Can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Pah. That’s what the Carlin family did.
In an incredible act of resuscitation, Black Hills FOX reports that they’ve remade a decrepit, motor-less pontoon into a gymnast’s floating playground. That’s a feat worth singing about.
Joe Carlin, a resident of the Black Hills area in S.D., says, "Sometimes when you don't plan something it usually turns out a little better than you thought."
Inspiration certainly struck unexpectedly for the Carlin family, who only had to ask the contractor demolishing the Horace Mann Pool if they could keep the old blue water slide. It fit right on their old pontoon. Voila—a new project begins.
The kids helped to completely strip the pontoon and rebuild their one-of-a-kind boat— after, of course, they made sure it would still float.
The Carlins went so far as to add a trampoline. "We didn't have to put a lot of money into it, it's just something I thought would be fun. We weren't sure if it was going to work,” Joe says.
The family, especially the gymnasts among the ranks, now have a ton of fun spending time together, practicing moves like flips and cruising down the slide into the water.
Their pontoon makeover was such a hit, other lake visitors are attracted to it like kids to chocolate chip cookies. Now, Carlin says, "We try to away from all the real busy areas.”
Two weeks of inventive renovation and willing hands—big and small—will with hopes lead to years of fun memories for the Carlin family.
To read the full story or watch their video, click here. Pictures from Black Hills FOX video.
