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Pete: THE TREEHOUSE JUST GREW UP.
NOW TREEHOUSES ARE BIGGER, HIGHER,
AND MORE OUT OF THIS WORLD THAN EVER BEFORE.
I'M PETE NELSON, THE TREEHOUSE MAN.
I TRAVEL THE COUNTRY WITH MY TOP-NOTCH CREW...
All: OH!
Pete: ...BUILDING THE MOST AMAZING TREEHOUSES ON EARTH,
CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE.
WHAT THE HECK IS A GOAT DOING IN THE TREEHOUSE?
AND WITH EVERY JOB, WE GO OUT ON A LIMB...
...TO MASTER THE ART OF THE TREEHOUSE.
AAH!
OKAY, CHICA. THAT IS UGLY.
OOH! WOW! IT REALLY SMELLS BAD IN HERE.
YEAH, WE, UH, HAD A BIT OF A PROBLEM IN HERE.
PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE THESE ELECTRIC TOILETS.
I KNOW.
BUT WE JUST GOT A CALL FROM A LADY IN RHINEBECK, NEW YORK.
SHE SOUNDS KIND OF SPIRITUAL.
IN HER WORDS,
SHE WANTS A MAGICAL WRITER'S RETREAT.
DID SHE TALK ABOUT A BUDGET AT ALL?
YEAH, IT SOUNDS LIKE AROUND 80 GRAND.
80 GRAND?
I CAN GET ON A PLANE, LIKE, RIGHT NOW.
CHICA, YOU WANT TO GO TO RHINEBECK, NEW YORK?
[ CHICA WHINES ]
[ BIRDS SQUAWK ]
[ GOATS BLEAT ]
Pete: SO, WE'RE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
HEADING TO RHINEBECK, A LOVELY TOWN.
AND I'M GONNA GO SEE A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT HERE.
I'M EXCITED TO MEET HER.
SHE SEEMS LIKE AN INTERESTING PERSON,
VERY SPIRITUAL TYPE.
THE TREES LOOK GREAT.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF MAPLE, A LOT OF OAK.
A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL HOUSES HERE.
I THINK THIS IS IT.
BEAUTIFUL YARD, BEAUTIFUL TREES.
THIS PLACE DEFINITELY NEEDS A TREEHOUSE.
THE HOUSE, NOW,
THAT LOOKS LIKE IT NEEDS MAYBE A COAT OF PAINT,
SOME CURTAINS, AND, UH...AND A WRECKING BALL.
[ CROW CAWS ]
WOW.
HI.
HELLO, DANA.
HOW ARE YOU?
NICE TO MEET YOU.
IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU, TOO.
WHAT A PLACE.
YEAH, IT'S AN AMAZING SPACE.
MAYBE YOU'VE GOT A LITTLE WORK TO DO HERE?
YEAH, IT NEEDS A LOT OF RESTORATION WORK.
THAT'S WHY I'M INTERESTED IN THE TREEHOUSE.
I PRIMARILY LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY
AND PURCHASED THE PROPERTY TWO YEARS AGO.
IT DOES SEEM A LITTLE BIT ODD
THAT I WOULD BE GETTING A TREEHOUSE
BEFORE I WOULD BE FIXING THIS OLD HOUSE UP,
BUT THE TREEHOUSE WILL PROVIDE ME
WITH A KIND OF A SANCTUARY WHILE THAT RENOVATION IS GOING ON.
SO, WHAT IS THE VISION OF THIS TREEHOUSE?
I'M HOPING TO CREATE A WRITER'S RETREAT,
MEDITATION SPACE TO WORK IN, BECAUSE I'M STARTING A NOVEL.
AND -- YEAH.
SO, YOU'RE A WRITER? NEAT, NEAT.
AND DO YOU SEE IT
AS AN OVERNIGHT KIND OF A SPOT, TOO?
YEAH, I'D LIKE IT TO HAVE A LOFT SPACE
SO IF I WANTED TO SLEEP IN THERE, I COULD.
WHAT DOES THIS TREEHOUSE LOOK LIKE?
I HAVE A KIND OF A ZEN, FAIRY-TALE AESTHETIC.
ZEN, FAIRY TALE. OKAY.
IN MY MIND, THIS KIND OF EQUATES WITH THAI SPIRIT HOUSES.
THAI SPIRIT HOUSE. HMM.
YEAH.
IT'S AMAZING. EVERY TIME I WORK WITH A NEW CLIENT,
THEY COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT SURPRISES ME.
I DON'T KNOW.
TREEHOUSES ARE KIND OF MAGICAL LIKE THAT.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE
YOU'RE SUSPENDED BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH,
AND I THINK FOR WRITING,
IT REALLY OPENS UP THE IMAGINATION.
ULTIMATELY, THE TREES ARE THE ONES
THAT KIND OF DETERMINE WHAT WE CAN CREATE.
OKAY.
SO, LET'S WALK BACK THAT WAY,
AND THEN WE'LL SEE WHAT COMES UP.
OKAY. SOUNDS GOOD.
WHEN IT COMES TO TREEHOUSE DESIGN,
TALKING WITH THE CLIENT IS HALF THE EQUATION.
AND FOR THE OTHER HALF, I SPEAK TREE.
THERE'S A GIANT WILLOW, BEAUTIFUL TREE,
BUT IT'S A RELATIVELY WEAK-WOODED TREE.
THEY DROP A LOT OF WOOD, HEAVY WOOD.
DANGEROUS.
THAT'S A CHERRY PROBABLY TOWARDS THE END OF ITS EXISTENCE.
HUH.
YOU KNOW, A LOT OF ROT IN HERE,
AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO SUPPORT A TREEHOUSE IN IT.
I'M -- I'M GOING HERE.
SO, THEN OUR OPTIONS HERE ARE...
THIS CEDAR TREE.
[ HEAVENLY CHORAL SINGING ]
THIS IS IT. THIS TREE IS GORGEOUS.
I MEAN, IT'S 40 FEET TALL.
IT'S JUST SCREAMING FOR A TREEHOUSE.
IT'S SAYING, "PICK ME! PICK ME!"
UH, ISN'T IT, I MEAN, DEAD?
[ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS ]
IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T LIKE THE TREE, OF COURSE.
I LOVE ALL TREES.
IT'S JUST THAT THAT TREE'S GOT A LOT OF DEAD STUFF ON IT.
I'M SEEING TWO STEMS HERE, TWO DIFFERENT TREES.
ARE THEY BOTH ALIVE?
THE TREE ON THE RIGHT IS VERY MUCH ALIVE.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL CEDAR.
HMM.
I MEAN, I'M JUST -- I'M, LIKE, BUZZING RIGHT NOW.
I'VE GOT MY BACK AGAINST IT, AND IT'S JUST --
I'M SMILING BECAUSE IT'S PHENOMENAL.
IT FEELS GREAT.
THERE WAS A LITTLE COMMUNICATION RIGHT THERE
BETWEEN ME AND THE BIG GUY THAT WAS LIKE,
"LET'S DO THIS," YOU KNOW? "LET'S GET THIS DONE."
WELL, HUH.
I THINK THIS VIEW IS JUST SO TREMENDOUS.
IMAGINE THAT THE HOUSE SITS OUT TOWARDS THE FIELD,
AND THAT YOU'VE GOT YOUR DESK AND YOUR WINDOW OUT THAT WAY.
I SEE IT, I FEEL IT, AND I THINK IT'S GREAT.
SHE DID NOT.
I DON'T KNOW. IT HAS, LIKE, A SAD ENERGY.
Dana: IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TREE
BECAUSE I THINK PLACES HAVE ENERGY.
SO I THINK THE ENERGY OF THE PLACE IS PRIMARY.
SO, WHAT IF I TOOK WHAT I'M SEEING HERE
AND JUST DID SOME SKETCHES?
OKAY.
I'M WILLING TO LOOK AT IT. I MEAN, YOU KNOW.
WELL, LET'S TRY IT.
OKAY.
THIS IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL TREE.
MAN, I'VE GOT TO DESIGN SOMETHING THAT SHOWS DANA
THE POSSIBILITIES I'M SEEING IN THIS LOCATION.
