ECHO DCS - 5000 / Felling My First Tree

 

Song:  Che vuole questa musica stasera

Artist:  Peppino Gagliardi

I got up this morning just itching to start on an outdoor project.

It had snowed some the day before so I had decided to go food shopping yesterday...

and do some more dehydrating for an indoor project day.

So...

as the weather was holding out on this day...

I identified the tree for my first felling.

I had chosen this tree as it was too near the deck...

and although it wasn't a problem yet...

it would be in the years to come.

And so...

as the trunk was only about 5" in diameter...

and as this would be good practice for me...

as I would be tackling much larger trees in the future

(I have to buy tree climbing equipment first...

as some are more than 30 feet tall)...

and just felling one could damage nearby Aspen trees...

 I will have to climb the tree using leg spikes and a utility belt 

to carry my chainsaw...

and with a safety loop I would secure around the tree as I climbed.

I would be cutting the branches as I ascended...

until I got high enough to cut from the top...

and then make succeeding cuts as I descended.

I need to do this on select trees on my property to ensure

proper tree spacing for fire and disease prevention...

and to also ensure the pine trees do not crowd the Aspen trees.

After identifying my first tree...

I began charging the chainsaw battery.

I then took up the chainsaw to my recliner so I could assemble it in comfort.

Just as a woman loves her kitchen utensils...

a man loves his tools.

This is my tool box for my inside projects.

I have a few other tools for the inside...

but this is my main tool box.

I kept an eye on the weather as I assembled the chainsaw.

It was an easy task.

I just had to ensure the correct direction of the cutting edges on the chain 

before I ran the chain in the groove and began tightening it.

I just lightly adjusted the chain tension so it would stay in place as I installed the face plate.

I love that this chainsaw came with a chain tightener tool right on the bottom.

It is very useful for retightening the chain in the field

(I had to do it once as I was cutting the tree up as it is a new chain).

After assembling the chainsaw and ensuring the chain was under proper tension...

I decided to eat a little something for breakfast.

I had some of my homemade yogurt with added blueberries...

and I had two avocados.

I love Hass avocados.

With just a second to run a knife around the avocado...

and then pulling it apart and lifting out the seed...

the avocado shell serves as a self contained bowl to eat the creamy center with just a spoon.

I ordered a multi level fruit holder

so I may buy different levels of ripeness of avocados

and categorize them so I may always have some ripe ones to eat.

I will buy some almost every time I go shopping.

I also buy rotisserie chicken whenever I go shopping...

usually one for Bandi to eat...

and one for me...

so we may have some over several days of eating.

This one was for Bandi.

It usually lasts for four feedings for her.

After eating...

I filled the chainsaw with bar oil.

I then put in the charged battery.

I put on my chainsaw safety pants...

and other equipment...

and the bottom cloth is the log carrier.

I will just load up the cut logs and haul them up to near the street.

I will then stack the cut wood into neat piles...

which several times in summer...

will be chipped for free.

That is why I must start the cutting during winter.

This way I will have many months to cut and stack wood

before the chipping starts

(I can put out up to 6" diameter wood for chipping...

in 5x5x5 foot piles).

For larger diameter trees...

I will have to use my wedge and axe to split the rounds I will make...

so they are no larger than 6" in diameter.

The chainsaw safety pants have a pocket perfect for carrying my IPhone.

I had initially made a Humboldt Face Cut so I could control

the direction of the falling tree.

I then made the back cut...

...for a perfect fall.

I have a steel wedge for larger trees...

but as this one was small...

just the cuts were enough.

This chainsaw is so perfect for my needs.

It cuts through the wood just as fast...

or faster than an equivalent sized gas powered one

(as tested on YouTube).

It is also so much quieter...

so much so that I don't need ear plugs to operate it

(Even though I am partially deaf...

I can still tell if something is too loud...

at least I think so  :)

The chainsaw cut through the trunk in a matter of a few seconds

(I am talking 3 - 4 seconds fast).

I am so satisfied with this chainsaw...

it handles timber like a boss.

I am thinking of taking out this pine tree next...

as it is crowding some Aspens.

Conversely...

this small Aspen is crowding the established pine tree...

and so...

as the Aspen sprouts from a common root system through shoots...

after cutting down this small Aspen...

it will stimulate new growth nearer the other Aspens...

instead of being too near the pine trees.

Just as I had finished cutting up the fallen tree into transportably sized lengths...

it began to snow.

And so...

I will just leave the hauling and stacking of the wood for another day.

I set aside an area for my logging equipment in the garage.

I placed the chainsaw on a plastic bag...

as the oil from the chain will eventually drip.

I will use the axe and root cutter on the small saplings

which are growing too near other trees or near my house.

The large steel wedge will be used on much larger trees to ensure 

they fall in the desired direction.

---------

Although this was the first time I had ever operated a chainsaw...

or had cut down a tree...

the principle is very simple.

I had also done a lot of research on YouTube from professional loggers.

This is not to say I am super knowledgeable...

but I know enough for my purposes.

