FORKS — A Forks Logging & Mill Tour will offer insight into the West End’s rich logging industry and heritage today.
The three-hour tours, which began last week, leave each Wednesday at 9 a.m. from the Forks Visitor Information Center at 1411 S. Forks Ave. in a van provided by the Forks Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the summertime tours.
The tours are offered throughout the summer free of charge, though donations are accepted.
Reservations are recommended since tours are often at or near capacity.
“Our volunteer guides are retired from the timber industry and very knowledgeable on ‘working in the woods,’” said Lissy Andros, chamber executive director.
‘First-class tour’
“For over a decade, visitors to Forks have been treated to an insider’s look at our logging industry with a first-class tour of active logging sites and working mills,” Andros added.
Participating in the tour are Allen Logging, Rayonier, Dahlgren Logging and Dilley & Soloman Logging, among others.
A special tour is set for Friday, Sept. 13, to give those coming for the Stephenie Meyer Day Weekend — when the birthday of Bella Swan, a fictional character in the Twilight saga, is celebrated — a chance to take part.
“We are trying to keep tourism and the timber industry connected, and with the success of reality shows about the logging industry, we can show people what working in the woods is really like,” Andros said.
“No drama; just hard work.”
Special tours are available for large groups.
To reserve a space, phone the chamber at 360-374-2531.
For more information, visit www.forkswa.com/events.
The logging tour can be extended with a visit to the Forks Timber Museum, which is next door to the visitor center at 1421 S. Forks Ave.
It opened for the season earlier this month and will stay open through October, according to the Chamber of Commerce.
The hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Admission is $3 per person.
The museum displays exhibits depicting local history dating back to the 1870s.
Included are tools and historical information on logging as well as on the pioneers, agriculture and Native American culture of the Forks area.
For more information about the museum, phone 360-374-9663.
