On a rainy February morning Kent Taylor, 73, drove up through a moss-covered forest to a heavy metal gate guarding a private logging road. As he got out to open it, reggae beats streamed out of the car speakers.
Unlocking the gate has become routine for the people, like Taylor, living south of the Fairfax Bridge in unincorporated Pierce County since the historic structure closed about a year ago. Now, this rugged backroad is the only way to get from their homes to the outside world.
“This thing is a little bit stiff and a little hard to do. Some of the more ancient folks have problems with it — including myself,” Taylor said, struggling with the gate…