Offbeat America Season 2 Episode 7 Don's Castle and More
- TVG
- January 1, 2006
- 21 min
In this episode of Offbeat America, host Varun Sharma takes a trip to rural America to explore some of the more unconventional homes and structures in the area. The first stop is Don's Castle, an impressive fortress-like structure built entirely out of repurposed materials such as shipping containers, scrap metal, and discarded building materials. Don, the owner and creator of the castle, gives Varun a tour of the property and shares some of the challenges he faced during the building process.
Next, Varun visits a unique treehouse community called Treehouse Utopia. These luxurious treehouses are built-in the heart of the Texas Hill Country and offer visitors a secluded and peaceful retreat. The owners of the property explain that each treehouse is designed to be eco-friendly and sustainable, with features such as solar panels, rainwater collection systems, and composting toilets.
The third stop takes viewers to a quirky mosaic-covered home called the Mosaic House. Every inch of the exterior is covered in colorful mosaic tiles, and the inside is just as vibrant and unique. The owner, Susan Wechsler, gives a tour of the house and explains her inspiration for the design. She also shares her love for the art of mosaic, which she learned from a master craftsman in Italy.
Varun then travels to the tiny town of Hallettsville, Texas, to visit a one-of-a-kind funeral home called the Gothic Funeral Home. The owner, Tim Guenther, is a true believer in the art of funeral directing, and his passion for the craft is evident in every detail of his business. From the gothic-style architecture to the elaborate casket displays, Tim explains how he strives to give families a memorable and personalized funeral experience.
The fifth and final stop on this episode of Offbeat America brings viewers to the Clark’s Spinning Mill, where wool is spun into yarn using antique tools and machinery. The owner, Pamela Power, explains the history of the mill and gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the spinning process. She also shares her love for the craft of spinning and the satisfaction that comes from creating something by hand.
Throughout the episode, Varun showcases the diversity and creativity of the American people, highlighting the unique and unconventional ways in which they choose to live their lives. From Don's Castle to the Gothic Funeral Home, viewers are sure to be amazed and inspired by the offbeat and unconventional structures and businesses featured in this episode.