Of course, anything could happen. Plans are great to have, but delays and other weirdness are almost a proverb in 2025. Below is a breakdown of what SHOULD happen. I am posting this now because I am probably going to forget or be too busy to share later.
Desert Express Countdown: 7 Days to Departure
We’re deeply grateful to share that AA Transport, based in Jacksonville, FL, has accepted our deposit and will arrive on October 27 to begin the journey west. The container is equipped with a GPS tracker, so we can monitor its progress and coordinate the final delivery carefully.
Our rendezvous point is the primitive road off Highway 93, and it's scheduled for November 1 around 1 p.m. It’s a remote stretch, but we won’t be alone.
Canyon Edge Excavation, the company that built the road at the property, has generously offered to meet us at the site, standing by to assist both our team and AA Transport in case of any road or delivery challenges. Their support is entirely gratis, and we’re profoundly thankful for their willingness to help and their belief in our mission.
Build Teams & Mission Overview
With limited time and a long list of projects, we’ve organized two dedicated build teams, each supported by mission specialists. In addition to the two primary builds, we’ll be tackling dozens of smaller tasks throughout the site.
Build Team Pergola
Build Team Weather Station
Team Pergola
Captain Bob
Bob leads the pergola build. He’s a communications engineer who also cultivates a thriving orchard of fruit trees. A mechanical wizard with CNC machines, Bob even built his own saloon on the property, equal parts craftsmanship and charm.
Mission Specialist Wendy (aka Lady Wenderton)
Originally from South Florida, Wendy has traveled extensively across Europe and recently returned from Naples, Italy. She now helps Bob manage the orchard and brings a global perspective to the team.
Mission Specialist Bruce
Hailing from Maryland and the DC region, Bruce works in large-scale construction budgeting, and program management and brings a wealth of hands-on experience to the build.
Mission Specialist Captain Bird
Bird is a helicopter pilot, bungee jumper, skydiver, and world traveler. She currently oversees private investigators and brings fearless energy and logistical savvy to the team.
Team Weather Station
Captain Mike
Mike is a Master Carpenter with over 45 years of experience. Now retired, he travels the U.S. and enjoys nature, bringing precision and calm to the build.
Mission Specialist Rebekah
Rebekah is a nomad, touring the country with her puppy, Pepe. She has a distinguished background in the U.S. Army, specializing in Emergency and Disaster Recovery, and brings fire energy and adaptability to the team.
Mission Specialist Casey
Casey has more than a decade of experience in IT and a passion for scientific research and volunteering. Her analytical mind and generous spirit are a perfect fit for the station build.
Mission Specialist Travis (me)
Village idiot extraordinaire, completely honored and lucky to be surrounded by such an incredible team. I’ll be helping wherever I’m needed, learning as I go, and doing my best to keep the coffee flowing and the spirits high.
Arrival & Container Logistics – November 1
As each of us arrives on the 1st, I estimate it will take 30 minutes to an hour to reach the property from the primitive road. The drive will be slow and deliberate; our 20 foot container will leave paved roads behind and must be carefully guided across several washes and at least one canyon.
Thankfully, Gene will be on point with the skid steer, ready to assist if we encounter any unexpected terrain challenges.
Arrival & Container Logistics – November 1
Bob and Lady Wenderton are scheduled to arrive later in the evening, but we’ll have six volunteers on-site during the day to help unload the container once it’s dropped off. It’s likely the container will only reach the halfway point—not the top of the property where the build will take place.
At that stage, we have two options:
Gene can transport the container the rest of the way using the skid steer
Or we can leave it at a location affectionately dubbed Flat Sitting Rock by Bird
We’ll choose the safest option in the moment, but having the container at the top could offer logistical benefits for future builds. Either way, we’re grateful to have Gene’s support and the team’s flexibility.
Build Day 1: Arrival, Unloading & Foundation
Unload the container together
One team member will fuel and operate the compactor at the build site
Once compacting is complete, we aim to install:
Floor panels
Wall framing
OSB and Tyvek wrap
Possibly the first few rafters
I’d also like to take time to install at least two trail cameras to monitor the build site overnight—adding a layer of security and storytelling to our progress.
Build Day 2: Structure & Systems
Depending on Day 1’s progress, we’ll move forward with:
Door installation
Roof framing and completion
Metal roof with solar fan
Solar panel mounting
Wood siding
Type S mortar applied to the bottom two feet of the structure
Team Pergola will also begin their build:
All posts set in place
Lower wrap of hardware cloth mesh installed
Door added
Solar lights installed inside the pergola
One camera mounted for future tree monitoring
Build Day 3: Departures & Finishing Touches
We’ll say goodbye to Bob, Wendy, Casey, and Bruce on Day 3—but not before taking time to explore the land together and honor the work we’ve shared.
The remaining team members, Mike, Rebekah, Bird and I, will focus on:
Completing the exterior of the weather station
Beginning the dry-stack stone wrap on the lower portion (using both quarried and brought-in stone)
Installing the remaining trail cameras across the property
We aim to have 7 functioning cameras by the end of the day. If last year’s trail cams are damaged, we’ll still have at least 5 active units, all properly mounted on posts.
We’ll also make a supply run to the local hardware store for PVC pipes. Once gutters are installed on the weather station, we’ll connect them to the 550-gallon tank. From there, PVC will run to the pergola, where we’ll install a garden hose adapter for the soaker hose system.
Mike will make the water run with two 250-gallon water tanks.
We will pump the water into the large cistern and make sure there are no leaks in the pipe that we have put in place or the adapters.
We will follow a pattern with the soaker hose and pre-drill holes for the test trees that will grow in the Pergola protected area.
Other trees will be planted in areas near the ½ mile wash.
Build Day 4: Tree Planting
The final day is dedicated to planting, bringing life to the soil, and anchoring our work in growth. It’s the culmination of our shared effort, and a quiet beginning for what’s to come.
Day 5 Data Collection:
Previous planting sites will need to be inspected.
Soil samples from various parts of the property will be collected and eventually given to Mike for a sample return.
If we have the satellite terminal with us, I will need to connect it and bring us online
The solar generator will have to be activated, and the solar panels will need to be secured to the roof.
Day 6:
Rest and explore the property further, gathering drone footage and cleaning up any last-minute items that need to be addressed. There is a high potential that either Mike, Rebekah, or both will decide to stay on the property for a few days, but Bird has a flight out on Saturday, and we will need to be on the road to catch our flight on the 7th day.