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

Post # 10

Bootcamp Log – October 27th

After our daily morning boot meeting, I went over to the shop to light up the rocket mass heater and get the day warmed up. Once the shop was nice and cozy, the High Commander and I headed out to the Abbey for our usual rounds — fed the cats, checked on things, and inspected the fence line.

While walking along, I spotted a pretty large V-gap along the fence — looked like the local deer union was planning another entry point! Stephen and I tackled it right away and got it handled before anyone with hooves could sneak through.

While we were over there, I also took some time to chop up a pile of firewood — nothing like the sound of splitting logs echoing through the cool morning air. It’s one of those chores that somehow feels like a workout and a meditation session all at once.

Back at base, we rolled up our sleeves for some chainsaw maintenance, sharpening and tuning so the saws stay happy and humming. Afterwards, we got started on the gutter project, which might sound simple until you realize every piece insists on having a personality of its own.

We wrapped up the day making more protective cages for the little trees, giving them a fighting chance against our four-legged salad enthusiasts.

All in all, another full and satisfying day — a little smoke, a little sawdust, and a lot of good work under the Montana sky.

Post # 11

October 28

Yesterday kicked off the usual way — with a little spark of warmth. Lit up the fire at the shop to get things rolling (because no day really begins until the rocket mass heater says so). 🔥

After that, Stephen gave me a proper walkthrough on how to attach the backblade to the tractor — one of those tasks that looks simple from afar until you realize there’s a whole dance of pins, angles, and a bit of tractor whispering involved.

Once we had that sorted, we shifted gears and added a few more cages around the young trees. The deer out here seem to think we planted a buffet just for them, so every cage feels like putting up another “keep out” sign for the four-legged freeloaders. 🦌

Then it was over to the Abbey, where I cut a few more lengths of scrap wood and stacked them neatly — future firewood for future chilly mornings. There’s something satisfying about a good woodpile; it’s like seeing next season’s comfort lined up and ready.

Wrapped up the day working on the junk pole fencing — a classic mix of teamwork, sweat, and creative problem-solving. By the time we called it a day, it felt like one of those quietly productive days that make life at Wheaton Labs so rewarding.

All in all — a fine day of fire, fences, and figuring things out. 🔧🌲

Post # 12

Started the day the usual way — with a match, a bit of kindling, and that familiar whoosh from the shop rocket mass heater. There’s no better morning greeting than the sound of fire waking up for duty. 🔥

After that, Stephen and I headed over to the Abbey for our routine rounds — fed the cats (who, as always, acted like they hadn’t eaten in years) and walked the perimeter. Spotted a few telltale signs of deer sneaking around again — those rascals never rest. 🦌

While there, we replaced the handles on the gate that leads from the Abbey to Cooper Cabin — a small fix, but one of those satisfying little upgrades that makes things smoother for everyone who passes through.

Back at base camp, we turned our attention to deer-proofing the garden area. Added some extra fortifications and even crafted new handles for that gate, too — apparently, it was “handle improvement day” across the labs.

Rounded out the afternoon by processing a healthy stack of cardboard — the kind of behind-the-scenes work that doesn’t look glamorous, but sure keeps the whole permaculture engine running.

All in all, a solid day of tending fires, feeding friends, and keeping the deer (and the chaos) at bay. 🌲🔥🐾

Post # 13

    Today began as any other day — with our daily morning meeting and then feeding the dragon its fair share of firewood (gotta keep that fiery belly happy).

    Once the flames were content, I shifted to processing cardboard.  Afterward, the High Commander and I made our way to the Abbey, only to find the gate knocked clean down! A closer look revealed deer tracks all around the scene… those pesky deer sure are determined to test our defenses.

    After assessing the situation and resetting the gate, we ventured over to the "Dances with Pigs Meadow" to collect mulch — a task always made better with good company and good dirt. Back at the Abbey, we harvested about half a pail of sunchokes, which we then started planting around the berms at the Tipi site.

    Lunch came as a welcome break before diving right back into the rhythm — more sunchokes went into the ground at the Turtle Berm, and we wrapped up by crafting a few sunchoke flags to mark the new spots. Finished the day by laying mulch on the Berm Shed — a fitting end to a solid day’s work.

    All in all, a full day of dragons, deer, and dirty hands — just the way I like it. 🌱🔥🦌

B.E.L. Post # 14

October 31st

🎃 Today had that eerie, crisp Halloween chill in the air — the kind where the fog clings to the treetops and even the birds seem a little quieter than usual...

