More Firewood

Today, almost exactly two years after I got my first face cord of firewood we had our second one delivered.  I looked at a couple places online but wound up going with the same place I used last time.  While it was a little more expensive than last time, $159 then and $179 now, it was still cheaper than other places and I already know the wood is good.  Again, I got kiln-dried mixed hardwoods; Oak, Cherry, Hickory and Walnut - but I know I saw some of the higher-end Birch in there as well.  It all makes for good burning.  In the picture, the small pile on the left with the weathered ends is what is left of the old firewood, the pile next to it won't fit on the rack and is mostly odd shaped pieces that will be burned first, after the old stuff.

Before it got here I moved the last bit of the old firewood and set about leveling the rack a little bit.  Thankfully that was quick and easy because it is and has been very hot and humid.  I didn't know when it was going to get here, but I hoped sooner than later because storms are predicted late afternoon/early evening, and kiln-dried wood should be covered, I'm told.  The driver was a nice guy who used to work for the Milwaukee Bucks and I happened to have a Bucks t-shirt on.  He regaled me with funny and interesting stories about some players and the former owner, Senator Herb Kohl, as he unloaded the wood in the driveway.

My wife was away at her dad's so I set about getting it stacked right away.  It was a good workout, for all but my aching back.  Thankfully I didn't injure it, but it is very tired right now.  We'll see how much I stiffen up later.  I loaded the wheelbarrow from my knees and had a lawn chair by the rack to avoid bending so much, and it seemed to help.  I lost track of how many wheelbarrow's full it took to get the job done, but it's more than it looks, I assure you.  It took a little over an hour, and by the end I was tired and drenched in sweat, but it will be worth it for the next two years.  Still, what a way to start the holiday weekend.