Esteban Ademovski

B.E.L. Post # 258

I started my morning feeling quite refreshed, which was a nice change of pace. I took a long walk around the lab and spent some time enjoying the scenery before getting the day properly started.

After that, I joined everyone else for the cleaning blitz, which was quite delightful as always. There’s something about getting a bunch of boots together, putting in some work, and seeing everything come together that makes even cleaning feel pretty enjoyable.

Once that was finished, I continued working on a personal project of mine. I’m keeping the details under wraps for now, but it’s something I’m putting together with future boots in mind. Hopefully, when the time comes, it’ll be something that makes their experience here just a little bit better. There’s a certain satisfaction in building something today that someone else will get to enjoy later.

I spent the remainder of the day simply enjoying the company of my fellow boots. We took a hike around the lab, enjoyed the scenery, talked, laughed, and generally made the most of a beautiful day here.

And, of course, I got to spend some quality time with my little Chapito, who seems to believe that wherever I go, he is legally required to come along. 😂

Today wasn’t necessarily about knocking out a huge list of accomplishments. It was more about enjoying the place, the people, the dog, and the opportunity to be here.

Sometimes those are the days you remember the most.

B.E.L. Post # 257

I started my morning by sleeping in a little bit. Apparently, Chapito decided I had gotten enough beauty sleep, because he eventually started smacking me in the head with his paw until I got the message. 😂 I guess when you have a dog, the alarm clock is optional—but the snooze button definitely isn’t.

After giving my little alarm clock his much-needed morning walk, I got started with some chainsaw maintenance and a little chop-and-drop. From there, I moved into some earthworks prep.

I brought out a few tractor buckets worth of soil to replenish a pile that I had used up for one of my own little side projects. It was a nice way to get some tractor time in while also putting the soil back to good use. One of these days I might actually stop finding excuses to get on that tractor... but today wasn't that day. 😂

For the rest of the day, I spent my time having fun with the other boots. There's something pretty great about being able to work hard, learn new things, joke around, and just enjoy the day with good people.

All in all, a pretty good day—and apparently Chapito agrees, since he got exactly what he wanted this morning. 😆

Another day in the books at Wheaton Labs. 🌱

B.E.L. Post # 256

This morning I started by moving out of the Red Cabin and getting it tour-ready for the new Sepper.

Once that was completed, I started working on irrigation at Apricot Alley. I made it all the way to the berm extender in front of the Red Cabin.

After lunch, Sam and I started filling up the turtle water tanks.

Then we headed over to the Abbey, where we split and stacked firewood and worked on the fencing.

Another productive day at Wheaton Labs, with a good variety of work.

B.E.L. Post # 255

This morning, Leo, Jesse, and Sam geared up and headed over to the Abbey for fencing-related tasks, while Stephen and I stayed behind at Base Camp to work on the classroom rocket mass heater chimney.

The chimney had been knocked aside during a heavy windstorm a couple of months ago when the steel wire running by the classroom hit it and dislodged it, leaving it lodged on the roof. Stephen and I were able to get it repaired and secured before lunch.

After lunch, Dan and I refilled the two water turtle tanks. We also tested a fire in the classroom to check the chimney connection at the roof. There was no smoke seeping out, but we continued wrapping the seam with some pipe material to help seal it up.

After that, we repaired an uncovered portion of the berm shed where erosion had exposed the lining. We dumped six black buckets of soil over the exposed area and then covered it with some woody bits.

Later on, Sam came over and we did some more chop and drop along with a few other little tasks to finish out the day.

Another productive day at Base Camp! 🌱🛠️

Coco Fernandez wrote:We love the Boots that come up here to wheaton labs. I think you all do too!



Hear is away to show your love to the sweet Boots that come.

Feel free to sent things to them:
Books
Clothing
Boots
Hats
Gloves
The list can keep going!!!

Here is a starter list and the links to Amazon.com (one etsy):
Gaia's garden
Sepp Holzer's Permaculture: A Practical Guide to Small-Scale, Integrative Farming and Gardening
Homegrown Linen
The Rocket Mass Heater Builder's Guide: Complete Step-by-Step Construction, Maintenance and Troubleshooting
The Earth Sheltered Solar Greenhouse Book
Earthen Floors
The Fifty Dollar and Up Underground House Book
The Scything Handbook: Learn How to Cut Grass, Mow Meadows and Harvest Grain with a Scythe
The High Art and Subtle Science of Scrounging
The Hands on Home
Permaculture Magazine
NOMA guide to fermentation
HotHands Body & Hand Super Warmers
100% wool blanket

Here are the addresses to send stuff:

Boots c/o paul wheaton
2120 s reserve #351
missoula, mt 59801


Here is a start

This is definitely a want, not a need, but there are a few things I would absolutely love to have for my Wheaton Labs experience.

