We’ve all heard how important it is to eat a diet high in roughage. Likewise, “roughaging” (spending time outdoors) is essential to our mental health. Even if it’s a settee on the porch, we need it, gotta have it. I aim to be the reason you pulled your bedding out the back door last night.
I’ve discovered a little gem of a DIY television show, Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters.
Now in its second season, Treehouse Masters is hosted by building visionary and “tree whisperer” Pete Nelson, a really likable everyman with a passion for trees. Pete comes from neighboring Washington state, where he and his wife, Judy, and daughter, Emily, own and operate Treehouse Point, a bed-and-breakfast near Seattle that boasts six guest-room treehouses. (You can also visit the property by taking a 1 1/2-hour guided tour of all the non-occupied treehouses on the property for just $18.)
Pete Nelson has been building treehouses for 20 years, starting with the one his dad helped him build when he was just 5 years old. Pete’s company, Nelson Treehouse & Supply, has now built over 200 treehouses in 6 countries. Treehouse Masters follows Pete and his lovable crew, including his twin 20-something sons, as they create “private escapes for those with a passion to reconnect with nature and awaken their inner child.” But if you think Pete’s treehouses are just for kids, think again. Some of Pete’s creations are self-contained living spaces including bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. If you can dream it, Pete can build it. He’s even built a working recording studio high up in the trees.
One recent episode had Pete visiting his former apprentice, Takashi Kobayashi (Taka), in Japan. Taka is now a treehouse master himself, recently creating the “Tree Dragon” treehouse, built for the child survivors of the 2011 Japanese tsunami. Taka wanted to create a space where the children could conquer the fear of nature the tsunami had brought to them and get back in touch with the beauties of the natural world. Through Pete’s conversation with Taka, some of it through an interpreter, we find that, regardless of the architectural antiquities that abound in Japan, there have never been treehouses built there—the word doesn’t even exist in the Japanese language. Because of Pete, the Japanese now have a word for these creative spaces … treehouse!
Pete also has a handful of books about treehouses, including this year’s Be in a Treehouse: Design/Construction/Inspiration. If you love the thought of living (or playing) in the trees, check out Treehouse Masters, Friday nights on Animal Planet.
Debbie Fischer says: Oh Mary Jane I watch this show too and love it! They sure make some awesome and beautiful treehouses.
Deborah McKissic says: Oh…how nice! I have a tiny cape cod house..and a tiny greenhouse..so, now I am thinking I might need…a tiny treehouse!
Well Debby I built my own tree house when I was 12 going on 13 years old and lived in it for a year. My Daddy had sole custody of me at the time and was so bamboozled by a preteen that to get me out of the house safely seemed like a swell idea to him ! finally a neighbor reported him ( ok I was getting a bit wild and not really bathing much – my baby sitter who looked in on me until he came home from work said I didnt have to bathe until she could plant radish seeds on me ! that worked in my 12 year old mind.) So I had to move into the “big” house after the better part of a year.
MaryJane says: What a sweet story! I’m sure that year played a big part in who you are today. Love the image of a 12-year-old so close to nature, radishes could grow in her hair.
Nancy Coughlin says: On one of my visits, one of my sons introduced me to this show. Love it. Unfortunately, haven’t had TV for years and years, so only get to see it when visiting others. Have seen some stunning treehouses and they are such a treat. Almost a fantasy!. My most favorite ones were the ones the elves lived in in “The Lord of the Rings”!!!! OK, the Ewoks had neat ones, too, in the Star War movies! Bet you can’t guess I am into a bit of fantasy.
Winnie Nielsen says: Whoop, I have service for a few moments !! Beautiful landscape . On way to get rental car and then onward to Idaho this afternoon! If you find any kisses blowing by your window later, they are coming form me in Sandpoint!!
Karlyne says: Seriously beautiful!
Winnie Nielsen says: I am feeling confident that this is a dragon fly Idaho variety!! Ours have a more blue/green body here in Florida.
love dragonflies- am always rescuing them as they get caught in the deer netting strung up aruind the gardens.
they are amazing creatures and all colors, love the irirdecent blue ones best!
Road tripping through my favorite state!
The canola fields are the perfect place to stop and giggle.
We don’t have an ocean, but the beaches are beaches just the same to me and my sister.
There’s something about the sand in your toes, no matter where you are. My sis and I love our Idaho.
Winnie Nielsen says: StellJane and Mia, you do have a lovely state to be proud of! I saw it for the first time last summer and it is such a beautiful place with many untouched and wild places. And your glacier carved lakes are pristine and perfect for swimming and playing on the beach. Have a great summer!
Megan says: We hope we get to meet you the next time you venture through!
Nancy Coughlin says: My family lived in Idaho for 8 years back in the 70s. My late husband was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base and we have many wonderful memories of living there. We camped all over the state: one can find any topography one desires with a little traveling. Would have loved to have retired there, but my husband’s early death put up a major roadblock to that dream. I have been back to visit with friends in that southwest corner of the state and enjoy any time spent in Idaho.
Megan says: Nancy, glad you’ve been able to return for a visit. It is so true, the topography options are unlimited. Wonderful that some of your memories with your late husband include Idaho.
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
This reminds me of an illustration for a storybook. Trees are so beautiful and these two “feel ” like friends.
We were on this Eco tour today in Portland and went to the coast. At one of the park areas along the shore, there was an old forest located a short hike down one of the trails. It was full of old growth trees that were magnificent . The whole area was cool and filled with lots of ferns , moss, and a variety of trees. One of the participants said that she recently heard on NPR Science Friday that research is showing a strong suggestion that trees actually send out nutrients to other trees of the same family in the forest. Isn’t that amazing?? Trees sharing what they could so that others could be strong too? Have you heard this? We always say trees give hugs and protect us but to imagine that there is a connectivity between like species within a big forest is incredible! Tree families helping each other. This is one of the most hopeful things I have heard today!
That is cool. I know mushrooms have elaborate underground connectivity but hadn’t heard trees might also. Portland has so many neat things going on. Did you eat at one of the many food trucks that are everywhere in Portland?
Mushrooms too? Very cool! I saw a few unique looking mushrooms embedded in the moss. They were a deep purple with a few white spots on top. True fairy houses for sure!
We haven’t tried any of the food trucks as we have been gone during the day looking at the River Gorge and coastline. Maybe today when we get back from some big waterfall area.