Everyone Has an Opinion

"Can you put some on the other side of the tree as well?" asks Robyn. Eleni and Gever pretend not to hear her.

As Above, So Below

Gever wonders, does his yoga platform really need a railing? Tywen demonstrates how it doesn't actually obscure the view.

Seriously Strapped (In)

After yesterday's momentary lapse of safety gear wearing, Tywen more than makes up for it today with every strap and rope he can get his hands on.

Think Make Tinker

Getting the flag ready to raise.

Big Brogans

Tywen shows Gever that he's working on filling his shoes.

Evolution

At this point it's hard to imagine what will come next.

Sewing Circle

The Swiss Project is going to be so big, it will require a banner in addition to a flag.

Farewell Young Arbornaut

Wistfully, Tywen descends so the next young apprentice may sit (tied firmly to the tree) with the master.

Changing Of The Guard

What goes up, must come down, so another may go up again. Except Gever. He has to stay in the tree all day.

What're You Kids Getting Into Up There?!

Having only experienced the platform build from above, Tywen is appalled at the racket the upstairs neighbors make.

Art Project

Every session has opportunity for artistic expression. Usually in the form of vehicle decoration, or, as in this case, a banner.

Test Flight

While the upper railing is still evolving, 2x4 by 2x4, screw by screw, extra little piece needed by extra little piece needed, the new banner is taken for a test run.

Safe at Last

Enough of the railing is in place that we can start to breathe a sigh of relief. Tywen has forgotten all about his upstairs neighbors and is talking on his imaginary cell phone.

Casual Cowpoke

Eleni sidles up to the bar. Well, where the bar would be if Gever could finish getting those railing posts in place. If only we had remembered the 2x4 blocks for the platforms _before_ we sent the pieces 21 feet into the air!

Quesadillas on the Couch

With so much to do, lunch is al fresco today. Ian doesn't even put down the TorqueStixMini(tm) source branch, alternating between cheesy bites and Leatherman cuts.

Big Dome

Jiro demonstrates what he'd look like if he had a giant melon grafted onto his giant melon. We decide that it will be safe enough for his momentary exposure to falling construction debris. If anything drops on him (which has not yet happened to anyone in the entire history of TInkering School), it might actually get the helmet pushed down onto this head for real.

Finishing Touch

Maxine makes sure she's secure to the tree until Gever has driven the final screw into the railing gussets.

Studio This Way

The gusset stabilizes the railing and also serves as a handy arrowhead if you happen to want to point to the studio.

Gever, Stay!

While everyone else is allowed to take a break and sit on the couch to eat their lunch, we are so far behind schedule (parents have been shooed away on arrival) that Gever's lunch is brought to the top and he's forced to eat it up there.

A Quesadilla is Calling

Maxine abandons Gever to his lunch, and heads out to get her own.

Recess

Gever figures out how the crow's nest is going to fit while everyone else takes a break.

Deploying Some Resources

A few hands are needed for the prep work, although all the rest of us can do is sit and wait for instructions.

Stairway to Heaven

A last look up into the canopy, before the crow's nest potentially blocks the sky.

Reinforcements

Once it's realized that the crow's nest (pre-assembled) will need to interact with the upper railing, several stiffening and strengthening modifications are installed.

Standing (or Sitting) By

While the pace is slow, when the upper floor needs supplies they expect immediate response.

Tonsils

The unexpected railing reinforcements are reacted to in various and surprising ways.

Vegan Vikings

Not everyone is happy about the delay.

Preparing for Lift-Off

Robyn is standing by on the guide-line, as well as coordinating the entire crew on the ground for the massive hoist of the crow's nest. Note that the nest is already completely assembled: Platform Support Module with platform decking as well as a full enclosure (to assuage the trepidations of the high-wire novices).

Ready for Liftoff

Positions and tactics are reviewed to ensure no animals (or Tinkerers) are harmed in the making of this film.

Standby for Further Instructions

The rope team confers regarding technique and strategy. The trick is to avoid having everyone under the massive crow's nest while it is hanging, but close enough to the tree for efficient and controlled pulling. Some roles are traded for improved execution of the mission. (We also realize that with the nest coming up the far side of the tree, the rope will be secured before there is any danger to the crew on the ground on this side.)

Peanut Gallery

The parents. Well, three of the parents who are brave enough to watch.

