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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!
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
SEE, THIS IS NO BIG DEAL, CHICA,
BUT WHEN I GO IN DEEPER, THAT'S WHEN IT BECOMES A BIG DEAL.
HI, JUDY.
WE JUST GOT AN E-MAIL
FROM TWO SISTERS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
HERE, WOULD YOU HOLD --
NO. UM, PETE.
UH-OH. I'M ON A STEEP SLOPE.
[ BOTH LAUGHING ]
OKAY, ACTUALLY, I'M OKAY NOW.
I THINK YOU'LL REALLY LIKE IT. IT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
THEY WANT KIND OF AN OBSERVATION TREEHOUSE.
THEY HAVE A LOT OF BLACK BEARS.
BEARS?
[ LAUGHS ] YEAH.
AND THEY WANT A TREEHOUSE THAT YOU CAN OBSERVE...
...THE BEARS FROM, YEAH.
BUT REALLY SLEEK AND MODERN WITH A LOT OF GLASS.
DID THEY SAY WHAT KIND OF BUDGET THEY'VE GOT?
$80,000.
$80,000. THAT'LL GET YOU A NICE TREEHOUSE.
I KNOW. I THINK YOU CAN DO SOMETHING WITH THAT.
AAH!
OOPS. UH-OH. HERE. HAND IT --
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
IT'S COMING DOWN INTO MY NETHER REGIONS.
I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN.
MY PHONE AND MY STUFF.
JUST GET OUT.
[ BIRDS SQUAWK ]
Pete: WE ARE IN WESTERN PA, HEADED TO THE FAMOUS SUMMIT INN.
IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR LIKE 100 YEARS,
AND IT'S HAVING A CHANGING OF THE GUARD,
THE MATRIARCH OF THE FAMILY
IS PASSING THIS ON TO THE TWO DAUGHTERS,
SO AS THEY TAKE OVER,
THEY ARE INJECTING A LITTLE NEW BLOOD INTO THIS THING
WITH THIS TREEHOUSE IDEA.
THIS IS JUST GETTING ME EXCITED.
I MEAN, LOOK AT THESE BEAUTIFUL TREES.
WE'VE GOT MAPLES AND OAKS, THERE'S ELM TREES,
ALL THOSE GREAT NORTHEAST HARDWOODS.
THIS PLACE IS LOUSY WITH BLACK BEARS,
SO IT COULD BE LIKE A LITTLE OBSERVATION DECK
FOR WILDLIFE, TOO.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOME BEARS,
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO BE SAFELY IN THE TREEHOUSE.
[ GOOSE HONKS ]
OKAY, WE'RE HERE. THE SUMMIT INN RESORT.
WOW. LOOK AT THAT.
BEAUTIFUL, GRAND, OLD DAME.
WE ARE GONNA HAVE SO MUCH FUN.
HELLO.
WELCOME.
I'M KRISTI.
KRISTI, NICE TO MEET YOU, KRISTI.
NICE TO MEET YOU.
AMANDA.
I'M AMANDA.
AND WE RUN THE HISTORIC SUMMIT INN
IN FARMINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA.
THIS IS SO GORGEOUS HERE.
THANK YOU.
WOW. WHEN WAS THIS BUILT?
1907.
THE HOTEL'S BEEN IN OUR FAMILY FOR 65 YEARS.
WE ARE THE THIRD GENERATION,
AND WE'RE JUST REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE A TREEHOUSE.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE ADDING A LEGACY OF OUR OWN.
I'VE WANTED A TREEHOUSE SINCE I WAS A LITTLE KID.
I WAS LIKE THE LITTLE MONKEY GIRL CLIMBING TREES.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO GET INTO NATURE
AND ENJOY THE WILDLIFE.
THERE'S A TON OF BEARS AROUND HERE,
AND WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE LIVING IN THE WOODS.
WOW! AND THEN THIS VIEW.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE VIEW.
UNBELIEVABLE.
THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO CAPITALIZE ON.
THAT'S WHY WE WANT A TREEHOUSE.
THE VIEW FROM THE DECK -- OUTSTANDING.
IT'S LIKE AN OIL PAINTING RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF YOU.
IT'S BEAUTIFUL. VIEWTIFUL.
WAS THERE A SKI HILL OR SOMETHING
WITH THIS MOUNTAIN THE WAY IT IS?
ACTUALLY, IN THE '50s, WE HAD A SKI RESORT.
BEAUTIFUL SKI LODGE. IT WAS AN OCTAGON.
IT WAS AN OCTAGON.
AND IT HAD A GIANT FIREPLACE IN THE CENTER,
BUT IT BURNT DOWN IN 1967.
KRISTI AND AMANDA, THEY HAVE A LOT OF HISTORY HERE,
AND THE TRICK IS
HOW DO I INCORPORATE THAT INTO THE TREES?
OKAY, SO THEN, I'M HEARING FIREPLACE FOR SURE,
WARM, COZY FIREPLACE.
A LOT OF WINDOWS.
A LOT OF WINDOWS. OKAY. GOOD.
THEY TALK ABOUT AN OLD SKI LODGE, OCTAGONAL SKI LODGE.
I LIKE THAT. OKAY.
THEY WANT GLASS.
OKAY. LET'S WORK WITH THAT.
THE TREES DICTATE A LOT OF WHAT WE CAN DO.
YOU WANT TREES, WE HAVE THEM.
WE HAVE 1,000 ACRES.
1,000 ACRES?
[ LAUGHS ]
ALL ABOARD.
AMANDA WARNED ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HER SISTER, YOU KNOW?
MAYBE HAS A LITTLE BIT OF A LEAD FOOT.
BUT SURE ENOUGH, BOOM!
SHE TAKES OFF, AND I ALMOST FELL OUT OF THE THING.
KRISTI IS A MANIAC.
WHOA! WHOA! TURN IT OFF!
I'M JUST HAVING A LITTLE FUN WITH PETE.
DON'T LEAN OUT TOO FAR!
OH, WHOA.
OKAY, IT'S COOL. IT'S COOL.
SO, WE'RE RACING THROUGH THE WOODS,
KRISTI WITH HER LEAD FOOT, LOOKING FOR TREES.
IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE'RE LIKE 16, 18 FEET APART,
YOU KNOW, 20 MAX.
A CLUSTER OF GOOD TREES.
I MEAN, THIS IS A CHALLENGE.
WE'VE GOT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TREES,
1,000 ACRES TO COVER.
NOW, THIS IS A WHITE OAK IF I'VE EVER SEEN A WHITE OAK.
I MEAN, IF WE CAN FIND TREES LIKE THIS --
I THINK WE'RE TOO CLOSE TO THE TRAIL AND ALL.
HUG IT. [ LAUGHS ]
YEE-HAW!
Amanda: HOW ARE THESE THREE?
THIS GUY, THIS GUY, THAT'S PROBABLY A LITTLE FAR,
AND PLUS, IT LOOKS LIKE SASQUATCH HAS BEEN HERE.
[ CHUCKLES ] YEAH.
THIS IS YOUR CLASSIC SASQUATCH.
THAT'S ACTUALLY A BLACK BEAR DEN.
IT'S A BLACK BEAR DEN? YEAH, WELL...
REALLY?
NO.
Pete: SURE, I MEAN, HAVE FUN WITH THE GUY
WHO'S AFRAID OF BEING MAULED IN THE WOODS BY BEARS.
BUT I'VE GOT TO GET IT TOGETHER.
Amanda: SO, WE'RE COMING UP ON THE CLEARING.
I'LL SAY.
[ TIRES SCREECH ]
WOW. THAT WAS QUICK. GOOD.
OH, MY GOSH! LOOK AT -- LOOK AT THIS!
LOOK AT THIS!
THESE ARE THE TREES.
I MEAN, IT'S SO OBVIOUS.
THEY ARE PERFECT, AND THEY'RE RIGHT SIZE.
THEY'RE OAKS, THEY'RE STRONG, THEY'RE IN THE OPEN,
THEY HAVE A VIEW.
IT'S ALL...THERE.
THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE!
YOO-HOO!
I MEAN, THIS IS IT. THIS IS, LIKE, READY TO GO.
PETE'S ENTHUSIASM IS CONTAGIOUS.
I MEAN, HE GETS SO EXCITED,
YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T HELP BUT SMILE.
