Finding Minnesota: Treehouse For Big Kids In Wadena

WADENA, Minn. (WCCO) -- Sometimes kids need a secret hideaway to escape the worries of the world. The lucky ones have a treehouse to climb into and let their imaginations go.

It turns out, big kids can rent their own secluded hideout in the trees of Wadena.

Will and Peggy Line's treehouse is more like a cozy cabin, 14 feet off the ground.

"I want you to feel like you've left all your cares behind and you've stepped out, just for a little while," Peggy said.

It's a two-level treehouse with a sleeping loft. It has electricity, a full kitchen, plumbing and TV.

"Basically all the comforts of home for people," Will said. "It's quite beautiful in the summer."

The look and feel of the Lines' treehouse changes with the seasons.

"(In the) summer, people will drive right past the treehouse and not see it," Peggy said, "because it's all up here in the leaves."

During the winter months, the highlight for visitors is sitting outside in the hot tub on the treehouse's spacious deck.

The couple owned a sawmill when they came up with the idea, which made it easy to gather wood.

They did all the work themselves -- just the two of them.

"I'd bring him up some wood and he'd put it up," said Peggy, "and I'd look at it and say, 'oh my gosh, I saw the next perfect one down there' and I'd go racing down and bring it up."

Their treehouse doesn't move, because it's firmly anchored to the ground.

"We are built in and amongst the trees," Peggy said. "It goes through the deck, around the edges. But you are solid."

It's an elaborately built structure that's still run quite simply.

The Lines have no website to take reservations. Peggy takes reservations by phone and pencils them into a scheduler.

For information or to make a reservation, call 218-639-8017.

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