DANA MENTIONED THAI SPIRIT HOUSES.
THE THAI SPIRIT HOUSES.
THAI SPIRIT HOUSE. HMM.
THOSE SEEM TO BLEND THE ZEN
AND THE FAIRY-TALE AESTHETICS THAT SHE LIKES.
A THAI SPIRIT HOUSE IS REALLY A POSITIVE STRUCTURE
THAT'S MEANT TO HOUSE THE SPIRITS OF ANCESTORS,
AND THEY'RE OFTEN VERY ORNATE.
PLUS, I THINK IT'LL RESONATE WITH HER ON THE SPIRITUAL LEVEL,
SO I THINK THAT'S THE DIRECTION I'M GONNA GO WITH, ON THIS.
IF I HAVE A WALL COMING THIS WAY,
A WALL ACROSS...
TO BUILD DANA'S THAI SPIRIT HOUSE,
WE'RE GONNA CUT AWAY A LOT OF THE DEAD WOOD IN THAT AREA
AND CREATE THIS PERFECT, MAGICAL STRUCTURE FOR HER.
I MEAN, IT'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL BALCONY
THAT LOOKS OUT TOWARDS THE SUNSET.
WE'LL HAVE A SWEEPING STAIRCASE
THAT GOES RIGHT UP TO BELOW A BEAUTIFUL STAINED WINDOW
AND SOME CARVED ROOF PIECES THAT ARE GONNA BE OUT OF THIS WORLD.
INSIDE, THERE WILL BE A LOFT SPACE FOR SLEEPING
AND A DESK FOR DANA TO WRITE HER NEXT GREAT NOVEL.
BUT TO BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL,
I'M GOING TO ADD A SOLAR PANEL
TO GIVE HER SOME OFF-THE-GRID POWER.
IT'S GONNA BE ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE
AND DECORATIVE TREEHOUSES I'VE EVER BUILT.
[ GOAT BLEATS ]
Dana: IT'S BEAUTIFUL!
THAT IS FANTASTIC.
I DO. I LOVE IT.
IT'S MAGICAL.
MY ONLY RESERVATION IS JUST THE TREE ITSELF.
IT'S OBVIOUSLY HAD SOME TRAUMA.
MM.
AND, I DON'T KNOW, ENERGETICALLY,
I FEEL LIKE IT NEEDS TO BE BALANCED OR BLESSED.
I'VE BEEN BUILDING TREEHOUSES FOR 25 YEARS,
AND I GOT TO TELL YOU,
THE REQUESTS FROM MY CLIENTS NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE ME.
IF I GET SOMEBODY IN
TO LOOK AT THE ENERGY AND BLESS THE AREA,
WOULD THAT WORK FOR YOU?
ABSOLUTELY.
THAT SOUNDS...SO INTERESTING.
THE WOMAN I HAVE IN MIND IS AN URBAN SHAMAN,
AND SHE'S EXCELLENT WITH THIS ENERGY WORK.
I'M DOWN WITH THE WHOLE BLESSING OF THE TREE,
BUT IF THE SHAMAN KIND OF GETS THE WRONG VIBE
AND DECIDES THAT THIS TREE
ISN'T REALLY THE PROPER LOCATION,
THEN SHE COULD KILL THE WHOLE PROJECT.
AND THAT MAKES ME A LITTLE NERVOUS.
Linda: OH, THANK YOU, DANA, FOR HAVING ME COME TODAY.
OH, IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU.
SO, THE SHAMAN THAT DANA KNOWS IS A WOMAN NAMED LINDA,
AND SHE CAME OVER TO GIVE HER SHAMANIC OPINION.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL, LIVING TREE,
AND THEN THIS SECTION THAT'S DEAD.
WHICH SYMBOLIZES
THE DEATH OF THE PEOPLE THAT DIED HERE,
WHICH WE WILL RELEASE TODAY.
AND BRING IN YOUR DNA TO HELP UPLIFT THE PLACE.
SO, WE'RE GONNA CLEANSE AND UPLIFT THE TREE.
I KIND OF LIKE THAT IDEA.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A CIRCLE IN PARTICULAR?
LIKE A CIRCLE. OKAY.
THIS LOOKS KIND OF NEAT.
I ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT TREES ARE BEINGS IN THEIR OWN WAY,
AND I JUST WANT TO CREATE HARMONY
BETWEEN PEOPLE AND NATURE.
YEAH. I THINK THAT'S BETTER.
GREAT. OKAY, SO, NOW WE HAVE OUR SPACE.
WE'LL BEGIN OUR CEREMONY NOW.
Pete: WE BURNED SOME SAGE TO GET RID OF THE BAD JUJU,
WE RANG SOME BELLS TO CHASE AWAY SOME...SPIRITS,
AND THEN WE ACKNOWLEDGED THE FOUR POINTS OF THE COMPASS.
[ RATTLE RATTLING ]
I LIKE A CEREMONY LIKE THIS.
I MEAN, IT'S A LITTLE OUT-THERE, IT'S A LITTLE WACKY,
BUT, YOU KNOW, IT MAKES SENSE.
AND, BESIDES, I'M OFTEN A LITTLE WACKY AND OUT-THERE.
Linda: THIS LAND, WHEN I WALKED ON IT,
HAS ENERGY OF GRIEF AND SADNESS.
Pete: GRIEF AND SADNESS?
NOT GOOD. NOT GOOD AT ALL.
WE'VE GOT TO GET THIS BAD STUFF OFF THE PROPERTY.
I MEAN, COME ON, LINDA. GO, SHAMAN!
[ TRIBAL MUSIC PLAYS ]
I ASK OF THE DECEASED TO RELEASE THIS LAND...
♪ HOO ♪
...TO GO TO THE LIGHT...
♪ HAH ♪
CLAPPING OUT, RELEASING.
[ WHOOPING ]
Pete: APPARENTLY, THE DRUMS AND THE BELLS,
THOSE ARE JUST MEANT TO SCARE AWAY EVIL SPIRITS,
AND, I MEAN, THAT WORKS FOR ME.
♪ AAH ♪
THE DECEASED IS ON HIS WAY INTO THE LIGHT.
♪ HAH ♪
THIS PIECE HERE IS CLEANSED.
Pete: SO, THE SHAMAN CAME IN
AND BLESSED THE AREA AROUND THE TREE,
AND THAT MADE DANA VERY HAPPY.
SO, WE'RE READY TO GET UNDER WAY WITH THIS MAGICAL TREEHOUSE.
SO, I SENT A SMOKE SIGNAL TO MY BOYS BACK AT THE SHOP.
I SAID, "LOAD UP THE TRUCK AND COME ON OUT TO RHINEBECK.
THE TEAM THAT'S COME WITH ME ON THIS JOB
IS MY LEAD BUILDER, DARYL,
MASTER CARPENTER, ALEX,
AND THEN MY SON, CHARLIE.
Daryl: CHARLIE, GET YOUR *** IN GEAR.
WHAT ARE YOU HAULING AROUND THERE, JUST A BOARD?
YEAH. [ LAUGHS ]
WESTERN RED CEDAR.
MWAH! JESUS WOOD.
THIS IS THE DESK.
PETE, WHAT'S THIS RING AROUND THE TREE?
Pete: OH, GOOD QUESTION.
SO, WE HAD A SHAMAN SHOW UP THAT CAME TO BLESS THE PROPERTY.
AND THERE WAS SO MUCH KIND OF BAD JUJU AROUND HERE,
THAT SHE WAS A LITTLE OVERWHELMED...
...AND DECIDED
THAT MAYBE SHE WOULD JUST CLEANSE THE TREEHOUSE AREA.
SO WE CREATED THIS RING
WHERE THE STRUCTURE'S GONNA BE ON THE GROUND,
AND WE CLEANSED ALL OF THIS.
SHE GOT ALL THE SPIRITS
TO KIND OF GET TOGETHER AND HEAD INTO THE NEXT STATE.
WE SHOULD PROBABLY BE INSIDE THE RING.
GOOD IDEA. COME INTO THE RING. COME INTO THE RING, YEAH.