IMAGINE A BIG FLOOR RIGHT UP IN HERE,
AND THEN A BRIDGE.
WE JUST ANCHOR A BRIDGE IN THE HILLSIDE HERE,
AND I MEAN, WE CAN BE HIGH IF YOU WANT A HIGH TREEHOUSE.
LIKE HOW HIGH?
HOW HIGH CAN YOU GET IT?
I THINK WE SHOULD BE LIKE -- THAT'S HIGH.
NOW, I DON'T WANT TO GET CARRIED AWAY
BECAUSE THESE TREES ARE GONNA GO [IMITATES WIND WHISTLING]
THAT'S NOT THAT HIGH.
LIKE THAT HIGH?
PERFECT.
Amanda: CAN YOU JUMP A LITTLE HIGHER?
I CAN'T.
WE HAVE TO KEEP THE BEARS OUT.
THIS IS REALLY CLOSE
TO WHERE MY HUSBAND ALWAYS SPOTS BEARS.
RIGHT HERE?
Pete: THESE GIRLS ARE FREAKING ME OUT.
I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE MORE BEARS PER CAPITA
AROUND HERE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY,
BUT I DIDN'T THINK THEY WOULD BE ALL RIGHT HERE,
ON THIS PROPERTY.
I MEAN...
IF IT'S OKAY WITH YOU,
I'LL JUST HANG HERE FOR A LITTLE WHILE
AND KIND OF GET THINGS COOKING IN MY BRAIN.
PERFECT.
THANK YOU FOR SHOWING ME THIS.
HEY, UH, KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE BEARS.
[ CHUCKLES ]
[ BIRD SQUAWKS ]
BEARS.
15.
[ LEAVES RUSTLING ]
[ ANIMAL GROWLS ]
[ COYOTES BARKING IN DISTANCE ]
SO, IF I CAN SURVIVE THIS JOB, WE'LL PLACE THIS BUNGALOW
AN EXHILARATING 20 FEET UP THESE THREE PERFECT OAKS.
IT'LL BE IN THE SHAPE OF A DECAGON,
WHILE A BRIGHT RED ROOF WILL TIE TOGETHER THIS NEW ADDITION
TO THEIR FAMILY'S HISTORIC PROPERTY.
FOR ACCESS, WE'LL CREATE
A 50-FOOT LONG BRIDGE FROM THE HILLSIDE,
LEADING STRAIGHT INTO A SPACIOUS, WRAPAROUND DECK,
OFFERING PLENTY OF ROOM
FOR SOCIALIZING UP HIGH IN THE TREES.
[ CORK POPS ]
A COZY FIREPLACE WILL WARM THE INTERIOR
ON THESE COLD, PENNSYLVANIA NIGHTS
WHILE A WALL OF WINDOWS WILL OPEN UP
TO THE MAJOR VIEWS OF THE VALLEY BELOW.
THIS BLACK BEAR BUNGALOW WILL BE THE ULTIMATE ESCAPE INTO NATURE,
TO BE ONE WITH THE BEARS.
LOTS AND LOTS OF BEARS.
OKAY, INSTEAD OF AN OCTAGON,
I ADDED TWO WALLS 'CAUSE I HAD TO STRETCH IT.
SO, NOW WE HAVE 10 FACETS, AND THEN HERE'S AN ELEVATION.
Amanda: THAT CEILING IS REALLY HIGH.
YEAH, THE WHOLE THING WILL BE LIKE CATHEDRAL.
I'M GOING TO SWING FROM THE RAFTERS.
THAT WOULD BE SO FUN.
PETE JUST SHOWED US THE DESIGNS, AND THEY'RE PERFECT.
IT'S INCREDIBLE.
HE HIT EVERYTHING WE ASKED FOR.
IT'S GOT WINDOWS ON ALL SIDES.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE AN AMAZING TIME IN IT.
I CAN'T WAIT.
WE WANT TO DO THIS. WE'RE IN.
REALLY?
YOU GUYS MAKE THESE CHOICES LIKE THAT?
EXCEPT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CLEAR A COUPLE THINGS WITH MOM.
Pete: MOM?
OH, I SEE.
I GUESS THE TORCH HASN'T REALLY
BEEN HANDED OVER COMPLETELY YET.
SHE'S ONBOARD, THOUGH, DO YOU THINK?
OH, WE'RE GOOD TO GO.
WE'RE GOING TO JUST GET IT STARTED,
AND THEN BRING HER UP,
AND THEN SHE'LL BE REALLY ONBOARD.
Pete: KRISTI AND AMANDA SAID THAT THIS TREEHOUSE
WOULD BE THE LEGACY THAT THEY'RE LEAVING FOR THE SUMMIT INN,
BUT FIRST, WE NEED TO GET THE APPROVAL OF MAMA BEAR.
ALL RIGHT.
WE'RE READY TO START TOMORROW.
THIS IS THE BEST!
FIRE UP THE GOLF CART. LET'S GO!
ARRIBA! ANDALE!
WHOO-HOO!
IT'S TREEHOUSE TIME!
TO GET THE BLACK BEAR BUNGALOW READY FOR BUSINESS,
WE PREFABRICATE THE WALLS AND OTHER PARTS
BACK AT OUR SHOP IN FALL CITY.
THEN WE LOAD IT UP AND BRING IT TO BEAR COUNTRY.
[ HORN HONKING ]
MY BEAR BOYS ARE HERE. THE TROOPS HAVE LANDED.
WHOA! YEAH BABY!
I'VE GOT MY LEAD MAN, DARYL.
I'VE GOT THE MASTER CARPENTER, CHUCK,
SUPREME RIGGER, SEANIX,
AND THE LITTLE SAPLING, MY SON, HENRY.
MY SON. OH!
GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.
GENTLEMEN, YOUR HANDS ARE FULL,
I'D HUG YOU ALL, BUT, AH, THANK YOU.
GOOD TO SEE YA.
I'M JUST GLAD YOU'VE ARRIVED SAFELY,
AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO GO BUST OUT A TREEHOUSE.
UH-HUH.
BUT THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF AN ISSUE HERE,
AND I DON'T MEAN TO SCARE YOU, HOWEVER,
PER CAPITA, MORE BEARS IN THIS VERY AREA
THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE UNITED STATES.
BLACK BEARS. NOT GRIZZLY BEARS.
DO BLACK BEARS TRY TO EAT YOU?
I MEAN, ARE THEY VICIOUS?
HECK, YEAH. OKAY. I THINK THE MYTH IS --
YEAH.
THE MYTH IS THAT THEY'RE NOT VICIOUS,
AND THE GRIZZLIES ARE THE ONES THAT EAT YOU,
BUT THEY'RE GOING INTO HIBERNATION.
THEY NEED TO FATTEN UP A LITTLE BIT,
SO I WOULD JUST WATCH YOURSELVES.
[ CHUCKLES ]
[ INHALES SHARPLY ]
LOOK SKINNY.
LET'S DO IT.
All: OH!
Pete: WE'RE WORKING REALLY HIGH IN THE TREES THIS TIME.
LOOK AT YOU GO. YOU'RE LIKE A SPRY 20-YEAR-OLD.
THANK GOODNESS ONE OF MY ACE RIGGERS,
SEANIX, IS HERE WITH US.
I'M A CLIMB ALL UP IN THIS TREE.
Pete: SEANIX IS GOING WAY ABOVE THE PLATFORM
TO SET SOME PULLEYS.
THAT WILL BE THE RIGGING WE NEED
TO PULL UP THE REALLY HEAVY STUFF.
IN THE MEANTIME, CHUCK AND DARYL SET UP TO DRILL THE TABS.
ARE YOU KISSING THE TREE, CHUCK?
YES.
YOU'RE TAKING TREE HUGGER TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.
SO, WHAT HE JUST DRILLED WAS THE MINOR DIAMETER.
THAT'S THE PART WITHIN THE THREADS.
NOW HE'S DRILLING FOR THE 3-INCH.
SEE THIS PART? THREE INCHES DIAMETER.
THAT'S WHAT HE'S DOING RIGHT NOW.
WHAT'S THAT ABOUT?
[ RECORD SCRATCHES ]
DO WE HAVE A LADDER ON THIS JOB?
OKAY, I'LL BE THIS GUY, YOU BE THAT GUY.
READY?
HOLD EVERYTHING. HOLD EVERYTHING.
WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE?
[ GROANS ]
THE DRILL'S NOT CUTTING.
IF THIS IS THE KIND OF PROBLEM WE THINK IT IS,
WE'VE GOT A REAL PROBLEM.
WE HAVE A TABMERGENCY.
THAT MEANS WE CAN'T GET THE TAB INTO THE TREE.
IF WE CAN'T GET THE TAB INTO THE TREE,
WE CAN'T BUILD A TREEHOUSE.
YEAH, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS THING?
LOOK AT HOW DULL THAT IS.
THERE'S NO WAY I CAN GET THIS TO CUT INTO OAK.
WE CAN'T DRILL THE TREES BECAUSE WE'VE GOT A DULL BIT.
IT'S LIKE CUTTING THAT THING WITH A SPOON.
WE'VE GOT THIS SPECIFIC DRILL BIT
THAT'S MADE BY A MACHINIST,
AND WE'RE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
THIS IS A...SCARY MOMENT.
[ GROANS ]
[ BIRD CRIES ]
Pete: HERE WE ARE IN OUR BLACK BEAR BUNGALOW BUILD,
DRILLING HOLES FOR THE TABS, AND BAM!
HOLD EVERYTHING. HOLD EVERYTHING.
WE'RE STOPPED COLD.
[ DRILL WHIRRING ]
WE CAN'T DRILL THE TREES BECAUSE WE'VE GOT A DULL BIT.
IT'S LIKE CUTTING THAT THING WITH A SPOON.
THIS IS A SPECIALIZED DRILL BIT,
AND TO SHARPEN IT, WE'RE GOING TO NEED A MACHINIST,
AND WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
I MEAN, I DON'T WANT TO GET PANICKY HERE,
BUT THIS IS SERIOUS.
WE'RE GOING TO NEED A MIRACLE.
[ CHUCKLES ]
DON'T DO THAT, MAN.
GOD! THAT'S HORRIBLE.
OW!
THESE DRILL BITS, THEY CAN GET DULLED BY USE,
AND SO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE HAVE TAUGHT ME
TO BRING A FILE WITH ME.
THIS WOULD BE BETTER IF WE HAD A TOOL BENCH,
BUT WE'VE GOT TO MAKE DO.
Pete: I'M NOT LOVING THE SOLUTION HERE.
I MEAN, THIS IS A PRECISE INSTRUMENT,
AND DARYL'S LOOKING LIKE A CAVEMAN
STARTING A FIRE WITH TWO STICKS.
DO YOU WANT TO GIVE IT THE OLD TONGUE TEST?
I WOULDN'T LICK THAT ONE.
[ DRILL WHIRRING ]
[ GROANING ]
YEAH! LOOK AT THAT!
ALL RIGHT!
OKAY. WE'RE GOOD.
NICE.
THAT IS JUST, LIKE, CUTTING LIKE BUTTER.
JUST RIGHT.
IT'S AMAZING.
JUST A LITTLE FILE LIKE THAT, AND YOU SAVED THE DAY!
Pete: THE CAVEMAN TRICK WORKED.
TABS ARE IN, WE ARE OFF AND RUNNING,
ALL THANKS TO A BIG MAN WITH A LITTLE FILE.
DARYL SAVES THE DAY AGAIN!
THAT WAS PROBABLY, WE FIGURE,
CLOSE TO THE 4,000th TIME.
IT'S BEAM TIME.
SO NOW WE'VE GOT TO GET THESE GARGANTUAN, THOUSAND-POUND BEAMS
20 FEET UP INTO THE TREES,
AND THAT COULD REALLY HURT OUR BACKS.
SO, I HAD A LITTLE IDEA TO HELP US OUT.
[ DARYL LAUGHS ]
SAY HELLO TO MY BIG, BLUE FRIEND.
[ EPIC MUSIC PLAYING ]
GIT-R-DONE!
YEAH, I BROUGHT THE TRUCK BECAUSE WE CAN HOOK UP
AND PULL THE WEIGHT UP THE TREE, HUH?
PERFECT. YEAH.
OOH, I CAN'T WAIT, MAN.
LET'S SEE WHAT THIS BABY CAN DO.
NORMALLY, WHEN WE'RE DOING THIS BY HAND,
WE HAVE A FAIRLY COMPLICATED BLOCK-AND-TACKLE SYSTEM.
I'M GOING TO BE LIKE YOUR MOTHER.
I'VE GOT SOME OILS ON YOUR FACE.
[ CHUCKLES ]
BUT HERE WITH MY FRIEND, BIG BLUE,
I JUST PUT A SIMPLE PULLEY UP THERE AND DRAG IT RIGHT UP.
WHOO!
YES.
Devin: OH, YEAH.
IT'S TAKING MONEY OUT OF MY CHIROPRACTOR'S POCKET.
[ LAUGHTER ]
LOOK AT THAT. WHOO-HOO!
OH, YEAH.
GOOD JOB, YOU GUYS.
THAT'S SOME TOYOTA TEAMWORK.
TOYOTA TEAMWORK!
READY FOR JOISTS, GUYS.
KRISTI AND AMANDA'S BLACK BEAR BUNGALOW
IS NOT JUST GOING TO BUILD ITSELF.
SO, I BROUGHT MY CUBS IN, ALEX AND PATRICK,
TO GET THAT DECK CRACK-A-LACKIN'.
LET'S START THROWING THEM UP THERE.
WE'VE GOT TO GET THIS THING GOING.
IT'S ALWAYS FUN TO START A NEW TREEHOUSE.
I'M A LITTLE LATE TO THE BEAR BUNGALOW PROJECT,
BUT IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK WITH THE CREW.
THE AIR IS CRISP, THE LEAVES ARE TURNING.
INTERESTING.
THE GUYS HAVE ALREADY DONE ALL THE HEAVY LIFTING.
THIS IS GREAT.
Pete: THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL PLATFORM.
WHAT IF WE -- NO.
WHAT -- I-I COULD ATTACH IT.
THAT WON'T WORK.
I WAS GOING TO GET STARTED ON THE BRIDGE,
BUT NOW, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT THIS BIG, HUGE VALLEY,
AND POSSIBILITY OF HEAVY WINDS AND SOME OTHER FACTORS,
I MEAN, I MAY HAVE OVERREACHED A LITTLE BIT.
WITH THIS BRIDGE, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.
IT'S GOING TO REALLY LONG,
SO WE WANT TO MAKE IT REALLY STRONG AND REALLY SAFE.
Pete: ORIGINALLY, WE WANTED TO MAKE
THIS 50-FOOT BRIDGE GO STRAIGHT TO THE GROUND,
KIND OF ANGLE DOWN,
BUT THEN AFTER DOING SOME NUMBERS,
WE REALIZE THAT THAT WAS GOING TO PUT
TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON THE TREES.
[ TREES CRACKING ]
INSTEAD, WE DECIDED TO BUILD A TOWER
THAT WOULD ANCHOR AND DISTRIBUTE THE WEIGHT OF THE BRIDGE,
MAKING IT SAFER FOR PEOPLE AND THE TREES.
GO AHEAD. TAKE IT BACK.
FIRST, WE'VE GOT TO DIG AND THEN FORM A HOLE
THAT'S GOING TO HOLD 16,000 POUNDS OF CONCRETE.
I LIKE WE GOT THE CONCRETE TEAM GOING.
CEMENT IS AN INGREDIENT IN CONCRETE,
ALONG WITH GRAVEL, SAND, AND WATER.
YES.
OOH, I LOVE THE SMELL OF CONCRETE IN THE MORNING.
ARE WE PUTTING ANY OF THIS DOWN,
OR WE DON'T NEED IT WITH THE PRESSURE TREATED, DO WE?
NO, I THINK WE'RE GOOD.
OKAY. 'CAUSE I KNOW --
OH, HEY!
THE WHOLE FAMILY IS HERE. LOOK AT THAT.
HI, THERE.
YEAH, WE DID.
WE ARE VERY, VERY SNEAKY.
Kristi: WE JUST CAME TO SEE THE TREEHOUSE,
AND THIS TIME, WE WANTED TO BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY --
YOU KNOW, RANDALL AND JEREMIAH, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY MY MOM.
YOU'RE MOM? I'M PETE.
WOW. IT'S VERY NICE TO MEET YOU.
