There’s a hint of fall in the morning air.  Smoke from the Pioneer fire occasionally drifts into town and the crickets start up in the evening.  Some people never experience waking up early, while it’s still cool, and driving into the mountains in search of dead trees to harvest.  Luckily we grew up collecting firewood and now Alice is too.  Granted, she spends most of the time in her tent watching movies and playing.  My sisters and I would have much preferred that to working when we were young.  I asked my parents many times if I could please go make cookies, anything to save me from hard labor.

Heading out early, the stare.

Teamwork!

Hauling firewood

Cut, limb, saw, drag, saw, load (splitting is a whole other step)

How do you like this lodgepole?

Yeah, I have my own chainsaw.

I got this.

Whew, it’s getting hot!

Jared, the Logger

Tent time

Now I like it.  There’s something about the smell of the woods, the sound of chainsaws, and the feeling of satisfaction that comes with a load of wood.  And just like Henry Ford said, “Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice.”  I hated that quote when I was a kid but you can bet I’ll be reciting it to Alice.

Goofy girlies (Alice, Ruby, Bridgette)

Riding high

Everyone pitching in.

Denis is a pro.

Are they helping or just in the way?

Timber!

xo