wood workout

This was as taxing and difficult as anything I've done in a long time.  Spent 3 1/2 hrs of cutting, splitting, and stacking firewood.  It was exceptionally hard and heavy wood, hickory.  It was so dense that only a new chain would cut it.  I thought it was seasoned since the bark came off easily but now I'm not quite sure.  Doesn't matter because it'll burn once the fireplace insert gets up to operating temperature, I cut some small pieces, and I have enough seasoned oak to get it hot.   Felt like I was carrying stone blocks with the hickory.  Some of the pieces I had to carry up hill were probably 60+ lbs.  My body hurt afterward, knees, hands, arms, and back.

This winter is exceptionally cold with this weekend being forecast to be down around 10ºF for 2 nights with possible snow on Saturday morning.  With my Thurs concert cancelled, I decided to collect this firewood.  I don't need it to heat my house, but it's a nice supplement.  Also usually good exercise, but this was a bit much.

School has been cancelled for the entire week including a big tribute concert on Saturday.  Not including my faculty senate meeting on Monday, it will have been a 13 day vacation from teaching at MTSU.  I won't be teaching til Tues in Sewanee.  

Hope to get back into the gym tomorrow night.  Still a bit sore. 

You can see in the first photo, the big shed is nearly empty and the smaller shed near the house, full.  I was able to fill the large shed halfway.   

It takes about three trips up the stairs to fill my wood crib next to my fireplace.  Each load about 50 - 60 lbs.