It's always who you know

We visited this local saw mill that was from 1914. It has been under a restoration project and currently runs 8 days a year. It is amazing to see how they moved these enormous trees and operated this mill. The braking system is a board that rubs along the blades when you pull a rope. The things they thought of and the fact that they have this mill up an running as it did back then is unbelievable. You can even tour the old office and see their payroll books etc...it's really cool. The volunteers even dress in the old suspenders and such to make it more realistic. The kids and I went last year and this year we brought Eddie along. Even though we had described it to him you can't truly appreciate unless you see it. And, it always pays to know the right people. We got some added perks on our visit because one of our friends is very involved in the restoration project (it's the guy with the back-hoe tractor from a previous post if you happen to remember that).


Cameron getting set up to run the machine. This platform travels back and forth to the blade.

Thank goodness he didn't end up in there.

Eddie and the boys getting a ride around the mill in this 1924 Dorris. Apparently there are only 3 in the world and this is the only one known to operate. The Dorris family even came out to see this one run. It still hauls wood around the mill. They felt like they were in a parade having to wave at everyone as the drove around.

Then they got to climb on and start this old firetruck. He even raised the ladder for them.
It's always who you know, luckily for us we knew the right person and got the VIP tour.