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

B.E.L. Post # 147

I awoke to a morning that felt gently placed upon the land—soft light stretching across the horizon, the kind of quiet that makes you feel fully reset. The cats, of course, had other plans, their morning chorus reminding me that the day had already begun. After tending to them and a few personal tasks, I gathered my tools—chainsaw, batteries, hatchet—and loaded up the Rav4, setting out with a clear and simple plan.

The intention was to fill the work rig, swing by the lab to harvest a few junkpoles and check in on Melissa, then make my way to Dances with Pigs for a bit of well-earned relaxation with my little dog.

About five miles into the drive, the journey offered a small but meaningful lesson.

I noticed a subtle wobble from the rear—nothing dramatic, but enough to say, “pay attention.” Trusting that instinct, I pulled over right away to take a look. I’m glad I did, because it turned out the rear wheel had worked its lug nuts loose and the drum had shifted slightly out of place.

It wasn’t a failure—it was one of those moments where catching something early makes all the difference.

After gathering the lug nuts and assessing things, I reached out and before long Seth arrived with a jack and tire iron. Together we took a closer look, reset the drum so everything seated properly again, and got the wheel snugged back into place. It was a solid temporary solution—more than enough to get me safely back to basecamp without pushing things further than needed.

From there, the decision was easy: head back, take it slow, and let it be properly looked over.

What stood out most wasn’t the issue itself, but how smoothly it was handled—quick awareness, good communication, and a helping hand showing up right when it was needed. One of those quiet reminders that things tend to work out well when you stay present and take action early.

Back at basecamp, I shifted gears into something more grounded—building.

I spent the rest of the day crafting additional shelving for the solarium. I cut a piece down to 30 inches, flattened one side of the round timber with the table saw, and began shaping it into something both functional and beautiful. The live edges were sanded smooth, supports cut along the way, and I even took the time to wood-burn markings into the surface—adding a bit of story into the grain itself.

To finish, I applied raw linseed oil, watching the wood come to life as the tones deepened and the character emerged.

By the end of the day, everything had come full circle—from a moment of awareness on the road to a quiet sense of accomplishment back at basecamp.

Just another reminder that a good day isn’t about everything going perfectly—it’s about noticing what needs attention, handling it well, and continuing forward with intention.