Gettin’ Wood

For me, August is the time to begin gathering firewood for the winter. I made my annual pilgrimage to the Forest Service Office to purchase my permit. Fifty dollars for eight cords of wood is truly a bargain.  Granted, we have to find the wood, cut it up and haul it down to the cabin, but still ….

My next stop was to see Joe at Elk Creek Service to get my chain sharpened (he does great work). Cleaning my saw was next on my list. I took off the cover and brushed out the remnants of last year’s firewood, checked the air filter and emptied the gas tank. After installing my chain, I filled it with gas and oil. It fired right up and I was ready to attack the pines.

I began cutting firewood for my grandfather in 1975 when he built a cabin in Heber, Utah and I have enjoyed harvesting firewood ever since. I suppose it reminds me of the time that I spent with Grandpa. During the summer, Sheri and I did some reconnaissance and found a spot that would yield enough firewood for our needs. Cutting firewood is like elk hunting. You can always find what you want. The question is how far you are willing to carry it out. The distance seems to shorten with each passing year. My current firewood carry limit is fifty feet and only downhill!  We headed up the mountain and the work began.

Chipmunks and squirrels are constantly scampering about, gathering and storing food for the pending winter. The bears are feeding incessantly to increase their body fat before they enter hibernation. The elk, moose, deer and all other inhabitants of the forest are also busy preparing for the snow season. Stockpiling one’s source for winter’s heat allows us to participate in a forest ritual while enjoying the exquisite scenery.

My goal is to get the wood in before bow season begins and I begin chasing elk around the forest.