SO, KRISTI AND AMANDA WANT TO LEAVE THIS
AS THEIR LEGACY FOR THE SUMMIT INN,
BUT FIRST WE'LL NEED THE APPROVAL
OF, YOU KNOW, MAMA BEAR.
OKAY. WHO WANTS TO GO UP FIRST?
'CAUSE THIS IS A VERY SAFE LADDER.
YOU'RE IN? OKAY.
DAREDEVIL FIRST.
YEAH! SO MUCH FUN.
LUCKILY, MOMS -- THEY'RE MY SPECIALTY.
THIS IS CRAZY.
OH, MY GOSH.
Randall: LOOK AT THIS.
WE HAVE OVER 1,000 ACRES HERE ON THE PROPERTY,
SO TO GET THE BIRD'S-EYE VIEW IS SPECTACULAR.
NEW PERSPECTIVE.
SO, THIS IS THE INSIDE OF THE DECAGON.
YOU HAVE BIG WINDOWS ALL OVER THE FRONT OF THIS.
THIS IS WHERE YOU HAVE THAT FIREPLACE FOR WARMTH.
SO, WHAT'S THIS HOLE FOR OVER HERE?
THAT ENORMOUS HOLE?
WE, UM...
I HOPE THIS IS OKAY WITH YOU.
BUT IN FACT, THE BRIDGE HAS CHANGED A LITTLE BIT.
MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP
BEFORE I STARTED POURING 16,000 POUNDS OF CONCRETE.
UM...
Pete: SO, KRISTI AND AMANDA DECIDED
TO SWING BY WITH THEIR FAMILY TO JUST MAKE SURE
THAT EVERYTHING'S GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN.
WELL, THERE'S ONLY ONE MINOR CHANGE.
WHAT'S THIS HOLE FOR OVER HERE?
THAT ENORMOUS HOLE?
SO, THE BRIDGE HAS CHANGED A LITTLE BIT.
SHOWING AMANDA AND KRISTI
THE CHANGES THAT I MADE ON THE FLY ON THE BRIDGE,
YOU KNOW, I'M FEELING A LITTLE EXPOSED.
IT'S LIKE ONE OF THOSE DREAMS WHERE YOU'RE GIVING A SPEECH
AND YOU DON'T HAVE ANY PANTS ON.
THAT IS GOING TO BE LIKE THIS BIG ANCHOR,
AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A LITTLE TOWER,
AND THEN FROM THE TOWER WILL BE THIS BRIDGE,
BUT IT'S STILL EXTRA BOUNCY.
DOES THAT SOUND LIKE FUN?
THIS IS THE MOMENT OF TRUTH.
KRISTI AND AMANDA MENTIONED
THAT THEY WERE TAKING OVER FROM THEIR MOTHER,
BUT NOW I'VE GOT TO GET MAMA BEAR'S APPROVAL ON THIS.
I HOPE I DON'T GET MAULED.
REALLY NICE. VERY NICE.
LET'S DO IT. LET'S DO IT.
MAMA BEAR'S ONBOARD.
Randall: THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT PLACE
FOR JUST WILDLIFE IN GENERAL.
WE ARE GOING TO SEE RACCOONS UP HERE, POSSUMS,
AND SEE HOW MANY BEARS ARE LIVING IN THE AREA.
THIS WHOLE ENTIRE FAMILY LOVES BEARS.
MAYBE THERE'S A WAY TO BRING THIS EXPERIENCE CLOSER TO THEM
WITHOUT HAVING ANY KIND OF INCIDENT.
WHAT IF WE HAD, LIKE, SOME KIND OF A WAY TO MONITOR?
MAYBE A COOL CAMERA.
SOUNDS AWESOME.
WHAT TREEHOUSE HAS BEAR SURVEILLANCE?
IT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.
WE'LL SEE IF THEY CAN ACTUALLY CAPTURE SOME GOOD PHOTOS.
All: ONE, TWO, THREE. TREEHOUSE!
WALL'S HERE!
Pete: WE'VE GOT WALLS COMING IN TODAY,
AND THERE'S A TON OF THEM.
OH, MY GOODNESS. THIS IS HEAVY.
BUT LUCKILY, WE'VE GOT THIS.
CA-CAW!
WE'RE BURNING DAYLIGHT.
IT'S TIME FOR BIG BLUE TO FLEX A LITTLE HORSEPOWER.
HIT IT.
HERE WE GO.
THAT'S GOOD.
WHOO-HOO!
NORMALLY, A TREEHOUSE OF THIS SIZE
WOULD HAVE FAR FEWER WALLS,
BUT ITS 10-SIDED SHAPE MEANS,
WELL, IT'S GOING TO HAVE 10 WALLS.
LUCKILY, OUR NEW CREW MEMBER IS TOSSING THESE THINGS UP
FASTER THAN WE CAN TACK THEM DOWN.
Daryl: THIS TRUCK IS AWESOME.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE AN EXTRA CREW MEMBER,
LIKE, A REALLY, REALLY BURLY CREW MEMBER.
WHOA!
WALLS ARE UP!
HEY, HEY!
HOW ABOUT THAT, HUH?
A NEW DAY TODAY, AND IT'S BRISK WITH A SIDE OF FREEZING RAIN.
Chuck: I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT GETTING THIS ROOF ON.
I NEED ONE GUY UP HERE, ONE GUY HERE,
AND ONE GUY IN THE MIDDLE.
Pete: SO, WHY NOT JUST CLIMB UP 30 FEET AND BUILD A ROOF?
AS IF TREE HOUSING WASN'T ADVENTURE ENOUGH,
WE'RE STUCK HERE IN A WINTER WONDERLAND.
I'M LOVING IT. IT'S A BLAST.
YEAH, THE WEATHER'S REALLY TRIPPY AND CRAZY HERE.
IT'S FOUR SEASONS AND ALL IN ONE DAY.
WHOO-HOO-HOO!
[ European accent ] IT'S REALLY ICY UP HERE.
NO, I MEAN SERIOUSLY, IT'S FRICKING ICY UP HERE.
[ Normal voice ] THAT'S THE LAST TIME I DO THAT. [ LAUGHS ]
Chuck: CAN WE SAVE THE ICE SKATING
UNTIL AFTER WORK, SEANIX?
Seanix: YES, FINE.
WE'RE GOING TO START PUTTING THE ROOF PANELS IN NOW.
[ GRUNTING ]
I LOVE THIS WEATHER.
IT SEPARATES THE MEN FROM THE BOYS.
SEANIX, YOU ROCK.
WE'RE BUILDING LIKE ROCK STARS NOW, GUYS.
[ LAUGHS MANIACALLY ]
Pete: SO WHILE CHUCK AND SEANIX AND PATRICK
ARE FINISHING THE ROOF,
ALEX IS EMBARKING
ON THE NEW BRIDGE MODIFICATION -- THE TOWER.
WE HAVE THIS HUGE CONCRETE BASE WITH FOUR POSTS.
WE HAVE AN ANCHOR DOWN HERE,
AND THEN THE BRIDGE WILL JUST GO STRAIGHT TO WHERE THOSE CABLES
ARE COMING OUT OF THE RIM.
AND THEN I'M GOING TO BRING THE CABLES OVER HERE
AND CONNECT THEM TO THE CHAIN.
THIS IS WAY STRONGER THAN CONNECTING A BRIDGE TO A TREE.
ALL THAT'S LEFT TO DO IS RUN OUR CABLES,
SO EVERYTHING IS, AS PETE WOULD SAY, SKOOKUM.
I'M PRETTY HAPPY.
SO, ALEX IS FEEDING OUT THE PREFABRICATED STANCHIONS,
WHICH KEEP THE BRIDGE TOGETHER, BUT DON'T TAKE AWAY THE BOUNCE.
AND THEN IN THE MEANTIME, CHUCK AND I ARE GOING TO DO THE RAILING,
SO NO LITTLE BEARS
CAN, YOU KNOW, TUMBLE OUT THE SIDE.
I'M FEELING, LIKE UH,
REALLY PRETTY GOOD ABOUT ALL THIS.
[ CELLPHONE RINGS ]
OH, PHONE'S RINGING.
HELLO, IT'S PETE.
YOU LOOKING FOR THE TREEHOUSE GUY OR THE FARRIER?
YEAH, NO, I HAVE ANOTHER GUY, PETE NELSON,
WHO'S THE FARRIER IN MY TOWN.
