Welcome! I'm up on the other side of the Columbia river. AntsCanada is how I stumbled into the ant-keeping hobby as well, though that was a long time ago before he was really popular. If you don't have any ants yet I recommend starting with Tetramorium (pavement ants), since they're fairly easy and a good starter species for someone just getting into it.
Ah! Hello, fellow Pacific Northwesterner.
I've really enjoyed his videos; I discovered them about two years ago, but was a traveler at the time. I'm finally settled down now, so I have a real opportunity to start ant keeping. It's kinda fun, for lack of better terms, to meet someone (so to speak) who was inspired by the same person. Thank you for the recommendation! I had my eye on the Pheidole and Pogonomyrmex species that are legally allowed in Oregon, but I've come to terms with the fact that I'm gonna have to rely on luck (who is a fickle mistress, in my experience) to find a queen. I've only spotted a handful of colonies in my area, and they all look like Camponotus so far, but who knows what I may stumble upon. Anyways, thanks again for the advice, and thank you for the warm welcome!
Welcome to the addiction!! 
Yeah yeah yeah!!
haha thank you for the welcome and for allowing me to share in your excitement!
Welcome.
Thank you kindly.
I am pleasantly surprised by the warmth of the welcome I'm receiving here. Granted, the only forums I've belonged to previously are 4chan and Reddit, so my experience might be a little out of balance.
haha
