Hi Folks, thought I would introduce myself and post a picture or two of my credentials. I live in the colorado rockies at 7600 feet. I am a new wood burner this is my first year. I have a Hearthstone Heritage for heat. I have been lucky enough to find a great supplier for mixed hardwood in an area where softwoods dominate. I have been CSS'n since May and this is what I have so far: I still have a bit to process: My source is a tree cutting service down below so the mixed hardwood supply is never ending, very sweet deal. I am an Airforce vet: And currently own an auto repai shop out of Longmont CO. I am also a proud father of two beautiful little girls: Here is a shot of the old wood wagon and some local wild life as viewed off the front porch: And of course in all of the spare time I have I help to put our forest fires: Here is a video of the cool trees in our front yard, try to stay focused on the trees ok. And a Video of my first scary tree felling experience: And of course to finish off, proof that the wife can split wood just as well as the rest of us: So if you made it this far thank you for reading. I look forward to contributing and getting to know all of you.
Good luck getting a tag for my area, i think it is 20, but if you do I will have a cold beer or warm coco ready to go. I forgot to post a picture of the heating aperatus:
Tell me how you get your wife to split wood while you guys drink beer? That is a trick I have to learn. Welcome to the club!
Handsonautotech You do know how to make an introduction Great pics and videos right from the start. You will fit in here nicely.
Hey Handsonautotech , welcome aboard. What's the saying? Birds of a feather........... You've already fit in here. Great pics, and vids. The girls are gorgeous (I have 3, and 3 granddaughters too). Are you doing the drywall yourself too? Lots of DIYers here, and I see your daughter is learning how to work on cars.
The wildlife vid is pretty cool. The tree felling one I've seen before, either posted in another forum or youtube offered it up as something else to watch. I trust some of the ladies with the splitter control but I don't like their fingers near the ram or chain saw. It's not a macho thing. Make a baby and you've done your life's share of painful chore. Us guys need to catch up.
Beautiful area where you live.. Did you guys have any losses from the floods in 2013? Hope everyone is recovering well...
We are doing the drywall ourselves, thanks for asking, that question leads to these photos, all also DIY First I had a structural engineer look at the unit to make sure I was not going to drop my new house. Then we started out by having a Fireplace Removal party with a bunch of sledge hammers and such. That got the top off and into the house so we could put tarps over the hole. Then we got smart and rented his and her electric jack hammers and my wife and I finished the job in one Sunday. We had a lot of concrete and cinder block in our yard till I was able to rent a Kuboto to move it into spots where we needed filler. There was a lot of earth washed away and lost to a flood in 2013 so the concrete was actually nice to have outside. It was another month after the stove was installed (also DIY) before I got the motivation to go plug the hole in the roof. The flag stone under the stove is one solid piece, 44" by 60" by 2.5" thick. It took six men to move it, we put three straps under it then had a man on each strap to lift it. Did the stove using the same technique. Now, I did not know any of these people well at the time, it was all folks from the community who banded together to help me out, that in itself was so amazing that I was almost in tears after we got the job done, just a great community up here in the meadows. After they left I installed the double wall stove pipe and chimney and had my first fire, sans roof, blazing before the wife got home.
This was before we moved in, we closed in May 2016. The first girl Isenhart is the daughter of my current Fire Chief. We lived "down the hill" when the flooding occured. My first daughter was born the day of. I had to go with my daughter by ambulance to a childrens hospital, my wife was stuck in longmont and we could not be reunited for 5 days after due to road closures.
Welcome to the club, Handsonautotech! Perfect first post, beautiful property and family. You're gonna love this place!
Thanks again guys for the warm welcome. You may have seen my tree felling at a hearth forum. If anyone is wondering we added 32 sq/ft to the house yanking out that ugly as sin fireplace, 16 of that in the bathroom alone. Much needed space as it is only 800sq/ft total.
Welcome Handsonautotech... great intro.. beautiful pics and vids.. thank you for previous service (USAF) and continuing with fire service!