Journeymarvel – More than a reflection of shapes and colors, this is a space where two hearts intertwine, blending their love with nature as its witness. Creating a floating island as their magnum opus of true love. This is Freedom Cove, a remote floating residence above the water, where a couple frames their love story spanning decades.
Freedom Cove is a floating house located off the coast of Tofino, British Columbia, Canada. Built by the husband and wife duo Catherine King and Wayne Adams, Freedom Cove embodies their desire to live independently and sustainably amidst the beauty of nature. Since its construction in 1992, Freedom Cove has evolved into a complex that includes a home, vegetable garden, small zoo, and various other facilities. Living amidst the wild and away from the hustle and bustle was the dream of these two artists when their love seed began to grow, first meeting in the summer of 1987.
Freedom Cove is not just a floating house; it encapsulates many inspirational stories of the life journey of this loving couple. The story began around 30 years ago when space and time brought them together in the circle of love. A promise was made to weave their lives together until the end. At that time, King, a writer, artist, and dancer in Toronto, where she grew up, met Adams, a sculptor working in Victoria.
In 1992, Catherine King and Wayne Adams decided to build their floating home in Freedom Cove, a small bay off the coast of Tofino, British Columbia, Canada. They were drawn to the location for its remoteness, accessible only by boat 16 kilometers away, offering a spiritual wonder. The tranquility provided by nature was a significant factor in their choice to live away from the city’s noise. Additionally, stemming from childhood experiences of being mocked and bullied, they found that nature could heal those wounds.
After discovering the bay, Catherine King and Adams decided to build their floating home near the shore to be a part of nature. They constructed their property, called “Freedom Cove,” from recycled materials gathered over the years.
Freedom Cove wasn’t immediately built over the bay. Instead, they started by assembling a house from scattered pieces of reclaimed wood on the beach. By February 1992, the couple completed the floating house and moved it to the bay. Gradually, as they found more discarded wood and fishing gear, they expanded it with new buildings to accommodate their hobbies and needs. Day by day, the artificial island grew into several greenhouses, chicken coops, a large kitchen, and even a water purification system.
They also once had a candle-making factory, which burned down in 2011 after Adams accidentally left a wood stove burning. The fire was not the only challenge they faced during three decades. Natural disasters like storms often troubled them. Every year, storms destroyed some aspects of their home, and they had to rebuild. They also had to replace parts of the house built on old, decaying pieces of wood over time.
Another challenge they faced was the modern world’s issues in generating enough money to finance the maintenance of their home. Things like buying solar panels and replacing them from time to time required payments. Seven years after building the island, they were also discovered by the city government and had to start paying annual taxes.
In their limited space, the couple planted various vegetables and fruits they commonly consumed. Nature also provided an abundance of food for both of them. Various types of fish and crabs were easily caught and turned into delicious daily meals. To support their lives and other needs, Wayne Adams sold sculptures he crafted with his creative hands over the years. As for electricity and lighting, they utilized solar power with photovoltaic panels or used a generator. For drinking water, they relied on a nearby waterfall.
For 31 years, Catherine King and her husband, Wayne Adams, lived side by side with nature. Thanks to the life they built in Freedom Cove, this couple has a deep connection with the nature they always dreamed of. “Besides becoming more creative, being close to nature also makes you more spiritual.”
After navigating such a long time, Freedom Cove still stands strong today. However, the happiness within it is starting to dim as Catherine King has to let Wayne Adams go forever. Wayne Adams passed away in March 2023 after an eight-year battle against cancer. Catherine King, now the sole owner of Freedom Cove, faces new challenges and adjusts to the household tasks previously handled by Wayne. Certainly, loneliness will continue to envelop her life due to Wayne Adams’ departure, someone who has always been faithful by her side through thick and thin. Although Wayne may have left his physical trace, the presence of immense love in Catherine King’s heart solidifies her decision to continue living in Freedom Cove.
In short, Freedom Cove is a portrayal of an epic love story between two different individuals. This story also emphasizes that true love and loyalty reign supreme in a relationship, capable of burying all differences and shortcomings, wrapping them in happiness. There’s no need for abundant wealth; living in simplicity accompanied by nature can lead to a journey of decades-long relationships.
Perhaps now, Freedom Cove is not just a place to share laughter and dreams but also a stage to gather strength and courage to continue the journey even though one pair of hands has departed.
Even though she now lives alone in the midst of solitude, King does not plan to leave the island and wants to stay in the place that has been their home and artwork for 31 years. Until the time comes when the ticking of the world’s clock stops for her and opens the way to reunite with the beloved Wayne Adams in a different world.
