Growing up on the Navajo reservation in Arizona, I recall a summer day in 1965 when my friend Richard and I embarked on a creative endeavour. Sitting under a tree to escape the desert heat, we envisioned a communication system using cans and a string between our houses. As we strung the cans, we realized the distance was too far, leading to an even grander idea—the construction of a tree fort.

With wood scraps, nails, and my Dad’s hammer, I began building my treehouse fortress, inspired by the Swiss Family Robinson movie. Through this project, I learned about space and traffic patterns, connecting different areas by strategically placing boards between limbs. My innovative design even linked the tree fort to my sister’s playhouse with long boards.

While my tree fort lacked walls, it featured a slide extending from a lower limb to the ground. This childhood project not only sparked creativity but taught me valuable lessons in spatial awareness and construction.

From humble beginnings—Today’s Team

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