First firing of 2007 finished!

After 40 hours, we finished the first firing of the year. I peeked in the kiln this morning (36 hours later and it was still 500*) and the color looks promising. I will post pictures of the work after I open it tomorrow or Wednesday. Until then, here are some pictures of the loading and firing:


The door is almost bricked up:


Wood - cut and ready:


I used some good bourbon for my lighting ritual:


I keep the kiln below 200* for six hours to drive off any remaining water:


Taking is easy:


Getting hotter:


Bethany looking tough in the morning:


Side-stoking some wood and wet sawdust:


Almost finished (at about 2300*). Those are flames coming out of the chimney:


The moon: