Anyone remember the PBS special about that hardcase old man who built his cabin in Alaska and lived alone there? Now there's sweat equity and inspiration.
I used an alaska mill a carpenter pal had to side some timbers to 10x10 and got some fine flitch sawn boards clear of the heartwood. In about 10 hours of sawing and setup I had about 3 grand worth of wood ready to dry and about 100 episodes of being scared $hitless.