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Monday, March 21, 2011

Another Log on the Columbia

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 21, 2011

It's always interesting to see what washes down in the river. In this case, it's another big log - a long one that has gotten hung up in the pilings at the back of the old Englund Marine building. The question is, what will  happen next? Will the tide wash it out again, or will someone have to come and get it so it doesn't knock about and damage the pilings? Is this a moody, wet Astoria day, or what?


I took the first photo at 8:59 a.m. By 11:58, the tide had come in and the log was floating. It's still not clear what will happen (at the time of the photo), but by the end of the day when I looked out again, the log was gone.


We keep these long pike poles handy in case a log needs help finding its way back into the river, but usually a log that's big enough to cause problems and stay stuck among the buildings is also big enough to be a bear to deal with. They are hard to push, or if you catch the water just right and the pushing is easy, they may float right back in. You also need a place to stand, which was not available to me with the location of today's log, so it's just as well that the water took it. There are specialists called "pile bucks" who know everything about pilings and logs, and sometimes you have to hire them to extricate the tough ones. They use boats, chain saws, tackle, loops of rope, and anything necessary to get the job done - plus a lot of skill and excellent balance!


The pike poles have nasty-looking hooks at the end to grip the log.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

6 comments:

Francisca said...

Interesting little mystery story, Sheryl. Good the log got away without wrecking anything in its path. And yes, that's a gray wet Astoria day! Warm hug from Chisinau; the air is crisp here, but the sky is perfectly blue.

Anonymous said...

I like the mood of the first shot very much. Everything is neat and in order except for the log.

Clytie said...

I never gave a thought to what happens when logs get caught up in the pilings. Next time I'll be more observant!

Lee Spangler said...

Im glad its not banging against your building. It would knock your teeth out!

Halcyon said...

I always enjoy the logs you show. They're so tenacious!

Lowell said...

I do remember a previous post about logs showing up on the river and banging up against things along the shore which could create problems.

In fact, I think I logged in those posts so I could find them again except that the logs must have sank 'cause I have no clue where they are.

If this makes no sense that's 'cause we're in Weston, Florida after being on the road all day and we're just a little bit tired and I've had 2 glasses of wine and ... well, you don't want to hear any more, I'm sure.

I've got a lot of other comments to comment on but I ain't gonna get there. G'nite!

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