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

Jimmy Potter wrote:How old are they

Current boot wise .. a few in their 20's but the majority in their 40's ...

B.E.L. Post # 207

This morning started off with a long walk with the little one (Chapito), taking some time to enjoy the quiet and get the day started right.

After that, I continued working on some chop and drop along the drive, cleaning things up and working with the materials already provided by the land. It’s always rewarding seeing how small actions add up over time.

Once that was wrapped up, I headed over to the Fischer Price House for the cleaning blitz. There is something satisfying about taking a space that has been used and lived in and bringing it back into order.

After the cleaning was finished, I made my way over to the Abbey and spent some time continuing work on the junkpole panels. Slowly but surely, the pieces are coming together, and it’s been a great learning experience working with natural materials and traditional methods.

By the afternoon I headed back to basecamp to unwind and recharge. The rest of the day was spent writing letters, journaling, and reading.

Another day of physical work, skill building, and taking time to reflect on the journey. One day at a time, one project at a time.

B.E.L. Post # 208

Today was another productive day here at Wheaton Labs.

We started the morning off at basecamp, where I had Leo and Melissa working on a few cleanup and maintenance tasks. They started by removing the growies coming up between the cracks in the patio flooring, then moved on to straightening up the drip jugs and burlap sack underneath the decking by the Fischer Price door.

Meanwhile, Jesse and I were focused on mulching. Jesse worked primarily up at Lightning Hill, while I focused on mulching around the baby trees at Apricot Alley. It is always rewarding seeing these young trees get a little more support and protection as they continue to establish themselves.

Around 10 o’clock, I redirected Melissa and Leo to come assist Jesse and I with the mulching efforts. They continued working between the two powerline signs at Lightning Hill, then added mulch rings around the trees by the Red Cabin and around the caged tree at the Turtle Lot. After that, they spent the remaining hour continuing work on their firewood rack project.

I also spent some time before lunch doing chop and drop around the Red Cabin, continuing the process of building organic matter and working with what the land provides.

After lunch, we headed over to the Abbey. Melissa and Jesse kept steadily working away at the mulch pile, while Leo and I continued on the junkpole fencing. Leo made great progress and completely framed the section we were working on. I still have 12 more vertical posts to notch and fasten, followed by the final 6 horizontal pieces, and then we will be able to start filling it in with junkpoles.

I also had Melissa and Leo work on setting up tree cages, and they were able to build and install two cages.

Another solid day of building, planting, improving, and learning. Slowly but surely, these projects keep moving forward — one post, one tree, and one wheelbarrow of mulch at a time.

B.E.L. Post # 209

Today at Wheaton Labs started with a little change of pace as Stephen and Leo headed out on their own adventure to the lab, while the rest of us stayed behind at basecamp to keep the momentum going.

I started the morning by tasking Melissa with continuing the work of clearing out the growies between the patio cracks, while Jesse and I continued making progress with mulching. After some time, I redirected Melissa over to mulching, and I switched gears to another project — raking up the chopped grasses I had worked on over the weekend and spreading that grass mulch around the caged baby trees near the Red Cabin.

Once that was completed, I added a protective cage around a young hazelnut tree that Paul had spotted with his laser-focused, eagle-like eyes. It’s always a good reminder that even the smallest trees and plants here have a purpose and deserve a little extra attention and protection.

After lunch, we all headed over to the Abbey. Melissa continued with mulching and chop-and-drop, while Leo and Jesse worked on installing junkpoles into the completely framed section he had been working on. Meanwhile, I continued building out my section of the junkpole fence and was able to get 2 out of the 6 panels completely framed.

As the day started winding down, we wrapped up with a trip to the pond where we gathered four 9-foot sections of metal fencing and brought them back to basecamp. These will be put to good use creating more protective cages and helping safeguard the young trees as they continue establishing themselves.

Another solid day of building, tending, and working alongside the land. Slowly but surely, each project continues to take shape.

Great shot of Melissa with the raptor(?) soaring above...