Remember To Make A Plan For Every Tree,

 ...First step is hazards. Final Step is Escape From The  Stump.

Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam: Steam Show Tradition

 Thank You, Merle! Susan and I got to Pinckneyville yesterday just before noon, and all the whistles blew before we were out of the parking area. You need ear plugs if you are in the steam area when noon comes around. 

Weekend Steam: Advance Engine On A Baker Fan At Pinckneyville, Illinois

 We had a beautiful day to visit the engine show at Pinckneyville, Illinois. We visited some of our engine friends and had a great time watching engines run. This nice Advance engine made some good stack talk on a Baker fan.

A Bit Of A Back Lean, Then It Hangs...

...But I got it down! Nipping the hinge let it roll over, and then it went down to the ground. I needed both hands on the saw, so the nipping is off camera.  It's a bit risky, and can trap your saw's bar, but when the crown is supported on one side, it usually works to bring the tree off the hangup.

Double White Oak

This one is a bit wolfy, and is surrounded by nice, straight white oaks, so down she goes! The bar just barely reached through this one.

Happy Hornets?!

 These bald faced hornets were sure having a good time lapping up sap from a bur oak stump. They reacted if I moved up within about six feet, so I stayed back. Don't hack off a hornet! Usually when you see this many at once you have a problem. I am extremely glad that I saw them before I stumbled into their midst!

Tuesday Torque: Fairbanks Stack Talk

 There are many steam and gas shows every weekend now, and we hope to get over to Pinckneyville later this week. Look up what's available in your neighborhood and join in the fun. Many Thanks, Merle, for spotting the video!

Effervescing Elm!

 I was sure glad the little camera was in a pocket today. This is one of those weird things you run into sometimes. I dropped this elm and water started bubbling out of the stem. Very strange. It must have a wound above that let fungus in, and now it is fermenting sap. Pretty neat!

Don't Get All Pushy....

 ...until you have made a proper face, with a hinge of the right thickness. The hinge wood is too thick and this tree barberchaired when it was pushed. You might as well do an oil change while it's up. Back To The Old Grind!   (Copied off the Internet, brought to our attention by Eaton Rapids Joe! No attribution was with this photo.)

Weekend Steam II: Union Pacific 119 and Jupiter, At Promontory Point

 Merle sent a video of the 119, so I went looking for more. Susan and I were there many years ago while on a western trip, and these engines are the real deal. There are modern improvements for safety, durability, and operation, but they look like the 1860s. Many Thanks, Merle!

Weekend Steam: RGS 20 At The Colorado Railroad Museum

 Merle spotted the RGS 20, and engine new to me. You can see it in operation this weekend. Hit the road! Many Thanks, Merle!

Tend Your Deer Stands!

 This deer stand is now a permanent fixture!