During my tree climbing endeavors...

I will have leg spikes...

and a climbing belt...

and I will employ what most professionals don't use

(as it slows down the process)...

a Deadman's Slipknot on a separate line from the climbing loop.

It will also be looped around the tree trunk and attached to my padded utility belt...

and it will have a relatively short lead.

It will prevent me from falling more than a few feet...

even in the event I am knocked unconscious from smacking my head

against the tree trunk if my climbing spikes aren't planted deeply enough

in the tree trunk and I slip and start falling.

I already know that I will slip at times while climbing up tall trees.

That is why I shall have a separate safety line which will automatically catch me.

I will end up with a scraped up face...

perhaps necessitating a few stitches...

but it is far preferable to possibly falling to my death  :)

How do I know I will slip while climbing?

Because I know me.

While I am very careful in my planning...

and while I exercise caution in almost everything...

I also know that I am in a perpetual battle with my impulsiveness.

If I get excited by doing things I used to love doing as a child...

my inner child will take over at the most inopportune moments.

I am a guy...

we sometimes do incredibly stupid and risky things just to break up boredom...

we will sometimes give in to the urging of our inner child...

it is simply what we do.

And so...

why I must plan for the almost inevitable unnecessarily risky maneuvers I may do

en lieu of a slow but safe way...

just because :)

Reservoir Trip / Home Cooked Italian

 

Song:  Spirit of the Woods

YouTube Channel:  Legends of Fantasia

Yesterday...

I took my sister and the dogs to what I thought would be a nice day at another reservoir

just an hour away from home.

However...

just as with the other reservoirs I had tried recently...

this one was also closed until summer.

This one I can understand...

as the final drive to the reservoir from the highway was rather precarious on certain sections...

and to have many cars attempting the drive in winter could prove to be disastrous.

Only after having almost reached the shores...

did signs tell of the seasonal nature of this reservoir.

And so...

I turned around and headed back home.

Most of this road was one lane with multiple pull outs to allow opposing traffic to pass.

And...

much of the road had steep drop offs as well.

In this photo...

we were in north Woodland Park...

and going home.

I live just west and south of Pikes Peak

(the mountain pictured).

As this is my sister's last full day here...

she wanted to make a meal for us.

I had placed 6 large frozen chicken breasts into the fridge a couple of days ago... 

to defrost.

My sister then proceeded to make an absolutely delicious Italian style meal

with the defrosted chicken breasts.

I will include the recipe at the end of this article.

This chicken rub was so good.

It was part of a spice package my elder sister and her husband

had given me just prior to my departing Nevada for my new home...

here in Colorado.

I have always loved stuffing.

This Pasta Roni package makes one of the most flavorful pasta dishes

I have ever eaten.

It was the first time I had tried it.

A couple of weeks ago...

my sister went shopping with me.

She wanted me to try it...

as I had never known of its existence.  

I am so glad she had put it into my food cart.

I will be ordering a couple of dozen of these from Walmart...

as I can also add shrimp to make it a whole meal.

I have to say...

I already had two dozen large chicken breasts in the deep freeze...

but as I have never cooked chicken breasts before

(I just buy rotisserie chicken at the store)...

I was just waiting for the right recipe to use them in.

The chicken breasts in the following recipe were the most 

tender and juicy chicken breasts I have ever had in my life.

I would have to say that this was my little sister's best meal

that she has ever cooked.

The only times I had ever liked chicken breasts

was the rotisserie chickens from the stores...

and Chicken Parmesan at Italian restaurants...

until today.

All other forms of chicken breasts had previously been somewhat dry.

Not so with the chicken breasts my younger sister had made.

These were the juiciest, most tender, and most flavorful chicken breasts 

I have ever had in my life.

I ate two large breasts...

they were that good.

The recipe calls for a cooking technique I had never done before...

Brining (as you will see in the recipe).

This recipe is fantastic.

You will want to try it.

------------

RECIPE

Tender and Juicy Chicken Breasts

(6 large deboned chicken breasts)

(If frozen...gently defrost in the fridge 2-3 days prior)

Brine - Soak the defrosted chicken in brine water for 3 hours

(a large bowl with the chicken completely submerged...

and with a large handful of salt dissolved into solution - lukewarm water).

After the 3 hours...

rinse off the chicken in water...

pat dry each piece.

It is supposed to make the chicken especially moist and tender.

Butter - 1/2 stick melted butter

Completely coat the chicken

Spices - Completely coat each piece with your favorite chicken rub 

after having coated them with the melted butter.

Bake - Oven at 450 F - 20 minutes covered - then 3 or so minutes uncovered

until the chicken is a golden brown.

Rest - 10 minutes (check inside to ensure doneness).

----------

The Italian flavored Pasta Roni went perfectly with this dish...

and the stuffing was an added bonus.

----------

As today is filled with nothing but clear blue skies...

my sister should have an easy...

but long drive ahead of her.

I will probably rest tomorrow after her departure.