SO, I JUST ALWAYS HAVE TO CHECK.
NO, YOU KNOW WHAT A FARRIER IS?
A HORSESHOER.
ANYWAY, HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
I JUST GOT A CALL FROM ETHAN OUT OF SANDPOINT, IDAHO.
SOUNDS LIKE HE NEEDS SOME HELP WITH HIS ROOF.
AND IT'S GOT A LITTLE LEAKY ISSUE?
WAIT, WAIT, DID YOU JUST SAY ELEVATOR?
AN ELEVATOR?
NOW I'VE GOT TO SEE THIS.
CHUCK, WHAT DO YOU SAY?
CAN I JUST KIND OF DO MY THING AND RUN OFF?
I'LL FEEL LIKE AN ABANDONED CHILD, PETE, IF YOU LEAVE NOW.
ARE YOU GOING TO KILL ME?
YOU'RE GOING TO GO AWAY AGAIN?
ALL RIGHT. I'M ON MY WAY. I'LL BE BACK.
YOU KNOW I'LL BE BACK.
Chuck: TRUTH BE TOLD,
WHEN PETE LEAVES, I DON'T REALLY FEEL THAT ABANDONED.
SEE YA, PETE.
SO, WE'RE OUTSIDE OF SANDPOINT, IDAHO.
I'M JUST STUNNED AT THE BEAUTY OF THIS AREA.
I'M HEADED OUT TO A GUY
THAT HAS AN ELEVATOR POWERED BY A BICYCLE,
AND I'M DYING TO SEE IT.
HE'S ALSO GOT SOME ISSUES
THAT HE'D LIKE ME TO HAVE A LOOK AT.
I'M GOING TO JUST ASK IF THESE GUYS KNOW
WHERE THIS ELEVATOR IS.
HEY, GUYS.
HEY, HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THIS TREEHOUSE GUY
WHO'S GOT THE ELEVATOR HE MADE OUT OF A BICYCLE?
IS IT THIS -- THIS WAY, RIGHT?
STRAIGHT AHEAD, JUST ANOTHER FOUR, FIVE MILES OR SO.
OKAY. THANKS, GUYS.
THAT'S PERFECT.
THOSE GUYS HAVE SOME POUFY HEADS.
[ HORN HONKS ]
IT'S FUN TO BE OUT EXPLORING THIS INCREDIBLE WORLD WE'RE IN.
HEY, LOOKS LIKE THIS COULD BE OUR GUY.
BUT LOOK AT THAT.
I LOOK UP, AND THERE'S THE TREEHOUSE.
IT'S CEDAR, MY FAVORITE WOOD.
IT'S BEING HIT BY THE SUNSHINE,
IT'S LIKE [VOCALIZES] GLOWING AND BEAUTIFUL, YOU KNOW,
BUT UP THERE -- HIGH.
YES, I DID.
I BUILT THIS TREEHOUSE BECAUSE
I'M STILL JUST A LITTLE KID AT HEART.
EVERY KID WANTS TO LIVE IN A TREEHOUSE,
AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE PETE HERE TO WORK WITH ME.
IT'S GOING TO BE FUN TO WORK WITH SOMEBODY
WHO REALLY KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING
WHEN IT COMES TO TREEHOUSES.
SO, I'M SEEING A WHOLE DIFFERENT STYLE OF SUSPENSION.
DID YOU DRILL INTO THE TREE AT ALL?
NO, NO, THERE'S NOT A SINGLE BOLT OR SCREW INTO THE TREE.
WOW. HOW DOES IT STAY UP THERE?
FRICTION.
AND IT HASN'T SLID DOWN AT ALL?
YEAH, IT HAS. IT'S COME DOWN LIKE 14 INCHES SINCE I BUILT IT.
YEAH.
BUT IT'S SLOWED DOWN NOW
BECAUSE THE TREE GETS WIDER AS IT GOES DOWN.
SO IT'S GETTING TIGHTER AND TIGHTER,
KIND OF SETTLING INTO THE PLACE WHERE IT'LL STAY.
AWESOME. WHAT A GREAT IDEA.
I LOVE BUILDING THINGS, INVENTING THINGS,
COMING UP WITH STUFF.
LIKE THAT.
OKAY.
[ LAUGHS ] YEAH.
TELL ME ABOUT THIS.
WHEN I WAS THINKING OF LIVING IN A TREEHOUSE,
THE IDEA OF CLIMBING A LADDER EVERY SINGLE TIME
GOT A LITTLE BIT OLD,
SO I WANTED TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING
MORE ENTERTAINING AND EASIER.
I WAS HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH MY FRIEND,
AND HE SUGGESTED USING A BICYCLE.
AS SOON AS HE SUGGESTED IT,
I KNEW THAT WAS THE THING THAT WAS GOING TO WORK.
I'M SO FASCINATED BY THIS.
YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN AROUND TREEHOUSES FOR 25 YEARS.
THE IDEA OF SOME KIND OF SIMPLE ELEVATOR...
...HAS ELUDED ME.
CAN YOU SHOW ME THE BASIC MECHANICS?
I MEAN, I'M A LITTLE BIT, YOU MIGHT SAY DENSE
ON THESE THINGS.
YEAH, THESE TWO CABLES HERE...
YEAH.
...GO UP AND OVER THE TREEHOUSE
TO THE COUNTERWEIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE.
THIS IS THE CABLE THAT LIFTS YOU UP.
IT COMES THROUGH TO THE BACK WHEEL,
AND THEN IT GOES OVER A PULLEY AT THE TOP
AND BACK DOWN TO RIGHT HERE FOR PEDALING.
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, JUST...
YEAH.
WOW. UNBELIEVABLE.
I'M NOT GOING TO GET UNDERNEATH YOU, THOUGH.
[ LAUGHS ] IT'S OKAY.
RIGHT NOW, I CAN'T GO DOWN VERY FAST
BECAUSE OF THE COUNTERWEIGHT.
OH, HERE. LOOK AT THAT. THIS COULD HAVE CRUSHED ME. HA!
SO, THAT'S THE ADJUSTMENT TANK THERE, FILLED WITH WATER.
YOU CAN ADJUST THE AMOUNT OF WATER IN IT.
OKAY.
VERY SLOWLY FOR ME BECAUSE I DON'T WEIGH ENOUGH.
OKAY, SO WHAT DID YOU JUST DO TO RELEASE...
NOTHING. I JUST TOOK MY FEET OFF THE PEDALS.
OH, I GOT IT.
AND THEN THERE'S A BRAKE AT THE BOTTOM.
[ LAUGHS ]
I CAN'T GET OVER THIS.
THIS IS FANTASTIC.
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT.
FEEL LIKE A KID AT CHRISTMAS,
BUT A BIKE LIKE THIS WAS NEVER UNDER THE TREE AT MY HOUSE.
OKAY, NOW, HERE WE GO. [ LAUGHS ]
AND I'M JUST GOING TO SIMPLY PEDAL THIS BAD BOY.
YEAH.
OH, MAN. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS.
THESE LITTLE CABLES ARE GOING TO...
YEAH, IT'LL HOLD YOU.
BUT NOT IF YOU DO THAT.
WHOA. WHOA. WHOA. WHOA. WHOA.
FREAKING OUT A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE HERE, I'M ON THE BIKE,
AND I'M REALIZING THAT IF YOUR FOOT SLIPS OFF THE PEDAL,
YOU'RE DOWN ON THE GROUND.
YOU KNOW, MAYBE UPSIDE DOWN.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
MAYBE YOU'VE BROKEN YOUR NECK.
I'M JUST NOT GOING TO LOOK DOWN. HOW ABOUT THAT?
AND MAYBE -- I DON'T KNOW. IT JUST WAS A LITTLE HAIRY.
UH-OH.
I MEAN, UH, DOES IT GET STUCK SOMETIMES?
IT SHOULDN'T BE STUCK.
WHOA.
YES, I'M THE TREEHOUSE GUY. YES, I BUILD TREEHOUSES.
LITTLE-KNOWN FACT -- HEIGHTS KIND OF FREAK ME OUT.
OH, MAN.
I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A GOOD IDEA.
MAN, OH, MAN.
UH-OH.
I MEAN, UH, DOES IT GET STUCK SOMETIMES?
