Art and Beth Kidd launch houseboat in Grand Marais harbor marking start to summer season
On a perfectly calm Friday morning in the middle of May, not far from the Grand Marais municipal marina, retired school teacher Art Kidd makes final preparations to launch his custom-built houseboat into the scenic harbor.
Two women walking their dog in the campground stop to chat, and they understand the significance of this day. “That’s the sign of summer around here when that goes out there,” one of the women said.
Art Kidd agrees, “When the houseboat goes in, summer will start.”
Art and Beth Kidd moved to Cook County in the early 1970s, marking almost five decades of off-grid living. Their commitment to sustainable energy on the land has carried over to their life on the water, which is evident in the name of their boat, the H.M.S. Pontoon.
“Home-Made Solar power Pontoon,” says Art Kidd. “Solar panels up on the roof, the motors are electric, the box on the back has the batteries that run the motors and lights inside, so it’s very seldom had any petroleum moving it around or operating it. It’s all solar power.”
WTIP’s Chuck Olsen spoke with Art Kidd about the houseboat and filmed the harbor launch. The video and audio of that interview are below.
Chuck Olsen May 28, 2024
