Akhu's Bootcamp Journey

Intro
My name is Akhu (aka Philip). I am a new boot at Wheaton Laboratory.
I drove from southern California to learn more about homesteading,
permaculture, and living holistically with { Mother Earth | Father Sky | Great Spirit }
I have been listening to Paul and Jocelyn's podcasts and videos for quite some
time now and felt it was time to throw my shoulder in, so to speak.

-Arrival Day- Feb. 3
It was in the low 30s that day with snow and heavy winds,
Montana is a stark contrast to Cali in the winter, it is like another world.
I am enjoying the winter here, the cold tests everything, it makes you feel alive.
I feel more respect for Mother Nature than ever before.

Upon arrival to the Lab I had my first boot experience, putting on snow chains!
With Fred's help plowing the excess snow, I was able to park no problem, and headed for the main house.
Upon meeting everyone I must say it is very humbling to be accepted with such hospitality and love, I felt right at home.
At it's core, the Lab feels like a solid foundation to build, learn and live a holistic communal life.

-Day One- Feb. 4
• Learn how to fire up rocket mass heater stove
• Fred gives partial tour of the property
• Drive to Lab to fell a dead standing tree for fire wood
• Begin balcony woodworking project

-Day Two- Feb. 5
• Continue work on class room balcony (Phase II)
• Fred gives tour of WOFATI structure
• Trip to the waste disposal plant
• TACO TUESDAY! The food at the lab is awesome!

-Day Three- Feb. 6
• Learn how to drive tractor with plow
• Continue work on balcony rail supports

Welcome Akhu!  Thanks for the update and all the pictures!

Outstanding, Akhu! Very nice post and looks like you get a PM from me - The Biological Reverse Kickstarter!!  <-- That's a link!!

Ooh, I like pictures and updates! Keep them coming!

-Day Four-
• Jocelyn made breakfast, soaked oats! Thank you Jocelyn!
• Continue carpentry work on roundwood balcony supports.
• Felled multiple dead standing trees to process into firewood.
• Clean/organizing shop/auditorium.
• Conversed with Paul at dinner about building community and the evolution of the Gapper program.

Wonderful pictures! The snow looks very pretty from my comfy seat. Indoors. With heating. And hot tea......

-Day 5- Feb 8
• Cutting timber collected from yesterday.
• Fred instructs us how to sharpen the different chainsaw blades
• Tool maintanence and sharpening
• Continue organinzing and cleaning up shop/auditorium
• Roundwood work on stair's first rail post

It's great to see what's going on at the lab - thanks for sharing these pictures!

-Day 6- Sabbath/Rest

THANK YOU Julia, Bill, Shawn, Amanada for the encouragement, it means a lot.

• Sleeping in feels extra special when its super cold outside.
• Single digit weather today, windchill in the negative. Another beautiful day in Montana
• Took a trip into town with Jocelyn and Jeremy for supplies and to pick up Fred.
• "Judy" (The Duke's Firetruck) getting some much needed love at repair shop.
• Dropped off recyclables.

-Day 7-
1 WEEK! Time flies at the Lab.

• Nest labor day
• Stocked rocket mass heater wood in house
• Fixed broken metal shelf for laundry room
• Clean/organize garage