IT SHOULDN'T BE STUCK.
WHOA. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A GOOD IDEA.
I'M CHECKING OUT MY FIRST-EVER
TREEHOUSE WITH A BICYCLE ELEVATOR ON,
AND, OF COURSE, GUESS WHO GETS STUCK 40 FEET IN THE AIR?
I'VE GOT TO BREATHE.
I KNOW WHEN I GET IN THIS SITUATION, IT'S JUST...
BREATHE, JUST GOT TO RELAX, AND JUST LET OFF THE BRAKE.
ALL RIGHT. I'M GOING TO TRY IT.
OH.
YEAH?
YEAH.
WHEW!
FOR YEARS, I'VE ALWAYS WONDERED,
HOW DO YOU DO AN ELEVATOR TO THE TREEHOUSE?
IT SEEMS SIMPLE. MY BRAIN CAN COMPREHEND IT.
THANK YOU.
AND I'M ALIVE. YES!
I MEAN, THIS HAS INSPIRED ME.
I MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING UP MY SLEEVES, OTHER THAN MY ARMS.
I WANT TO GO UP WITH YOU, BUT WE ONLY HAVE ONE...
FOR NOW WE CAN GO GET AN EXTENSION LADDER
AND PUT IT UP THERE, AND WE CAN BOTH GO UP.
AS FUN AND INGENIOUS AS THIS BICYCLE ELEVATOR IS,
I'M GOING THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY.
THE TREEHOUSE IS MOVING.
YEAH, IT DOES.
OH, WOW. LOOK AT THAT.
MOST OF IT'S ACTUALLY THE TREE.
IF YOU LOOK UP, YOU CAN SEE THE BRANCHES MOVING.
YOU GET SEASICK AT ALL?
ON THE OCEAN, YEAH, BUT IN THE TREEHOUSE, NO.
THEN IT WOULD BE TREESICK, RIGHT?
TREESICK, NOT SEASICK.
[ BOTH LAUGH ]
ALL RIGHT. I'M COMING UP.
THIS LADDER IS STRETCHED OUT TO ITS LIMIT.
I MIGHT BE SAFER ON THE BIKE.
NOW, BEFORE I GO IN, I'VE ALREADY NOTICED
YOU'VE GOT SOME PRETTY INTERESTING THINGS HAPPENING
UP BETWEEN TOP OF WALL AND ROOF HERE.
I MEAN, THIS IS RUBBER.
YEAH, I BUILT IT SO THEY'RE STRUCTURALLY SEPARATE,
AND THEN JUST ATTACHED IT WITH RUBBER,
SO THAT IT CAN FLEX IN THE WIND.
IT'S BRILLIANT. I WANT TO CALL IT SOMETHING.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO CALL IT?
UH, DYNAMIC ROOF MOUNT?
A DYNAMIC ROOF MOUNT. PERFECT.
SO, NEXT TIME WHEN WE NEED ONE OF THESE,
WE SAY, "HEY, GET THE DYNAMIC ROOF MOUNT."
THE MORE TIME I SPEND WITH ETHAN,
THE MORE I'M UNDERSTANDING
THAT THIS GUY'S A CREATIVE POWERHOUSE.
MAN, OH, MAN, THIS IS EXCITING.
I MEAN, I'M LOVING THIS TREEHOUSE.
AS I LOOK HIGHER, THIS IS WHERE YOU THOUGHT
YOU MIGHT ASK ME FOR MY ADVICE ON HOW --
YEAH, THAT'S NOT AN IDEAL PLACE FOR DAYLIGHT TO BE COMING.
[ CHUCKLES ]
THE ISSUE THAT WE'RE TAKING CARE OF RIGHT NOW
IS UP AT THE TOP, WHERE THIS BEAUTIFUL LARCH TREE
GOES THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF HIS TREEHOUSE.
THERE'S A GOOD TWO-INCH GAP ALL THE WAY AROUND.
AND THAT'S WHERE WATER COMES POURING IN.
WATER IS NOT YOUR FRIEND IN ANY STRUCTURE, REALLY.
OH! LOOK AT THIS VIEW.
WHEN YOU'RE BUILDING A TREEHOUSE,
YOU ALWAYS WANT TO SCROUNGE THINGS, FIND THINGS.
LO AND BEHOLD, HE'S GOT A MOTORCYCLE WITH A FLAT TIRE,
SO PULL OFF THE TIRE, GRAB THE INNER TUBE.
[ LAUGHS ]
BEAUTEOUS.
WE GO UP TO THAT PLACE WHERE THERE'S A GAP
BETWEEN THE TREE AND THE ROOF,
WE PUSH IT DOWN, PULL IT AROUND...
IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE LUMPY,
BUT HEY, IT'S ON TOP OF THE ROOF.
NOBODY CAN SEE IT.
...SCREW IT DOWN.
OH, THIS IS GOING TO WORK SO WELL.
YOU TAKE THESE LITTLE CABLE TIES,
AND YOU WRAP THEM AROUND THE TOP OF THIS INNER TUBE,
PULL THEM TIGHT,
AND THEN WE TAKE THIS BLACK GOOP...
THE GOO,
...AND WE GO AND CAULK AROUND IT,
WHERE THOSE SEAMS ARE.
YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES, THE BEST FIXES
AREN'T THE PRETTIEST FIXES, YOU KNOW?
ONLY YOU, ME, AND A BUNCH OF SQUIRRELS WILL EVER KNOW IT.
Ethan: PETE'S SUCH A GREAT GUY,
AND HE'S SO CHILDLIKE IN HIS EXUBERANCE OVER EVERYTHING.
I THINK WE'VE DONE A FINE JOB HERE, YOUNG MAN.
YOU KNOW, IT'S A LOT OF FUN TO WORK WITH A GUY LIKE THAT.
WE'VE MANAGED TO DO OUR WORK,
AND NOW IT'S TIME FOR US TO LEAVE. [ EXHALES FORCEFULLY ]
Pete: I CAME HERE FOR A FIX,
AND INSTEAD, IT REALLY BECAME A COLLABORATION.
HE'S SUCH A SHARP KID.
YEAH.
THAT WAS SUCH A JOY TO BE WORKING WITH HIM TOGETHER.
I'VE GOT TO GO GET ANOTHER TREEHOUSE DONE.
IF DARYL, ALEX, CHUCK, THESE GUYS,
THEY DON'T TOW THE LINE, I'M BRINGING ETHAN IN.
THANKS, PETE.
WHOO-HOO! IT'S TREEHOUSE TIME!
WOW!
I THINK IT'S ALMOST BETTER WHEN I GO AWAY
BECAUSE EVERY TIME I GO AWAY, I COME BACK,
AND THEY'VE GOT MORE WORK DONE THAN I EVER IMAGINED.
YOU GUYS! MAN, YOU KILL IT!
I MEAN, THEY GOT THE ROOF ON, THEY GOT THE WALLS IN,
THEY GOT THE BIG BRIDGE IN, RAILINGS ARE UP.
WHOO-HOO!
WE'VE GOT THE WINDOWS INSTALLED FOR MAJOR VIEWS.
LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID.
WE'VE GOT TWO CONTRACTORS HELPING US OUT.
WE'VE GOT A GUY UP ON THE ROOF, LAYING SHINGLES,
AND WE'VE GOT A GUY INSIDE PULLING WIRE,
GETTING THE ELECTRICAL HOOKED UP.
BUT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT GOING TO SEE THE TOWER.
OH, YEAH.
WOW.
I'M VERY, VERY PLEASED WITH HOW THIS HAS COME OUT.
THIS THING IS BEEFY.
I MEAN, LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THIS HARDWARE.
I'M SITTING ON THIS ENORMOUS BLOCK OF CONCRETE,
THE DEAD MAN, RIGHT?
THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL IT IN BRIDGE BUILDING.
YOU'VE GOT THIS BIG COUNTERWEIGHT
THAT'S HOLDING THIS CABLE IN PLACE,
THAT STRETCHES ALL THE WAY ACROSS TO THE TREEHOUSE.
THE WEIGHT OF THIS DEAD MAN -- 16,000 POUNDS.
I WOULD SAY THAT YOU COULD PACK THIS WHOLE LENGTH OF THE BRIDGE
WITH BEARS, I MEAN BIG BEARS, NOT LITTLE BEARS.
BIG, HEAVY BEARS.
