90 days for a starter to stop smelling like a hardware store is honestly such a mood. My guess is the flour switch did more than you think, King Arthur is way more consistent than the random stuff most people start with. But also some starters are just late bloomers, like they sit there doing nothing and then one day decide to actually work. Loaf #47 being the first real rise is such a specific kind of pain lol.

How often do you actually run into soft ground like that? I had a similar wake up call last spring doing a pick in a low spot near a creek bed after a week of rain. The turf looked fine on top but my pads started sinking the second I took tension on the load, scared the daylights out of me. Now I keep a stack of thick oak mats in the truck and double them up any time I'm within 50 feet of water or on fill dirt. It costs me an extra hour of setup but I'd rather spend that time than watch my rig lean. Ground conditions change everything and most guys learn that the hard way like I almost did.