Fire Tower

Knocking a spike into a 2 x 6 while balancing on another suspended fifteen feet in the air isn't everyone's idea of a good time. But for my father, a retired contractor and carpenter, it was pure bliss.

I just got back from five days in the woods. Our family cottage is located in Northern Ontario on a small lake near South River.

Dad is a 79 year old force of nature who took it upon himself to design and build a treehouse for his grandchildren. Not just any old tree house, but a replica of a fire tower. It overlooks the log cabin, sauna and workshop/barn that he has designed and built over the years with the help of everyone in the family. I volunteered to help him out with this one. This project really appeals to me, because it is so crazy.

My dad shows no signs of slowing down. Spending the day with him usually exhausts me. I used to work with him in construction and we locked horns a lot. We have both mellowed over the years, so working together again was a real treat. Dad put great effort into planning all of the elements out and cut the various pieces in his workshop.  It is probably the last big project he will ever take on, and he told me how he had built every detail inside his head. Going through that process was very rewarding. He was in a great mood the whole time and I really enjoyed the fresh air and a chance to get a change of pace from the studio. My sons aged 9 and 7 helped out where they could as well.