FIRST TIME THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME IN A TREEHOUSE BUILD
WHERE WE'VE HAD THIS SERIOUS BLESSING BEFOREHAND.
BUT SHE DID DEFINITELY FEEL
A LOT OF NEGATIVE ENERGY EVERYWHERE ELSE.
YEAH.
[ THUNDER CRASHES ]
[ BIRDS SQUAWKING ]
THERE'S A CREEPY ASPECT AROUND HERE.
I DIDN'T REALLY FEEL IT UNTIL WE STARTED
TALKING ABOUT SHAMAN AND SPIRITS AND STUFF.
AND THEN THAT KIND OF SET IN A LITTLE BIT
AND I KIND OF STARTED LOOKING AROUND A LITTLE BIT MORE.
I MEAN, ANYTHING HELPS, THOUGH.
I'D RATHER BE BLESSED THAN NOT BE BLESSED, I SUPPOSE.
THE BIG CHALLENGE TO THIS PROJECT IS, RIGHT NOW,
WE CAN ONLY ATTACH THE TREEHOUSE IN ONE LOCATION.
SO WE'RE SUPPORTING THE PLATFORM WITH SOME TEMPORARY POSTS.
BUT IN THE LONG RUN,
WE'LL HAVE A REALLY COMPLICATED BRACE SYSTEM
WHERE THE TREE IS DOING MOST OF THE WORK.
PROGRESS! I LOVE IT.
THINGS ARE GOING WAY TOO SMOOTHLY.
WE'RE IN THE CIRCLE. IT'S BEEN BLESSED, THIS AREA.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG HERE?
[ RUMBLING ]
WHAT COULD GO HORRIBLY, HORRIBLY WRONG?
[ LAUGHTER ]
[ BIRDS SQUAWKING ]
Pete: SO, WE'RE BUILDING A MAGICAL WRITER'S RETREAT
ON DANA'S CENTURIES-OLD FARMLAND.
OOOOOOOOH!
I'M THANKFUL THAT DANA BROUGHT IN A SHAMAN
TO CLEAN UP THE SITE'S BAD JUJU.
THIS PIECE HERE IS CLEANSED.
BUT I'M STARTING TO WONDER IF MAYBE SHE DIDN'T GET IT ALL,
BECAUSE, I MEAN, WE'RE HAVING SOME FREAK WEATHER CHANGES...
I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.
...GEAR IS FALLING APART,
AND TOOLS ARE DISAPPEARING INTO THIN AIR.
WHERE'D I PUT MY HAMMER?
THERE'S NO QUESTION THERE'S SOMETHING WEIRD GOING ON HERE.
HOW CAN THAT HAPPEN?
LET'S KEEP IN MIND
THAT THIS IS NOT A NEW EXPERIENCE.
WE LOSE TOOLS ON EVERY JOB.
YEAH.
WE JUST NEED TO OVERCOME OURSELVES.
OUR OWN DEMONS.
YEAH. I THINK IT'S THEIR FAULT.
IN ORDER TO MAKE DANA'S WRITER'S RETREAT ROCK-SOLID,
WE'RE GOING TO REINFORCE THE MAIN BEAM WITH A KNEE BRACE.
THEN, WE'RE GONNA ATTACH A SPECIAL BOLT
CALLED THE PADDLE TAB, WHICH WILL SUPPORT
A SECONDARY BEAM IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.
THEN, WE'LL LAY POSTS
THAT RUN 36 INCHES DOWN INTO THE GROUND.
AND THAT WILL MAKE OUR TREEHOUSE SKOOKUM STURDY.
[ GOAT BLEATS ]
Daryl: WITH THIS TREEHOUSE,
THERE WAS ONLY ONE MAJOR STRUCTURAL TREE,
SO WE'RE GONNA USE A PADDLE TAB.
WE DON'T SCREW AROUND WITH OUR WRENCHES.
A PADDLE TAB IS A ONE-INCH GALVANIZED BOLT
THAT'S BEEN WELDED TO A PIECE OF STEEL.
WHEREAS THE NORMAL TAB, YOU'RE RESTING YOUR LOAD ON TOP OF IT,
WITH THE PADDLE TAB, YOU'RE REALLY HAVING THE BEAM
SHOOT OUT LIKE A BRANCH.
SO IT REALLY HELPS BALANCE THE WEIGHT LOAD ON THE TREE.
IT'S BETTER.
THIS PADDLE TAB IS REALLY IMPORTANT
'CAUSE IT'S BASICALLY HOLDING
THE CENTER OF THE WHOLE TREEHOUSE UP.
GOD, I CAN'T WAIT TO GET INTO THIS SOFT DIRT.
WE'VE GOT TO GET OUR POSTS TO THE GROUND.
THAT MEANS WE'VE GOT TO DIG SOME HOLES.
SOMETIMES WHEN YOU WANT IT DONE RIGHT,
YOU GOT TO DO IT YOURSELF.
MY ROLE WAS CHIEF HOLE DIGGER.
DIG IT! DIG IT!
USUALLY, I GIVE THAT TO MY SON, CHARLIE,
BUT THIS TIME, I DECIDED I WOULD TAKE THAT CHALLENGE ON.
WE'VE GOT OURSELVES A ROCKY, ROCKY LOCATION
FOR A VERY IMPORTANT POST.
BECAUSE SINCE IT GETS SO COLD IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD,
YOU GOT TO GET BELOW THE FROST LINE.
THAT'S THE IDEA.
SO, THIS 36 INCHES OF DEPTH IS IMPORTANT
BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T GO DOWN THAT FAR
AND LOCK INTO THE UNFROZEN PART, YOU'LL GET SPIT UP
LIKE YOUR BODY REJECTS A SPLINTER, LET'S SAY.
OH, MY GOD!
OH, MY GOD.
DIDN'T YOU WANT TO RUSH OVER AND SEE THIS SKULL?
THERE'S A SKULL IN THAT HOLE?
GOTCHA!
Shh!
I WILL NEVER BELIEVE YOU EVER AGAIN!
Daryl: DIGGING HOLES CAN BE QUITE REPETITIVE,
AND WHEN PETE GETS BORED, HE GETS EVEN WACKIER THAN USUAL.
[ IMITATES GULPING ]
[ LAUGHTER ]
AAH! HELP ME!
MAN, IT'S JUST SO MESMERIZING.
I GOT A LITTLE TOO CLOSE.
NOW I'M WORKING ON A KNEE BRACE
TO GET THE WHOLE CORNER OF THIS TREEHOUSE SUPPORTED, BASICALLY.
THIS KNEE BRACE IS GONNA REALLY TRANSFER A LOT OF THE LOAD
TO THE FLARING TRUNK OF THE TREE RIGHT HERE.
SO, THIS WILL BE KIND OF A CRITICAL CONNECTION TO THE TREE,
PROBABLY EVEN MORE SO THAN ANY OF THE OTHERS.
[ DRILL WHIRRING ]
DONE. WHOO!
I GOT TO GO GET SOME WATER FOR MIXING CONCRETE.
ARE WE CLOSE TO BEING ABLE TO SIT SOME POSTS, YOU SUPPOSE?
Daryl: I THINK SO.
IN THIS CASE, THERE'S NO HOSE BIB OUTSIDE ANYWHERE.
I DID FIND THAT, DOWN IN THE VERY SCARY BASEMENT,
THERE IS A HOSE.
I'M GOING INTO THE BASEMENT. DO YOU KNOW THAT?
[ LAUGHS ] OOH! THE BASEMENT!
ARE YOU 8 YEARS OLD?
I DON'T THINK PETE SHOULD BE AS SCARED AS HE IS OF THE BASEMENT.
Alex: IF YOU'RE IN DANGER,
SCREAM, IN MORSE CODE, THE S.O.S. SIGNAL.
WHAT DOES THAT SOUND LIKE? AAH! OH! AAH! OH!
[ LAUGHS ]
WE MIGHT GET THAT MIXED UP WITH, LIKE, A RHESUS MONKEY.
YEAH.
YEAH, 'CAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF THOSE AROUND HERE.
SEE YOU SOON, PETE.
[ CHUCKLES EVILLY ]
OR MAYBE WE WON'T.
