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

The turtle lot sign is adorable! Nice progress on the fences.

B.E.L. Post # 64

After the morning’s meeting, I went straight into processing materials, filling up three crates of woody bits and breaking down cardboard. From there, I shifted focus to the wooden signs: one was fully installed at the bermshed, another is completed and ready for installation at the red cabin, and the last sign just needs a few minor touch-ups before it’s ready to go live.

After lunch, I headed over to the Abbey and finished one full panel of fencing before wrapping up for the day. A solid mix of processing, finishing details, and hands-on building to close things out.

Melissa Silverline wrote:The turtle lot sign is adorable! Nice progress on the fences.

Thanks, Melissa! 😊 I didn’t make the sign, but it was really fun revitalizing it and getting it set up again. I’m glad you like it! And thank you — it felt good to make some steady progress on the fencing today too.

Yesterday 01/09/2026

After the morning meeting, I continued working on the two wooden delivery signs — one large sign that will be placed at the crossroads of the drive in front of the red cabin, and a smaller one that will hang at the delivery area at the red cabin. The goal is to reduce any confusion for delivery drivers. Both signs received their final coat of linseed oil and are now ready for placement.

While working on signage, I also came across another sign that could use some revitalizing, so that’s been added to the list.

Afterwards, I headed to the Abbey, where I framed one panel and completed it. I wrapped up the day by climbing up on top of the Abbey to take stock of how much more down junkpole fencing remains to be done.

A productive and well-rounded day of finishing details, improving wayfinding, and checking progress on upcoming fence work.

It seems like you guys spend a lot of time on that fencing. Could you not run twine or something instead? At least it would keep the deer out.

A pro tip for burning the router grooves...  Use the oxy acetylene torch to put a tiny, focused flame in the groove. You get much less charring outside the lettering so the planer has an easier time cleaning up the surface.  That's how I did the sign you're not supposed to read in the classroom.  In lieu of the oxy torch, I'd use a small propane torch flame and try to just hit the grooves.

B.E.L. Post # 65

Today felt steady and grounding.  Out at the Abbey, I started in on another section of fencing. I ran the auger through that stubborn, rocky soil, slowly opening up a hole about 3 feet deep and a foot wide for a vertical post. Took some patience, but it felt good to get it done.

Afterwards, I headed back to basecamp and processed another crate of woody bits, keeping things moving bit by bit.

I wrapped up my free day gently — journaling, reading, and just hanging out with my dog. Nothing rushed, nothing forced. A good kind of day.

B.E.L. Post # 66

After the morning’s cleaning blitz, I shifted gears and processed more cardboard, topping off the bin over at the Fisher Price house. It felt good to clear out another stack and get it ready for its next life.

After that, I headed up to the Abbey and dug out another post hole, making steady progress one hole at a time. Nothing too rushed, just good, honest work in the soil.

I wrapped up my off-boot day by kicking back and watching a cool movie, letting my body and mind unwind. All in all, it was a really great off-boot day.