Spring, summer and fall are great months to get out the whole family working together on making firewood. Nothing is more essential than making firewood in the Copper Country. We need it. We love it. The cold weather here demands it. When frosty days and nights come, firewood heat is the best feeling to wake up to. Or snuggle by the stove or fireplace. The best day is when your firewood arrives.

The big old delivery of logs would roll into our driveway on a huge logging truck. Then we’d watch from a distance as they were unloading. The pile left standing was a huge tall pyramid. Once it became manageable, then we were given the green light to climb up onto the logs and all sit on our new firewood. It became a summer ritual at a young age. Living in the Copper Country everyone learns about firewood at some point. It’s nearly a way of life. Nice to have. Hardwood for the house, and softwood for outdoor fires.

The chainsaw running on summer evenings was common. We would all watch as logs were cut and rounds were rolled away. Back in these days, there were lots of uses for firewood. Our main one was heating our house. Later on, it was back-up firewood in case the furnace went out. That day or night surely comes along at least once or twice inevitably. Another lifetime memory. That’s why we learn young why firewood is so important in the Copper Country. We learn from experience, and we learn as we go. If we’re lucky, we learn to make firewood.

Sitting on the logs and enjoying ice cream cones while watching everything going on was a highlight of the summer evenings. Those memories are vivid. Eventually after all the logs were cut, the axes begin. This part took a ton of effort and precision. Watching wood being split is fun all around. Soon, I began to love the smell of fresh-cut firewood. And, we learned a lot by simply watching the whole process. My dad ran two chainsaws.

Little by little the pile of rounds and logs dwindling, while the pile of fresh-cut wood was ever growing. It’s exciting. After many days, weeks and perhaps even more, it would be done. All the wood was split into firewood. Finally, we’d be able to go to do something else for a change; instead of watch the firewood-making process.

Usually, it was the beach if we were lucky to have a free evening. Sunshine Beach. What a thrill to get out of the summer heat and into the cool water. Meanwhile, the wood was all split and in piles all over the place from the ax. My dad ran two axes and split all the rounds himself. Left lying exactly wherever the ax threw it mostly onto the ground.

Then after a few evenings of rest all around and bit of relaxation, the call came through. The time had arrived. Everyone get outside. My mom stating, “who did you think would stack all this wood? We cut it all.”

Our first summer learning to stack firewood. It went well. It got done, and it was not as bad as you would think. We used the relay method mostly. And, after a few sore feet and hands, we got a good rhythm going.

Making firewood is a summer essential here, and we all learn to love it — especially when you love to stay warm and you know how much firewood means. Plus, we love the smell of fresh cut firewood. We would gather around the fireplace and watch all the pieces glowing different hues of bright orange as the flames start and dance all around.

My mom did the ends of all the rows, and they were exactly like you do the ends. Making sure all the rows of wood stay put. There is a caveat when stacking wood. Do it right, especially the ends. It keeps the wood rows neat and the pieces all dry. Plus it stays put until you haul it inside.

Another favorite is making kindling. Or collecting pine cones. Or simply saving bark that has fallen off for kindling. A kindling maker is a sound investment around here, making it a whole lot safer. It’s especially nice to have a wood splitter. If you don’t have one, have a reliable firewood phone number to call. The results are the same nowadays: a warm house.

Firewood is a huge necessity and highlight in the summer and winter in the Copper Country. It’s a labor of love, a comfort or joy, and certainly at times a matter of survival. It’s used for summer campfires, saunas and definitely, fireplaces and wood stoves all winter. Keeping us all warm and cozy.