!!! SEPP to Boot: Stephen's Experience (BEL)

BEL #623

SKIP continues, and with subjectively milder weather! I actually thought things were brewing into a short storm this afternoon, though it never materialized. Following the heat protocol - and enjoying the fruit-flavored, frosty "slushies" as part of that - was on today's agenda.

I feel accomplished today. It started off with a trip up to the Boneyard to attach a flatbed trailer to the tractor, load it with logs (thanks to Ben and Eve), then bring them to Basecamp so the SKIP participants could make a few three-log benches.



On the way down the mountain, I saw Mike Haasl facilitating excavator training. Here's SKIP participant Briana wrapping up her three scoops with Rex.



Meanwhile, I noticed that the robin babies are growing up. A couple had been flopping about outside the nest this past weekend, and they seem much stronger and healthy now.



Finally: I rummaged through the plumbing materials in the Woodshop today, and found enough to cobble together a suitable nozzle for use with the water tanks on the back of Judy. The process of irrigation up at the Lab will likely be much smoother now that this nearly-foot-long assembly is ready to go.



That's all for now. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!

BEL #624

Luther Krueger over at Big Blue Sun stopped by this past May, and interviewed me about our two dehydrators. One of them was exclusively solar-powered, while I was much more interested in explaining what I know of the rocket-boosted dehydrator. He sent me a first-cut of the interview and I think he did a good job in capturing some of my enthusiasm with him. Hopefully it helps spread the word.

Paul: if there's anything that needs to be edited out for some reason, please let me know. Otherwise, everyone: enjoy!



That's all for now. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!

Hey Stephen, the DC thermostat for the well pump house arrived.  Brian and I talked through installation a bit.  Here is a very poor cursory description:
https://permies.com/t/260285/Pumphouse-Progress-PTJ#2511452
Not sure the best way to hand this task off, so I'm hoping you can help.

Hi Stephen,

Once you recover from all the summer events, do you think you could detail where all the gardens are at WL/Base Camp? One thing I'm thinking about is a number of SEPPer weeks that involve gardening...planting seasonal seeds, harvesting, shoring up and/or adding another hugel. However, I'm not sure of all the garden areas that are there and what they have planted/planned/ready to harvest. Please

As always, I appreciate all you do for everyone!
Tina

BEL #625

This morning I had a chance to hang with the SKIP participants who were building dry-stack retaining walls. Here's a shot of the action.



The other Boots and I staged a lot of clay we had collected for the participants making adobe bricks today. Here's the clay prior to adding water, sand, and straw.



While I was on a gravel hunt up at the Lab, fellow Boot Brian's sidekick, Randy the Perma-gnome, joined me for a spell.



Back at Basecamp, we'd collected various random wood shavings, off-cuts, and scrap and have these staged at the outdoor rocket water heater. It's interesting to pick and choose which fuel we'll use for the job, and to observe the results and differences.



That's all for now. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day...!