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

Post # 4

    Yesterday (10/17) was another full and meaningful day here at Wheaton labs - the kind that leaves you both tired and deeply fulfilled by sundown.  The morning began with my daily meeting with Paul and Stephen, a grounding ritual that always sets the tone for the day ahead.  We discussed a few plans and upcoming projects, trading insights and ideas over the crisp morning air.  Afterward, I made my way down to the shop to light up the rocket mass heater - that comforting roar of fire and warmth that brings life back into the chilly space.  There's something meditative about tending that fire each morning; it feels like lighting the day's intentions.

    Once the heater was humming along, Stephen offered me a new challenge - the opportunity to fell a dead tree down at base camp.  It was one of those moments where excitement and nerves meet, knowing that this was both a skill and a responsibility worth learning properly.  Before even picking up the saw, Stephen walked me through the assessment process - observing the tree's lean, reading the way it stood in relation to the slope, checking for obstacles like fence lines or power lines, and envisioning the safe direction for it to fall.  It was a lesson in observation and respect for the forces at play, a reminder that working with nature always begins with awareness.

   Once we had our plan, we set the tree jack in position, and I began cutting the V-notch, taking my time, feeling the rhythm of the work.  Then came the back cut, the moment where precision and patience really matter.  It took me a good while - the tree didn't give in easily - but with Stephen's steady guidance, I pushed through until he helped finish off the tail end.  And then, that satisfying moment: the groan of wood, the creak, and finally, the tree giving way and falling exactly where we intended.  It wasn't just about cutting down a tree - it was about learning to read one.  To understand the balance between human intention and natural gravity.  After felling it, we bucked the logs and hauled them back to the shop.  From there, we sliced a few thin rounds off the trunk, and inspiration struck - we decided to turn them into signs for the willow feeders.  Using my newly learned wood-burning techniques, I etched messages into the rounds, transforming them from fallen wood into something useful, artful, and lasting.  

    By evening, as the smoke from the rocket mass heater drifted lazily into the twilight, I felt that quiet satisfaction that only comes after a full day of learning by doing.  I came away with new skills, a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship, and a growing sense of connection to this land and the work we do each day.  Each task, no matter how small, seems to weave itself into a larger tapestry here - one of resilience, creativity, and community.

Post # 5

    I want to share a bit about my off - boot day, and more importantly, why I think it's worth sharing these kinds of posts.  Wheaton Labs isn't just a place to learn and build a community - it's a whole environment of growth, peace, and exploration.  And for any future boots reading this, I want you to know that there's so much more to experience here beyond the daily projects.  Your time off is just as valuable as your boot hours.  Because out here in this beautiful part of Montana, your "off-duty" time can easily turn into a mini adventure - hiking through pine forests, exploring quiet river trails, or just taking in the small-town charm nearby.

    This morning I gave myself a little gift - sleeping in until 8 a.m.  Sometimes you just have to let your body rest and let the morning unfold at its own pace.  After my usual routine, little Chapito and I hopped in the truck and headed out to a cozy little town about 20 miles away.  I wanted to grab my favorite coffee and explore a few new trails for us to hike later on.  It's one of the things I love most about being here - you're never far from somewhere new and beautiful.

    We eventually came across a hidden gem called Big Eddy - a small fishing spot tucked off a backroad.  It opens up to a gorgeous stretch of river where people can launch their kayaks, rafts, or small fishing boats.  Chapito and I wandered along the riverbank, skipping a few rocks and soaking in the calm.  He had a blast sniffing around while I just enjoyed the quiet rhythm of the flowing river water. It's simple moments like that which remind you how healing nature can be.  

    On our way back toward based camp, I stumbled on another cool find - a single-lane bridge that crosses the river.  It looks like it might've been a railroad bridge at some point, though who really knows!  There's a little pull-off next to it where you can park safely and take a trail that winds down to the riverbank below.  I'm already planning to come back there soon - it feels like the perfect place for journaling, hiking, and reflecting with the sound of the river as my background music.

    When I got back to base camp, I took a stroll along the road ( always walking my dog) ... I noticed a few sections of barbed wire fencing that had been knocked down - probably from deer sneaking through.  Tomorrow after our cleaning blitz, I plan to repair those sections and haul back a few logs ( about 18 feet total) that was near yesterday's tree felling .... They'll get cut and split next weekend.  It's nice ending an off-day with a few light plans for the days ahead - keeps that balance of relaxation and purpose.

