for me i pretty much love the whole process but i can get fairly burnt out a little i usually cut wood throughout the year throw the blocks into a big pile until i get tired looking at or if i think i need more room then i split it all throw it into a bigger pile until a stacking spot opens up
Most enjoyable for me is running my ported chainsaws with razor sharp chain. The extra speed and power combined all come together to make it an absolute joy. Hauling wood home, stacking it up, eventually splitting it and restocking is all part of the fun. Second best part is seeing that long stack/privacy fence of splits that blocks out unwanted eyes of passers by. Then the haul to the basement, which also is enjoyable but at that point, it stops for me. I really appreciate the family’s help getting it moved from the throw in point over to the stove area. Weird but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it, lol.
While I freely admit I enjoy the entire process, it is the end result I love most and this is the real reason we do the cutting, splitting and stacking. I especially love being in the house, say after plowing snow or any outdoor work then come inside and feel that wonderful warmth of a wood fire. I also smile when someone comes and one of the first things they say is how it feels so good and of course in our house some comment is usually made about how warm it is! Coats come off fast here! And then I have to laugh if it gets cold during our GTG. Especially I laugh at those who choose to sleep indoors when we have a fire in the stove! They don't need much for blankets!
Splitting is my favorite part. Hitting a piece of hardwood and getting the sound a pinball machine makes when you get a free game. Stacking sucks but I do enjoying observing the stacks through the year. I really love a good long sweat session, bucking and chopping until the body just says no more and the sore muscles the day after. Makes a man feel good.
Growing up in St Paul, my dad was always sweating us about a door being open too long in the winter. I’m no longer in Minnesota, but I’ll hold the door open in January and think to myself: That’s right, I’m heating the gotdang outdoors and it ain’t costing me a thing!
I enjoy mostly all of it. Of all the tasks, stacking seems to be the least ill do in a hurry. The thrill of the score and cutting are my favorites!
Ive been trying to process wood as soon as it gets home this way here i can get after more. Been trying to do this since the beginning of the year. My old MO was to stockpile rounds/lengths and get overwhelmed when i started in on it. Limited space has helped my keep up.
Absolutely. Get it split and stacked as soon as possible. Has longer to season and keeps things tidy with more room to work
I’d love to stick to that philosophy but my last two huge oaks were brought home in the summer season so my rounds/noodled chunks pile waits for cooler weather to be processed further.
Thats my biggest issue. Can only bring in rounds for the most part. Actually bring them right to my driveway to split ASAP. Moved to stacking with truck usually within a couple days. Itd be great to do it all in one place.
I love it on a warm shoulder season day you crawl into bed and the misses is a lil too warm. It’s ok dear open a window! You know woodstove is running and it doesn’t matter!! we had visitors over weekend I was on our driveway project the wife walked them out back and showed them the stacks!
I always tell my wife... I solve all of the world’s problems - when I’m sitting on the tailgate of my truck, having a cold beer, after cutting and loading my truck with wood. I’m usually on a mountain, miles from the nearest person. That small moment is my favorite part.
What a gorgeous place to be. When you live in a place like that, do you even feel the need to go somewhere on vacation? Seriously, I could reach that elevation and never want to go back down again.
My least favorite part is restacking a pile I already stacked because a Dakotah Territory wind knocked it over. I don't mind the sawing. Love being in some straight grained ash where I can make the world go away as my 8 lbs maul pops rounds apart. In a way it becomes almost meditative. I have even caught myself pushing into exhaustion because I'm in a rythm and reality is so far away and it feels so d@^n good to be away. Wake up sore as heck but know it was so worth it for body and soul. I wish I had more space and a tractor to push snow out to keep a splitting area open all winter and be able to get to/move logs and have a winter pass time that would keep me more active. I could split every day all winter and love it. The idea of going to a gym and bust butt and end up with no wood to show for it just doesn't move me. I'm pretty sure they would call the cops if I walked in to the gym with my maul.
Yeah. My wife and I do occasionally visit the beach. We love the water. Lots of gorgeous lakes around here, but they are really cold. The silence up here is really nice. I had a really cool moment with a huge black bear not too long ago while cutting wood. This place is magical.
This is turning out to be a week of Ash-grabbing for me! I was driving through the park and saw a dead Ash that had fallen over on the disc golf course weeks ago still laying there. Today I decided to play Department Of Public Works and do my part Every little bit helps.
So we have 15 ish cord on hand. We pushed hard and got 13 in under a year, odd tree jobs. Our MO is to get the wood on the property, and then deal with it as there is time. Usually thats not a lot all at once. I have no idea what we'll burn per year....hopefully less than 5 cord. With another 2 years on hand, there's no rush to push as hard as we did before. My favorite part is splitting on 25* mornings, with no shirt. Course the neighbors might whince and look away, but am good for a good hour of straight splitting by hand. All the rest of the time is just good time out doors, sometimes alone, others, with family.
Where in CT are you from Sirchopsalot ? Im in North Haven. Welcome to the FHC! Great to have another nutmegger here!
