When you start running barefoot, you will feel it in your calves. If I understand correctly, this is because you get a lot more motion in your stride. Your toes will actually bend back, you'll flex your arch, you elastic achilles will stretch (and in doing so preserve energy from one step to the next) and, finally, your calves will be totally destroyed...at least until they get used to it.
I've read in many places that a great way to get in some good barefoot running (especially as a beginner, but not limited to that) is to run on grass. I don't have much grass to run on nearby to my office or my house so I've never really done that much. Surprisingly I usually run barefoot on sidewalks and roads. I'd run barefoot on trails, but I just can't handle it. Maybe one day my feet will get used to it, but at least for now, it's just not fun and I run for fun so you do the math. Anyway, I finally did a long run on grass today and WOW, that reminded me of what it was like to first start running barefoot. It is really exhausting for your calves. What a good workout.
So, I took a long time to make my point, but if you want a killer calf workout, run barefoot on grass.
OK so, as you know, I live on a golf course which, frankly, doesn't see many golfers in the last half of the day. I am inspired by your article to get out there and put all that grass to some good use. I'll let you know how it goes.
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