I have been wanting to post and introduce myself for some time, but things have been hectic this summer. I just now find that I have a bit of time. On December 2nd/3rd of 2007 this area suffered a severe storm of hurricane proportions with recorded winds of 156 MPH. As I live in a rural/remote area of Washington little mention was made of the event. The result was a severe destruction of property and forests in this area. I have been working toward building my last home, and as the storm provided acres of downed trees I have finally had the time to section logs, skid to a clear area, and saw them into lumber and beams for my home.
I hope to move and stack with lathe the last two loads of lumber today. Five downed douglas fir and one giant cedar yielded 7,000 board feet of lumber, from 6X6 to 3/4" siding material. It has been a very long two weeks and I am numb from the physical effort of the sawmill process. I used a Lucas Mill-the swing blade mill built in Australia. A marvelous piece of engineering, efficient, light, remarkably quiet-a very impressive mill.
So...fall is approaching at a quickening pace, the lumber is cut and drying under cover in a barn, I am trimming discarded 1 1/4' plywood for form boards for foundation, the blackberries are calling my name, skies are clear, apples ripe. I think it will be a good day.
You all take care of yourselves.
Out the gate, down the lane-Dan