Erin Ross
@erineaross.bsky.social
I write about science. I climb big (and lil) mountains. Currently freelance. Past: OPB, Axios, Nature, NPR. Sometimes I do museum stuff too (go see the DC Botanic Garden Dangerous Plants exhibit!)
It looks like he’ll come in at the third longest speech. I’ve seen folks speculating that he’d go for Booker’s record but I don’t think he ever intended to — it’s just too important of a moment.
October 22, 2025 at 8:50 PM
It looks like he’ll come in at the third longest speech. I’ve seen folks speculating that he’d go for Booker’s record but I don’t think he ever intended to — it’s just too important of a moment.
He’s taking the last few minutes of his speech to thank the pages and encourage them toward activism, to thank Senate staff, and security.
October 22, 2025 at 8:48 PM
He’s taking the last few minutes of his speech to thank the pages and encourage them toward activism, to thank Senate staff, and security.
idk if anyone has a betting pool going on how long this speech will be … but my guess is 24:45.
Long enough to beat Strom Thurmond, but respecting Booker’s record.
Long enough to beat Strom Thurmond, but respecting Booker’s record.
October 22, 2025 at 6:25 PM
idk if anyone has a betting pool going on how long this speech will be … but my guess is 24:45.
Long enough to beat Strom Thurmond, but respecting Booker’s record.
Long enough to beat Strom Thurmond, but respecting Booker’s record.
Usually, the Northwest’s season is offset from southern California’s. Which is offset from the Southwest’s. These are seasonal jobs. As more and more fires occur early or late (or in JANUARY) this system gets strained. And that can make fires more dangerous.
August 7, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Usually, the Northwest’s season is offset from southern California’s. Which is offset from the Southwest’s. These are seasonal jobs. As more and more fires occur early or late (or in JANUARY) this system gets strained. And that can make fires more dangerous.
All to say: it’s the kind of place that can take a long time to come back.
August 7, 2025 at 11:25 PM
All to say: it’s the kind of place that can take a long time to come back.
Oakridge is a town that doesn’t have a lot. As the logging industry collapsed, they attempted to pivot to outdoor adventure. Mountain biking caught on, but not enough to support a town. And it’s further from ski mountains and major hikes than other towns. It has a lake, but it isn’t lakeside.
August 7, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Oakridge is a town that doesn’t have a lot. As the logging industry collapsed, they attempted to pivot to outdoor adventure. Mountain biking caught on, but not enough to support a town. And it’s further from ski mountains and major hikes than other towns. It has a lake, but it isn’t lakeside.
It is currently moving east.
The communities along Highway 58 were the only major canyon communities spared by the 2020 fires. Towns along Highway 22 & Highway 126 (Highway 20 did not burn, but it is also scarcely populated) were wiped off the map.
The communities along Highway 58 were the only major canyon communities spared by the 2020 fires. Towns along Highway 22 & Highway 126 (Highway 20 did not burn, but it is also scarcely populated) were wiped off the map.
August 7, 2025 at 11:24 PM
It is currently moving east.
The communities along Highway 58 were the only major canyon communities spared by the 2020 fires. Towns along Highway 22 & Highway 126 (Highway 20 did not burn, but it is also scarcely populated) were wiped off the map.
The communities along Highway 58 were the only major canyon communities spared by the 2020 fires. Towns along Highway 22 & Highway 126 (Highway 20 did not burn, but it is also scarcely populated) were wiped off the map.
Even if the fire is quickly contained, until it is folks boating and camping and fishing up NF21 may quickly be trapped, and not know it. The only ways out are through a mess of much less well-developed roads, and can take several hours.
August 7, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Even if the fire is quickly contained, until it is folks boating and camping and fishing up NF21 may quickly be trapped, and not know it. The only ways out are through a mess of much less well-developed roads, and can take several hours.
One thing that concerns me, in addition to the proximity to Oakridge. This fire is just east of the intersection of Forest Service Road 21 and HWY 58. Many people are up recreating in and around the reservoir and the lakes higher up the road, likely without cell service. NF21 is the *only* road.
August 7, 2025 at 11:16 PM
One thing that concerns me, in addition to the proximity to Oakridge. This fire is just east of the intersection of Forest Service Road 21 and HWY 58. Many people are up recreating in and around the reservoir and the lakes higher up the road, likely without cell service. NF21 is the *only* road.
Can you believe they’re skipping “Fat Guys in the Woods” for this?
(I’m not joking, that is the regularly scheduled programming for the 11PM PT slot)
(I’m not joking, that is the regularly scheduled programming for the 11PM PT slot)
July 30, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Can you believe they’re skipping “Fat Guys in the Woods” for this?
(I’m not joking, that is the regularly scheduled programming for the 11PM PT slot)
(I’m not joking, that is the regularly scheduled programming for the 11PM PT slot)
Anyway, this is me, 25 feet above sea level. Keep an eye on the warnings in case something *does* happen (tsunamis are complicated!) and stay safe, everyone!
July 30, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Anyway, this is me, 25 feet above sea level. Keep an eye on the warnings in case something *does* happen (tsunamis are complicated!) and stay safe, everyone!