Wallenda's FL home dedicated to wire

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) - News 4's Ed Drantch visited Nik Wallenda's home in Sarasota, Florida, where he got up close and personal with the Wallenda family.

The daredevil has been training for this high wire performance all his life.

"We're tightrope walkers, this is our passion, this is what we love to do. If we can find another unique spot to do it, that's what we're going to do," Nik said.

The Wallendas rely on each other as they practice in their backyard, 12 feet in the air, placing one foot in front of the other. Nik's wife practices on the rings. His cousin walks the wire and was taught by Nik. His mother, Delilah, is proud of her son's accomplishments.

"I think it's awesome," Delilah said. "I think it's bringing the two countries together, I think it's a wonderful thing. I'm very excited for it. It's a big thing... It really is."

Speaking with Drantch one-on-one, Delilah said she lives for her family and can't dwell on her family's history. Nik's great grandfather Karl fell to his death, during a walk in Puerto Rico in the 1970s.

Delilah explained, "You're thinking about what you're doing. You're concentrating on that and getting to the other side. And the excitement of the crowd and the pleasure of being there... the view he'll have none of us will ever have."

Nik added, "I respect it. And I realize it's very serious and it's very dangerous. But I'm not scared of it in any way."