GOING INTO DANA'S 200-YEAR-OLD BASEMENT
IS A SCARY PROSPECT.
IT IS DARK, DANK.
TALK ABOUT GOING OUTSIDE OF THE CIRCLE HERE.
HELLO?
OOH.
This place is scary, man.
This place is scary.
OH! OH!
GOD!
WHERE'S THAT STAIRWAY GOING?
WHOA! WHAT ARE THOSE BOOTS DOING?
OH, MY GOD.
OH!
WHOA! AAH!
IS THAT A MANNEQUIN?
I'M GETTING OUT OF HERE.
GOING IN THAT BASEMENT FREAKS ME OUT,
AND IT WAS NOT A PLEASANT TIME.
HE'S ALIVE! [ LAUGHS ]
IT WAS TOUCH-AND-GO THERE.
[ LAUGHS ]
SO, GETTING THE WHOLE PLATFORM STRAIGHT, PLUMB.
DON'T "PLUMB IT" TO THE EARTH. [plummet]
[ LAUGHS ]
THEN, WE HANG THE POSTS
INTO THESE HOLES THAT'LL BE WAITING FOR THEM.
THEN, WE POUR THE CONCRETE,
AND THEN IT'S JUST LIKE -- MWAH! -- PERFECT.
SWEET!
GOOD JOB, GUYS!
[ WOLF HOWLS ]
TODAY WE'VE DIVIDED UP,
WITH DARYL AND ALEX UP ON THE MAIN STRUCTURE.
Daryl: YEAH, YEAH.
Alex: WE'VE BEEN DOING GREAT.
AND THEN CHARLIE AND I ARE GONNA CONCENTRATE ON THE STAIRS
TO GIVE THE TREEHOUSE THAT FAIRY-TALE FEEL.
SO, CHARLIE AND I ARE WORKING ON THE STRINGERS FOR THE STAIRS.
THESE LONG PIECES THAT KIND OF GO DOWN LIKE THIS
ARE THE STRINGERS.
THAT'S THE STRINGER PART OF THE STAIR.
AND THEN THE TREADS, OBVIOUSLY, ARE THE PARTS THAT YOU STEP ON.
SO, WE'RE LETTING IN A SPACE
WHERE THAT TREAD CAN SEAT ITSELF.
KEEP IT GOING. STAY ON A ROLL.
NOTHING BUT FUN.
WORKING WITH MY DAD'S TOUGH SOMETIMES
'CAUSE HE'S GOT A TOTALLY DIFFERENT STYLE THAN I DO.
HE'S EXCITED, AND HE GOES FAST.
LET'S GO! TREEHOUSE TIME.
SO, YOU KNOW, I LIKE TO BE SLOW AND STEADY, SMOOTH.
THAT'S WHEN YOU MEASURE TWICE, YOU CUT ONCE.
I THINK THE PROBLEM WITH MY STYLE IS, WITH CARPENTRY,
IS I THINK I CAN GET IT DONE
IN LIKE HALF THE TIME THAT IT REALLY TAKES.
Charlie: THAT'S A FACT.
BUT I GOT ALL MY FINGERS, MAN.
[ LAUGHS ]
SO, A FEW YEARS AGO,
I CUT THE TIP OF MY THUMB OFF ON A TABLE SAW.
YOU JUST GOT TO BE CAREFUL, 100%.
SLOW IS SMOOTH, AND SMOOTH IS FAST.
ALL RIGHT, I'M DONE WITH THESE TREADS.
Pete: NOW THAT THAT'S OUT OF THE WAY,
WE'VE JUST GOT TO CUT THE STAIRS DOWN TO SIZE
TO FIT THE TREEHOUSE.
YOU'RE NEVER COMING BACK FROM THIS KIND OF A CUT.
THIS IS THE PART THAT I DON'T LIKE.
YOU CUT IT, AND IT'S DONE.
OKAY, READY? HERE WE GO.
DANG, YOU'RE THERE. WE'RE FEELING GOOD.
LET ME GET MY GLASSES ON.
Pete: HERE WE GO. ONE, TWO, THREE.
OH!
YOU ALL RIGHT?
I'M NOT. HAH!
RIGHT THERE. PERFECT. I'M GONNA GO IN.
OKAY.
I THINK THIS IS A LITTLE SHORT...
...TO BE HONEST.
LOOKS A LITTLE SHORT OVER HERE.
REALLY?
LET ME JUST SEE HERE.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11...12.
I-I CUT IT -- I CUT -- I CUT ONE OF THE STEPS OFF.
OH, GOD.
[ GROANS ]
[ PETE GROANS ]
I CUT -- I CUT ONE OF THE STEPS OFF.
Pete: SO, WE WERE CUTTING THE STRINGERS,
AND I HAD 13 IN MY HEAD.
BUT IT TURNED INTO 12.
OH, GOD.
I JUST HAD A -- BLEH -- SHORTED OUT A LITTLE BIT,
AND THIS BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF WOOD WAS CUT SHORT.
YEAH.
I APOLOGIZE.
LET'S JUST SUCK IT UP, AND WE'LL DO IT AGAIN.
EVERYBODY MAKES MISTAKES, NOBODY'S PERFECT,
BUT LOOK WHO TURNED OUT WITH THE RIGHT STRINGER.
CHALK ONE UP FOR CHARLIE.
NICE, CHARLIE!
UM, HERE WE GO.
THIS THING IS SET.
SO, WE'RE GONNA PIECE IN THE FIRST ONE.
THAT'S GOOD, MAN! THIS IS GOOD!
THIS IS LIKE CLOCKWORK HERE. WE'RE FINALLY MOVING.
WE GOT THIS THING IN. WE'RE BEAUTIFUL.
OH, LOVELY.
COMING, DEAR.
THIS IS MY KIND OF WEATHER. IT FEELS LIKE HOME!
[ LAUGHS ] IT DOES, YEAH.
Pete: WE'RE MOVING RIGHT ALONG
WITH DANA'S THAI SPIRIT-HOUSE WRITER'S RETREAT.
THE PLATFORM'S DONE, THE STAIRS ARE UP,
AND I TELL YOU, THE MORE WE PIECE THIS THING TOGETHER,
THE MORE IT FEELS LIKE
THIS PROPERTY IS KIND OF COMING ALIVE.
OH, WAY TO CUT THAT THING DOWN AND SIZE IT.
DID YOU JUST DO THAT?
NO, NO. IT WAS BUILT THAT WAY.
OUR WALLS ARE BUILT. THEY'RE READY TO GO UP.
OH, YEAH.
Alex: WE'RE GONNA PUT SOME PAPER DOWN.
WE'RE GONNA INSTALL THE WINDOW,
THEN WE'RE GONNA SIDE IT,
'CAUSE IT'S GONNA BE REALLY HARD
TO SIDE THIS THING ONCE THE WALL'S UP.
ONE, TWO, THREE, UP!
WHOA! WHOA!
WHOA, WHOA!
OH, MAN. GOOD. WE'RE GOOD.
I THOUGHT WE LOST IT.
[ LAUGHS ]
OKAY, READY? ONE, TWO, THREE.
OH, YEAH!
[ SAW BUZZING ]
Alex: WE'RE JUST TRYING TO LEAVE
AS MUCH OF THIS U-TURN TREE INTACT AS POSSIBLE.
IF IT WAS MY HOUSE, I WOULDN'T LEAVE IT.
CAN WE TALK ABOUT THIS, UH [SIGHS] EYESORE ON THE DECK?
[ LAUGHS ]
IT'S AN EYESORE? I THOUGHT IT WAS A TREE, MAN.
THERE'S ONE PART OF THE TREE THAT'S JUST STILL NOT WORKING.
AND THAT'S THAT ARCHED PART
THAT'S COMING OUT OF THE FRONT DECK.
THERE'S NO WAY YOU'RE GONNA GET A COUCH THROUGH THIS DOOR.
[ LAUGHS ]
YEAH, IT'S NOT EVEN AN ARCH. IT'S A BROKEN BRANCH.
HEY, PETE, CAN YOU COME UP HERE?
WE GOT A QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU.
