So close and yet safari

Last night we had planned to take Sunday (today) morning to head to one of the wildlife reserves to visit some of the famous African wildlife.

This morning we thought better of it and spent the day nailing down the computer models and bill of materials for the mill instead. Many of the part dimensions and even quantities are still changing since most components will be sized and procured based on availability at local hardware stores instead the neat and exhaustive McMaster-Carr warehouse.

On a break from work in the morning, I snapped a photo of looming clouds outside our lodge. I wish they would rain on us, but the rainy season is behind us and we are in the middle of the summer.

We found ourselves working until the sun went down and the power went out, but in the end we had a (nearly) complete set of computer designs for our manufacturer, as well as a bill of materials that should help organize our tours across the city procuring the rest of the off-the-shelf parts.

We finished the evening playing Deep Sea Adventure, a small board game of competitive treasure diving while breathing the same rapidly dwindling air supply. Hilarity ensued as we drowned many times over trying to get the best treasure on the ocean floor.

This was day 6 without internet or phone data, barely any news, and intermittent electricity. I’m starting to enjoy it.

-Anthony Ruh, professional mentor, Cal Poly EWB-USA alumnus