THIS THING CAN HANDLE IT.
[ THUNDER CRACKS ]
WE'VE GOT A TON STILL TO DO,
BUT I HEARD THERE'S A HUGE WINDSTORM COMING IN TONIGHT.
I THINK WE BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES.
[ THUNDER RUMBLING ]
I'VE GOT ONE LITTLE INSTALL
I'VE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF DOWN HERE.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING, PETE?
I'VE GOT TO PUT IN THE BEAR CAM.
SEEMS LIKE A BAD TIME TO SET UP A BEAR CAM.
Alex: SO PETE TELLS US THERE'S A STORM ROLLING IN,
AND WE'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE.
WHAT IS HE DOING? IS HE CRAZY?
HE RUNS UP A LADDER TO DO SOME WORK.
I GUESS THAT'S TREEHOUSE BUILDER DEDICATION.
Pete: OKAY, BEARS, GIVE ME LIKE FIVE MINUTES,
AND THEN I CAN CLEAR OUT, AND YOU CAN COME ON IN.
THIS IS INTENSE.
Man: HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS OUT THERE TONIGHT,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
SEVERE STORM WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT
FOR ALL OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
Pete: I TRUST IN THE TREEHOUSE, BUT I MEAN,
IF THIS STORM IS AS BIG AS THEY SAY,
I MAY WAKE UP IN THE MORNING
AND NOT HAVE THE TREEHOUSE TO REVEAL.
Pete: LAST NIGHT, 60-MILE-AN-HOUR WINDS
CAME RIPPING OVER THIS MOUNTAINSIDE,
BUT THE TREEHOUSE IS BUILT TO BE FLEXIBLE.
THESE TWO TREES, THEY'RE GOING LIKE SO ALL OVER THE PLACE.
ON ONE SIDE, WE'VE GOT A STATIC ARRESTER.
THAT TREE, IF IT MOVES, THIS WHOLE BEAM MOVES.
NOW, ON THE OTHER SIDE, WE'VE GOT A DYNAMIC ARRESTER.
THIS TREE, AS IT MOVES,
IT'S GOING TO PUSH THE WHOLE BEAM OVER THIS WAY,
AND WHAT I'M SEEING
IS RUBBING OF ABOUT AN INCH AND A HALF ON ONE SIDE HERE.
EXCELLENT NEWS.
THIS TREEHOUSE DOESN'T APPEAR TO HAVE MOVED MUCH AT ALL.
I MEAN, THIS IS TREMENDOUS.
IT IS SUCH A RELIEF
THAT THE BLACK BEAR BUNGALOW SURVIVED THE STORM
BECAUSE TODAY IS THE DAY.
KRISTI AND AMANDA ARE COMING TO SEE THIS THING.
THE ELECTRICAL IS STILL GOING ON,
AND THE WRAPAROUND DECK IS STILL UNDERWAY,
BUT I HAVE THIS IDEA IN MIND WHERE WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF THE HEIGHT OF THIS TREEHOUSE,
BUT STILL GET A LITTLE NOSTALGIC.
IN FACT, I'VE GOT A SWINGING GOOD IDEA.
I'M GOING TO MAKE A SWING.
BADA BING.
THE SIZE
OF THE REAR END OF A TYPICAL PERSON.
BAM.
WHAT IS THAT? 14 INCHES.
14 INCHES IN DIAMETER.
ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO
WHEN YOU'RE CUTTING ON THE TAILGATE OF YOUR TRUCK
IS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR SAW
IS NOT GOING INTO THE TAILGATE OF THE TRUCK.
SO, LET'S CHECK.
WE'RE GOOD.
OH-HO-HO-HO!
THIS IS, YOU KNOW, AN IMPORTANT STEP
BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT A SPLINTER IN THE HEINIE, RIGHT?
IT'S MY JOB. IT'S WHAT I DO.
I BUILD SWINGS IN THE SUNSHINE.
THE BEST WAY TO TEST THESE THINGS
IS THE FULL WEIGHT OF A GROWN MAN.
HERE WE GO.
[ GRUNTS ]
IT'S PERFECT!
NOW THAT THE STRUCTURE IS DONE,
IT'S TIME TO MAKE OUR TREETOP DEN COME ALIVE.
BRING IN THE DEN MOTHER OF INTERIOR DESIGN, TORY.
WE'VE GOT ALL THIS REALLY BEAUTIFUL
ARTS AND CRAFTS FURNITURE.
ARTS AND CRAFTS IS GOING TO BE PERFECT.
THE HOTEL IS LIKE ALL ARTS AND CRAFTS.
OAK COUNTRY PEDDLERS ARE HERE.
TORY FOUND THIS COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES
IN THIS HIGH-QUALITY, SOLID-WOOD FURNITURE.
IN FACT, EACH PIECE WAS MADE BY AN AMISH CRAFTSMAN.
I MEAN, HOW COOL IS THAT?
HERE. LET'S MOVE, MOVE, MOVE.
AAH! OHH!
[ GRUNTS ]
I'M OKAY. I'M OKAY.
SO, WE'VE GOT THIS MISSION-STYLE FURNITURE COMING IN.
IT'S SLEEK AND MODERN, BUT IT STILL FEELS WARM AND COZY.
AND SPEAKING OF COZY, FIREPLACE -- WOW.
WHERE'D YOU GET THIS?
WAIT TILL YOU SEE. ANOTHER PRESENT.
OH, MY GOD. SO THAT'S THE INSIDE.
AND THAT'S THE DEADBOLT.
I AM GOING TO LOOK AT THE INSTRUCTIONS.
THIS IS IN FRENCH.
[ PETE SPEAKING FRENCH ]
WHAT'S READ?
SO, MAYBE MY FRENCH ISN'T PERFECT,
BUT I CAN FIND THE BATHROOM OR LA BIBLIOTHèQUE.
ARE YOU TALKING FRENCH?
[ SPEAKING FRENCH ]
NO COMPRENDE, SEÑOR.
NO COMPRENDE? THAT'S SPANISH.
[ SPEAKS IN FRENCH ]
[ SPEAKS IN SPANISH ]
[ SPEAKING IN FRENCH ]
EH.
MAYBE I'M NOT SO GREAT AT FRENCH,
BUT KNOW WHAT I'M GREAT AT?
DOORKNOBS.
GOOD. GOT IT. CROSS THAT OFF THE LIST.
TORY ALSO BROUGHT IN DON, A LOCAL ARTISAN,
WHO SPECIALIZES IN ARTS AND CRAFTS FURNITURE BUILDING,
WHICH IS IN KEEPING WITH THE STYLE
OF KRISTI AND AMANDA'S FAMILY-RUN SUMMIT INN.
YOU'RE A CRAFTSMAN. AN ARTISAN.
WE'VE GOT ONE FANTASTIC PIECE TO GO IN THIS TREEHOUSE,
AND IT'S PROBABLY MY FAVORITE.
THIS IS THE PIèCE DE RéSISTANCE.
Pete: PIèCE DE RéSISTANCE.
OH, MAN! OH, MAN, OH MAN.
THIS DISTRESSED COPPER TABLE IS JUST GORGEOUS.
EACH POUND OF THE HAMMER WAS MADE WITH JUST LOVE.
BUT THIS WHOLE PLACE WAS MADE WITH LOVE,
AND IT'S ALL COMING TOGETHER RIGHT NOW.
LOOK AT HOW BEAUTIFUL.
THIS IS GOING TO BE SUCH A COZY LITTLE DEN.
EVEN THE BEARS ARE GOING TO WANT TO HANG OUT HERE.
HOLY SMOKES. WELL DONE.
WE WENT ALL OUT ON THIS THING.
WE PUSHED THROUGH ALL THE ELEMENTS
AND STILL, IT WAS JUST SO MUCH FUN.
BUT NOW IT'S GO TIME.
Pete: OKAY, NOW KEEP YOUR EYES DOWN BECAUSE THIS IS --
WE'RE GETTING CLOSE.
WALKING UP WITH THE GIRLS, EVERYBODY'S ON PINS AND NEEDLES.
I'M HAPPY, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE HAPPY.
LOOK DOWN. LOOK DOWN.
AT THE GROUND.
I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE THE FINISHED TREEHOUSE.
WE WERE THINKING ABOUT SNEAKING UP LAST NIGHT, BUT...
