Short story: I built an elevated platform in the back yard straddling the garden railroad starting in late September 2008. It's too far to toss water balloons at the car, but I'm sure the kids will find something fun to do in the back yard.
Mom was inside working on the kids' Halloween costumes and took some photos on a rainy Saturday while we started work on the deck. This picture was taken from our guest room window and shows the tree house's proximity to the garden railroad:
The next day was beautiful, so the kids ate a snack on FORT APPLEGATE:
Next, I installed a small rock climbing wall. I told the kids we were going to "build a ladder" but they were really happy when I opened the box with rock climbing parts in it. BTW, we got our holds from Atomik. I'm thinking of just covering that wall with 2x6 boards and making the whole thing a climbing wall.
Aunt Lai (standing) and Mom played on the platform after checking out the climbing wall.
Over the next two weekends I built the front and back wall frames in the garage, then Jason and I hauled them out and got them onto the deck. This shows me installing the front wall window frame. Lots of temporary cross bracing. The back wall is covered with pressure treated wood. Yes, there is a pulley that has hauled tools, parts, and various games to/from the tree house since being installed. I did the front wall on a weekend well below freezing. Around mid afternoon (after I was done) it reached 34 degrees but was in the 20s most of the morning when I did most of the work.
Megan and I looking out the front window...
A temporary roof was added once the walls were mostly done...
Our Christmas picture this year was a front view once the exterior was put on...
Jason and I cleared some brush, branches and small trees out of the way for a future "zip line" between two trees. I'm running out of good weather for outdoor work, but next spring and summer should be a lot of fun!