Movies & Motion

Come for a drive with me on a beautiful autumn day on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada 😊 Secret Cove to Earls Cove - Driving the Sunshine Coast Highway 101 - Dash Cam Series

We pulled out of our driveway and left our home of 25 years for the last time on April 30th, 2022. We had sold all of our belongings, packed our trusty Toyota 4Runner, Gazoo, with all our camping gear and hit the road. 🙂 We had decided to live on the road for awhile and wait a bit to buy our next home. First, we went over to Vancouver Island for a few days to pick up some goodies for the Toyota and then we headed North. The next few days were spent along the Sea to Sky Hwy or Highway 99. This is our first week on the road through the dash cam of Gazoo. So we start on the Sunshine Coast and end up about 50kms North of Lillooet, British Columbia. It was still cold and rainy but the scenery was something special every day.

While camping at Kentucky Lake Provincial Park we enjoyed the 4km hike around the picturesque lake. A beautiful location to hike with lots of spots to stop and have a picnic. The terrain is easy to hike and family friendly. Located in the Thompson region of British Columbia, the rolling grasslands and dry open forest surround the sparkling turquoise waters of Kentucky Lake, one of British Columbia's Bluest Lakes.

It was a beautiful autumn morning in October and we decided to go for a walk down to Mermaid Cove to watch the sunrise over Saltery Bay on the Sunshine Coast. To our surprise and delight there was more than a sunrise awaiting us. 😊 A pod of dolphins had entered the cove to have some breakfast and we were fortunate to be there to see the amazing sight. I have lived on the Sunshine Coast for over 25 years and had yet to see anything like this. It left me breathless and with a deep sense of connection to the world around me. 🌿 Saltery Bay Provincial Park was established in 1962 to provide ocean access on the Sunshine Coast of Georgia Strait. Lush forests with large, old trees create a quiet setting for the campground at Mermaid Cove. At low tide, the rocky shoreline often has tidal pools with starfish, sea urchins, small fish and crabs. Scuba diving provides a close-up look at the abundant marine life and a 3-metre bronze mermaid statue.

We woke up on July 1st, Canada Day, in Saskatoon Saskatchewan. Not exactly where I thought we would be at this time, but we were here for a good reason. You see, we couldn’t have it both ways, either we buy a home on land or a home on wheels, both were not an option, we had to choose one. Saskatoon would be the place to decide this and it would change everything. A new home on wheels and a quest to find a beautiful resting spot for my Mom, this was July, with lots of trees, water and stunning places in-between. Here are a few moments from July and my latest blog to go along with it. https://www.grasshopperspath.ca/post/new-home-on-wheels-meet-ella-3-0

Life on the road was full of fun moments in June. The month started with learning how to drive with a trailer, winning a chicken race and seeing some speculator scenery outside our windshield. As we went further north the landscape began to overwhelm us with it's natural beauty. Overlanding Canada with our Toyota 4Runner, Gazoo, our travel trailer, Tigger and Sally the canoe has truly been a dream come true. 😊 Here are a few moments from June and my latest blog to go along with it. https://www.grasshopperspath.ca/post/tigger-the-tiger-moth-a-chicken-race

I have put together a short video of my travel moments from May. I have found a fun and easy way to make these videos and hope to make one for each month. 😎 I thought a lot about my Mom when making this one. I know she would be happy for me and always approved of me chasing my dreams. Her spirit for life will always be with me and I thank her so much for her strength. 😊 Mom's Along for the Drive - New Blog Post https://www.grasshopperspath.ca/post/mom-s-along-for-the-drive Life is short, embrace it and make each day count!

The day in May was sunny ☀️ and the lake looked calm, so we decided it take the canoe out for a paddle. We weren't in the water long before a big grey cloud appeared ahead of us. 🌧 Then the wind picked up and the next thing we knew it was raining hard, blowing sideways and we were splashing up against small waves. We knew the weather was not likely to last, so we took shelter off to the side of the lake in the reeds. 🌿 After the wind calmed down we carried on. We wanted to get a closer look at Gibraltar Rock, which stands above the water about 900m. It was a stunning rock covered an interesting red lichen. It seemed even bigger as we were in the water looking up at it. 🧐 It was my first time in a small storm in the canoe and I learned a lot. It was super fun because I was prepared for the worst but stayed safe. 😊

After purchasing our first canoe in October 2021, we took it out for a paddle on the first sunny day later that month. I have been in a canoe a few times when I was a kid, but never really knew what I was doing. This is the first time I have had any instruction on "how to canoe", and as usual, I can be a bit resistant to instructions at first....😆 But, I quickly relax and get the feel for things. Although this does not help my sense of direction or my capability of making a decision. Good thing we are on a small lake! 😁 In the end I had lots of fun and did learn a thing or two, thanks to my patient teacher. 😊 I am already looking forward to our next paddle and to see where our little canoe ends up along our Canadian journey. 🇨🇦

On a rainy day in October 2021 we received the call that our new canoe was ready for pickup. We had ordered the canoe many months before and had been patiently awaiting it’s arrival. 😊 Regardless of the blustery weather that day, you could not get the smile off my face once I saw our new 16' Clipper Prospector. I was very excited about getting it onto the water, oh and learning "how" to canoe.......😆 But that's for the next video...

After living on the Sunshine 🌞 Coast of British Columbia, Canada for over 20 years, I decided to retire early, 🥳 sell everything I own and travel around the vast and beautiful country I have always called home. 🇨🇦 Along with my best friend, our 4Runner, Gazoo, our Class B van, Ella and our canoe, Sally, we plan to overland around Canada for a few years, at least. 😊 I hope to learn about the land I travel over and the people I meet, giving me a better understanding of the country I live in. With so much to discover, I plan on taking my time ⏱ and savouring every moment. 🌿 I am happy to share my adventures with you. 😊

As Autumn is beginning in the northern hemisphere, that also means the start of the lovely fall colours. As the evenings cool down, every morning displays a new array of warm and vibrant colours. The leaves slowly change and fall to the ground in a collection of rustic textures and rich colours. Time to get the snuggly sweaters on and welcome the autumn colours. 😊 A Little Nature Goes A Long Way! 🍁 🍂 🌾 #autumn #fallcolours #nature 🎶 Soundtrack By: The Grasshopper 🦗 ► Follow the Grasshopper on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grasshoppers.path/ ► Follow the Grasshopper on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grasshopperspath