WE PRACTICED TREMENDOUS RESTRAINT.
ONE, TWO, THREE.
WOW.
OKAY, NOW KEEP YOUR EYES DOWN, BECAUSE THIS IS --
WE'RE GETTING CLOSE.
Pete: WALKING UP WITH THE GIRLS, EVERYBODY'S ON PINS AND NEEDLES.
THEY ARE, I AM.
I WONDER ARE THEY GOING TO SEE THIS AND JUST,
YOU KNOW, "HMM"?
LOOK DOWN. LOOK DOWN.
AT THE GROUND.
I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE THE FINISHED TREEHOUSE.
OKAY. ONE, TWO, THREE.
Amanda: WOW.
IT'S SO COOL.
THERE'S SWINGS.
THAT BRIDGE IS AWESOME.
IT'S BEEFY, TOO.
YOU CAN PACK THAT THING WITH BEARS.
AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BOUNCE.
IT'S A BOUNCY BRIDGE.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ROOF?
IT'S GORGEOUS. IT'S EVERYTHING WE WANTED.
LET'S GO SEE IT.
[ LAUGHS ]
I'M BOUNCING THE WHOLE WAY ACROSS.
SHE'S CRAZY!
I WOULD SAY THAT I FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN,
BUT I'VE NEVER GROWN UP. [ CHUCKLES ]
THIS IS AWESOME.
YOU MIGHT GET LAUNCHED
INTO THE NEXT COUNTY WITH THIS THING.
OH, MY GOODNESS. THAT'S FUN.
GIVE THAT TREE A LITTLE LOVE,
OH, LET'S ALL HUG THE TREE.
HUG THAT TREE.
I'VE GOT TO GIVE IT SOME LOVE, TOO.
[ GRUNTS ]
THAT IS SOLID.
YOU WANT TO GO IN?
OKAY. HERE WE GO.
Kristi: ARE YOU GOING TO GO FIRST?
AFTER YOU.
OH, WOW.
IT LOOKS GREAT.
THERE'S A LOT TO TAKE IN.
I MEAN, THERE'S SO MUCH TO SEE.
TORY THE TORNADO JUST TORE IT UP.
AND I LOVE THAT IT'S ALL MISSION-INSPIRED FURNITURE.
THIS IS A REAL FIREPLACE THAT IS GOING TO COOK YOU.
WHEN I FIRST WALKED THROUGH THE DOOR,
I COULDN'T REALLY BELIEVE WHAT I WAS SEEING.
Amanda: NOW THAT WE'VE SEEN THE TREEHOUSE, I'M SO EXCITED.
I HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT IDEAS
ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH IT.
IT'S AMAZING. IT'S PERFECT.
OKAY, LOOK AT THIS. DON DID THIS LIKE OVERNIGHT.
DON IS THE MAN.
WE POACHED HIM.
WE NEEDED A GUY TO HELP US MAKE A BAR,
SO YOU HAVE A BAR, AND THIS IS THE BEST PART.
BOOM.
OH, MY GOSH.
WE HAVE A BAR.
Amanda: I CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE A COCKTAIL PARTY.
ALL OUR FRIENDS.
THIS COPPER TABLE.
Pete: DON JUST BANGED THAT OUT, LITERALLY.
Kristi: IT'S SO PRETTY.
AWESOME.
ALL RIGHT, LOOK, I HAVE ONE MORE THING TO SHOW YOU.
THAT'S THE OLD SKI MAP.
AND THAT'S THE OLD SKI LODGE
THAT HAD THE OCTAGONAL SHAPE
THAT INSPIRED THIS PLACE, YOU SEE?
Amanda: INCREDIBLE.
I LOVE HOW MUCH THE HISTORY OF THE PROPERTY
THAT YOU'VE PUT INTO THIS.
THE GIRLS ARE REALLY PROUD OF THE HISTORY OF THIS HOTEL,
AND I'M SO GLAD THAT WE COULD PAY HOMAGE
TO WHAT CAME BEFORE.
YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT'S BEHIND HERE?
YES.
THIS IS A SPECIAL SURPRISE.
THE BEAR MONITOR.
WE HAVE A BEAR CAM UNDERNEATH THE TREEHOUSE.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE'VE GOT SOME FOOTAGE
OF THE BEARS THAT HAVE BEEN ROAMING AROUND THIS AREA.
YEAH.
WOW.
A LITTLE BEAR.
I MEAN, IT'S A LITTLE GUY, BUT LOOK, HE'S CLIMBING A TREE.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? THEY CLIMB TREES AFTER ALL.
THAT'S COOL.
THE BEAR CAM IS AMAZING.
WE COULD HAVE VIEWING PARTIES
AND HAVE PEOPLE THERE TO SEE THE WILDLIFE.
IT'S REALLY PERFECT.
Pete: OH, MY GOD. SCRATCHING HIS BACK.
OH, THEY'RE COOL ANIMALS.
MAYBE WE GO OUTSIDE, 'CAUSE I'VE GOT
ONE MORE THING TO SHOW YOU.
SWINGS.
HUH?
CAN WE USE IT?
YES, YOU CAN USE IT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THIS CAN HANDLE IT,
BUT THIS IS GONNA BE THE STRESS TEST.
THE SWINGS, I MEAN, IS THAT NOT TAKING YOU
BACK TO CHILDHOOD RIGHT AWAY?
ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE 10 YEARS OLD AGAIN.
WATCH THE TREE! OH, I'M JUST KIDDING.
OR YOUR SISTER.
THE SWINGS ARE AWESOME. THEY'RE A LITTLE DANGEROUS.
WHOA, WAIT. WHAT HAVE I DONE?
WHAT HAVE I DONE?! OH, I'M OKAY.
IT'S TIME TO BRING MOM.
THIS IS TOO FUN.
Amanda: COME ON DOWN!
IT'S ABOUT TIME! MY GOODNESS!
I'VE BEEN WAITING ALL DAY!
I'M SORRY. CAN I HUG YOU?
YAY!
MOM WAS SO EXCITED.
SHE HAD BEEN WAITING TO SEE IT,
SHE HADN'T SEEN ANY OF THE CONSTRUCTION.
YAY! WHOO-HOO!
Pete: SO, MOM WANTED IN SO BAD, IT WAS FUN TO WATCH
BECAUSE SHE CAME BOLTING ACROSS THAT BRIDGE.
YOU COULD NOT HOLD HER BACK.
WOW.
OH, MY GOSH.
LOOK AT THIS.
I CAN'T EVEN BELIEVE WHAT I JUST SAW.
I WAS SO SHOCKED.
I HAD NO IDEA A TREEHOUSE COULD LOOK THAT FABULOUS.
YOU WANT TO GO SEE THE DECK?
YOU BET. LET'S GO. LET'S GET OUT THERE.
OKAY.
WHOA!
WHAT A GORGEOUS DAY.
BEAUTIFUL VIEW.
I FEEL LIKE A MILLION BUCKS.
IT'S JUST SO FUN TO HAND OVER THE KEYS
TO A FAMILY THAT IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND SO HOSPITABLE.
I MEAN, THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FANTASTIC.
I JUST FEEL REALLY PRIVILEGED
TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS FOR THEM.
YOU GIRLS -- FABULOUS.
AREN'T THEY SOMETHING?
I'M SO PROUD OF MY DAUGHTERS.
IT'S JUST AMAZING.
SOMETIMES YOU'VE GOT TO LET THE KIDS DO WHAT KIDS WILL DO.
AND THESE KIDS THINK THIS IS THEIR TREEHOUSE.
NO WAY.
THEY HAVE TO WORK. IT'S TIME FOR US TO RETIRE.
WE'RE THE THIRD GENERATION, SO IT'S BEEN REALLY FUN
TO KIND OF PUT OUR STAMP ON IT.
Amanda: IT'S OUR ADDITION.
IT REFLECTS OUR PERSONALITIES SO WELL,
AND IT WILL BE HERE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
Pete: AND THAT'S WHAT THIS TREEHOUSE IS --
THE PASSING OF THE TORCH FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.
BEING A PART OF THAT, I COULD NOT BE PROUDER.
FOR A PRIVATE TOUR
OF THE BLACK BEAR BUNGALOW TREEHOUSE,
WATCH THE "BEHIND THE BUILD" SERIES ONLINE
AT animalplanet.com/treehouse.