ALEX AND I ARE A LITTLE CONCERNED
ABOUT THE TREE HITTING THE WALL OF THE TREEHOUSE RIGHT THERE.
YEAH, THAT'S, UM, A LITTLE TIGHTER
THAN I HAD IMAGINED IT WOULD BE.
IN TREEHOUSE BUILDING, IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT
TO WORK AROUND THE TREE AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.
BUT THE SHAPE OF THIS CEDAR'S A LITTLE ON THE FUNKY SIDE.
WHAT ARE YOU SUGGESTING? WE'RE NOT GONNA CUT IT.
YOU GUYS WANT TO CUT IT?
I LIKE IT. IT'S A NICE FEATURE.
WE'RE IN A TREEHOUSE, AFTER ALL, SO THE FACT
THAT A TREE IS MAYBE BLOCKING THE ENTRY A LITTLE BIT --
I MEAN, BACK IN THE DAY,
YOU HAD TO SQUEEZE INTO YOUR TREEHOUSE, REMEMBER?
YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS,
I RESPECT YOUR OPINION IMMENSELY.
HOWEVER, IN THIS CASE,
I'M GONNA SAY "NO WAY."
WHEN THE GUYS DISAGREE WITH ME, THEY LOSE.
THAT'S THE WAY IT IS.
THAT TREE HAS TO STAY.
GET THIS. IT'S CEDAR SIDING.
THIS IS A CEDAR TREE. THEY'RE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER.
WOULD THIS HANGING DOWN LOOK GOOFY?
I THINK IT WOULD BE FINE. I THINK IT'D BE FINE.
TO GIVE DANA
THIS THAI SPIRIT-HOUSE VIBE THAT SHE REALLY LOVES,
WE'VE CRAFTED THESE ORNAMENTAL BARGE BOARDS.
BARGE BOARDS ARE DECORATIVE BEAMS
THAT YOU PUT ON THE EDGE OF YOUR ROOF,
AND THESE ARE THE COOLEST ONES I'VE EVER SEEN.
I'VE GOT FOUR BARGE BOARDS, FOUR SNAILS.
YOU CAN'T REALLY FIND ANY OF THESE
LAYING AROUND UPSTATE NEW YORK.
THESE BARGE BOARDS WERE CARVED
BY AN EXPERT CRAFTSMAN IN SEATTLE,
AND THEY COST OVER $5,000.
SO, BELIEVE YOU ME, I DON'T WANT TO BREAK 'EM.
THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PATH OF KARMA
AND ON INTO NIRVANA.
ALEX, WHAT DO YOU CALL THESE IN MUSIC?
A TREBLE CLEF?
A TREBLE CLEF. EXACTLY.
♪ FA-LA, LA, LA, LA ♪
♪ LA LA LA ♪
WE'RE JUST GONNA SIMPLY PUT THESE IN,
AND IT'S GONNA BE BEAUTIFUL.
SO, THIS IS THE FIRST ONE.
UH, CHARLIE, YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS AND HAND IT UP?
THE GUYS ARE READY ABOVE YOU.
VERY CAREFUL.
YOU KNOW WHAT? YEAH, GOOD MAN.
OKAY, HERE COMES NUMBER TWO.
TOBY, YOU'RE UNBELIEVABLE.
OH! [ SMOOCHES ]
WHOA, AND THE SUN COMES OUT!
EAST MEETS WEST!
AAH!
[ LAUGHS ]
LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY.
YOU GUYS ARE ALL SET NOW.
CHARLIE, YOU AND I, YOU KNOW WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.
WE GOT TO GO TO ITHACA.
I GOT A CALL A LITTLE WHILE AGO
FROM A WILDLIFE CENTER IN ITHACA, NEW YORK.
THEY'VE GOT THIS TREEHOUSE
THAT IS APPARENTLY THE COOLEST THING EVER.
THEY NEED SOME ROOF WORK DONE,
SO I'M GONNA GRAB CHARLIE AND GET OUT THERE AND FIX IT.
IT SEEMS LIKE A GOOD TIME.
Daryl: YEAH, I THINK WE'RE SET UP
FOR SOME GOOD PRODUCTION WHILE YOU GUYS ARE GONE, SO...
SO, I'M A TREEHOUSE ADDICT,
AND HERE'S THIS PERFECT OPPORTUNITY
FOR ME TO GO OUT AND GET, YOU KNOW, MY FIX.
AND BETTER YET, I CAN BRING CHARLIE WITH ME,
AND HE CAN HELP FEED THIS TREEHOUSE PASSION.
HI, I'M PETE NELSON, MY SON, CHARLIE.
WE'RE THE TREEHOUSE GUYS.
WE'RE HERE TO FIX YOUR TREEHOUSE ROOF.
HI. THAT'S REALLY EXCITING.
MY NAME IS KATY PEARCE.
I'VE BEEN A BOARD MEMBER OF THE NATURE CENTER,
AND WE CALLED PETE BECAUSE THE TREEHOUSE
IS A GREAT SOURCE OF PRIDE IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND WE'D LIKE TO ENHANCE THAT AND CONTINUE THAT.
Pete: THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING.
I LOVE THE SLATE ROOFS.
THE NATURE CENTER IS A PLACE
TO BRING KIDS TO KIND OF RECONNECT TO NATURE.
YOU KNOW, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE WITH TRAILS.
THEY'RE REHABILITATING A LOT OF ANIMALS.
IT'S REALLY AN IMPORTANT PLACE TO HAVE IN A COMMUNITY,
AND THEY'VE REALLY DONE A BEAUTIFUL JOB HERE.
TA-DA!
HOLY SMOKES. THAT IS A TREEHOUSE.
WHEN I FIRST WALKED UP TO THE TREEHOUSE IN ITHACA,
IT FELT LIKE MUHAMMAD ALI
JUST GAVE ME A RIGHT HOOK TO THE HEAD.
OH, MY GOSH.
IT WAS INCREDIBLE.
SIX STORIES OF BRANCHES ALL WOVEN ONTO THESE PANELS
THAT JUST RISE UP INTO THE SKY,
SURROUNDED BY THESE BEAUTIFUL OAK TREES
AND SOME HEMLOCK TREES.
I CAN'T GET OVER THIS, KATY.
Katy: THE NAME OF THE TREEHOUSE IS TREE TOPS 2000,
BECAUSE IT WAS A SERVICE PROJECT
OF THE CLASS OF 2000 FROM ITHACA HIGH SCHOOL.
AND THEY WORKED WITH THE COMMUNITY.
THEY WENT THROUGH A WHOLE PROCESS
THAT ENDED WITH THIS WONDERFUL STRUCTURE.
Pete: ANYTIME SOMEONE SAYS, "TREEHOUSE,"
PEOPLE GET EXCITED, AND MAGIC HAPPENS.
THE ROOF IS WHAT'S THE --
NOW THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF AN ISSUE?
I GUESS THERE'S A LITTLE PROBLEM ON THE ROOF.
SO WE'RE REALLY GRATEFUL THAT YOU CAN HELP US WITH THAT,
BECAUSE WE REALLY WANT TO PRESERVE
THIS LANDMARK ON OUR PROPERTY.
ALL RIGHT. HAPPY TO BE HERE. COME ON.
Pete: NOW, HERE'S THE THING.
PEOPLE WILL ASK ME, "IS THAT A TREEHOUSE?"
IT'S A TREEHOUSE IN THE TRUEST SENSE OF THE WORD.
LOOK AT THIS. WOW. WOW.
OKAY, IT'S NOT HUNG IN THE TREES.
IT'S ACTUALLY NOT EVEN TOUCHING ANY TREES.
HOWEVER, THE SPIRIT OF THIS THING
IS CLEARLY A TREEHOUSE.
WE'VE GOT LADDERS, WE'VE GOT PLATFORMS.
NO.
YOU'RE GOING THAT WAY? OKAY.
YEAH, YOU KIDDING ME?
Pete: IT'S A RECREATIONAL PLACE.
IT'S A PLACE TO GO CONNECT WITH NATURE,
BUILT WITH ALL THESE BLACK-LOCUST BRANCHES
THAT ARE WOVEN THROUGHOUT.
