SANDPOINT, Idaho -- A tree house built from a childhood passion has garnered national attention -- and does not disappoint.
Over the summer, Schlussler was featured on a reality series called "The Woodsmen" aired on the History Channel. Ethan Schlussler said Wednesday, it all began from a childhood dream.
"When I was 17 or 18 or something I kind of had the idea of building a little bedroom up in the trees," said Schlussler.
Schlussler said he decided to make that dream reality a few years ago, when he began construction on his mother's property outside of Sandpoint.
Schlussler built the house out of lumber he harvested and milled himself, without any formal architectural training. The treehouse features a bedroom, along with two bridges and an innovative elevation system -- a bicycle.
It was the bike that grabbed the attention of social media and network news programs, when Schlussler posted a video online. The rider is lifted into the air by peddling on the bike mounted on ropes.
"I was blown away by how many people were interested, and how interested," said Schlussler.
According to Schlussler, the bike turned out to be a more efficient way to get to the house than a rope ladder.
"The legs are some of the strongest muscles in the body, so if you're going to power an elevator, pedals make sense," said Schlussler.
Schlussler's childhood dream seemed to turn out just as he imagined, and is now where he spends much of his time.
"It's definitely more interesting, every time there's a wind storm, I know it."
Schlussler said he has no plans to build any additional tree houses.
