Old Time Loggers enjoy reunion

On Saturday, the fifth annual Old Time Loggers Reunion at the Appelo Archives Center in Naselle was a great opportunity for locals in the industry, whether retired or still at it, to gather and celebrate a work that has defined the region and its people. It was also a chance to honor two local men who have spent their lives in these woods, Merlin Durrah and Harvey Johnson, Jr.

According to volunteers, more than 50 people stopped by to have lunch, chat and reminisce about their lives and their work. There were the elders and the young men, wives and families. Some stopped to check out the museum and the equipment on display, used throughout the years.

Reporter Diana Zimmerman was able to catch up with one of the events honorees, Harvey Johnson, Jr., who is in his late 60s and still going strong. After graduating from Naselle High School in 1965, Johnson spent a couple years in college and completed his general requirements.

"When I was in high school," Johnson said, "everybody said go to college so you don't have to work in the woods. I went to school in Longview. At the end of two years I decided to take a little time off so I could figure out what direction to take my education. Did I want to go into business or something else?"

Johnson married and found a job at a fish hatchery, where he worked for a year. When a log truck driving job opened up in Naselle, he took it.

"I drove truck for three years," Johnson said. "I think I was starting to get hooked by then. I did various things in the woods and ended up with my own outfit. It evolved into something I just loved doing. I didn't know I was going to love doing it but I did love doing it."

Johnson has been logging for more than 40 years, and there is nothing else he'd rather do. He still has his own outfit, Johnson Forestry, currently with three employees during the winter months, hiring more as the seasons shift and the weather warms. He works with private landowners.

"We miss a few days in the winter for various reasons," Johnson said, "but most every day we figure out a way to go to work."

Being outdoors is the biggest pull for him, but there is also pleasure in solving the problems that come with each new day whether it's weather conditions, terrain or equipment issues.

"It's a challenge to make it work," he said, "you want to make a profit but still make it reasonable so people use you."

Logging is in the blood. His dad hauled logs for Weyerhauser and now a new generation wants to continue the family business.

"I've got a grandson coming up in my footsteps," Johnson said. "He wants to log so bad he can taste it, but he's only 16. He can come out there with me but he can't actually work for me yet. He just loves it out there and can't wait till he's 18. I tried to talk him into going to college but he's not going to hear it. He's looking forward to the day he can be out there with me."

The boy loves it, and even after 40 years, so does his grandfather.

"I get up in the morning and am glad I have another day I can go to work," Johnson said. "I'm old enough to retire, but I still have good health. Being as it is what I enjoy doing, why not do it as long as I can? And when I can't do it anymore I can figure out something else."