!! In the quiet hours of the bootcamp grind, I found myself: Esteban's Bootcamp Experience

B.E.L. Post # 108

Today was a really full and satisfying day.

After the morning meeting we headed out to the Abbey and started making cob. The goal was to begin filling the crevices around the wood flooring piece we installed earlier. It felt good finally getting to that stage and seeing the piece come together more solidly as we packed the cob into the gaps.

Afterwards we gathered at the library watched an instructional video about sharpening a card scraper. Once we had a better idea of the technique, we gave it a try ourselves and practiced putting a proper edge on the scraper and using it. It’s a small tool but surprisingly effective once it’s tuned right.

After lunch we headed out to the Dances of Pigs meadow where we planted tree seeds. Once the seeds were in the ground, we put up fencing and mulching around the area to help protect the young trees and give them a better chance to establish.

To wrap up the day we shifted gears a bit and spent some time in the kitchen making apple cider vinegar and apple pancakes. It was a nice way to wind things down after a productive day and enjoy the fruits of the work together. 🍎

Christopher Weeks wrote:Being able to just excavate a chunk of floor to make room for the peg-install is pretty handy.

Yeah, it’s a nice perk of natural building. If you need a little more room, you can just break some floor out and keep going. Way simpler than cutting and patching conventional materials ...

B.E.L. Post # 109

After the morning meeting, Stephen, Harry, and I made our way to the Abbey. The morning air carried that quiet kind of stillness the land sometimes offers. While Stephen tended to Cooper Cabin, warming the space and preparing it to welcome tomorrow’s guests, Harry and I continued our work on the cob floor—pressing earth, sand, and straw together, slowly shaping the floor and forming the cob that leads to the door’s threshold. There’s something almost timeless about working with cob… like participating in an old conversation between hands and earth.

After lunch, Stephen revealed a new project for us: crafting end tables for Cooper Cabin. I found the idea strangely delightful. There’s a certain magic in building simple things that will quietly serve the people who pass through this place. Pieces of wood, shaped by hand, becoming small companions to the cabin and its guests.

I’m really looking forward to doing more builds like this. It feels like the kind of work where each piece carries a little story in it.

B.E.L. Post # 110

After the morning meeting, Harry and I wandered over to the shop where our little end table project waited patiently for more hands and attention. Wood has a way of revealing its character slowly, and piece by piece the tables began to show their form. There’s something quietly satisfying about watching a simple stack of lumber slowly become something useful and beautiful.

After lunch we made our way to the laboratory. Harry and I worked on waking the cabin from its chill, feeding warmth into it until the thermometer settled comfortably around 62–64 degrees. It felt a bit like bringing life back into a sleeping space.

While that was happening, Harry cleared the snow from the path between the parking area and the front door of Cooper Cabin, opening the way for future footsteps. Not long after, the sound of splitting wood filled the air. I joined in as well, each strike sending another piece into the growing stack that will someday become warmth for the cabins.

As the daylight softened, we made our way back to basecamp. The evening closed with a little more tinkering and project work before tools were set down for the day.

Another steady day of small tasks, shared effort, and quiet progress here at Wheaton Labs. 🌲🔥

Yesterday (03/14/2026) unfolded like one of those curious winter tales that only happen when the snow lays thick upon the land.

After sleeping into the morning, I ventured out with my little dog to wander the snow-covered paths. The world was quiet, bright, and crunchy underfoot—the sort of morning where even a simple dog walk feels like the opening chapter of an adventure.

My travels brought me to the Fischer Price house… and then again… and perhaps once more after that. Each visit seemed mysteriously timed, because Samantha and Melissa ensured I was well provisioned with cookies and other delightful goodies. Truly, their hospitality could sustain a traveler through even the harshest winter campaign.

Eventually, while roaming the kingdom, I encountered my high commander. With great seriousness he issued a quest: journey to Cooper Cabin, retrieve a snow shovel, and ensure the noble cats of the Abbey were properly fed.

The mission was carried out with honor. The shovel was recovered, the cats were satisfied, and balance was restored to the realm.

With my duties fulfilled, I returned to basecamp and resumed work on my end table project. Progress continues—four legs now stand proudly, joined by three of the horizontal supports. Only one final piece remains before the structure is complete. After that, I’ll drawbore the critical joints and sand the top to reveal the hidden beauty of the wood grain.

The remainder of the evening passed peacefully—journaling, relaxing with my faithful little dog, and having great, playful conversations with Harry. He may not hand out royal decrees, but he does make a fine co-adventurer.