I MEAN, IT LOOKS LIKE A BIG TREE.
THINK WE'VE ARRIVED AT THE TOP.
YEAH, WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD UP?
JUST POKE YOU HEAD OUT AND SEE WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.
LET ME CLIMB UP THERE, TOO.
OH, YEAH.
CHARLIE AND I LOOK OUT
AND SEE THIS ROOF IN HORRIBLE CONDITION.
OH. THAT'S REALLY BAD.
IF WE DON'T GET THIS ROOF FIXED NOW,
THEN EVERYTHING BELOW IT IS JUST GONNA ROT
AND IT WON'T BE LONG
BEFORE THE THING IS JUST A PILE OF MUSH.
AND BYE-BYE, TREEHOUSE.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S GET OUR STUFF, ALL RIGHT?
WE'RE 60 FEET OFF THE GROUND.
I MEAN, ON THE GORGE SIDE,
WE'RE PROBABLY 120 FEET OFF THE GROUND.
WHEW. [ SHUDDERS ]
BUT WE'VE GOT GREAT ROPES.
WE'VE GOT GOOD HARNESSES.
HEAVEN FORBID WE MISSTEP.
YOU CAN DIE FROM 6 FEET, APPARENTLY,
BUT UP THERE, THERE WON'T BE ANY QUESTION ABOUT IT.
YOU'RE DONE.
[ WHISTLES ]
WHOA.
[ HAWK CRIES ]
DROPPING ROPE.
Pete: SO, WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO TODAY ON THIS ROOF,
IT'S A TWO-STEP PROCESS.
STEP ONE, REMOVE THE OLD ROOF.
WE'VE GOT MOSS THAT'S GROWING HERE.
ALL THE LEAVES THAT HAVE PILED UP OVER THE YEARS
TURNED INTO SOIL, WHICH THE MOSS LOVES TO GROW ON.
THAT'S JUST BAD NEWS FOR YOUR ROOF.
YOU KIND OF GOT TO GET THAT OFF.
JUST TRY TO TAKE THOSE NAILS OUT WHEN YOU SEE THEM.
YEP.
YOU WERE LIKE A PIT BULL ON THAT, MAN.
OH, YEAH. GOOD ONE.
WE'RE GOOD. WE RIPPED ALL THE ROOF OFF.
NOW WE'RE GONNA SEND THIS TARP FULL OF OLD ROOFING
DOWN OVER THE SIDE.
TWO, THREE.
[ LAUGHS ]
WE GOT IT.
NOW THAT WE HAVE THE OLD ROOF OFF,
WE'RE GONNA USE THE NEW ROOFING AND PUT THAT ON.
IT OUGHT TO ADHERE TO ITSELF PRETTY NICELY.
WHEN YOU HAVE A SON OR A DAUGHTER,
BEING UP ON A TREEHOUSE ROOF IS ABOUT AS GOOD AS IT GETS.
BAM! LOOK AT THAT, CHARLIE!
YEP.
THIS IS A GOOD THING.
I MEAN, WE JUST CAME OUT HERE AND GOT THIS ROOF ON.
WE REPLACED THE TAR PAPER WITH SOME NEW ROOFING MATERIAL
THAT'LL KEEP THIS THING GOING FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 15 YEARS.
GREAT JOB. REALLY GREAT JOB.
I'M PROUD OF YOU.
NOW, UH, CAN I GET A RAISE?
YEAH.
YOU KNOW, WHAT, 20 CENTS, SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
[ LAUGHS ]
BIG DAY. HUGE DAY. I'M SO EXCITED.
THE SHELL OF DANA'S THAI SPIRIT-HOUSE WRITER'S RETREAT
IS ROCK-SOLID.
THERE ARE FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT COMPONENTS
THAT NEED TO COME TOGETHER KIND OF LIKE THIS.
THEY'RE UP THERE DOING A BEAUTIFUL JOB
OF SHINGLING THE ROOF.
WE'RE OVER HALFWAY UP THE BACK SIDE OF THE TREEHOUSE.
WE'VE KIND OF GOT THE MOST DIFFICULT PART
AROUND THE TREE DONE.
STANDING ON SCAFFOLDING ON A 15x12 PITCH ROOF,
BUT IT'S GETTING DONE.
WHOO-HOO!
[ CLEARS THROAT ]
Pete: MY JOB TODAY IS TO GET THE DETAILS FIGURED OUT
FOR THE RAILINGS ON THE STAIRWAY.
[ Muffled ] AM I GONNA BE OUT OF 2-INCH SCREWS?
YEAH, I AM. YOU HAVE SOME?
I'LL BUY SOME.
I'LL PAY YOU LATER.
NOW, MAN, WE'RE GONNA GO FIVE FEET OVER HERE.
HOW ARE WE GONNA DO THIS?
FIVE FEET. I KNOW HOW TO DO THAT.
I'M A LITTLE A.D.D., YOU KNOW? ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER.
I ONLY ADD THE "H," THE HYPER PART,
AFTER I'VE HAD A LOT OF COFFEE,
AND RIGHT NOW, I'VE HAD A LOT OF COFFEE.
THIS NEEDS TO BE A PERFECT CUT.
34 INCHES...TO THE NOSE.
32 INCHES TO THE NOSE.
HOW THE HECK DID I MESS THAT UP?
THANK YOU FOR DOUBLE-CHECKING, PETE.
NOW YOU GOT TO GO FIX THE OTHER ONE, THOUGH.
OH, OKAY.
YOU'RE IN FULL-ON SOLILOQUY MODE HERE, AREN'T YOU?
[ LAUGHS ]
I DO TALK TO MYSELF. YOU KNOW THAT.
AT FIRST, YOU'RE KIND OF LIKE, "WHAT?
WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU SAYING TO ME, PETE?"
BUT THEN IT'S LIKE,
"OH, HE'S JUST TALKING TO HIMSELF STILL."
[ LAUGHS ]
SO, LET'S POUR IT.
[ GOATS BLEATING ]
DO YOU GUYS HEAR THAT? WHAT IS THAT?
[ GOATS BLEATING ]
CHARLIE, CAN YOU TELL ME -- WHOA!
SO, ONE SECOND, I'M POURING CONCRETE WITH CHARLIE,
AND THE NEXT MINUTE, I'M SURROUNDED BY GOATS.
Alex: WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN THERE, GUYS?
I THINK WE'VE GOT A GOAT ESCAPE OF SOME KIND.
IS THERE A GOAT PRISON AROUND HERE?
DON'T EAT OUR TOOLS. DON'T EAT THE WOOD EITHER.
[ GOAT COUGHING ]
WHAT HAPPENED? DID YOU EAT SOME WOOD?
YOU LOOK LIKE YOU ATE A SCREW OR SOMETHING.
DO THESE GUYS COUGH A LOT LIKE THIS?
THAT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD.
I WAS THINKING, ALL OF A SUDDEN,
I WAS GONNA HAVE TO PULL A HEIMLICH ON THIS GOAT.
I'M MASSAGING THIS SCREW DOWN HIS THROAT.
[ LAUGHS ]
MAYBE IT'LL TAKE CARE OF IT.
BUT I JUST SORT OF MASSAGED ITS NECK,
AND EVERYTHING WAS ALL RIGHT [Laughing] IN THE END.
[ GOAT BLEATING ]
Daryl: WHAT THE HECK
IS A GOAT DOING IN THE TREEHOUSE?
[ LAUGHS ]
WHAT IF I LIFT YOU UP?
OKAY. I GOT HIM.
I WAS A LITTLE WORRIED
WHEN MY DAD BROUGHT THAT GOAT DOWN.
Daryl: YOU ARE NO SHEPHERD, PETE.
OH, NO, I'M NOT.
OH, MY GOD.
IF HE TRIPPED UP, YOU KNOW,
I'D HAVE A DEAD GOAT ON MY HANDS AND AN INJURED DAD.
HEY, GOAT. YOU STAY CALM.
DON'T POKE ME WITH THOSE HORNS, MAN.
HOLY SMOKES.
HEY! HEY! HEY! COME ON!
THESE ARE YOURS, I TAKE IT? HEY.