But...

other than having a general idea of what projects I wish to complete...

I go by feel each day.

I may start on the forest...

I may decide to sit in my recliner and read...

I may decide to go on a trike ride and then sit in the sauna...

I never know for sure until that particular day.

And that...

is the freedom I love so much.

A Lazy Day - Spa / Sauna / Fireplace

 

Song:  Sweet Return

Artist:  Hilary Stagg

This morning was the beginning of a lazy day for my sister and me.

So...

I prepped the sauna and the jacuzzi so my younger sister could enjoy them.

As this was the first time I had even used either...

the night before...

I chlorinated the jacuzzi...

and in the morning...

I installed a centigrade thermometer and hygrometer combination...

and a rotating hour glass on the inner wall of the steam sauna.

I also filled the water tub to create steam on the rocks of the sauna heating unit.

I had spilled some water on one of the sauna benches...

but it would quickly evaporate once I turned on the heating unit.

As you can see...

the steam sauna is large enough to lie down on both tiers.

This thermometer is in F...

...and the two devices I had installed are on this wall next to the door.

(I had yet to turn on the sauna heater.

And...I still must calibrate the hygrometer...

as the normal humidity is around 20%)

The hour glass rotates on its attached base so increments inside of 15 minutes at a time 

may be measured.

My younger sister then got into the first floor deck jacuzzi.

It is set at 96 F (35.5 C).

My sister thought the temperature was just right.

After soaking for a while...

she and I then got into the 1st floor steam sauna.

I had turned it on about 5 minutes before we entered.

Within a very short period of time...

it had gotten to an air temperature of 140 degrees F inside the sauna.

Although it could have gotten much hotter...

my sister had more than warmed up enough to dry off and change

while I made breakfast.

Although she sat on the bottom...

and so...

the cooler level...

after pouring water on the hot rocks a few times...

the resulting steam immediately increased the felt temperature...

and so...

after less than ten minutes...

my sister had enough of the heat.

I was so surprised at how much the steam had made such a rapid 

and heated sensation on the skin

(after the first pouring of water...

I had to take my camera phone out of the sauna...

as the lens had fully steamed up).

The steam sauna gets far hotter than the Infrared Sauna...

and warms to operating temperature far more quickly.

I can see myself using the steam sauna whenever I have a cold...

or when I am with guests.

However...

for most of the time...

I will use the 3rd floor Infrared Sauna.

I made rice...

and I warmed up the leftover Kimchi Stew I had made the night before...

and for me...

I also had Natto to go with the Kimchi Stew.

My Version for Kimchi Stew

1.5 cups of Kimchi

1 Tbs Korean Chili - coarse ground

1 Tbs Hondashi

2 Tbs Beef Stock Powder

2 diced Tofu cakes

1 handful of dehydrated green onions

Fill with water to just cover the top of the ingredients 

Bring to a boil

I had greatly modified the recipe my younger sister had gotten off the internet.

I omitted some ingredients...

and I doubled some of the other ingredients.

I don't want you to think I am bragging

(Okay...I am...but I just didn't want you to think I was  :) ...

but this is the best spicy stew I have ever had.

It is world class...

just try it.

It is quick and easy to make...

and absolutely delicious.

You will love it.

--------------

After breakfast...

we just relaxed until the early evening.

We then went to Baja Billy's in the nearby town of Cripple Creek.

The sauce I love is on the left...

the Mango Ghost Pepper.

With a drizzle on each taco...

it transforms them into an outrageously delicious meal.

As we waited for our meals...

we had three free orders of chips and salsa.

The atmosphere was nice and comfortable.

My beloved tacos.

I tried the soft flour shells this time.

I like them the most now.

After arriving home...

my sister wanted to lie down.

While at the restaurant...

our waitress told us that she had seen on a weather report 

that we are to expect a foot or so of snow this evening.

When I got home...

although there were some heavier clouds...

it didn't look like it would snow.

Perhaps it will tonight.

Anyway...

I decided to light the 2nd floor fireplace.

I didn't use the blower on the fireplace...

as it heats up the house too quickly with it on.

I went upstairs to the loft to see how the fireplace looked...

and to feel how warm it had gotten in the loft in the short time the fireplace had been on.

As it was already getting uncomfortably warm upstairs...

even without the electric blower on...

after a short while of enjoying the fireplace...

...I then shut it off.

As soon as I had turned off the gas...

the ceramic logs glowed red for a few minutes.

Both...

my sister and I felt very relaxed from the steam sauna...

and she quickly fell asleep as I was writing this article.

I, too...

will be going to bed early.

Depending on the weather...

we may go to a nearby reservoir tomorrow.

We will have to see then.

-----------

My younger sister had finished seeing the surrounding areas...

and at the real estate listings which had interested her.

She is planning on departing in the next few days.

It heavily depends on the weather report...

not only for this area...

but for the whole way back...

as she must drive just over 1,000 miles (over 1,600 Kilometers).

Bandi will miss Kaida (my sisters dog)...

as they often had fun together.