Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Photos of Derelict West Coast Logging Machines...One More Time

Logging isn't what it used to be.
But then again, you could say that at the end of every decade for the last 100 years.
From horse and oxen logging to steam
from steam to diesel
and diesel to helicopters
innovation and the desire to go bigger
drove the push to build new mechanical monsters.

Loggers fall in love with their machines
as much as they do with bar girls and pinups posters
Bragging rights over horsepower and reach
Cutting speed and comfort
The new machine that is tight and fast
the old clunker that needs jumper cables and ether
two wheel, four wheel, six wheel and eight wheel drive
Air assisted brakes beside a computer assisted engine

Crew hauling crummies
Log hauling off-road  trucks
Stackers, packers and whackers
Road builders and drill rigs
High lead, ground lead and skyline
Fuel trucks, shop trucks and low bed trucks
Push cats and loaders


The logger's life
When you're in it
You pray to get out
When you're out
You pray go be back

But only to that better, simpler time
where the sun was out
The wind was calm
The ground was flat
You carried one log under each arm
You got better looking and more talented with each passing day
And they paid you the big bucks to do it.
You gave it your very best every day
Because nothing less would get the job done
You were a logger
And that's just the way it was.

























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