Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Contributing Editor Jordan Anderson has the opportunity to visit Mike Gates Trucking, Inc. in Whatley, Alabama. In his signature song “Back In The Saddle Again” famous American cowboy Gene Autry sings about doing what he loves: riding on the open range. Listening to the song you get a sense that it’s been a while since this cowboy has ventured out into open country and he anxiously awaits his next chance to climb on his trusty steed and head out for another night under the stars. It’s as if this is the place he feels most at home. If you took this song and replaced the cowboy with a logger, the range with a south Alabama pine stand and the steed with a Chevrolet truck, it could be written about a man like Mike Gates. Gates, 51, has seen success in both logging and trucking.

Featured Story: “Back In the Saddle”

Written By: Jordan Anderson
Company: Mike Gates Trucking, Inc.
Location: Whatley, Alabama
SLT Issue: March 2017

Check out other featured articles in the March 2017 issue of Southern Loggin’ Times magazine.
Southern Loggin’ Times magazine’s March 2017 issue features Pikeville, North Carolina’s Leach’s Timber Thinning and KR Leach Trucking, LLC, Whatley, Alabama’s Mike Gates Trucking, Inc., and Georgetown, Tennessee’s Triple C Fiber. In the inaugural ‘Where Are They Now?’ column, SLT revisits Gordo, Alabama’s Posey Logging. Other articles cover the latest industry news and upcoming events.