Colliier Memorial State Park Logging Museum

Thursday, June 22, 2017

While we thought we were waiting for the car to be repaired today, we took a drive up the road to this Logging Museum.  I am not particularly interested in machinery but the flier we had said there were also cabins, etc. 

Our first stop was to the picnic area just beyond the Museum where I could have stayed all day.  The lovely forested area had many picnic tables along the creek called Spring Creek.  

What a beautiful sight.  Several people were enjoying the park area and others were on the creek with their kayaks paddling along with the current.  

It was so peaceful and serene.  

You will also notice how clear the water is here.  We could see the bottom very clearly.  Beautiful.  Not something we are used to with the very muddy Rio Grande where we live.  Even on clear days it is not this clear.

Returning to the Museum 

we began our walk around observing the many pieces of machinery which meant nothing to us.  However, the Museum also is along the side of Spring Creek.  

Ron has an “eagle” eye and spies a huge bird’s nest up at the top of a very tall and almost dead tree.  We can barely see the bird in it and decide it is a baby bird awaiting its Mother’s return with some food.  Not sure what type of bird but eagles do nest in this area of the country.

We walk along the Loggers Village and see many different types of log cabins.  Each one is built differently in terms of how the logs are laid, etc. and were used by different types of people (loggers, trappers, sheepherders, homesteaders, etc.). While they are similar, the way they are put together is different.

Homestead Cabin

Sawbones Cabin

Sheepherders Cabin

Grocery Store

 

Trappers Cabin

Below are some of the very, very large items we saw.   While there were plaques about what each item did, it did not mean much to me.  They are huge though.  If you have an interest in logging and large mechanical equipment and how it has changed from the 1800’s to now, then this is the place for you. 

One thing was very clear and that is that logging was and is a very dangerous job.  Reading this plaque says it all and then see the picture below for what it looks like.

Here is a picture of Ron being hugged by a large carved bear at the gift shop and me enjoying being next to the river.

Friday, June 23, 2017

YEAH!  We are informed that the new negative cable arrived, has been installed and the car is working great.  We will be off tomorrow for Redmond, OR for what is left of our week there. 

Signing off until Redmond.