• Tuesday-What'sUP January 18 - 11:27 am

All the warmer temperatures have caused a back-log of sorts for the lumberjacks UP North. This log deck was cut and stacked by Norm Livermore, Tom Cook's father-in-law. Now all that's needed are some colder temps to freeze the logging roads, then the procedure can continue. Norm used to work in the paper mill, but retired from that job to do something he loves, cutting wood. Guess you could say he's worked at both ends of the process of turning trees into the renewable resource, paper. Something we'd all have a rough time living without!

Good Morning. First one of the day!!!

Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories of my Dad and Grandpa hauling logs to the mills.
Good Day All!

Most interesting Back-Log....Take the time to see Tom Cooks photos...I enjoyed it....great JOB! Still looking for a place I might purhase a pile of Cherry wood for a project the wife wants completed be for summer arrives. Want to keep the Business in UP if i can. Have a Great Day and take the time to see Tom's photos.......

Have them cut, split, delivered and stacked in my back yard and I will be one happy camper.

I agree with Therese! We're runnin low :)

Are those logs destined for the paper mill or are they used for lumber?

The logs on Norm's left look like pulp wood and the ones on his right look like they will soon be lumber.

My grandpa was a logger in Isabella. He and my grandma worked the CCC camps when they were younger and then he went off on his own. When i was 5 or 6 i used to head off with grandpa in his 66' Bronco to skid, boy do I miss those days but sure glad I had a chance to grow up along side him.

Great pictures - alot of hard work went into those piles. They appear to be piececut (by hand) and skidded vs. cut by a feller-buncher (large machine). After many days in the woods working for my brother (who worked for my father), I decided middle management in a large corporation was my career path! Also looks like spring breakup came 'early' since the wood can't be moved.

Seismic Pirate, to continue our conversation about flying....I don't think Map Quest would be able to locate your chopper!!! Mesaba's record into and out of the UP may not be great but then they're dealing with pretty intense weather conditions on a pretty regular basis. I think they do a terrific job and the people up at the Houghton airport are great. A little patience goes a long way. I'd rather a flight be cancelled than take a chance! I trust their judgement even if it means not getting to where I want on time. One must always leave room for a missed flight or two when doing the Copper Country treck!!

Thanks for showing support for one of our area's main industries.
Hard, cold work to get us supplied with lumber, paper, and countless other goods.
Don't let the huge piles scare you- they're renewable!

Mornin', looks like a fire is needed somewhere.

Wow, one can only imagine all the hard work that went into those wood piles. Several years ago, we cut a deal with a friend who was building a new house. If we cleared the land, we could keep all the wood for firewood. We spent the entire spring and summer clearing the land and loading the dump truck...but it was worth it, as we had enough firewood for quite a few winters.
Stix, have a safe and wonderful trip home to Da Up :)

stix,
I agree, they are up against the eight ball when it comes to weather in the Keweenaw. I too, would rather be safe. I was referring to their policy of over booking every flight, which stinks. I only get irate becuase I've been at sea for 6 weeks and really, really want to get home and I am facing that, yet again next week.

The people @ Mesaba are great, however. Those guys at CMX have always been friendly and helpful.

Years ago, I had a freind bring me a pair of tennis shoes to the airport, as I was flying out. He didn't make it before the plane took off. Somehow, the people @ Mesaba got my shoes to a private pilot who beat us to Minnie. He gave the shoes to a NW, or Mesaba pilot who met me @ the gate as we landed and handed me my shoes. THAT is service:)

Boy I'd sure keep track of those shoes. They're made for walkin'. Even if you ain't in 'em!

Those pictures remind me of a few years ago, when men were selectively thinning the woods neaby me. On a Sunday when they were all in church (or so I assume), my dogs took me for a hike and we walked between the log walls and past the machinery. Now Grady, my elderly female lab, completely ignored the whole things and went nosing for early blackberries. Tucker, my ex-male mutt, went over every machine, tried to look into the cockpits, sniffed over the undersides, and then left his mark on the tires. A true 'guy' dog, even though he lacks the plumbing.

Our son-in-law would love to get his log truck in there and haul that huge pile of wood away to the mill. He'd be in his glory!!!

Stix & Marc. Boy I wish I could tell you some tales of what flying in and out of CMX was in the 60s. Started there when we were using DC3 then Convairs then DC 9s. No sophisticted landing aids back then. What we did would never pass nowaday's with all the regulation etc. Had great bunch of pilots

RCW,
I still get some of that experience flying in other countries. Some of the flights have been pretty memorable. Same w/ the choppers. Depending on the locale, you can experience some pretty interesting chopper flights, especially landing on and taking off from a rolling, pitching vessel.
I've heard that since I left the CC back in early December that Mesaba has added a jet flying in and out of CMX on the first and last flights of the day. Can't wait to try it out.

Marc. You got that right, I havn't had the occasion to see it however.

Morning everyone! My grandfather and uncles used to do a lot of logging. It was a lot of hard work and it seems to me that they couldn't work into their 60's because their bodies would just give out. It's going to be sunny and in the 20's here in good old MN today. Gotta like that (unless you're a snowmobiler because we just don't have the snow. Have a great day!)

Have been looking at the weather page and I see you have a winter advisory. Hope everyone drives carefully and keeps warm.

For RCW & all the rest of the aviation watchers, check out this site: FlightAware Live Flight Tracker

Just use CMX for the airport code in blue field on the right, and click on View Airport Activity, to see all of the IFR flight activity in the neighborhood.

You can also track any commercial (Air Carrier) flight using the green section in the middle, or any (IFR) flight, using either the aircraft tail number (or the airline flight number) in the blue section to the left.

Even some VFR traffic may be shown, if they're in contact with ARTCC for "Flight following"!

Neat!

Thanks Frnash, thats sure is a neat site. Ill be checking that frequently I m sure.

not much snow this year i see i remain walter p