Going UP! And it's a Tree House, not a Deer Stand!

The Loyd place has gone a long time now without

a tree house.  But I think the adventurous grandkids

deserve one as yet another outlet for their energy

and imaginations.  The site below may be the one

perfect spot on our entire property that features four

hardwood trees in a nearly rectangular configuration.

Thus, the finished product will be called Four Corners.

The last tree house around here dates back to

the 1980's, when Jennifer and Amanda and their

friends clambered up and down a three-level

model, the remnants of which are pictured below.

The trees bear the scars, but they're still alive.

I'm sure the kids have some scars, too. But

those were good times.

Being a minimalist in all things, I first selected

some treated 2x6 boards which I would re-purpose

for my "foundation."

The first two boards go up, with an extension

on the left for a "deck."

This pallet, sturdier than most, fit neatly

between the four trees.  This is the first floor.

Next, two more 2x6's are added for the upper

level.  On this floor, the beams extend to the

east and the west.

This is how things looked after Thursday's 

work session.  I headed to Lowe's to purchase

the only items I would need to buy, some

additional nails and a 4'x8' sheet of 3/4 inch

exterior plywood.  That thing was heavy!

Friday morning, before working at the site,

I constructed a ladder, since I'm not sure I'm

going to "donate" my aluminum extension

ladder for full-time use at the tree house.

The sides of the ladder are 4"x4" treated posts

and the steps are held on by 3 inch screws.

I had to do everything that required power

tools around the garage.

The 4'x8' plywood was transformed into

three platforms.  Two of them, below, are

5'x2' decks on the uppermost level (so far).

Here's the eastern view.

Here's an identical deck with a western view.

Note: these decks do not have railings, would

not pass a county inspection, and are not for

the faint of heart!

This is looking down at the lower deck and

the central area.

Here are a couple of views of the entire project.

It doesn't look very high, does it?

Trust me, when you stand up on the top

level and take a picture looking down, it

seems much higher.  

And there was a 20 mph wind, too.  I got

down as soon as I had my pictures!

It will continue to be a work in progress, and

one play area will be at ground level, between

the trees.  We'll let the grandkids make some

suggestions.  The last change I made before

wrapping it up at lunchtime was to move my

homemade ladder so you can either get off

of it on the lower deck or proceed to the top.

At least at first, I don't think any of the kids

will go to the top unless I have a firm grip

on them.  But that will quickly change!

So, it may look more like a deer stand than

a tree house, but soon it could be a pirate

ship, a fort, a castle, or a rocket to the moon.