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Physically grueling and dangerous, the logging profession has often been portrayed by the square-jawed, husky superman-like image of Paul Bunyan folk lore, or the campfire scene of a man's world in beer commercials. As the romance of the caulk-booted masculine legend continued, petite Jodi Miller quietly went about her work in the woods, falling trees and bossing her two-thousand pound draft horses into hauling them. Having more pluck than muscle, Jodi did the work that would have beefed up the biceps of any man who has set chokers, fallen a tree, or any punk who has blown the whistle.
After a lifetime of working with horses, Jodi struck out on her own. She purchased her first draft horse and set about learning the business of horse logging.
In 1976, the 35 year old mother of five encountered intense resentment from the men she worked with. But, gradually as they watched her maneuver her team over miles of rough terrain, their ire was replaced with respect.
Before long the media was receiving reports of the awesome sight of Oregon's "Lady Logger". Besides working in the woods, she often traveled on weekends to compete, and win weight pulling contests with her horses. Jodi has contracted for such Northwest logging giants as Champion and Roseburg Lumber, as well as for private individuals.
These days, as this artist can attest, Jodi can often be found snaking logs out of the woods on her own Forest Trails Ranch, Near Yoncalla, Oregon.
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