Its a shame but I see wood burn piles everywhere in north Alabama. Wood is not used much around here for heating, so there is not any demand on it. I find wood easily: by word of mouth; road side pick up; people clearing for land; Craigs List; storm damage removal; or tree services. Most of the time all you need to do is ask, but be prepared for strange looks. Most folks thinks its too hard to gather. I find its great exercise for an old guy and I just love everything about it (cutting, splitting, stacking and finding it). I heat my house and water with a 400HE HOSS outdoor furnace and burn about 5 to 6 chords over the winter. I have burned wood in some form or fashion all my life. Hoping my body holds out till at least Im 70.
Howdy neighbor! It's the same here in central Ms. I don't have to scrounge for it because I've got a couple hundred acres to cut from but if I did it would be easily gotten.
Welcome to the forum Log Dog III Why stop at 70? I haven't and no plans to stop either. But it must be nice for someone to be able to get wood easily. I can understand though as the winters have to be rather short down there.
This is true Dennis, but they start gettin cold at about 60* so it all equals out! To be fair, that's the temp we're startin to think about a swimmin hole, and 80*, I'm laid out in the shade
Hats off to you Backwoods Savage. Ill push for 80. Yes, the winter is short here in comparison. But people go into a panic when they see frost. They think its a blizzard. I burn from November to March. Ill probably shut down my HOSS next week.
Log Dog III, Welcome to the forum. From your registration information I see your 60. I only got a few years on you. Just keep going. Cutting, Splitting and Stacking firewood is some of the best exercise you can get. Just remember to think about what you're doing and remember you ain't 40 anymore. Drink alot of water and take breaks when you feel the need. But, I know guys that are well past 75 and are CSS wood. Shoot, I am just getting to the point in life where I think I know something. LOL.
Geeze, the other day my doctor said I should slow down. Maybe time to look for a different doctor?! Actually, he just suggested I work for shorter periods of time with lots of breaks in between. Already doing that but not by choice.
I am 65 and plan doing the whole firewood thing for as long as I can. I will fly by 70. Use it or lose it as they say and when I cannot then I will make a machine or tool that will help me to continue on and make it easier.
You all are making me feel young again!!! At the end of the burning season I get a little worn down. February is a little rough on me. I get a little burned out feeding the HOSS at 4:30am every single day. But I absolutely love it. Ive had back and shoulder surgery but I can honestly say its not because of wood. In fact, after a couple of days of cutting, splitting and stacking I feel years younger. Im doubling my shed capacity and slowly working on putting a metal frame up. I figure if one day Im 3 years ahead on cutting, I can coast into the fire wood sunset with 3 years left to burn. That would be sweet and you guys are making me push that date way ahead. Thanks!
I missed seeing your join date, YES, welcome to the forum Log Dog III! You know I've heard that ideally, you live just a teeny bit longer than your money lasts. I think you just put a new twist on this with firewood.
Log Dog, Just to clarify. I don't think any of us are saying that if you're injured you should not follow the doctors recommendations. But, my doc knows I have physically worked my entire life and to shut that off now would be a mistake. Just adjust the pace is what he tells me. And no climbing roofs unless someone is around. My wife wants someone around when I run the chain saw too. I sneak on that one.
Got stuck on the roof about 2 years ago. Had to wait until the wife got home to get down. Boy did she let me have it. Funny, my wife is the same way. She makes me promise I wont fall any trees without her. She's ok if the wood is on the ground though. Probably good practice.
Welcome to da club Log Dog III Last time I was in Alabama , I got put to work , shovelin that red dirt
No way am I going to work shorter. I won't have less to get done so work shorter means work harder during the short bursts of activity. At 68 I am not really up for that intense short period. I would rather pace myself and get it all done, then relax. Doc must not understand having a specific amount that is going to get done.
Well, not much for the intense workouts nowadays. I work very slow and that is what I told him too. Hard to get any slower around here.
