Stink Wood

The price of propane has gone insanely high. We have two tanks. One serves the main building and supplies gas to the water heater and the furnace. The larger tank is for dispensing and selling. It is good to be able to provide gas to those traveling through, or staying here. We don't really make a lot of money dispensing, we charge according to the price that is charged to us. I have been told that my camp store prices are low compared to other campgrounds, too.

 We provide propane to a lot of local people, too. I would think they would want to get a tank and pay a lower price, but, I suppose some can't afford to have a big tank filled.  Our tanks were recently filled and although they provide us with the amount of propane put into the tanks, we don't know what the rate is until we get the bill. It was shocking, to say the least and we had to raise our rates. Explaining that I did not set the rate and that I can't sell it for less than I paid for it does no good.

I am not happy about it either. We also sell firewood. Mostly during the camping season. We cut and split it. Since it is trees on our property, some folks seem to think we should simply give it away. They will brazenly walk up to our pile and take it. Some have even taken from other camper's piles of wood. People never cease to amaze me.

When a camper pulls out and leaves a pile of firewood, I will load it up and add it to our stack. Like the rest of the country, staying warm has become a favorite pass time. Yesterday, I ventured out and brought some wood in to feed the stove. I have not tried to walk around the building to the wood pile I so carefully stacked before my shoulder betrayed me. I have visions of slipping on ice and falling on said shoulder. So, He Who splits the wood had thoughtfully left a nice stack on the porch for me. It was short pieces and easy for me to handle. I don't remember stacking such short pieces .........

I don't know where this wood came from, what kind of tree it was, but, this is the stinkiest stuff I have ever smelled. It permeates the air and lingers there. I was gagging and lighting candles as fast as I could. I am wondering if a skunk may have sprayed the pile. I found out later that it had been left on a site. I know why they left it .....