YEAH, I'M SORRY. I'M LARRY.
LARRY, I'M PETE.
FINALLY, LARRY THE NEIGHBOR CAME CHARGING OVER.
I GUESS HE HAD NOTICED THAT HALF HIS GOATS WERE MISSING.
THEY'RE LOOKING FOR NEW BROWSE.
THEY'VE EATEN EVERYTHING AT OUR PLACE.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH ALL THESE GOATS?
WHAT'S YOUR BUSINESS?
THEY EAT BUSHES ON NATIONAL PARKS.
THEY'RE HIRED HANDS.
I CAN TELL THAT.
HERE, THEY WERE TRYING TO DO IT FOR FREE.
I MEAN, THIS IS A CANDY STORE FOR A GOAT,
AS FAR AS TRYING THINGS OUT THEY HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE.
LET'S GO HOME! COME ON! COME ON! COME ON!
WELL, UH, THANKS FOR SAVING THE DAY!
THANKS! SORRY ABOUT THAT!
Pete: I'M GONNA TAKE THIS AS A SIGN
THERE WAS CLEARLY SOME BAD JUJU AROUND.
THIS WAS NOT A SIGN.
IT WAS A SIGN OF A POORLY BUILT FENCE.
[ GOAT BLEATS ]
[ THUNDER RUMBLING ]
WHOA!
HEY, PAT. THANKS FOR COMING OUT.
PETE, MY PLEASURE.
I'VE GOT STORMS ON MY MIND --
HURRICANES, TORNADOS, YOU KNOW.
THE WIND EVENTS WE GET AROUND HERE
ARE PRETTY TREMENDOUS.
THEY ARE.
SO, WHAT KIND OF THINGS CAN I DO
TO PREPARE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
IN AN EVENT LIKE THAT, IT'S VERY CHAOTIC.
CELLPHONES ARE DOWN, POWER LINES ARE DOWN.
IT'S GREAT TO KNOW THAT MY FAMILY'S SAFE,
SO WE HAVE AN EVACUATION PLAN.
WE'LL MEET AT THE MARKET.
MAYBE IN OUR PLACE, WE'VE GOT A GAS STATION DOWN THE ROAD,
AND WE COULD TELL EVERYBODY THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GONNA GO.
ALL RIGHT.
IT'S EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY KIT.
YOU SHOULD HAVE...
YEAH.
OKAY.
YEAH.
UH-HUH.
YEAH.
I LIKE THAT.
AND IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A GAME,
LIKE A DECK OF CARDS, TO TAKE YOUR MIND OFF THE EVENT.
THAT'S A GOOD IDEA. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
MY PLEASURE.
DO YOU HAVE ANY 8s?
GO FISH.
CHECKING IN WITH THE TREE HERE.
IT'S JUST DONE SO WELL.
[ TOOL WHIRRING ]
DANA SHOWS UP THIS AFTERNOON
FOR THE GREAT UNVEILING OF THIS TREEHOUSE,
AND I'M A LITTLE BIT ANXIOUS.
WE'VE FINISHED THE BASIC CONSTRUCTION ON THE TREEHOUSE,
BUT WE'VE STILL GOT A WHOLE LOT TO DO.
WE'RE GONNA ADD GOLD ACCENTS INSIDE AND OUT,
INSTALL A STAINED-GLASS WINDOW.
AND THE SOLAR PANEL ISN'T EVEN HERE YET.
HEY, ***. THE SOLAR MAN!
NICE MEETING YOU.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER INSTALLED
SOLAR ENERGY IN A TREEHOUSE,
AND FINDING A LOCATION FOR THE PANEL
IS A BIT OF A CHALLENGE.
WHAT IF WE PUT IT OUT ON THE FIELD?
I MEAN, IS THAT --
THAT'D BE TOO FAR.
I CAN'T PUT IT OUT HERE, BECAUSE IT'S TOO FAR?
THE CLOSER TO THE CONTROLLER, THE BETTER.
WHAT IF WE WERE LIKE, "BAM!"
YEAH, WHAT IF WE PUT IT RIGHT THERE?
RIGHT HERE. GOT IT.
WE'RE GONNA WIRE INTO THE CONTROLLER.
WIRE RIGHT UP TO THE CONTROLLER?
NOW, IN THE WINTER, PUT IT MORE VERTICAL.
TILT IT. YEAH.
AND IN THE SUMMER, A LITTLE FLATTER.
OOH, BABY!
I THINK THAT'S GONNA STAY.
***: WE GO FROM THE PANEL TO THE CONTROLLER.
THAT'S THE BRAINS OF THE OUTFIT THERE.
CONTROLLER TO THE BATTERY PACK.
BATTERY PACK TO THE INVERTER.
THAT WORKS, DOESN'T IT?
***: YOU'RE THE MAN.
SUN WILL BE THERE AT NOON, JUST BAM!
SOLAR'S IN.
WE GOT IT, HUH?!
Pete: THAI SPIRIT HOUSES OFTEN FEATURE
A LOT OF GOLD ACCENTS AS AN OFFERING TO THE SPIRITS.
SO I CALLED UP MY INTERIOR DESIGNER EXTRAORDINAIRE TORY
AND HER BAND OF MERRY MEN TO MAKE THE INTERIOR SHINE.
Tory: I'M GOLD-LEAFING THE CARVED PANELS
THAT ARE GOING ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSE.
PURE GOLD WOULD BE REALLY EXPENSIVE
AND ALSO DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH.
SO, WE'RE USING AN ALLOY OF GOLD AND SOME OTHER METALS.
BUT IT'LL GIVE THAT MAGICAL FEEL THAT DANA REALLY WANTS.
Tory: VOILà!
[ GEESE HONKING ]
Pete: WE GOT SOME GEESE COMING OVER.
I THINK WE JUST HAD THE BLESSING THAT WE CAN PUT THE WINDOW IN.
THIS STAINED-GLASS WINDOW IS A VERY SPECIAL PIECE
BUILT BY AN ARTIST IN SEATTLE.
THE DESIGN WAS INSPIRED BY THESE CIRCULAR FLORAL MOTIFS
THAT ARE POPULAR IN THE THAI SPIRIT HOUSES,
AND I THINK THOSE BRIGHT COLORS
ARE GONNA REALLY LIVEN UP DANA'S WRITING RETREAT.
TO GET THESE LITTLE PETALS OF THIS FLOWER WINDOW TO FIT RIGHT,
WE HAD TO BE REALLY EXACT.
WE'RE GONNA SEE IF IT GOES IN RIGHT NOW.
LOOK AT THAT, MAN. TOTALLY SOLID.
YEAH!
YOU KNOW, THE TRIANGLE UP AT THE TOP OF THE BUILDING,
WITH ITS GOLD LEAF, REALLY POPPED.
WOW. WILD! LOOK AT THAT, DARYL!
Daryl: I NEVER THOUGHT I'D THINK
ALL OF OUR OTHER TREEHOUSES WERE UNDERSTATED.
I WANT TO GOLD-LEAF THE WHOLE DANG THING,
BUT WE DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH TIME.
DAMN, THAT'S COOL.
THE BARGE BOARDS, YOU KNOW, ALL THIS,
IT'S GONNA BE A COAT
OF THIS KIND OF SPARKLY GOLD PAINT.
ALL THIS HIGH STUFF --
[ RECORD SCRATCHES ]
I'M OKAY.
I HAVE MY RESERVATIONS ABOUT PAINTING THIS GORGEOUS MATERIAL.
THINK IT'LL BE FANTASTIC.
LOOK AT THAT! LOOK AT THAT!
GREAT. COMING DOWN.
WHOO! ALMOST GOT YOU.
A HEADACHE, IS WHAT I LIKE TO SAY.
WHOO!
SO, DANA'S GONNA ARRIVE IN A COUPLE HOURS,
AND WE GOT TO CLEAN THE PLACE UP.
I MEAN, WE HAVE A BIG MUDDY MESS,
SO WE'VE GOT TO PRESENT IT TO HER
IN A WAY THAT'S NOT GONNA BE EMBARRASSING.
SO, THE OUTSIDE IS FANTASTIC,
BUT WE'VE STILL GOT TO MAKE THE INSIDE
LOOK LIKE A MILLION BUCKS.
