Bocaiúva seems like a small town, with a business district about like Burns, Oregon, where we lived for 34 years. But there are about 12,000 people here, spread out over a large forested area. City boundaries are more like small counties in the States. Bocaiúva is an old logging town--its only industry, we think. So far, we've only seen small logs, like lodgepole pine. The people are very proud to tell us that for every tree they cut, two are planted. Still, as he explores old road, Dennis sees a lot of clear-cut hillsides. In his morning walks, he has discovered at least three saw mills in the area. Below our apartment is a large mechanic shop where logging trucks are repaired, washed, gassed up and parked for the night. It startles me whenever I see big, brand new MERCEDES BENZ logging trucks come through town. Yes, they are always shiny clean, red or black, & very showy!
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