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

B.E.L. Post # 32

After the morning meeting, Stephen walked us through how to properly light the rocket mass heater over at the Red Cabin. Always cool seeing how something so simple and low-tech can heat a space so efficiently when done the right way. Once things were roaring along, we loaded up a single 10-foot log and rolled out toward the Abbey for the usual cat-feeding duties and a quick perimeter fence check.

Nothing too wild today—no fresh coyote mysteries, no surprise critters—just a calm circuit of the Abbey grounds with well-fed kitties watching us like supervisors.

With that done, we headed back out to the sawmill site. After a few final tweaks and adjustments, everything was dialed in and we officially went operational. Satisfying to see it all come together and start turning logs into lumber the way it’s meant to be.

A good, productive day—simple jobs, solid progress, and tools earning their keep.

Thanks for all the updates Esteban!!!  Have you guys put a trail camera by the problem spot in the fence to see who's testing the perimeter?

Esteban Ademovski wrote: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!

I'm wondering whether a double stick at the bottom may be worthwhile for a more durable change, so that the uprights are restrained on both sides? More difficult to slot the pole in I suppose though.

Mike Haasl wrote:Thanks for all the updates Esteban!!!  Have you guys put a trail camera by the problem spot in the fence to see who's testing the perimeter?

It's absolutely my pleasure Mike 🙂 .... Thanks for the great suggestion! no we haven't and I brought it up in this morning's meeting ....

Nancy Reading wrote:

Esteban Ademovski wrote: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!

I'm wondering whether a double stick at the bottom may be worthwhile for a more durable change, so that the uprights are restrained on both sides? More difficult to slot the pole in I suppose though.

Thank you for the suggestion Nancy!  We did something similar earlier today and I will update with pics on today's B.E.L post ....

B.E.L. Post # 33

Thursday 11/20

After the morning meeting I headed over to the shop and got a fire going in the rocket mass heater to warm things up. Once that was rolling, the crew and I made our usual trip to the Abbey to feed the cats and carry out a full perimeter check of the fence lines. Everything looked good and the cats were happy.

From there we continued on to the Sawmill site, where we spent time cutting paneling and making some additional fine-tuning adjustments to keep things moving forward.

Later in the afternoon, back at basecamp, John and I installed more tree cages before wrapping up the day working on the junk pole fencing for the paddock.

A solid, productive day all around!

B.E.L. Post # 34

Friday 11/21

After the morning meeting, John and I headed over to the Red Cabin to light up the rocket mass heater and get the space warming for the day. Once that was taken care of, the whole crew made our standard trip to the Abbey for the usual cat feeding and perimeter check—only this time we got a bit of a surprise.

Upon entering the Abbey grounds, we discovered a section of the junk pole fence had come down. That area was part of an earlier generation of the fencing design, so we rolled up our sleeves and rebuilt it. We alternated junk poles on either side and threaded one across the top horizontally, giving the entire repaired section a rather epic “Roman Legion defense wall” kind of look. Not only solid, but stylish.

After shoring that up, we cut down some young pines to restock our supply of junk poles before heading back to basecamp.

Back at home base, the afternoon was full and varied—mint processing, breaking down the old garden gate for woody fuel bits for the main house rocket mass heater, and then finishing the day reinforcing the automatic cat feeders so the little bandits stop busting into them like furry safecrackers.

A busy and satisfying Friday with plenty of good progress made.

Hi Esteban. Sorry I only discovered your thread here today, while you're already a 'boot' for a month.
I always love to follow the boots. Most of all I love to see photos and videos of what you are doing there.

From now on I'll do my best to read your posts. I like your story-telling style!