I have known Eric for many years and I met him frequently on trips to Alaska. I got to know him as a man who stuck to his word, an unusual man, a wilderness guide like the ones you want around when the shit hits the fan. He is humorous, inventive, tough, generous and knows EXACTLY what to do in every situation.

When Eric kept mentioning the tree house I thought by myself 'Well, this is certainly something nice for kids to play in.

While I was sure that it was something somehow perched up in a tree, would it really qualify the term HOUSE?'

Little did I know what would expect me. It was winter a few years ago when Eric fixed me up with a snowmobile and we set off to his cabin in the Alaska Range. It was a long tough ride through the night with a nap enroute and I was pretty beat up when we got there at sunrise. I'm sure you have seen lots of beautiful outdoor pictures in the Alaska media, and I am no stranger to Alaska either. From the Brooks Range to the Panhandle I have hiked and rafted this state of grandeur. But this place I would call paradise on earth!

At this point you must know that I'm 53 years old and I have spent my life traveling in all continents whenever I had a week off. But this valley was the most awesome place I have ever set my foot on. The log cabin of course catches your eye first. Well built, a million dollar home, given the remote place it lodges in.

And then there is the tree house, within sight from the cabin. Eric told me he had lived in there while he was building the cabin. Lived? In a kid's adventure box? In the winter? I had to see that up close.

If I was a brown bear I would lose interest to inspect it. Too high and too solidly built. But I ain't no bear so I followed Eric up the ladder. We entered - a miniature cabin with room enough for two. It has a stove, it has windows, it has racks and it has an awesome view. Because now you are elevated above the ground and you get the birds eye view on your surroundings.

No, this is not built for kids to play Cooper's Leatherstocking, this was for real. It is a retreat offering shelter, warmth and comfort after a day of hiking, skiing or snowmobiling. And you will be the first to be kissed good morning by the sun as it peeks over the mountains...