It all started with an aunt, an uncle, & an opportunity for work. In June of 1983, I (Dave King) moved from California's San Francisco/Bay area to Tumwater Washington, to live with my aunt & uncle while I established myself as a mechanic toolmaker for Boeing. I thought I would do that for a while & then move to Alaska & build a homestead there. But the universe had other plans. An economic recession hit, & opportunities for mechanic toolmaker apprenticeships were no longer available. Fortunately, I was able to use the skills I acquired growing up around the construction trades to find jobs & apply skills. Doing this allowed me to cross paths with some interesting old timers, who offered me the opportunity to learn & thrive in the sawmill field. But I knew that wasn’t my permanent path. So every Wednesday morning at 6am, I rattled on Scott Ritler's door asking for a job, until he finally hired me. My first day, he put me to work cutting a unit of 1 by 6 tongue and groove cedar boards for a hot tub skirt. At the end of the day when he came back, I was up to my knees in sawdust & had processed the whole unit of lumber. He took one look & said "No one has ever cut up a whole unit in one day. I have another job for you". He ended up moving me to the cabinet department, where I worked alongside highly skilled cabinet makers & carpenters. They took me under their wing & taught me the trade.