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

B.E.L. Post # 86

Today started off on a quieter, more reflective note. I caught up on some reading and journaling, knocked out a bit of laundry, and spent some time doodling a few creative drawings. I also hauled in two crates worth of woody bits to the Fisher Price House to keep things moving there.

In the afternoon, I headed toward the lab with the intention of harvesting more junkpoles. On the way, I stopped by Cooper Cabin and met Sepper Nick. From there, plans shifted a bit—instead of pole harvesting, we ended up hiking all over the lab together, checking things out and talking through projects and ideas.

Later on, I spent some time at the Abbey addressing a muddy rut I had accidentally created earlier. I laid down two metal buckets worth of pinecones into the rut as the first step in filling it. The plan is to continue building it up by adding a good layer of green bits on top, sourced from future junkpole delimbing, to help stabilize and improve the area over time.

B.E.L. Post # 87

After the morning blitz, I slowed things down a bit. I took my dog on a trek out to Raspberry Rock, which turned into some quiet time for reflecting on the past and pondering what life might have in store moving forward. It felt good to let my thoughts wander while getting some fresh air.

Later on, I headed back into work mode and spent time on the turtle berm, extending it another five feet. It’s satisfying to see that project steadily taking shape, one small push at a time.

One big relief from the day: I finally found Roy’s lost keys. I’ve been worried about those, so it was a huge weight off my shoulders to have them turn up at last.

To wrap up the evening, I relaxed and watched another episode of Andor with Paul—a nice, low-key way to end the day.

B.E.L. Post # 88

Today started with some much-needed chainsaw maintenance—tuning, checking things over, and getting it ready for more steady work ahead. After that, I filled two buckets worth of pinecones to help with the ruts over at the Abbey, which should make a noticeable difference once they get worked in.

From there I moved on to harvesting junkpoles and had a strong day: I cut, delimbed, and staged 30 junkpoles. That brings my total up to 50 overall, which feels like a solid milestone. I’ve got 50 more to go, and once those are done I’ll be able to start filling them in along the remaining sections of the fence.

I wrapped up the day assisting Paul with filming his sunchoke and walking onion video, which was a great way to end—learning, helping out, and contributing to content that’ll be useful for others down the line.

All in all, a productive and satisfying day with good momentum heading into the next round of fence work.

Yesterday 02/10/2026 was primarily a junkpole production day for the Abbey panels.

I felled and delimbed 40 trees, bringing my total up to 90 junkpoles harvested so far. And to further clarify, my target is 100 before I start installing anything. I want the full batch staged and ready so I can move efficiently once I shift from harvesting to actually filling the last two remaining panels.

Right now it’s all about prep — cutting, limbing, stacking, and building up inventory. Once I hit 100, I’ll transition into setting them in place. If I end up with extra usable poles beyond that, I’ll scout around for other panels that could use filling. No sense wasting good material.

I also spent some time working on filling the ruts on the road — steady maintenance work that keeps things functional and improves access bit by bit.

It feels good being this close to the target. Ten more to go, and then the install phase begins.

Onward. 🌲

Yesterday ( 02/11/2026) I kept pushing forward on the tail end of the Abbey fence project.

First order of business was harvesting the final 10 junkpoles — bringing the grand total to 100 junkpoles on hand. Hitting that number felt good. There’s something satisfying about setting a target and stacking the woodpile until you reach it.

With all the poles ready, I set the last vertical post into the ground for the final stretch of fence. After that, I framed up the remaining two panels. By the end of the day, I had one panel completely filled in and only one left standing between me and wrapping up the entire fence.

It’s wild to think this whole section is almost done.

While working near the TeePee gate, I noticed a deer had smashed through it. Looks like it’s time for a sturdier design. I’ll be drawing up plans for a replacement gate shortly — something that can handle curious (or determined) wildlife traffic a little better.

One more panel to fill, a new gate design to tackle, and the Abbey fence will officially be complete. Onward.

B.E.L. Post # 89

Today was a solid “close the loop” kind of day.

This morning I headed up to the Abbey and worked on the very last fence panel. Got it filled and finished — which means all the downed fence panels are now rebuilt. Feels good to stand back and see the whole stretch upright and solid again after all the junkpole harvesting and framing.

After wrapping that up, I headed back to basecamp for lunch.

In the afternoon, I processed 3 crates of woody bits and hauled them over to the Fisher Price house. Always satisfying turning scattered material into something organized and useful.

Then I went back to the lab area and did some cleanup on the tree brush piles — consolidating and tidying things up so they’re easier to manage later.

I wrapped up the day back at basecamp cutting down the tree stumps along the road. Those will be repurposed for the turtle berm, so nothing goes to waste.

B.E.L. Post # 90

Today started with putting a temporary fix on the TeePee gate to keep things functional until a new and better version gets built. It should hold things together just fine for now while I plan the upgrade.

After that, I spent some time loading up the bed of Roy with scrap junkpoles and other materials for an upcoming project at basecamp. Always nice to get materials staged and ready to go.

Following lunch, I filled up two crates with woody bits for the Fischer Price house — steadily keeping that supply flowing.

I then put in another 6 feet at the turtle berm. I cleared out the tree stumps up front to make the area look more visually boring from the road, and those cut stumps will be put to good use as part of the turtle berm project.

Later on, I did some quick chainsaw maintenance to keep it running smooth and ready for the next round of work.

To wrap up the day, I collected four buckets of pinecones along the drive. These will be used to help fill in some of the ruts at the Abbey.

Yesterday ( 02/14/2026 ) was a gentle, steady kind of day with some good progress sprinkled throughout.

I started my morning with a peaceful walk with my little fur baby, which is always a great way to ease into the day. Afterward, I spent some quiet time reading, journaling, and writing letters — a nice slow start before getting into the physical work.

Once I got rolling, I filled up the green work rig with gas and headed over to the Abbey. While there, I worked on improving the ruts by filling them in with more pinecones, which should help with traction and stability over time. I also harvested another 15 junkpoles so we can keep building up a good spare supply to have ready when needed.

After wrapping things up at the Abbey, I headed back to basecamp and spent the rest of the afternoon working on the turtle berm. I was able to add another four feet to the project, and it’s really satisfying to see it slowly but surely taking shape.