The first is the Carhartt brown nubuck leather trifold wallet.  I really like the simple, rugged look of it, and honestly, it kind of reminds me of Paul and some of his Carhartt gear. There’s something about that rugged, hardworking look that just feels right for the kind of man I’m trying to become and the lifestyle I’m experiencing here.

Amazon:  https://a.co/d/05U5aHOy

The second is the Vosteed Vombat fixed-blade knife. A compact fixed blade like this would be a really nice addition to my everyday work kit for the homestead/permaculture-type work I’m doing. If you’ve noticed some of my posts and pictures, you’ve probably seen my Victorinox Spirit and Victorinox Harvester showing up pretty regularly. I definitely use my tools, and they’re not just for show. 😄 Between fencing, clearing, working around the property, and all the little outdoor tasks that come up, I can see a compact fixed blade becoming another tool I’d put to work regularly.

Amazon:  https://a.co/d/0aLLM4nu

The third is the IDOGEAR Tactical Phone Pouch in Ranger Green. This one would actually solve a little problem I’ve run into a few times here at the Labs. There have been times when my phone has slipped out of my pocket while I was working, or I’ve set it down for just a moment while doing something and then suddenly… poof, gone. 😅 I really like the idea of having a rugged, MOLLE-compatible pouch attached to my gear where my phone can stay secure, accessible, and with me while I’m working around the property.

Amazon:  https://a.co/d/0bJ6ZCZj

Again, none of these are things I need. I already have functional gear that gets the job done. These are simply a few pieces of gear that I think would be really nice additions to my Wheaton Labs journey, and I’d be excited to put them to work here. 🌱🛠️❤️

Yesterday 2026/09/09

We started off our morning heading over to the Abbey, where we continued working on the fencing. I nearly knocked out filling up another panel with junk poles. Jesse continued working on her panel of junk poles, while Leo, Dan, and Sam worked on cutting down another tree to buck to length for posts and continued working on the framing.

After lunch, Jesse and I irrigated Lightning Hill, Apricot Alley, and Raspberry Rock. Afterwards, we did some chop and drop and chainsaw maintenance.

Yesterday 2026/09/08

We started off the morning loading Roy up with all the tools we needed for the fencing work at the Abbey.

Once we got there, I continued working on one section of the fencing, sliding the junk poles through. Jesse was working on another section of the fencing, while Dan, Leo, and the new boot Sam worked around the Cooper Cabin gate. They were setting posts, felling trees to use as posts, and doing some framing.

After lunch, Sam tagged along with me for most of the shift. We restrung the barbed-wire strands along the fencing by the road, did some chop and drop, and cleared out woody bits around the area.

B.E.L. Post # 254

We started off our morning staying at base camp while Steven took Sam, the new boot, up to the lab to do some tours and other tasks.

While they were up there, I recut some light logs to readjust the angle of them so when people walk by, the lights won't be as bright and hit them directly in the eyes.

Afterwards, I cleaned up some woody bits, did some trail maintenance, and then spent some time doing chop and drop.

After lunch, we all headed up to the lab and started working on the fencing at the Abbey.

Another productive day of learning, working, and helping keep things moving forward. 🌿🛠️

Yesterday (2026/09/06)

I started off my morning with another delightful round of cleaning alongside the rest of the Boots, keeping things nice and tidy.

Afterwards, I did some chainsaw maintenance and a bit of chop and drop.

For the remainder of the day, I spent my time with my dog. We did a lot of walking and exploring, taking in the beautiful scenery around us.

After that, I spent some time journaling and reading.

Later, I sat on top of the berm shed, looking out over the beautiful scenery and getting lost in my thoughts. It was a peaceful way to end the day.

B.E.L. Post # 253

I woke up to another beautiful morning and started the day by taking Chapito for a walk and enjoying the beautiful scenery surrounding me.

Afterwards, I cleaned up some woody bits that were laying around outside the front door of the shop. I also installed some dowel rods onto the legs and joint pieces of the library stool.

Then I continued installing the no-spray signs along the road. It was a big stretch, but I made some good progress.

Afterwards, I did my normal things—some journaling, reading, and relaxing with my fellow boots.