He's a Lumberjack & That's Okay...

How does a 'veteran' spend his Veteran's Day? Here is my pictorial journey of a day long process for my resident 'lumberjack':

Claude had already cut down several of the dead trees when I made it out on the deck to take this picture. I loved this view of him leaning on his faithful steed (a.k.a. tractor) as he surveys his progress. 

He had one more tree to cut down. He hacked away at one side with the axe. Then he proceeded to finish up with his chain saw. 

After felling the tree, he started to haul off the debris. Lots of limbs and twigs to get rid of. How to do this??? Back to the trusty steed (a.k.a. tractor). With the aid of a nice strap he was able to tie the tree truck or big limb to his tractor and drag it over to the woods on our empty lot. Then he drug the limbs into the woods. Maybe the deer will make a playround out of them this winter!?!? Claude said cleaning up was the hardest part.

When all was said and done, he enjoyed a nice respite on the altar he made several years ago. I brought him a bottle of water and he relaxed a bit while I gathered a few twigs and took a few pictures.

This is the wall Claude is building up and filling behind with dirt. His intent is to build a path down the hill that he can drive the tractor down and we can also walk down. This will be a retaining wall for part of that path as it curves down this hill.

I love the view down the hill with these trees gone. We can see the creek again. It'll be fun when the snow and ice comes this winter to watch it fall on the creek.

This was a lot of hard work for Claude but he persevered and accomplished it. It is no small feat when working on a hill like ours. It would be hard work on flat ground but adding a hill only makes the job a lot harder and more strenuous.

Happy Veterans Day to my favorite veteran and lumberjack!!  Great job!!