We’re going back and forth to CAMP MONSTRO a little more often, now that we are starting to get things in order.
It’s a remarkablly slow process, when you have to factor in other folks, services, deliveries, driving time… and well, funds.
Since last update we’ve:
Been fighting our passive solar water heater, breaking 4 mini pumps and ruining 3 portable phone batteries. (But now, it works?) Still testing.
Received 4 truckloads of leachrock, for the foundation of our container-ramada, totally 94 TONS of rock
Once again, our hero Mr. E loaned us his front end loader, which allowed me to spend 5-6 days spreading out and partially leveling our foundation
Had the 3 reefer containers moved into a Ramada-U formation to avoid the winds and give us a working courtyard
ON WITH SOME PHOTO EVIDENCE
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED
The Spring winds in Portal… are epic. They tend to start at 9-10 am, and gust until maybe 5pm. It’s often insane; we had one day that we just squatted down there to see what the winds were like. 85mph gusts are hard-core.
We will build walls and courtyards to create an escape from the winds and sun
I actually enjoy doing tractor labor, as long as I have full-body coverage from the sun/wind, and a good audiobook to occupy my time
The Pex solar water heater will work… but it needs a full day of sun, not just 3-4 hours. Also, we moved to a boat’s bilge pump. Experimentation continues
We’re going to need a tractor; every hour of Tractor work is like a day of manual labor
WHAT’S NEXT
We attempt to level the containers; we’ve purchased big container lag bolts, chain, and 2 20 ton barrel jacks, along with container lugs
Acquire and put in cheap plywood flooring, and paint it
Septic System Install; the big thing that’s also been holding us back
Full permitting - I will submit our building plans for the opt-out