October 2020 BB20 Skill Building Event - free at wheaton labs

Beau Davidson wrote:I’m coming with a load of stuff from Eric on the 17th, so hopefully there will be places to unload.

How big of a load?  Normally the boots have saturday off.  If you have a rough idea of a time I might be able to rally some help.

I have standing dead Eastern Red Cedar that I can bring - actually a juniper - that should be suitable for shakes. I can perhaps bring a couple logs. Would be good to pursue the shakes bb.

Clear cedar is excellent!  Knotty juniper would be a nightmare!

Opalyn Rose wrote:

paul wheaton wrote:If people want to install one of those bidet things, I will order one.

If you want one, I’ll make sure it gets installed.

I have ordered one.

It's a BB isn't it?

Yes it is:  Install instant bidet

paul wheaton wrote:Ash, are you arriving by plane?

Yes. I'm bringing some seeds. Anything else I can bring?

Paul, do you have lots of black locust seeds that need to be planted?  I need to plant 50 so I'll buy some if you don't have any...

Beau Davidson wrote:I’d love to make a kindling cracker, and maybe another half pointer to get the badge, like chicken cone or solar cooker.

Hey everybody, I have a solar cooker that I cooked my rice in and could bring it if people want to experience using one.  Beau, I know you want to build a solar cooker not to cook in one.

I believe they have several solar ovens at base camp.

I need to do lots of rocket cooking and a bit of hay box finishing.  Hope you guys like mediocre cooking

paul wheaton wrote:

Beau Davidson wrote:I’m coming with a load of stuff from Eric on the 17th, so hopefully there will be places to unload.

How big of a load?  Normally the boots have saturday off.  If you have a rough idea of a time I might be able to rally some help.

At this point, it sounds like he has 20 or so glass panels that he said he wanted to get there for the greenhouse (I think he said 2x3 but I may be mistaken), some boxes of bolts, and maybe some doors. If that is all, it’ll probably just be a truck load and I can unload with someone available from the event or just leave it until a convenient time.

I have standing dead Eastern Red Cedar that I can bring - actually a juniper - that should be suitable for shakes. I can perhaps bring a couple logs. Would be good to pursue the shakes bb.

Clear cedar is excellent!  Knotty juniper would be a nightmare!

That makes sense. I’ll skip it unless I hear otherwise.

Mike Haasl wrote:Paul, do you have lots of black locust seeds that need to be planted?  I need to plant 50 so I'll buy some if you don't have any...

We have lots of black locust seeds

Beau Davidson wrote: it’ll probably just be a truck load and I can unload with someone available from the event or just leave it until a convenient time.

That sounds best.

So we're getting closer to the actual time of the event and I was wondering if I could get some more info on what I need to bring for supplies?

I'm assuming a tent and my own food but will there be access to cooking equipment and a frig or should I also bring a camp stove and cooler with ice for the 5 days? I also happen to be a physical therapist and am going to bring a portable treatment table if anyone would like some bodywork done or to have me look at a problem area.


For the event activities -

I've done the excavator bb but would be interested in running a front loader for 15 min.

All of the rocket bb stuff

Any of the willow feeder stuff

Making a hugelkultur

Any of the metal working stuff

Pealing trees and making shakes and junk pole fence from woodland care.

Thanks

I'm sure there's cooking equipment you can use--great excuse to knock out the solar cooking and rocket cooking badge bits. I'm pretty sure there's cold storage (fridge/freezer) in Fisher Price House for everyone to use. But, don't take my word on that, as I've never actually been to Wheaton Labs!

For the handful of people that are coming, we will give you full access to the kitchen.  And I will supply food staples - the same thing supplied for the boots.   If you wanna bring food in addition to that, that's cool.  

And there is full access to the rocket stoves, rocket ovens, etc.  

Does everybody have directions on how to get here?

Paul, since there is a full pile of boots there, do you anticipate needing to have multiple shifts for meals?  Boot breakfast time and BB20 breakfast time?  Could you remind us of the boot work/food hours so we can mentally prepare to avoid interfering with one another?

