Live from the 2017 MI GTG @ Backwoods Savage's

Good morning all. I can finally sit down at the computer for more than 2 minutes because everyone has now left and many are still on their way home. We wish them all a safe trip. And to all, we throw out a big, huge, humongous thank you for coming (I think the total count was 30 with a few other short visits that we won't count) and also for the many man/woman hours of work that was accomplished. It would have taken me a long, long time to get all that work done.

Now for those who were not able to come, we ended up with a bit smaller group this year even though at the last minute it looked to be much larger than last year. We know not what happened but those who planned on coming early got here in good time but few other showed on Saturday. Nevertheless, we had a great time, put up much wood, ate well and lots of food left over. There is still much work to be done, mostly wood stacking but several of the guys did a great job of stacking so that is a great help.

Someone asked how much wood was put up. We don't know the final count yet but putting our heads together we are thinking it should end up to be around 10 cord. There was about 2 cord stacked into 16" logs, mostly oak and that all got split by Becky and Julie. Great job girls!

As most know, it was terribly wet this year even though we live on sand. It rarely gets as wet as it is now and we learned early on that there would be many areas we could not get into to cut and/or haul out wood. Even the area where I had several 8' logs already cut and ready to be skidded, we were not able to get in. Our friend @chipper found that out on his first trip into the woods to get some logs.



Thankfully he had a winch on the tractor along with the bucket to help get himself out. There would have been no way for me to pull him out with my tractor else we'd have had 2 tractors stuck like this. He was very pleased to know we would not charge him for all the sand and mud he took home with him.

I'll post a few pictures but I don't have them all re-sized yet. Plus I get interrupted from time to time so please check back. In addition, the weather is so great I'll no doubt be spending some time outdoors and we also have some cleaning up to do.

1. TurboDiesel


2. Chvymn99, Barcroftb, Backwoods Savage, Mrs VW, Mrs turbodiesel (in camper), Mrs Backwoods Savage, Marshel54

3. Most of who are in #2 plus Shawn Curry and walt


Picture 5 is a bit blurry to pick out the workers.


6. Marshel54, Chvymn99 TurboDiesel, walt. 7. TurboDiesel


More later.

 

1. A Shawn Curry sawbuck ready to start cutting on this pile. 2. walt with Chvymn99 and Marshel54 in the background working on a log pile.



2. Barcroftb in his Sunday best and your's truly discussing a plan. 3. Just one small wet spot.


4. Shawn Curry who split about as much as the hydraulic splitters did did. 5. Your's truly.

 

I didn't see the peanut butter pies?

 

That's because they didn't last long.

 

1. Your's truly and walt 2. That's Barcroftb setting up to pull down one of the oaks.

 

Beat me to it Dennis! Heck, Shawn Curry was asking Becky if it was available for breakfast in the morning!

 

Nice! Barcroftb was setting up to try to bring down a dead hanger. A nasty job that will have to wait to finish. If I remember correctly the block was walt's

 

This one was really good. Many times we find these party balloons in our woods. We've found them from as far away as Iowa. So while the guys were working back by the creek, who was to find this balloon? Of course, it had to be Kevin! However, he assured us it was not his birthday.

Then there is Shawn Curry taking down a small dead ash. We have lots.



Just a little bit of the runoff and most of this land is flat! Also putting walt's log arch to work.

 

I wanted to go but wasn't allowed to take vacation time

 

Did someone mention it was a bit wet? Barcroftb said it didn't matter.

 

That might be all for today folks but stay tuned as there are many more pictures. Hopefully others will post more too but some are still on the road.

btw, we almost had a tie for most miles driven to get to the GTG. Chvymn99 came from Kansas City and drove 800 miles while My IS heats my home came from eastern MA and drove 780. Had he not came through Canada he would have driven well over 800 miles! Not that is true dedication.

One guy, chipper1 even arrived via tractor! Almost a twin to mine too. Well, actually, that is how it appeared but he wisely had unloaded his tractor from the trailer before coming into our place. I remember someone asking me if someone else was coming with a tractor and thinking of neighbors I didn't think so. Maybe the guy who has land across the road coming as he has one too? No. It was chipper and his wonderful son. They drove right in!

We have not decided who won first prize for the most mud on vehicles but probably a toss up between chipper and Walt. And walt had his problems with a breakdown on the way here and another while he was here. That was not enough to please him so after he left this morning, soon he returned. Seems he forgot a few things. That's just how it goes sometimes, right Walt?

 

Dan, myself, cwn877 and BrianK are all home........logged on 967.4 miles since Friday.....

Had a fantastic time, fantastic weather and met some of my extended family. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart Backwoods Savage and lovely Judy (The Ornery One) for having us. Your hospitality and hearts won us all over.

And special thanks to TurboDiesel and his lovely wife and Eric VW and his lovely wife for all their hard work and the great food!! What a great family we have here at FHC. Truly amazing.