We have been preparing for our first winter here at The Ranch. We're stocking up on groceries, adding straw to the gardens and chicken run, and bringing in herbs. Most importantly, though, is our need for wood to heat our home. We are totally off grid and have a generator for back-up, so we are not worried about power outages. However, our only source for heat is two wood stoves. Since we have not lived here through a winter, we have no idea how much wood will be needed to keep us
and the critters comfortable.
We started out with this...
Our neighbors up the hill cut down a tree and offered us the wood since they don't live here full-time. It took Neal about three trips back and forth with the trailer and three-wheeler
to get this stash.
Now, we're former city folk and don't have a lot of experience with country living, but one thing we knew was that this little stash was not going to see us through the winter. So, we contacted a local wood guy and ordered three cords of aspen. He delivered it in two truckloads and dumped it right on our property. Have you ever seen three cords of wood?
When Mr. Wood Guy delivered the wood, he threw it off the truck in a big, unorganized pile, which was the fastest way for him to get it done. After three days, off and on, of touching each piece and stacking it by hand, Neal made a nice, neat arch of wonderfully seasoned aspen. I really hope this is enough to see us through a Colorado mountain winter, but if it's not...
We know where to get more!
7 comments:
Wow lots of work to get ready for winter! Looks like the wood should get you through the winter but this is from a Texas Gulf Coast gal who just turns down the thermostat in our mild winters!
Connie
Connie, we are originally from the south, so we can relate to running the a/c at Christmas! Hope all is well at your place.
You've got a good start on the wood. Your place looks so cozy with the fireplace.
It's amazing how quickly you go thru the stacks of wood isn't it? That last photo sure looks cozy!!
Good for you. :) Our dogs just looooove the fireplace during the winter. :)
We are not off grid and we used 4 times the amount you have stacked up. We also collected pine cones and dryer lent for fire starter. It is better to have to much wood than not enough.
So that's how you stack wood, in an arch... I've been staring at my dumped two-cord pile for a few weeks wondering if I would stack it or leave it. Neal has inspired me to stack.
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