In addition to Paul, Ash and myself, the event lists Fred, Jennifer and Josiah as instructors.  I'm assuming Josiah is actually going to be working on a wofati greenhouse.  So it sounds like we'll have Fred and Jennifer to show us around?

Sounds like we're now up to:
Ash
Me
Opalyn
Beau
Penny

Anyone else???

Cool. Just to give me a better idea "staples" is like beans and rice? And I should bring any veggies and meat I'd like to add?

And no I don't have directions yet. I'll be driving from Idaho up Hwy 12.

Thanks

Correct me if I'm wrong Paul, but typically the boot staples are most of the vegetarian stuff you'd ever want to find.  Grains, herbs, spices, baking stuff, veggies, fruits, rice, legumes, etc.  Not much meat or nuts since they're expensive.  I'm flying so it's tricky to bring too much stuff but hopefully I can get my ride to stop at a grocery store on the way to pick up some meaty/snacky things.  

I have directions - they are on a private “Wheaton Labs” forum which I was given access to because I'm attending next summer’s events.
So excited!

Penny McLoughlin wrote:Cool. Just to give me a better idea "staples" is like beans and rice? And I should bring any veggies and meat I'd like to add?

And no I don't have directions yet. I'll be driving from Idaho up Hwy 12.

Thanks

Doing a similar refresher myself.  Here's some detail:

From https://wheaton-labs.com/bootcamp/#FAQ

We provide staples like oats, flour, beans and rice, peanut butter, bread, eggs, coconut oil, fruits and vegetables ...  all organic or better.  So vegans are well covered.  Vegetarians are probably pretty happy.  Folks keen on meat will either need to bring their own or read the section "a little jingle in your pocket."  No problems with cooking meat here, but we generally aren't providing it for the boots.  Although we do get a lot of awesome company coming through and they will often bring meaty-bits.   More on food in the bootcamp here.

Here is an update: https://permies.com/p/860043

Here is a useful info collection as well:
https://permies.com/wiki/labs-summary

I'm planning on camping, but out of curiosity - are there any structures available to rent during the BB20 event?  I'd like to get the live-in experience with a RMH.

I'm going to try adding you all to a private forum with directions. Please stand by!

Question - and probably a long shot - are there scythe/sickle peening tools at the lab with which to complete the peening bb?  Seems like we're still gathering information on that one, but I have some antique blades I'd love to get into working order if there is someone with expertise on the subject.

https://permies.com/wiki/127874/pep-tool-care/Sharpen-scythe-PEP-BB-tool

Ooh, me too!  I can't bring my scythe on the plane with me but hopefully there are tools and a spare blade to play with.  At least I don't think I can fly with it...

Mike Haasl wrote:Ooh, me too!  I can't bring my scythe on the plane with me but hopefully there are tools and a spare blade to play with.  At least I don't think I can fly with it...

I think you have to tell them, and it goes to a totally different part of the plane. At least, that's all I remember from my trip to Mexico to build houses something like 20 years ago. I lost my dad's hammer because I forgot to tell the right people at the right time that I had it.

I'm going to try to just carry on so I'm sure I can't bring it.  Plus it's rusty and horribly neglected so it's probably better left at home to look cool.

Looks like I need to bake some stuff in a rocket oven for the Food Prep straw level stuff.  Are there cast iron pie pans and baking dishes available?  I'm looking to bake a pie, bake an apple crumble and roast some sunchokes...

Opalyn Rose wrote:I plan to look at our stumps for shake making.

Update: I cut 2 little logs (24" long) off a 14.5-in dbh tree I felled two weeks ago. I'll go look in the pile of logs near the sawmill and pick the least knotty log and bring 2 pieces of it too.

I said earlier I may arrive on the 17th, but it’s looking now like it’ll probably be the 18th, to whom it may concern.

Also, anyone interested in any seed swapping? Is that even legal to post publicly? I have a few things, soapberry tree seeds, hardy passionfruit, wild Chinese yams off the top of my head.

