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

B.E.L. Post # 26

After the morning meeting, little Chapito and I headed over to the Love Shack to fire up the rocket mass heater and get things warmed up for the day.

Once that was going, we met up with Stephen and Zach at the shop and made our way to the Abbey for the usual cat-feeding and a full fence perimeter check. Everything looked good out there.

Back at Basecamp, we got to work cutting a couple more trees to use as material for the lean-to shed. Before we could start building, we split the 8-foot sections in half, loaded them up, and headed up the property. We spent the next stretch putting the lean-to together—solid progress and it’s coming along nicely.

Wrapped up the day with some cleanup work, wiping down and vacuuming a couple of the vehicles before calling it good.

Another full day, but a good one.

B.E.L. Post # 27

Started the morning off at the Love Shack getting the rocket mass heater fired up so it’s warm and ready for the new boot arriving. After that, Zach and I headed over to the Abbey to feed the cats and do a full perimeter check.

Once that was wrapped up, we made our way back to Basecamp. Spent a bit of time readjusting the angles on the solar lights to catch better sun, and then put in some work refortifying the garden junk-pole fencing.

Finished out the day working on getting snow tires mounted onto the last work vehicle—winter prep season is officially here.

B.E.L. Post # 28

Started the morning by showing the new boot how to properly and safely operate the chainsaw. We spent a bit of time cutting up a stack of logs, getting some good practice in and making a nice dent in the pile.

Afterwards, we headed over to the Abbey for the usual fence perimeter check. While we were there, we cut and dropped the remaining corn stalks. Once that was wrapped up, we made our way back to base camp and took down another section of corn stalks there too.

Closed out the day by detailing the interior of one of the work vehicles—slow, steady cleanup, but it’s looking a whole lot better now.

B.E.L. Post # 29

11/16

Kicked off the morning with a good old-fashioned cleaning blitz — the kind where you wonder how everything gets dusty that fast, but you just roll with it.

After that, Zach and I wandered down to the bay doors of the classroom/shop and got to work giving one of our work vehicles its winter boots. Snow tires on, torqued, and ready for whatever cold mischief Mother Nature has planned.

Once the job was done, Zach and I  hauled the regular tires over to the boneyard, where they can hibernate until spring decides to show up again.

Closed out the day with some kindling splitting — nothing like ending an afternoon with the satisfying crack of wood and a growing pile of future fire-starting goodness.

B.E.L. Post # 30

Kicked off the morning over at the shop/classroom, doing the usual ritual of lighting up the rocket mass heaters. Nothing like that slow, cozy burn to get the day moving.

Afterwards, Zach and I made the rounds at the Abbey to feed the cats — the furry little supervisors. While doing the fence perimeter check, I spotted another strange gap in the junk-pole fence. Kinda had that “coyote was snooping around again” energy… those critters keep us humble.

Once the Abbey duties were wrapped, we rolled back to basecamp and caught the new boot, John, slicing up rebar with the angle grinder. Those pieces were destined to anchor the ramps over at the sawmill site — nothing like the smell of freshly cut steel in the morning.

Met with the High Commander, gathered our cut-to-size rebar, and headed straight to the sawmill to get those ramps properly secured.

Closed out the day back at basecamp, putting in more time on the junk pole fencing project. Bit by bit, pole by pole, fence by fence — the land gets a little more dialed in each day.

I'm loving the detail of your posts Esteban. So exciting to see the sawmill work continue!

Seth Cardenas wrote:I'm loving the detail of your posts Esteban. So exciting to see the sawmill work continue!

Thanks Seth! I really appreciate that 🙏

It’s been a blast watching the sawmill progress day by day – every little improvement makes the place feel more dialed in and alive. I’m just happy to be able to share the journey as it unfolds. Lots more work ahead, but it’s exciting seeing the pieces come together!

Thanks again for following along and for the encouragement! 😊

B.E.L. Post # 31

Yesterday 11/18

Kicked off the morning at the shop, showing the new boot how to properly light up the rocket mass heater. Always fun to pass along the little tips and tweaks that make these stoves run smooth and happy! 🔥

After that, John, Stephen, little Chapito and I headed over to the Abbey for our usual rounds. And sure enough… again, we discovered another odd V-shaped gap at the bottom of the junk pole fence, in the same spot as previous times. Starting to feel like some sneaky critter has a favorite doorway. 👀🐾

John had a great idea on the spot – weaving cordage between the junk poles to help stiffen and tighten that section. So we gave it a try as an experiment and, honestly, it came out pretty solid. Time will tell, but it definitely feels sturdier!

From there we rolled over to the sawmill site and got back to work. We finished building and installing the ramps, and also got the metal frame secured down. Starting to feel more and more like a real operating spot instead of just a work-in-progress. Really satisfying to see the sawmill area coming together!

Finally, we wrapped up the day working on the paddocks at Base Camp. There’s something extra encouraging about seeing the front of the operation taking shape – slow and steady progress, but the improvements are really starting to show.

Another solid day at Wheaton Labs – plenty done and more steps ahead! 🌱🛠️