    So, to all future boots or visitors thinking about coming here - remember this, Wheaton labs isn't just where you learn. It's where you live.  It's a place where you can find peace in nature, enjoy your free time in countless ways, and reconnect with yourself in the process.  Whether you're hiking, journaling, exploring nearby towns, or just sitting by the river with a cup of coffee - this land has a way of feeding the soul.  I feel incredibly grateful to call this place home, even for a while.  And I hope sharing my off-duty adventures gives others a glimpse of what makes Wheaton Labs so special - not just for the learning, but for the living.  

   

Post # 6

    Yesterday (10/19) started with the famous cleaning blitz - you know, the glorious time when we all pretend to be professional housekeepers for a few hours.  I rolled out of bed, stretched like a cat, and got straight to dusting, wiping, and sweeping the main house kitchen until it gleamed like a freshly oiled rocket stove.  Then I marched over to my living quarters for "nest duty".  Let's just say - if a squirrel saw my tidy nest afterwards, it would've taken notes.  Everything in its place, bedding fluffed, and floors so clean you could almost eat off them (though I wouldn't recommend it).

    With my chores wrapped up, I switched gears to personal time - a rare and beautiful thing.  Between bouts of rain, little Chapito and I went on multiple walks.  He loves his strolls... well, as long as it's not raining.  The moment a drop hits his fur, he looks at me like, "Bro, I didn't sign up for this."  When we weren't dodging raindrops, I got a bit of inside time for journaling - a few lengthy entries that probably read more like philosophical ramblings of a man trapped indoors by weather.  Also reorganized my mailing and stationary area - because apparently, I now get satisfaction from alphabetizing envelopes.

    At one point, I decided to brave the drizzle to work on the barbed wire fence up front by the road.  Got a few lines tightened up, admired my handiwork, and then the sky reminded me who's boss - cue instant downpour.  All in all, it was a dreary, rainy day, but honestly, I didn't mind.  Sometimes it's nice to slow down, do a little cleaning, a little writing, a little fence - wrangling, and a lot of Chapito-cuddling.  Not every day has to be sunshine and chainsaws - sometimes it's just me, my mop, my mutt, and the rain....

Post # 7

    Yesterday Monday 10/20 .... started bright and early with our usual morning boot meeting - coffee in hand, brains slowly warming up to match the pace of the day ahead.  Afterwards, I made my way to the shop to light up the trusty rocket mass heater (my morning ritual by now).  Once the warmth kicked in, I spent a good chunk of the morning bucking and splitting logs from the tree we felled a few days back.  Nothing like the smell of fresh-cut wood and the satisfaction of stacking a neatly squared pile of firewood.

    Next stop was the Abbey, where I joined Stephen in laying mulch over the greenhouse roof - a simple but deeply grounding task.  Later on, I took on kitchen duty and made some tomato sauce from all the ripe beauties we've been collecting.  There's something about cooking down garden fresh tomatoes that makes you feel like a proper homesteader.  In the afternoon, Stephen and I headed out to pick up some T-posts to help protect those remaining young trees with another fencing project - gotta keep those little guys safe from the those deers and other critters.  Then it was on to some shop work, helping with repairs on the dehydrator.  We switched out the bottom wooden base plate where the glass sits and scraped off the old sealant before laying in some fresh.  A bit of patience, a bit of precision, and another project checked off the list.

    The day wrapped up in the best possible - with the High Commander himself whipping up some killer vegan banana pancakes.  I'm not exaggerating when I say every boot should try them at least once- they're that good.  All in all, it was a solid, well-rounded day of hard work, good food, and great company - the kind of day that reminds you why being part of this place is something special.

Post # 8

After lighting up the rocket mass heater this morning and checking on the dehydrator repair job with my high commander, we made our way to the Abby to kick off the usual routines.

Once the daily rhythm was rolling, we dove into adding a whole lot of mulch up on the greenhouse roof — it’s starting to look like a proper living blanket up there. It’s always satisfying to see how much difference that layer makes in insulation and moisture control.

Back at base camp, I tucked into lunch and then got the tomato sauce put up from the latest batch of ripe reds — nothing beats that deep summer aroma filling the kitchen. Afterwards, it was time to harvest some of those delicious plums that have been calling my name for days. Juicy, sweet, and absolutely worth the wait.

Rounded out the day by getting ready for the famous Taco Tuesday feast — because after a solid day of lab life and good work with the crew, tacos are the perfect victory meal. 🌮😄