Dreams To Reality

Today is Sunday, February 16. Today the dream took the first step of reality. While there are still details to work out, today we actually have a signed contract. What began as simply a dream (perhaps just a fantasy) nearly 3 years ago has now developed into an actual vision and then a business plan and now only mere steps away from reality.

I've referred to this process as one of pushing the boulder up a big hill an inch or two at a time. Today, I feel comfortable that we have done everything in our power to make this dream a reality. Now it's in the hands of other capable people to finish up the details.

Today we toured the property with a new sense of commitment and enthusiasm. Today we looked at the trees as if to say; "Ready or not...Here We Come!"

Here's a picture of John and I looking out at the trees. (My wife was sneaking up on us to get this shot). We are standing on a 10 foot ledge looking out into the nearby canopy and at all of the possibilities.

Make sure to register for a Free Night in a Tree to the right.

The Designs

Just to be clear, the pictures you see on this blog (at least for now) are just various pictures we have found on-line that represent some very cool ideas involving tree house design. Many of the designs and floor plans contain elements we will most certainly use when we start construction of our tree houses.

So when do we plan to start? Well, it looks like around May 1, 2013. We are still in the acquisition stage of our project and it looks like we will be "on property" in about a month and a half.

For now, we are gathering ideas and making plans for construction. Two of the purposes of this blog are to start generating some interest in our project and to gather ideas from our "future" guests. We would LOVE to know what you think are the BEST features of tree house cabins! For this reason, we ask you to provide feedback and suggestions in the comment section below.

ALSO........DON'T FORGET........We will be drawing a name from the our subscriber list on MAY 1st to select a winner of the "Sleep Free in a Tree" drawing. If you haven't entered, you can do so on the right side of this page!

Until Later,

See You In The Trees!

Use of Natural Materials

I like the deck and stairway railings on this tree house. I've been seeing a lot of tree limbs used as railings. When we start or project, we've already agreed that we want to use as much natural material as we can. I think it helps add to the rustic charm of a tree house.

Make sure to register for our "Sleep Free in a Tree" drawing to the right of the page.

Sleep FREE in a TREE

I just left a meeting with our "tree house partners" and have approval to offer a FREE NIGHT in a Tree house. As a celebration to the start of this project, we will be drawing for a FREE NIGHT (and possibly a FREE WEEKEND) in one of our first 2 tree houses.

The first two tree houses will consist of one "romantic couple retreat" and the other will be a "family fun" tree house. The winner will be able to choose which tree house they would like to use for their FREE NIGHT.

The romantic one will include Jacuzzi Tub for 2 and a quiet wooded setting away from some of the other amenities like the pool and playground.

The family fun tree house will sleep 2 adults and up to 3 children. It will be close to the pool and playground for easy access to fun!

HERE'S HOW TO QUALIFY!!!

At the side of the page is a sign up form where you must enter your name and email address!

It's that simple! we will draw a name from our subscriber list on May 1st.

A Beautiful Tree House Interior

Here is a absolutely beautiful tree house interior. What is it about this picture that is appealing? I like the round top doors and the round wall. The stove is nice too.

Be sure to leave your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section below. When we start building, we are going to refer to the comments from this blog.

Step One

Can anyone see me doing this?

 

 



 

This is the first step to set the rigging for raising and lowering tools and materials!

 

 

 

Castle In The Trees

This is an Awesome tree house. I'm not sure of the complex round walls. That might be a challenge. (As well as the roofs) but still very cool. I do like the way the swinging rope bridges connect the tree house to the small deck on the nearby tree.

What stands out to you with this picture?

Whimsical Design

As I am going through pictures and websites that focus on tree houses, I am amazed at the variety of size, design and level of "whimsy" I am finding. Tree houses, of course, are by their nature something that is outside the boundaries of routine and normal. How normal is building in a tree? Since the nature of a tree house is "out of the normal", all aspects of a tree house are okay with being "out of the normal" as well. In fact, the more "Out there" the better it seems.

 I am beginning to collect all of the design features I can get my hands on to try and come up with the most appealing feature possible when we start the construction process. What I know right now is that there are two paths to take. One being sort of a luxurious, romantic design and the other being a more adventurous and whimsical design.

Both designs are probably going to be included in our tree house projects since there will be several units to develop in different styles. Still, I am looking for the things that a typical guest would like to see in their tree house experience. If you have ideas of what you would like to see. please feel free to post them in the comment section. Believe me, we are going to consider EVERYTHING..........We even saw a tree house with a private outdoor shower! How "out of the ordinary" is that?

Things are going to get REALLY INTERESTING, REALLY FAST. Subscribe to our updates to the right of the page to receive periodic messages and "Special Offers" from us once the construction starts!

See You In The Trees!

Swinging Bridges

Most tree houses are accessed by either stairs, ladders, swinging rope bridges or rigid platform bridges. I think for guest lodging, ladders are out of the question. Stairs are okay but still limits the ability for some guests to easily access the tree house. Rigid bridge platforms works for everyone. But swinging rope bridges just say "Tree House".

Even swinging rope bridges aren't going to be appropriate for every unit, but I don't think I could build tree houses without at least a few that had swinging bridge access.

Rope bridges add a level of whimsical adventure to the experience. Since the goal of a tree house is to create that adventure experience, rope bridges have to be seriously considered in at least some of the design.

What is your opinion on tree house entry? Rope bridges, rigid platform bridges or stairs?



See You In The Trees!

Small or Big

I ran across this little tree house last night and liked several things about it. I'm not sure of the size, it looks a little small. I love the color and the angles of it. We have been collecting plans for tree houses that sleep from 2 to 6. I just haven't figured out what the first one should be. Something that is romantic for 2, or something that is suitable for a couple of adults with kids.

 

What Makes A Tree House Special

From a "cabin" point of view, there is really not much different when you compare a normal cabin to a tree house cabin other than that of being elevated up into the trees. We've found that many tree houses are actually built in the tree themselves, or in multiple trees. Most are built on stilts of some kind or a combination of both.

As we've been researching exactly what we would like to attempt, I think we will start with something on stilts (or posts, the term stilts seems a little bit unstable! lol) Anyway, in the right setting and right size of tree, anything is possible.

The exciting part is that a tree house fulfills ones childhood sense of adventure. Modern guest tree houses commonly include decks or other platforms, kitchens, bathrooms and even hot tubs. Some have swinging rope bridges or rigid bridges.

The picture to the right is one I found on the internet. It's not "our" tree house. I am posting random pics that I find to try to display as many unique features as I can to get reader feed back.

What do you like about the tree house in this posting? Please leave your comments below!

See You In The Trees!

P.S. Personally, I kind of like the rounded deck rails in this one!

Sleeping In Trees

This blog is dedicated to the tree house adventure and lifestyle.

I think that someday I will build a tree house. Until then, This is where I will collect ideas and inspiration. I hope you enjoy the different photos posted here. Most of them were found around the internet.

If we build a tree house, it will likely be at one of our resorts. I would welcome input as to what kind of tree house and amenities would be the most desired. Things like hot tubs, extra bunks for kids, swinging bridges, and so on.

The more input the better!

Until then, Enjoy all of the posts and come back often. If you are a tree house enthusiast, you will enjoy the pics I've found. We may even initiate a "Kickstarter" program to get funds to build one. If you would like to see that happen, let me know that too. I'm sure we would give away premium stays at the tree house.