Roadside stops, strange statues, larger than life items, gimmicky signs, quirky architecture -- popping up along America's roads and highways, often bring drivers to a screeching halt, a quick turn around, or, at the very least, an expletive -- "what in hell was that?"
"Minister’s Treehouse"
As he tells the story, in 1993, Minister Horace Burgess was praying when god told him, “If you build a tree house, I’ll see that you never run out of material.” Inspired by this vision of god, the quiet minister set out to build the largest treehouse in the world. Located just outside of Crossville, Tennessee, the 97-foot-tall tree house and church is supported by a still-living 80-foot-tall white oak tree with a 12-foot diameter base, relying on six other oaks for support. For fourteen years, Minister Burgess has been adding to the tree house, spending only $12,000 and never running out of material. Over that time, the treehouse has grown to truly monumental proportions, and the Minister may have already achieved his goal of building the world’s largest treehouse. Currently, his treehouse is 90 feet tall, said to contain 80 rooms, and stretch up to five stories, complete with a church and a bell tower. The bell tower at the top of the treehouse is equipped with oxygen acetylene bottles that, repurposed as bells, chime daily.
**Cache at your own risk**
Geocaching, hiking, backpacking and other outdoor activities involve risk to both persons and property. There are many variables including, but not limited to, weather, fitness level, terrain features and outdoor experience, that must be considered prior to seeking a cache. Be prepared for your journey and be sure to check the current weather and conditions before heading outdoors. Always exercise common sense and caution.
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***There is a trail fee. Please pay it; it's cheap for a day of fun and helps maintain this wonderful trail.***
Trail Facts
| Length: |
26 miles |
|
| Surface: |
smooth, compacted crushed limestone ideal for bicycling |
| Grade: |
1 percent maximum (1 foot rise for 100 feet traveled) |
| Fee: |
$2.10 per day or $10.25 per year for persons aged 12 through 62, $5.50 per year for persons 63 and older, family pass $25.50. |
| Trail Tickets: |
Sold by area sports and bicycle stores, businesses adjacent to trail, and self-registration tubes located at the trail parking lots. |
| Winter Use: |
Snowmobiling from Dubuque to Dyersville, minimum of 4" of snow required. X-Country skiing from Dubuque to Dyersville. |
| Interpretive Sites: |
Major interpretive area overlooks eastern trailhead. |
| Trail Rules: |
No horses, motorized vehicles, fires, camping, unleashed dogs, or use after 10:30 p.m. Additional Dubuque County Conservation Board rules apply to the trail. Trail hours are sunrise to sunset year round unless otherwise posted. |
Remember to be good ambassadors to nature. We as geocachers have a responsibility to leave it as we found it, so others may revel in nature's glory. Always replace the cache the way you found it, so others may enjoy the find.
For more on geocaching in Iowa, visit the Iowa Geocachers Organization home page 
Permission was granted to place this cache by: Brian Preston, Executive Director Dubuque County Conservation Board
For more on Dubuque County Conservation Board, visit the Dubuque County Conservation Board home page
