I live in a little cluster of houses around manmade Honeymoon Lake. There is only one road out: Honeymoon Bay Road, which runs along the west side of Holmes Harbor. Heading south will take you to Freeland. Turning left on Honeymoon Bay Road takes you roughly north up a hill to Classic Road. At Classic Road Honeymoon Bay Road turns into Resort Road at one of my favorite intersections. The road is lined on both sides by a forest of conifers. Until last week.

It turns out that the 40 acres south-west of the intersection belong to a mill in Everett and now was the time to harvest the trees. The treeline in the picture runs along Classic Road. There were trees just as tall in the now empty space on the left.

This is taken from Classic Road looking south. It kind of makes your heart break.

But here is the dillema. Bemoaning the loss of a beautiful forest to the rapacious loggers is a bit like an animal rights activist who likes to wear leather. I hate seeing that forest go but I'm using wood to make a camera case, not to mention the paper products, made from wood, I use from the reams I feed through my printer to the rolls that reside next to the toilet. Somebody's forest had to be cut for that wood. And the vanished forest had vanished before. The entire Island, except for a section across from South Whidbey State Park, was logged off early in the last century. The house where I live is made of wood and the land it sits on was once old growth forest. So, what's a poor fella to do?

The Walrus and The Carpenter
by Lewis Carroll

[...] "But not on us!" the Oysters cried, Turning a little blue. "After such kindness, that would be A dismal thing to do!" "The night is fine," the Walrus said. "Do you admire the view? "It was so kind of you to come! And you are very nice!" The Carpenter said nothing but "Cut us another slice: I wish you were not quite so deaf-- I've had to ask you twice!" "It seems a shame," the Walrus said, "To play them such a trick, After we've brought them out so far, And made them trot so quick!" The Carpenter said nothing but "The butter's spread too thick!" "I weep for you," the Walrus said: "I deeply sympathize." With sobs and tears he sorted out Those of the largest size, Holding his pocket-handkerchief Before his streaming eyes. "O Oysters," said the Carpenter, "You've had a pleasant run! Shall we be trotting home again?' But answer came there none-- And this was scarcely odd, because They'd eaten every one.

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update: Here is an article in the local fishwrap.

Massive 40-acre clearcut near Honeymoon Bay riles neighbors

A clearcut logging operation of a 40-acre property south of Greenbank has left neighbors angry and frustrated over the loss of a scenic forest. The owner of the property, however, said the logging was necessary because he has a large estate tax bill to pay. Clearing of the property near the intersection of Honeymoon Bay Road and Classic Road intensified earlier this month. It continued this week as two massive logging cranes gathered and stacked logs this week to be hauled to an off-island mill. Neighbors are upset that the logging began without much notice. “Some of us have been physically sick over this,” said Jo Van Patton.

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