Last fall, I shared wonderful warm photos White Bear Lake shoreline and the bridge that connects Manitou Island to the rest of the City of White Bear Lake. You can take the fall photo tour again by clicking HERE. Today with our weeks of subzero temperatures, the surface of the lake is frozen. It is so solid they were able to move a house from Manitou Island across the lake. I have to admit that though many Minnesotans really get their kicks from ice fishing and spinning donuts on frozen lakes, I never was one to attempt to drive onto frozen water.
Today, the scene was one for the record books; homeowners moved their house across the lake from Manitou Island. I wish I had been there in person. If they can move a 60 Ton house across this water, I guess my car would be okay. Maybe next time I am out showing houses in White Bear Lake in this Minnesota winter, I can take a little short cut....Naw...Call me chicken but I will still will stay on the frozen and icy asphalt!
Check out the full news story and video of the frozen house move here!
If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR ®, give me a call or visit my website for FREE Relocation Packet or Homebuyers Success Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
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Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/
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If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet or FREE Homebuyers Success Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota..JPG)
Buying a Home? Check out my HOME BUYER'S BLOG!
Copyright 2012 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/
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Hi Teri,
Wow, so interesting. I clicked through your link to read the story and how he was successful and how he tested the ice for more than a month.
Funny, but those of us from warmer climates can't even begin to imagine what that must be like. Stay warm!
I'm with you: I'd be too scared to drive across it! Moving a house? Leave that to the professionals (who pay dearly for insurance I'd bet!)
I watched a historic two-story house moved in my home town many years ago, but not across a frozen lake! In fact, I don't think I've ever even seen a frozen lake -- LOL.
Lynda--Funny thing was that a day earlier a huge dump truck went through the ice on another lake after taking several loads back and forth across the ice. They said that a truck of that weight never should have attempted to cross...Then I see this move. Someone was looking out for this guy to have everything go so well. I STILL don't like going out on frozen lakes! :)
Kris--I can't even imagine the clean up costs if the house had fallen through. The expense to pull out cars and snowmobiles is pricey enough to keep me off the ice!
Russel--We watched them move an old school house from our neighbor's property about ten years ago. That had to be moved at night due to the size and the amount of powerlines that had to be taken down as it went across certain streets. It was amazing how quickly they moved it once they started.
Wow that looks like quite an undertaking Teri. I can not even imagine something going wrong with this adventure.
Just a typical day for a MN home contractor... Ha ha.
Locally we had a new home being built on an island about 2 years ago. All the lumber & materials had to be delivered in the winter over the ice. I know some of the delivery drivers and they all wore life jackets and kept the windows open, just in case. I can't imagine moving an entire house.
Teri, That must have been quite a site! No doubt an "Artful Distraction" :)
Teri I love winter, but that is more winter than I need - I guess you have lousy sledding the last two weeks in August :) Karen
Bill--It has been the talk of the community. I guess the ice was bowing as the house moved across it. They were very fortunate that it worked out!
Joe--I would have done the very same thing...No kidding. I would wear a life jacket ice fishing...Okay, I just don't go ice fishing. I don't like being on a frozen lake but with a loaded down truck? No way!
Carole--I so wish I had been there to see the move!
Karen--It was 46 yesterday...Our big January thaw! We usually have a few warm days in the winter and most of the snow is gone by April...Thankfully or I wouldn't live here! Our spring weather is beautiful!
Wow Teri one mistake??? It's something...I guess..that is really home to someone! :) Congrats your post was selected as a Bloggers Choice Selection Award Winner.
Midori--Thank you for the honor! Glad you enjoyed reading and watching the story! Good think it was moved in January. The first week of February, we had four days in the high 40s and rain. The ice was very unstable after that.