Log jam

Gerald found this listing on Craig's list: "Logs pine all sizes, cheap--$5 (Phoenix area). 

The ad went on to say that logs from 4 to 16 inches wide and 10 to 20 feet long could be had for $5 and up. Delivery was available. Firewood was free if picked up.

Gerald called and found that these logs were from trees on fire damaged property near Prescott. He asked about delivery and the man on the phone said he could have the logs delivered for $10 per 20-foot log. Gerald was delighted. It sounded like a great deal. We could use the logs, he thought, as porch supports. Gerald ordered a number of 20-foot logs and some 10's, then arranged to meet the truck at the land around 5 p.m. on Wednesday night.

We left the house about 2:30, stopping at the bank so Gerald could get the cash to pay for the logs. He figured they would come to about $350, based on what he discussed with the seller, but withdrew $500 to be safe.

We made it to Yarnell about 4:30 and stopped in an antiques store as we were a little early. Gerald had agreed to meet the truck at the turnoff at 5. We wondered if we should get something to eat before the logs were delivered or wait until afterward. Gerald called the driver who said he'd be calling before he started down the hill. We decided to eat and headed to Kirkland Steakhouse. After a quick dinner at the bar, we headed back for the turnoff. We hadn't heard from the driver yet, so Gerald called. It sounded like it would be another hour, so we decided we would head for our property and simply give the driver directions.

This jackrabbit and several cottontails bounded in the road ahead of the truck.

When we arrived at the land, we saw that the stem wall was higher than when we saw it over the weekend, but not as high as we hoped.

The workers had also left three large garbage bags full of trash, and an animal had ripped them open, scattering melon rinds, tin cans, plasticware and styrofoam cups.

Sunset, and we still hadn't heard from the driver. Gerald called again. He had trouble with the trailer, he said, and it would be a little longer. He expected to be there by 8 o'clock.

I lamented that I didn't take out the solar lantern while there was better sun so it could recharge. Gerald thought the batteries would still have some charge from the weekend. "I don't know why you want the lantern," he said. The driver will be here at 8, then he's going to drop the logs and we'll be down the road."

"OK," I said. And got the lantern anyway.

At twilight, Gerald and I moved the truck closer to the barn and took a little walk up and down our road. I could smell the pines, and the crickets were chirping. We carried a flashlight. It reminded me of walking around camp as a kid, and that giddy, nervous feeling that something might jump out of the dark at any minute. We stood at the end of our road listened for a truck. Nothing.

About 9 o'clock, we finally heard the rumble of the truck, and watched as a pair of headlights swung onto our road.

It was completely dark by then. Gerald had to position the truck with the headlights on to create some light. The driver lifted the dump bed and the logs tumbled out. He included a few extra logs, he said, for no extra charge. Let's call it even at $600, he finally said. 

It took Gerald a minute to recover before he explained the price he had been quoted. "Well, he needs to get a new calculator," the driver said. "It cost me $75 just in diesel. Then there was the labor of three men for the whole day."

Gerald agreed it was a fair price. The only problem was that he only brought $500. He checked his wallet and counted $520 total. He offered it with his apologies. The driver took it with a shrug. "I'm not going to reload them," he said.

We left about 9:15 and finally got home about 11:15. We joked that at least we didn't have to worry about rush-hour traffic through Phoenix, and at least we had the sense to have dinner.