Also also, puhLEASE make my day and tell me that someone can teach me how to properly make bone sauce for the big bad bone sauce bb! I’ve done probably 4-5 batches, and it’s not quite coming out right.

Third and final also, any of the structures available to rent for some or all of the event?

Mike Haasl wrote:Looks like I need to bake some stuff in a rocket oven for the Food Prep straw level stuff.  Are there cast iron pie pans and baking dishes available?  I'm looking to bake a pie, bake an apple crumble and roast some sunchokes...

Apple crumble comes out really yummy in a 13 inch cast iron skillet.

Beau Davidson wrote:I said earlier I may arrive on the 17th, but it’s looking now like it’ll probably be the 18th, to whom it may concern.

Also, anyone interested in any seed swapping? Is that even legal to post publicly? I have a few things, soapberry tree seeds, hardy passionfruit, wild Chinese yams off the top of my head.

Also also, puhLEASE make my day and tell me that someone can teach me how to properly make bone sauce for the big bad bone sauce bb! I’ve done probably 4-5 batches, and it’s not quite coming out right.

Third and final also, any of the structures available to rent for some or all of the event?

Cool, the 18th will probably make unloading go easier.  How hardy are the passionfruit?  

Mike Haasl wrote:

Beau Davidson wrote:
Also, anyone interested in any seed swapping? Is that even legal to post publicly? I have a few things, soapberry tree seeds, hardy passionfruit, wild Chinese yams off the top of my head.

Cool, the 18th will probably make unloading go easier.  How hardy are the passionfruit?  

Zones 6-10, according to what I’ve seen.

Jen, Paul and team - Many of the participants want to do hugelkultur.  I'm guessing we'll want to build about 40' of hugel.  Likely all in one long berm.  Can you verify if there's a place somewhere to build it and if can be meshed with other needs for the excavator next week?  And maybe a place where wood is available to put in it?

I believe we want:
Mike - 12'
Ash - 12'
Opalyn - 6'
Beau - 6', plus 12' if possible
Penny - ???

Mike Haasl wrote:Ash - 12'

Hey Mike, like we were talking on our call on Thursday, this is a lower priority for me than probably most other BB's that have been discussed.

I'll try the passionfruit in some microclimates.  Thanks!  I'll bring some stuff to trade or give too.

Beau Davidson wrote:Question - and probably a long shot - are there scythe/sickle peening tools at the lab with which to complete the peening bb?  Seems like we're still gathering information on that one, but I have some antique blades I'd love to get into working order if there is someone with expertise on the subject.

https://permies.com/wiki/127874/pep-tool-care/Sharpen-scythe-PEP-BB-tool

There is some expertise and they have a scythe that Josiah's used so I'd bring your blades along.  Maybe I can tinker with one if they don't have a dull one for me

Beau Davidson wrote:Also also, puhLEASE make my day and tell me that someone can teach me how to properly make bone sauce for the big bad bone sauce bb! I’ve done probably 4-5 batches, and it’s not quite coming out right.

I have the cast iron (somewhere).  

My only experience is making the video when sepp made it.  But I do have some of the stuff made by sepp.

We would need bones.

Beau Davidson wrote:Third and final also, any of the structures available to rent for some or all of the event?

The shandolier is available.  But it does not have a good heat source.  But it will probably be way better than a tent.

For every event we offer there is always "slumber party in cooper cabin" - so a cot in the big open area of cooper cabin.  

I think the tipi is available starting sunday evening.

Yes, I'd like to do a hugelkultur as well - 6 foot would be fine.

paul wheaton wrote:

Beau Davidson wrote:Third and final also, any of the structures available to rent for some or all of the event?

The shandolier is available.  But it does not have a good heat source.  But it will probably be way better than a tent.

For every event we offer there is always "slumber party in cooper cabin" - so a cot in the big open area of cooper cabin.  

I think the tipi is available starting sunday evening.

What about the Bunkroom? There's still open bunk there, right?

the bunk room has:

   - clayton
   - davin
   - ash
   - penny

Clayton is a boot, so he could be bumped.