With the High Commander away on mysterious missions unknown, the Duke took charge of the day’s operations. After our morning gathering (no cauldrons, but close enough), I set out to replenish a box of processed cardboard and deliver three crates of burnable goodies to the Duke’s quarters — fuel for the fires that keep our permie spirits alive. 🔥

Then it was time to bring some order to the chaos — I ventured out to place sunchoke signs at both the Turtle Berm and the Tipi Berm, marking their domain like a druid labeling his potion jars.

But the day’s true horror awaited at the Abbey… 🦌
As I arrived, I caught sight of the destruction, left by the mischievous deers tearing through like ghosts breaking through old wards. In their desperate flight, they managed to shatter the handles of two gates — perhaps their idea of a Halloween trick.

After cleaning up the aftermath of their ungulate uprising, I returned to Basecamp, where I took to refortifying the garden’s gate and reinforcing the junk pole fencing — no deer, spirit, or ghoul shall breach these defenses again!

As dusk fell, I closed the day by widening and leveling the berm paths, turning rough ground into smoother passageways — perhaps for us, or perhaps for whatever wanders these woods when the moon rises full and bright tonight... 🌕

Happy Halloween from the wilds of Wheaton Labs — where even the deer have tricks up their sleeves! 🕸️🛠️👻

B.E.L. Post # 15

Today was technically my off day… but, as usual, when the land calls, I can’t help myself.

Started the morning at Basecamp, feeding our feline supervisors (the cats, naturally 😺). Then I headed over to the Laboratory to feed the cats there and walk the fence perimeter, checking on the gates that the deer had busted earlier in the week. Everything was still standing tall — no hoofed vandals today! 🦌

Back at Basecamp, I slipped right into a good working flow — processing a fair amount of cardboard, gathering pinecones for kindling, and packing out the kindling pile so it’s ready for the next round of fires. 🔥

During one of my walks around Basecamp, I noticed a massive pine tree that had fallen by its own accord. Nature did the felling for me this time! I’ll soon be logging, bucking, splitting, and stacking it — another fine addition to the woodpile waiting to be transformed into warmth and comfort. 🌲🪓

Feeling inspired, I also made six new sunchoke flags for the Tipi Berm,  then fashioned twist wire strands to better align sections of the barbed wire fence. Before calling it a day, I stopped by the Berm Shed to give it some much-needed love — mulching a patch that had been asking for attention.

So much for an off day… but honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Every small act adds a little more care, beauty, and balance to the land. 🌾

— Esteban

B.E.L. Post # 16

This post is for yesterday’s adventures! (Nov. 3rd)

After our morning meeting, I started the day by lighting the rocket mass heater in the classroom — setting a cozy tone before the day’s work ahead.

Once things were warmed up, Stephan, Zack, and I headed out to the laboratory. We walked the full fence perimeter and took another close look at the damaged gate handles — those persistent deer left quite the mess behind! After assessing the situation, we processed all the remaining kindling on-site before wrapping up our work there.

When we got back to basecamp, we shifted gears to the next big task: felling two trees to build a brand-new, stronger, sturdier gate from the ground up. After felling, logging, and debarking the trees, we finally got the frame laid out and ready for the next phase.

A solid day’s work all around — transforming forest material into the foundation of a durable new gate. Can’t wait to see it standing tall soon!

B.E.L. Post # 17

November 4, 2025

Yesterday was another full and rewarding day here at Wheaton Labs!

After our morning meeting, I got the classroom rocket mass heater lit to keep the place nice and cozy. Once that was burning smoothly, I processed more cardboard for future fire-starting.

Later in the morning, I spent some time with the new boot, showing him how to properly maintain and sharpen a chainsaw. After going through the basics — cleaning, checking the chain tension, and oiling — I had him test his work on a log, and he did great for his first time!

In the afternoon, the High Commander, the new boot, and I felled another tree — this one will be used for the rear gate replacement project we’ve been working on. Afterwards, the High Commander took us around the Lab to show the trail camera locations and go over the monthly maintenance protocols — very useful knowledge for future rotations.

We wrapped up the day on a tasty note — making tacos and sharing stories from the day’s work. Nothing like good food after a day of hard labor in the woods! 🌮🌲🔥