!!!! SEPP to Boot: Stephen's Experience (BEL)

another with worf

BRK #90

Happy Friday, one and all...! It's been a busy day, preparing for Jeff's Rocket Mass Heater Workshop starting Monday. Caleb and I were running back and forth to the Lab and all over Basecamp taking care of last-minute items.

Here's a photo of Caleb as he tests out the RMH at the Tipi for any problems. Fortunately, it passed with flying colours.



Here's a snapshot of a spider that I find rather beautiful, but most want to avoid. We saw a few Black Widow spiders today.



Also in our travels, we headed out to Dances With Pigs Meadow. Ever since the SKIP event this past summer, I've always enjoyed trips out here. It seems a world away from the craziness and uncertainty the "typical" world experiences on a daily basis, and it's good to come out here, even for just a little while.





Thanks for reading, and make the most of your weekend...!

BRK #91

The Saturday before a new event at Wheaton Labs... Lots of fine-tuning and last-minute purchases and people picking up guests from the airport and all that... It's a pretty exciting time in these parts.

While ambling around Basecamp today, I stopped by the Gulag to check on the Sepp Holzer Grain that Cory and I planted a bit ago. Things are looking good. Paul let us know that they over-winter well, and it should be able to endure snow and the bitter cold. Here's to hoping...!



I think this will be part of tonight's dinner. I'll peel it, slice it, and add it to the pasta sauce... This is from a volunteer squash that seems to be doing quite well at the Basecamp Too hugel. There are at least four more that are striving to grow as well, so we'll see how they do before they're covered with snow.



Finally: I completely vacated and cleaned-up my old tents. Jeff suggested I leave them set-up, just in case someone needs a place to crash during the event. I also honoured his request to move one of the tents to another tent pad, so if it's separate guests, they won't have to share the same space. The orange one - the newer and larger tent of the two - is tucked away in a more secluded spot, but likely closer to the Fisher Price House.



Tomorrow, the RMH Workshop begins! We're stoked.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!

Stephen, as you well know, Fred is one cool cat. Even though our dietary philosophies/preferences are pretty much opposites, I really enjoyed meeting Fred and learning from him during my two weeks at the PEP1 event!

Tent is looking sharp. What type of sleeping bag and heating do you have for this coming winter? If you ever need a new bag, by far the best I’ve found are from wiggys.com… American made too if that’s important to you.

BRK #92

The day of the Rocket Mass Heater Workshop...! It's a very exciting time. I woke up to a misty morning, and a treat of someone else making my morning oatmeal. ...Thanks, Samantha!!!

Heading down to the Classroom this morning, I was greeted by mysterious, encroaching fog. I always enjoy the mornings here... This one was fitting for the extra-spooky season, and left me energized. The mountains are just hinted at in my view.



I test-lit the batch box RMH in the Classroom this morning, and after a bit of priming, things lit up almost effortlessly, and with no smoke in my face.



Finally, I had an opportunity to admire some of my own handiwork. Paul provided some instructions for the RMHs scattered throughout Basecamp and the Lab, and I had posted them in various places. So now, whenever a guest is chilly in the morning or whatever, they'll have a quick blurb about how to most-effectively light up the heater. Hopefully these help.



Busy day ahead tomorrow... Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day!