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

B.E.L. Post # 115

Today had that satisfying “build it and see it stand” kind of energy.

After the morning meeting, Stephen and I gathered up the necessary tools from the shop for the Ant Village gate install. We strapped the gate frame to the top of the Rav4 and made our way out to the Abbey, rolling in ready to get after it. Once we arrived, Stephen handled feeding the cats while I took a quick lap with my little pup before settling him back into the vehicle.

With everything unloaded and the gate frame staged, we got right to work. Stephen cut the log for the threshold, and I set it in place with a gravel sock to help with drainage and longevity. I drilled out the hole for the wooden hinge while Stephen shaped the tenon—both of us moving in that nice, unspoken rhythm of shared effort. Before we knew it, we had the gate upright and in place just before lunch—a great milestone to hit.

After lunch, we kept the momentum going by installing a deadweight pulley system for the gate closure. Simple, effective, and satisfying to see it function as intended.

We wrapped up the Abbey work and headed back to basecamp, where I finished out the day by planting some potatoes in the berms—tucking a bit of future harvest into the soil.

A solid day of building, teamwork, and planting seeds—both literal and otherwise.

Good work gentlemen!  If that pulley is attached to the top corner of the gate, I think, over time, it will put a lot of twisting load on that door.  Not when it's closed, just every time you open it there will be a twist applied to it which would likely shorten it's life.  Could the rope be attached closer to the handle where you're pushing/pulling on the gate?  Then there'd be much less twist...

B.E.L. Post # 116

Today was one of those “learn cool stuff and try not to mess it up” kind of days.

I kicked things off working alongside Stephen, building a trough for the deadweight pulley system for the Ant Village gate. My high commander was dropping knowledge bombs left and right about the why behind the build, and I did my best to absorb it all while also contributing in a way that wouldn’t get me fired from imaginary duty. We even did a little experimenting… which is just a polite way of saying “let’s see if this works before we commit to it.”

Once that was done, we pulled the gate out so we could drill the bottom hinge hole all the way through. Not just for looks — this one doubles as a drain so water doesn’t sit inside and slowly plot its revenge. Future us will be grateful.

After that, I headed to the tipi site to fire up the RMH and bring some life (and heat) back into the space. Nothing like a good fire to make you feel like you’ve got at least one thing figured out.

After lunch, we went back to the tipi site and hauled in horizontal pieces I had felled and delimbed earlier in the year and staged at the Abbey. Past me really came through for present me — always appreciate that guy.

Later on, I switched gears and planted mixed ground cover along the berms. Felt very wholesome… like I should’ve had a bird land on my shoulder at some point, but no such luck.

Back at basecamp, Stephen was doing the responsible thing—putting tools away and tidying the shop—while I took on the noble task of debarking woody bits for future projects. It’s oddly satisfying work… plus it makes me feel like I’m preparing for something important, even if I don’t yet know what that is.

Wrapped up the day by kicking back and watching Rogue One with Paul. Solid ending to a productive day — no blisters, no disasters, and the Empire still loses.

Mike Haasl wrote:Good work gentlemen!  If that pulley is attached to the top corner of the gate, I think, over time, it will put a lot of twisting load on that door.  Not when it's closed, just every time you open it there will be a twist applied to it which would likely shorten it's life.  Could the rope be attached closer to the handle where you're pushing/pulling on the gate?  Then there'd be much less twist...

Hi Mike,

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts—I really appreciate you pointing that out. That makes a lot of sense regarding the twisting load over time, especially with repeated use. It’s definitely something worth considering as we refine the setup.

We’re still in the experimenting phase with the gate and pulley system, so your input comes at a perfect time. I like your suggestion about moving the rope closer to the handle to reduce that stress, and it’s something we’ll take a closer look at as we continue dialing things in.

Thanks again for the insight and for looking out for the longevity of the build—it’s much appreciated.

B.E.L. Post # 117

Today had a slower, more intentional pace to it, and I leaned right into it.

I decided to take on building a stool for the library—something simple, useful, and long overdue. There’s something satisfying about making a piece that’ll quietly serve people day after day. Measure, cut, fit, adjust… repeat 😄 It’s always a good reminder that even the “small” builds still ask for patience and attention.

After wrapping that up, I took some well-earned time to relax. Hung out with my pup for a bit, did some journaling, and just let the day settle. Those quiet moments are just as important as the busy ones.

Later on, I met the new boot, Seth—always good to see fresh energy entering the mix. Looking forward to seeing how his journey unfolds and getting to work alongside him.

All in all, a solid, balanced day.

B.E.L. Post # 118

Today felt like one of those days where listening to your body was the most productive thing you could do. I took that much-needed extra sleep this morning, and I can honestly say it set the tone for everything that followed.

Once I got moving, I went into a full-on cleaning blitz—one of those satisfying resets where everything starts to feel lighter and more in order. With that momentum, I headed straight into the shop to keep working on the library stool I’ve been building.

I spent some time dialing in the details, rasping the bottoms of the legs to get them sitting just right. There’s something really satisfying about that kind of fine-tuning—small adjustments that make a big difference in how a piece feels. Once everything was where I wanted it, I laid down a coat of raw linseed oil, which really brought the wood to life. Watching the grain pop never gets old.

Happy to say the stool is officially complete.

After that, I let myself ease off and enjoy the rest of the day. No rush, no pushing—just a bit of well-earned rest to balance things out.

Not sure if I missed the explanation, but what was the issue with the old abbey gate?

B.E.L. Post # 119

Yesterday & Today at Wheaton Labs

Yesterday (03/23/2026): I started the morning with a walk with Chapito — the cloud formations and early sun rays over the mountains were breathtaking. After the morning meeting, we gathered, bucked, split, and stacked logs from a tree that fell in last year’s windstorm near the water pump station. Seth, Stephen, and I loaded the logs onto Roy and hauled them to the Tipi site, then worked together to process and neatly stack them.

Later, we visited the Abbey to feed the cats, swap out the battery pack, and do some light cleaning. We also picked up a can of “candy” near the boneyard and spread it at a nearby site. Back at basecamp during lunch, I staged the sturdy stool I’d crafted in the library for future use by fellow boots.

After lunch, Stephen and I repaired a water hydrant station — a bolt had worn a groove into a brass pin, preventing it from lifting to release water. I drilled a hole to catch the bolt’s point, and the station was fully functional again. We also started fixing a flat tractor tire, though we ran out of time before finishing.

Today (03/24/2026) had a steady kind of rhythm to it. While Seth teamed up with Bounce on her project and Stephen stayed busy wrestling with the tractor tire, I made my way over to the Abbey to shore up the junkpoles. There’s something satisfying about tightening things up out there, knowing it all plays a part in the bigger picture.

Later on, back at basecamp, we shifted gears and put in some time on the paddock fencing along Complexity Trail. Bit by bit, it’s all coming together.

As the day wound down, we headed back to the Abbey—watering the berms and trees, then scattering more seeds for ground cover. It felt like one of those days where every small effort stacks up… quietly strengthening the land and everything we’re building with it.