A Floating Dream How Kind Strangers Towed a Couple’s Lake House 50 Miles to Safety
An unbelievable endeavor, indeed!
In the quiet town of McIvers, Newfoundland, Canada, residents witnessed a jaw-dropping spectacle—a couple transported their cherished dream home 50 miles across the lake’s vast waters. This remarkable mission wasn’t a solo act; it was brought to life through the collective effort of helping hands.
Daniele Penney’s affection for the quaint green house in McIvers began in childhood. Even as a young girl, she was enchanted by its charm so much so that she often teased her family, declaring one day it would be hers.
“There’s just something magical about that house,” she said. “And it’s not just for me it feels like it belongs to everyone.”
Daniele Penney was just a child when the green house in McIvers first stole her heart. Its charm captivated her so deeply, she often quipped that one day it would be hers.
The century-old home, once owned by Warren Blanchard, carries a legacy etched in time. After Warren’s life was tragically cut short during World War II, ownership passed to his mother. Years later, the cherished residence found its way into the hands of his daughter, Elsie Blanchard, continuing the family’s quiet stewardship of history.
Daniele frequently reminisced with her partner, Kirk Lovell, about the charming “biscuit box” house that had captivated her since childhood. Her affection never faded she often praised its inviting open layout, the snug upper-floor ceilings, and the timeless beauty of its old porcelain sink.
“There’s just so much soul in that place,” she said.
She was only a little girl when the green house in McIvers first stole her heart. So smitten was she, she’d playfully claim that one day, it would be hers.
At first, Kirk wasn’t sold on the house. Its age showed in every creak and crack, and the list of needed repairs felt endless. But over time, something shifted. Slowly, the charm began to seep in and he found himself falling for the very quirks he once resisted.
After the passing of Collette Urban, the house was purchased by Jeff and Sheila Edison in 2013. The news hit Daniele like a punch to the heart.
“It felt like my dream vanished in an instant,” she remembered. “I just knew it wasn’t going to be mine.”
Sheila had envisioned the house as a serene summer retreat a peaceful place for her and her husband to enjoy retirement in McIvers. But the structure didn’t align with their long-term plans, and they decided it would be best to demolish it and build anew.
When Daniele and Kirk caught wind of Sheila’s intentions, they stepped in. Without hesitation, they approached her with an offer and sealed the deal. Soon after, the cherished home belonged to Daniele, Kirk, and their six-month-old daughter, Harper Lovell.
The maze of power lines crisscrossing the neighborhood posed a serious challenge to relocating the house by road. That’s when inspiration struck they decided to float their newly acquired home across the water, turning a logistical nightmare into a daring nautical solution.
“I wanted to see if it could actually float,” Daniele said. “Back in the ’60s, they pulled it off with barely anything. With today’s technology and modern gear, I thought why not give it a shot?”
Kirk got to work crafting a sturdy frame outfitted with wheels beneath. To keep it buoyant, he secured 28 plastic barrels along with sheets of Styrofoam beneath the structure. This improvised foundation would cradle the house as it floated across the water.
Daniele’s nerves were frayed as she watched her dream home drift atop the water. Every creak and ripple sent a jolt through her her heart anchored to the house, now afloat in the unknown.
“It felt like balancing on blind faith,” she said. “Would it hold steady? Or was it destined to sink?”
Midway through the journey, Kirk’s dory gave out. The house began to list, dipping dangerously low. Panic loomed but he managed to secure another dory just in time, moments before others rushed in to help guide the floating home back on course.
After a series of tense moments, the floating house finally touched solid ground, where excavators took over pulling it carefully up the hill to its new resting place.
Daniele and Kirk stood beaming with pride, marveling at the feat they had just pulled off. Their dream home now rests on their own land, perched above a freshly poured basement. With a heart full of anticipation, Daniele is already dreaming up the decor, eager to bring the old house back to life.
Watch the amazing move below!
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Article Sources: Positive Outlooks
