wood splitting on a Fall day

[Egon]

Pete:

The only part I miss are the mountains. The backcountry trails either on ski's or on a bicycle and the smell of alpine fir. Even that was starting to wane as the crowds got larger.

Of course there some mid week days on the ski hill when one could just ski in and get on the chair - no line up's. Remember one day 09:00 Am to o4o PM with a half hour for lunch. About every fifth or sixth run would take a groomed run to rest the legs.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[sassafraspete]

Gene, I hear you on the wetness..... We've had so much rain here lately that you can't go out in the woods with the tractor for you surely will cut up some ruts. Maybe if you had one of those lightweight other brand tractors....but with these heavy , traction grabbing Bransons or Centurys... we'll just have to be patient.

 

[sassafraspete]

Egon, the only pines we have here are ones that have been planted....some are old xmas tree farming experiments left over, or government planted pines on land bought from home owners during the depression. One of my favorite "back in the woods" places to hike ...especially with snow on the ground, is a stand of white pine that were planted back in the 50s. I love to go there and just smell the air, and listen to the quiet. Have you ever smelled the bark of a jeffery pine? Got to smell some of these out at Lake Tahoe CA....smells like vanilla.

As for the ski hills, your description takes me back. We have a few here in Indiana....all of 5-800 feet vertical...but get on the big mountains out west where you can ski 5 miles without stopping and in amongst the pines....now that's a nice vision. I am envious if you have the mountains as your playground. I had 2 canadian visitors at work today....they were from Vancouver. They said it was 20 minutes to whistler from where they lived. That would be tough to take....but like you....if you can avoid the crowds... what a great place to spend some time.

Geez, this started out as a wood splitting thread...now Egon has me skiing.

sassafraspete

 

[Egon]

Pete:

Never seen a Jeffery pine but we have lots of white pine here.

Back to skiing: As I worked a rotating 12 hour shift once a month we had 7 days consecutive days off. Many years I manged to get upwards of 30 or more hill/backcountry days in not counting driving. Stayed in Hostels or huts so the expense was bearable. Night life was non exsitent as tired old bodies need rest and recuperation time. My niece and her husband have lived in Whistler since the mid 70's. That was back before Blackcomb was even a thought.

If one of the other Pete's is reading I have also skied at Stowe back in the 60's.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[sassafraspete]

Egon, you've got me dreaming again. I definately want to visit Canada some in the future....however may have to wait for that exchange rate to be working in the right direction.

Heck with splitting wood....let's see , where did I put those skis....and that wax?

 

[gmason]

Pete, You better believe it!! I've cut up some Hickory lately and it puts Oak to shame on the weight. It's like picking up a block of foam vs a block of cement. Even after a year of drying(not split) the Hickory is still a bear to pick up.

thanks
gary