here's the worst burn I've ever seen *ahem*..." if your parents had 3 wishes they would use all of them to send you to an orphanage"
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#27
Benita Valdez 2 years ago
Make sure to have atleast a half empty whiskey bottle next to the hole with the persons fingerprints on the bottle
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kitten levels tokyo 2 years ago
In 1980 Mt. St. Helens erupted sideways and ruined many people’s day (57 died.)
Jason 2 years ago
I had fun taking photos of an erupting one a few months ago! Thankfully no dying just really cold
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#29
Monarch cat lady 2 years ago (edited)
Ok seriously is the lake/pond/river like just out of frame? Did it fall off a trailer. Boats are great places for feral cats to live. Insulated lots of nooks and crannies go hide. Just saying
Karen Tyas 2 years ago
The chances of a boat falling out of the clear blue sky are slim, but never zero.
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Hilary Mol 2 years ago
"Wow, Paul, the lake level is at an all-time low." "I know, Bob. The drought is getting serious. At least it isn't killing the evergreens, though."
LoneTomato 2 years ago
I'm pretty sure it's a play on words. You know. Cause it's a boat. That you could take to the sea.
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ValdaDeDieu 2 years ago
Trees help with trauma. The other dumping you should take with you. Were you RAISED by wolves?
#31
Severus Snape (she/her) 2 years ago (edited)
Hot girl: I'm so beautiful! *coughs in dehydration* Yup! Totally worth it! Hydrated Girl: I may not be the prettiest, but at least I'm hydrated and won't get sick!
Jen Hart 2 years ago
Girls can't just "water a tree" like guys can while out on a hike. I tend to hike a bit "dry" to minimize needing to relieve myself out in the woods 😑
Cynthia Wilkins 2 years ago
We just have to be more creative than guys do.
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#32
ConstantlyJon 2 years ago
also throw your earth-killing plastic in a recycling bin, not the ground
Hyde and Seek 2 years ago
If possible use a reusable thermos/cup (sometimes your coffee stand gives a discount for that)
#33
smolspeedycats 2 years ago
With a taste of your plastic I come undone/You're toxic, ripping apart turtle love
#34
I'm.Just.A.Girl 2 years ago
As a pet owner/parent.. having an animal is a responsibility. That includes what goes into and what comes out of your pet.
Well-Dressed Wolf 2 years ago (edited)
I’m always a bit astounded by people I see walking their dogs, and the person is glued to their phone. Literally never look away from their phone. Their dog could be taking a cräp on the sidewalk and they wouldn’t even know it. My puppy’s disabled so I keep an extra-close eye on him on walks, but even if he was fully normal, it’s my responsibility to observe HIM and his behavior on walks, including his doody XD
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April Pickett 2 years ago
There are some people with their noses stuck way up in the air. Let's work on finding a solution instead of sitting there complaining.
Marvin HoG 2 years ago
From what I see on Nextdoor my neighborhood probably comes in a close second.
#35
Kate Johnson 2 years ago
Hydraulic. That's the type of press you're talking about. Hydraulic. The word you're using means something else entirely, so I'd look it up just to make sure, if I were you. Makes it easier for me to remember, especially if I write it down. Also, please don't crush *anyone* in a Hydraulic press without the proper safety precautions, like putting plastic down FIRST and knowing where the 'stop' button is. Happy pressing! 😉😃😄😉
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#36
Karen Philpott 2 years ago
Is this the kind of cougar Nathaniel was talking about?
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#37
L 2 years ago (edited)
I think it's just a crossstitch in reference to the life cycle of an anadromous fish, that happened to be posted on November 18th? Edit -good grief fellow pandas, why did this get downvoted? maybe something did happen November 18th? maybe sometimes people (me) are wrong? maybe this comment was posted with a question mark because I wasn't sure...
Load More Replies... majandess 2 years ago
Missing from this entire post is the awesomeness of the ALT text on the images. This one is a case in point: "A cross stitch of the phrase “Live, Laugh, Lay Eggs and Die” with little gray and pink salmon swimming above and below the script. It looks like something your mom would hang in the entryway if your mom was super metal."
#38
kitten levels tokyo 2 years ago
There is a town in Washington named George. It is the only town/state combo that is a U.S. president’s first and last name. Yay!
Drakijy 2 years ago
The first time I saw Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers was at The Gorge at George. Tom stopped a song in the middle of a groove at sunset so that everyone could watch the colors shift throughout the gorge.
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#39
L 2 years ago
I feel like this simple trail etiquette is no longer known by anyone anymore... just me?
Josh Gilland 2 years ago
Most etiquettes are no longer observed period. Being equitable requires caring about others more than yourself. That's a dying trait.
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Bender Bending Rodríguez 2 years ago
As an avid couch potato, I have no idea what all this means. Someone please explain.
Cynthia Wilkins 2 years ago
Standard hiking etiquette is for downhill hikers to yield to uphill hikers, but most no longer follow it. One guy is messaging her, probably straight up harassing her, while the other is showing her that he has manners and that he values her.
Load More Replies... #40
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RandomEpiBioPerson 2 years ago
These Natural Resource and State Park twitters are getting great. Only seen this one and Wyoming Fish and Wildlife, but I hope more join. I love them. Even the bad puns.
RandomEpiBioPerson 2 years ago
These Natural Resource and State Park twitters are getting great. Only seen this one and Wyoming Fish and Wildlife, but I hope more join. I love them. Even the bad puns.
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