One Small Step for Jiro

And suddenly, it's done! Actually, not so suddenly. But since everyone was helping out there are no pictures of the actual crow's-nest lift and installation event. If we can turn it 90 degrees there might be some video. Later.

The Natives are Getting Restless

No Tinkerers are allowed into the crow's nest until the handles are secured and all the tools and debris are stowed away. Maxine can't resist the mysterious rope hanging in front of her, not realizing it's the guiderope for the crow's nest and still attached. Luckily the crow's nest is _glued_ to the tree. Well, not glued. It's using the same Platform Retention System(tm) and TorqueStixMini(tm) as the rest of the structure. Not a single tree was harmed in the making of this film.

Bored with 16'

While cleanup continues, Hanna and Eleni are clearly "over" hanging out only 16' above the ground. They want more. 7.5' more.

Is Everybody Ready?

A final bag of tools is handed down so the complete treehouse experience can begin.

Hi Tiny People!

Theo wins rochambo when it really counts: first to ascend to the crow's nest. He also must test the stability of the structure by reaching over the outside corner to untie the guide-rope. Why? Because it looks so messy with that up there!

Tall Order

The Swiss Project in all its glory. Measuring to the tip of the flag, it's an awesome 30 feet tall. Not bad for 2.5 days and not a single permanent or invasive attachment to the tree! Speculation has already begun as to how long it can and will be left up.

Relishing the Moment

Think Make Tinker and Enjoy!

Giant Steps

Everyone pushes their boundaries and challenges their comfort levels on this project. Soon they'll be having slumber parties in the crow's nest and practicing tight-rope on the railings!

Acrobatic Approach

Hanna demonstrates the tip-toe technique required to negotiate the two ladders and small leap into the crow's nest. Good thing Gever demanded the jig-saw be sent up so he open a bigger entry.

Chesire Cat

Hanna appreciating the view from the perch.

Bold Moves

After only a few moments of acclimation, Hanna is ready to explore the outer reaches of the nest and see all there is to see.

Getting Comfy

Everyone is really starting to let loose - Hanna gets ready to scamper down from the nest, oblivious to the shenanagins going on in the lower levels.

It's Just a Ladder Afterall

Eleni steps right up the ladder as if it was there to reach an upper cupboard. Maybe it's just as well the Tinkerers are headed home tomorrow - they might wear out the treehouse before a week was up.

Queen of All She Surveys

Queen Eleni acknowledges her faithful subjects.

The Best Kind of Mom

Mom Val acknowledges Queen Eleni (or something like that).

My Pretty

At long last, Maxine is allowed to reach for the brass ring. Or rather the hanging spanish moss. She's SO happy.

She's SO Happy

Maxine beams knowing her handful of spanish moss awaits her on the lower level.

Hi Jiro!

The temptation to wave at whoever is in the crow's nest (and their urge to wave back) is irresistible. Even if you're admiring the view or taking pictures. Julie must wave mid-shot.

Hi Julie!

What Julie saw.

The One Who Makes It Possible

Thanks Gever! We're having the BEST TIME EVER.

Tent City

A view of the house normally reserved to those on the ridge a 1/2 mile away.

It's All Worth It

Despite the sleep deprivation, non-stop activity, and sense at times she is herding cats, Robyn agrees that we're having the best time ever.

Layer Cake

Getting ready to call it a day, we realize that the platforms have one spot that is perfectly aligned.

Half Layer Cake

Looking at it now, you might not guess that every piece was located based on the shape of the tree, location of branches, and stability of the Platform Support Modules.

Big Ladder

That's one big ladder we managed to assemble.

Flat Side View

We knew the sides would be flat, but never imagined they'd all stack up.

Round Side View

It's hard to tell from this perspective that the 2nd layer is actually a 1/2 module wider than the 1st.

Flying Our Flags

The flags also work out surprisingly well: a wonderful balance of color, style, and motion.

I Was Supposed to What?

Theo getting rope-handling instruction from Gever (back up in the tree one last time to adjust a hand-grip).

It Worked!

Theo isn't sure if he's happier that the rope trick worked as advertised or that he's not going to be stuck tied up in the yard all night.

Right At Home

The treehouse blends into the yard so well - maybe we'll keep it!

One Last Look

The Tinkerers have all gone home (well, except Theo, but we're used to that :-), the yard is all tidied up, the treehouse is done. It must be the end of Session 2 (Seniors). Next up? Session 1 (Juniors)!