We were told to not miss this tour by the good folks managing our park in Port Angeles.
They were right - it was worth the wait and the drive. Here in Forks (Twilight, anyone?)
the rain gauge is in feet, not inches. I am pointing at the 5-foot mark and it goes to 12f!!
So far, a dry year but the real rainy season is coming. We had a driver who was a logger
for 40 years and a guide who worked for the Washington Dept of Natural Resources managing the state's timber lands - very knowledgeable pair.
Our first stop was at one of last specialty mills in the area - the logging industry has been
hard hit and this mill was fascinating. It took these logs and with BIG automation cut them
down to 2x4s, 4x4s, etc. It was unusual to get to visit a working mill, so we felt fortunate.
Next stop was viewing the actual logging (from a safe distance). These machines
dragged the felled trees out to a clearing then stripped, picked up and loaded them.
This tries to show how the forest is managed - like a patchwork quilt some areas
are cut, others left for a later time. Every cut-over area has some trees left in it
and some areas require a mot of trees to harbor wildlife. Seedlings are planted on
all cut acreage. We came away thankful that this valuable work is still going on.
Want to invest your retirement acct in wood? Be prepared to wait 40 to 50 years
for the payback!
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