SO WE'RE GONNA THROW EVERYTHING IN THERE --
A STOVE, BEDS,
LITTLE KNICKKNACKS AND SHINY THINGS.
Daryl: THE SPIRITS ARE SHINING UPON US.
THEY ARE. I THINK THEY'RE RESPONDING WELL TO THE GOLD.
AND A LITTLE BUDDHA DUDE.
OH, YEAH. THAT'S HEAVY.
I MEAN, IT'S GONNA BE LIKE A ZEN FAIRY-TALE
CORNUCOPIA OF FUN IN THERE.
JUST SO FUN TO HAVE THIS ALL COME TOGETHER.
SHE HASN'T SEEN IT, OTHER THAN ON PAPER,
SO, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST CROSSING MY FINGERS.
NO.
LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY.
OKAY.
SO, TODAY I'M HERE
TO SEE MY TREEHOUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME.
JUST LOOK DOWN. DON'T LOOK UP.
I'VE WANTED A TREEHOUSE SINCE I WAS AT LEAST 12 YEARS OLD.
IT'S A DREAM COME TRUE.
AND I JUST HAVE SO MUCH ANTICIPATION.
I'M REALLY EXCITED.
OKAY, WE'RE GETTING CLOSE NOW.
Pete: THIS IS THE MOST OUT-OF-THE-BOX TREEHOUSE
THAT I'VE REALLY EVER BUILT,
AND I PUSHED MYSELF HARD
TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT WAS MATCHING HER SENSIBILITIES.
I JUST HOPE IT'S EVERYTHING THAT SHE WANTED IN A RETREAT.
[ LAUGHS ]
NO.
LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY.
SO, TODAY I'M HERE
TO SEE MY TREEHOUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME.
JUST LOOK DOWN. DON'T LOOK UP.
I'VE WANTED A TREEHOUSE SINCE I WAS AT LEAST 12 YEARS OLD.
IT'S A DREAM COME TRUE.
OKAY, WE'RE GETTING CLOSE NOW.
Pete: IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY WE WERE PUTTING LINES ON PAPER,
AND NOW, HERE IT IS, DONE.
IT'S JUST AWESOME.
[ LAUGHS ]
DO YOU LIKE IT?
I LOVE IT. IT'S MAGICAL!
I MEAN, REALLY LIKE A FAIRY TALE.
IT'S A MAGICAL WRITER'S RETREAT.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE
THE SPIRIT HOUSE THAT PETE DESIGNED.
IT'S JUST EVERYTHING THAT I IMAGINED IT COULD BE.
THE TREE LOOKS SO ALIVE NOW.
IT'S SORT OF BALANCED IN THERE.
REMEMBER THE HOLE THAT WAS THERE BEFORE?
YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.
WE CLEARED ALL OF THAT SPACE,
AND NOW IT LOOKS HEALED, LIKE, HEALTHY.
GOSH, I MEAN, THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON IN THIS.
I MEAN, YOU CAN SEE.
WE'VE GOT THESE BARGE BOARDS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT, UP HIGH.
AND THE GOLD! IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
WE DID GOLD LEAFING ON THE PEDIMENT,
ALL THOSE CARVINGS UP THERE,
BECAUSE WHEN WE LOOKED INTO THE SPIRIT HOUSES,
THEY WOULD GOLD-LEAF AS MUCH AS THEY COULD
BECAUSE THAT'S SORT OF AN OFFERING TO THE SPIRITS.
YEAH.
THE BARGE BOARDS LOOK FANTASTIC.
THAT'S PRETTY AMAZING.
THIS IS SUCH A STYLIZED TREEHOUSE,
SO I HAD A CHANCE TO REALLY STRETCH MYSELF,
'CAUSE I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.
YOU KNOW, IT WAS SOMETHING THAT SHE REALLY WANTED,
AND I JUST DID AN INTERPRETATION OF A SPIRIT HOUSE.
SO I'M GIVING IT OVER TO THE GODS, YOU KNOW,
TO SAY, "IS THIS GONNA WORK, OR ISN'T IT?"
WE'VE GOT SOLAR POWER.
YEAH.
YEAH! GREAT!
THAT'LL POWER YOUR COMPUTER,
AND AS YOU WRITE YOUR NOVEL,
YOU'LL JUST BE, LIKE, ALL JUICED UP.
THE SOLAR POWER MAKES THIS COMPLETELY SELF-SUFFICIENT.
YOU'RE NOT PLUGGING THIS THING IN ANYWHERE,
WHICH REALLY TIES IN TO THE SPIRIT OF A TREEHOUSE.
SO, DO YOU WANT TO GO INSIDE?
I'D LOVE TO.
LET'S GO. WE'VE GOT TO SEE IT.
THIS IS THAT FLEX...
Dana: WOW.
THIS LOOKS REALLY BEAUTIFUL,
THE WAY YOU'VE PRESERVED THIS BRANCH.
Pete: OH, I'M SO GLAD IT'S STILL HERE, YEAH.
[ LAUGHS ]
JUST SAYING HELLO TO THAT GUY. COME ON IN.
I'M GONNA OPEN THE DOOR FOR YOU, AND YOU CAN GO RIGHT IN.
WOW.
HOW ABOUT THAT?
WOW.
HERE, SIT. SIT. AND THEN SEE WHAT YOU THINK.
LOVELY BACKYARD.
NOW I FINALLY GET TO SEE WHAT YOU SAW WAY UP IN THAT TREE.
AND LOOK, YOU'VE GOT YOUR OLD FEATHER PENS.
IT'S SUCH A MAGICAL THING.
IT'S LIKE A SACRED SPACE.
IT'S JUST FANTASTIC.
LET'S SEE.
YOU'VE GOT A LITTLE SITTING AREA HERE,
YOUR WOODSTOVE, WHICH WILL PROBABLY COOK YOU
IF YOU EVER GET THAT THING REALLY GOING.
[ LAUGHS ]
THIS WAS MADE FOR HER TO WRITE IN.
THIS IS HER WRITING STUDIO, AND, OOH, MAN.
THE PRESSURE'S ON NOW, BECAUSE SHE'S GOT TO PERFORM.
[ LAUGHS ]
NOW, HERE IS YOUR LOFT SPACE.
WOW. IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL UP HERE.
IT DOES.
SO, QUEEN-SIZE BED.
IT FITS REALLY NICELY. IT'S VERY SPACIOUS.
GREAT MEDITATION SPACE.
OH, THAT'S RIGHT. YOU CAN SIT UP THERE AND MEDITATE.
PERFECT.
AND THE WINDOW LOOKS FANTASTIC UP HERE.
THE LIGHT'S COMING THROUGH IT. IT LOOKS REALLY GOOD.
SO, DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE LITTLE JULIET DECK?
AFTER YOU.
WOW. IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
I LOVE THIS PART OF IT.
AND IT'S A PERFECT TIME OF DAY.
IT FEELS SO GOOD OUT HERE.
YEAH.
AND YOU'LL HAVE A LITTLE SUNSET THERE.
I LOVE IT.
THIS HAS BEEN A REALLY MEANINGFUL PROJECT FOR ME.
I MEAN, WE'VE GOT THE SPIRITUAL SIDE
REALLY TIED IN TO WHAT WE ALREADY DO,
WHICH IS TRY TO GET IN HARMONY WITH NATURE.
I FEEL LIKE THIS TREEHOUSE HAS BROUGHT
SOME LIFE BACK TO THIS PROPERTY, AND I'M SO GLAD TO SEE
THAT DANA'S REALLY FEELING THE SAME WAY.
I WILL SPEND MANY HAPPY HOURS UP HERE.
GREAT. OH, THIS IS SO FUN.
Dana: I'M REALLY EXCITED
ABOUT SPENDING MY FIRST EVENING WORKING IN THERE
AND TURNING ON MY SOLAR-POWERED LIGHTS,
GETTING THE STOVE GOING,
GETTING IT NICE AND WARM AND TOASTY INSIDE
AND THEN STARTING TO WRITE AND WORK ON MY NOVEL.