Given a highly motivated personality with a big dream, along with plenty of dedication/time, and tons of determination to overcome obstacles, the result can be astounding. Jim Bishop had such a dream. One thing he did not have was an education. Not only did he not finish High School, but he was told that he would never amount to anything. At the age of 15, he found a way to buy 2.5 acres for $450 in the hills of Colorado (in 1959 that was a lot). He was not old enough to legally purchase it, so he had his parents purchase it, but with his own money!

A decade later, after he was married, he started building his castle by himself, well, more accurately, he and his dog and his pickup truck. It started with a one room stone cabin. He would swing a shovel or pick hours a day - for just a few months of the year since the property is a 9,000 ft where snow is present most of the year.

When he started building a 40 ft cylindrical water tower, people were flippantly asking if he was build a castle... and the true vision developed. He started telling people that he was going to build a castle. Many thought the idea was ridiculous. "That's too much work" they would say. But that did not discourage Jim. He kept on building. Digging 12 foot holes for his foundation, dropping huge trees and transporting their trunks on his own, hauling large rocks out of the highway ditch... nothing appeared to be able to stop him.

Over 2 decades later, the largest tower in his castle rises 160 feet, and a fire breathing dragon head guarding the entrance. His efforts required 1,000 tons of rocks. It has been referred to as "America's biggest, one-man, physical project." Jim has declared "I always wanted a castle. Every man wants a castle." The castle now attracts thousands of visitors each year in the summer months.

So, what can one man do? A tremendous amount given championship desire and a couple of dozen years. But the question is for us now is what can a couple of dozen of Panthers do in one year, given that same desire? We will learn valuable lessons surrounding building your own castle.