!!!! SEPP to Boot: Stephen's Experience (BEL)

BRK #93

Day One of the Rocket Mass Heater Workshop has come and gone... Way to go with organizing your first event, Jeff!

Lots of photos from today, and I have some video as well that I'd like to cut together to make a decent snapshot of some of the projects going on today and through this week. First off, here's one that's a familiar sight to many folks: Paul's "choreography" schpiel at the start of the first day.



Caleb and I were still responsible for boot duties even with the event happening, so we had a chance to scope out the hugels and see what's growing. Here's what I think is an acorn squash variety that's looking quite healthy.



Here's Isaac leading his crew of Nick and Eliot in clearing out the mass for the Library's RMH.



By the time the day was through, that crew had cleared out the entire mass! What a project...! Here's the rocket mass's "innards."



Another acorn squash variety, looking like it's ready to harvest soon.



Caleb and I also headed out to Dances With Pigs Meadow, where we found the fabled "Shitty Cob Pit" to plunder it's supply of "sharp sand." Apparently, it's better for making cob than the "river beach sand" found in the nearby Arrakis sand pit, and cob can't be done without it. We were up to the challenge, however.



Catching sight of another project, here's a frame for the mass to be built into the Red Cabin. This one is also receiving a total make-over, and motivation is high.



More to come with the RMH Workshop as the week goes on. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!

Stephen B. Thomas wrote:Caleb and I were still responsible for boot duties even with the event happening, so we had a chance to scope out the hugels and see what's growing. Here's what I think is an acorn squash variety that's looking quite healthy.

Another acorn squash variety, looking like it's ready to harvest soon.

What is the coldest it has been around there this fall? Are these squash surviving from magical permaculture frost-avoidance spells?

Coydon Wallham wrote:What is the coldest it has been around there this fall? Are these squash surviving from magical permaculture frost-avoidance spells?

We've not had any blistering-cold days just yet. There's been a single morning when there was documented frost on vehicles in Arrakis so far. In general, the average low temp is somewhere round 40 - 44 degrees F. It seems to be sliding to cooler as the month goes on.

Leif Ing wrote:Tent is looking sharp. What type of sleeping bag and heating do you have for this coming winter?

I have a 10-degree F sleeping bag that I can cinch around my head with a drawstring if I need it. Late this past summer, I'd invested in a cot that picked me up off the ground while sleeping, and I marveled at what a difference it's made in terms of overall comfort and specifically in conserving heat.

During the RMH Workshop, I hope to gain a bit more insight on a tent stove and/or heating solution so I can live in the tent all winter long. Once I have a better-informed opinion or two, I'd like to push the button on this purchase (either the materials, or a pre-made stove) by the end of this month at the absolute latest.

BRK #94

Day Two of the Rocket Mass Heater Workshop 2022...! The interesting builds continue, and lots of special equipment was put in use today to keep moving forward.

Hats off to Opalyn for her precise efforts in creating a hexagonal flue for one of the RMH builds. I'm certain there will be an explanation of how this most-effectively keeps air and heat moving and/or stratified in the build. Paul and Uncle Mud were chatting about it on video, showcasing Opalyn's work, so when the video is released you'll hear all about it.



This next picture is likely not what you might first guess... It's the cement mixer we hauled out just for this event, filled with cob mix. Jamie, cob-fanatic extraordinaire, directed attendees Jessica and Alexandra in the fine art of properly mixing sand, clay, straw, and water into a versatile, insulative building material.



Meanwhile, the Red Cabin build continues, with the frame of the mass being fabricated here. Daniel does some last-minute trimming of the frame for the mass in this photo.



Final photo for today... The frame and stratification chambers for the Library build are complete...! Here it is, awaiting a new day so that the mass can be filled with gravel and pebbles, and eventually topped with cob.



Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!