Leaderboard

We heat our home almost entirely with the wood stove in this picture. It was a huge plus during last year’s Snowpocaalypse/power outage! With ten acres of brush and trouble we always have potential firewood, it is just a matter of cutting it, splitting some of it, storing it, and bringing enough into the barn before prolonged cold and wet spells. We had an epic ice storm the year we moved out here (1997) which prompted me to buy my first chainsaw, a 14 inch Echo. On the same day my dad bought an almost identical Echo which eventually became mine when he passed. Last year after that ice storm my wife bought a Black and Decker cordless chainsaw, and just a few weeks ago I got the Black and Decker pole saw. I was skeptical of the battery powered chainsaw, but have found it really helpful for my private trail network on a neighbor’s property. I lust after a slightly larger and much newer gas chainsaw but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

All through Fall and Winter I've been drinking mostly just Amber / Red / Brown Ales. Got a bit burned out on IPAs and other strong stuff that brings a buzz quite quickly. Seems most of the beers I've been getting lately are in the 5-6% ABV range. Here's a couple of really tasty treats. If I want a buzz, I'll reach for my whiskey.

A facebook update from Bikepacking Roots. Bikepacking Roots is working to make the language of this act be more specific to dirt routes (single track and 4-wheel drive roads) and exclude primarily gravel routes. "In refining this language, the BOLT Act will be more specific to dirt oriented, off-road bikepacking rather than paved or gravel trails. We recommended this change because we currently can create exceptional gravel and road routes without substantial land manager involvement, but singletrack routes require much more of land managers like the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management." Statement More details on the BOLT Act Updates and Announcement page on BikepackingRoots.org

I thank Quentin for exposing me to this. The funny thing is that $5 is actually cheap for a milkshake these days, even without bourbon in it or nuthin'.

I am jealous. I had essentially a half cord to 3/4 cord of firewood this year from the storms in my yard. Then I started to get really trashy. Huge oak limb in the street down by the corner during the storm last year. Johnny Chainsaw to the rescue. Neighbors were happy that I helped clear the street for them. Most of it went into my SUV. Large oak limb dropped in the park. After 2 months of it sitting there, Johnny Chainsaw back in action, car filled up, more firewood. Neighbors had branches come down. I was very helpful in chopping things up so that they only had to deal with the little stuff. I have finally started running out. But there are a few more cold days coming up. You know that deadfall that used to be near the Shoal Creek Hike and Bike trail? Don't go looking for it. I highly recommend the Black and Decker electric chainsaws. They use the same battery as my leaf blower and trimmers. Also, an electric pole saw is a right of mid life passage for men. What a great tool.

TNRCC on that map means it's been a long time!