How A Cross-Canada Road Trip Brought Us Back to Reality
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- Опубликовано: 16 сен 2024
- A full account of our cross-canada road trip, from the east coast to the west coast to the arctic coast. Plus, how this epic adventure convinced us to live in our van for 2 years and eventually start homesteading.
I wouldn't miss this trip for the world! It took me 73 years to find out what you and Paula learned in a 2 month trip. My husband died in September and we had all these plans and hopes for things we wanted to do and I just could not put them to rest. Last month I bought a 2002 Roadtrek and in April I plan to take my little dog Buckwheat and set out to explore Oregon and then who knows where. My husbands ashes will travel with me and we will have those dreams and plans finally become a reality.
Sue Davis -Best of luck Sue! Thank you for sharing your family's story!
Sue Davis, that is so beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for taking the time to share it. Happy travels!
Sue Davis Having goosebumps... Best of luck for you and your husband! You know you are always together ;)
Wishing safe and happy travels... together 🚐❣️
bravo dear lady!!!
Thank you all so much for your wonderful words of encouragement. You have no idea how much YOU inspire us!
Back To Reality have been following you. I think I found you on Ruth Stout methods.
I am going to do something with my straw in State of Washington on East side with our mild weather now. Thank you for your great videos
I wish you share the script from this video somewhere, I would love to translate to some people on my life, só they could also take your words and feel the urge to live life like you two did, with the travels, and do now experimenting with agroecology.
Beautiful video and beautiful talk! Could be on TED. Thanks!
It would be a great Tedx.....Loved it....well, back to reality?
There will be a Tedx talk organised in ottawa in autumn so...
Yes! I agree! Could be on TED!!!
At minimum, you have a fallback profession. You could be a storyteller! :-)
Yeah!
I have talks like this in my plalyslist ☮️
As a single woman at the age of 62 I just bought my dream, my homestead!!
After clearing about 30 trees and a lot of shrubs and brush this spring my 1.86 acre homestead will, barely, have enough room for my (back to eden style) garden, a chicken coop and a goat house.
This is more work than I have had to do since I was forced to retire from the job of my dreams at age 40 due to a car accident, but I am looking forward to the work that it will take to make my homestead a reality more than I have looked forward to anything else in my life- EVER!!!
Your words brought tears to my eyes, because I wish that I had followed my dream much, much sooner.
Your videos are not only entertaining, they are inspiring, thank you for every one of them.
YOU MADE E CRY FINALLY I HEARD WHAT I HAVE BEEN LONGING TO HEAR. THANK YOU SHARON
What. an eloquent and interesting speaker you are ! I literally "lived" your adventure with you . Many thanks , and. Congrats for living your dream ..
Thanks Lola!
I couldn't have said that any better. WOW! What a great storyteller telling an amazing story. Thank you Derrick!
Captivating from start to finish. This should be played in Library's and taught in high schools. Sadly, most life lessons are learned later in life by experience and hopefully not at a great price. You may have saved people YEARS. Very inspirational. Thanks for the reminder!
I have never gotten emotional about ANY homesteaders or DIYers channel or video. Until now. Wow. Exactly where I am at. Wow. You have verbalized all my emotions in turmoil and addressed things I didn't even have words to desribe yet.
But now you have helped to give absolute clarity and focus to me. And purpose. Thank you. Thank you for this. And sharing with such candor and transparency.
Well said...actually beautifully said!
This story deserves so much more attention. This surely is inspiring
This made me tear up - what a beautiful message.
Watching this channel from beginning to end with my 11 year old daughter, in Australia. After this episode I'm deeply moved... I ask her 'what did you think of that?'
Her reply 'Good. Can we watch the next episode?'
I hope one day she understands.
Thankyou for what you do.
Within 10 days of watching your vlogs you changed how I grew veg in my garden completely ! I started over. !
This is the first I’ve watched of how you got there. There’s some big changes coming and I hope one day to be able to knock on your door to say Thankyou 😊
What an absolutely beautiful video. I travelled around the USA for much of the 80s, moved to Ireland in '99, and now , (in my 50s) am in the process of buying a small farm in Sweden, and many of your experiences and realisations are so familiar (in tenor, if not in detail) that it brought tears to my eyes. Enjoy yourselves, and don't let anyone drag you back out of reality.
What a great storyteller you are!!! Poetic and inspiring. Ive been following you guys since the beginning and cant wait to see what you do next.
Powerful! To say that this really touched my heart is a huge understatement. You and Paula, whether you know it or not, have touched the lives of so many. I will be forever grateful that I took a few minutes to watch a video that so intrigued me about a boy, a girl and a campervan. I have followed you both ever since. Here's to a plethora of future meanderings with you as you continue to share with us your journeys "back to reality - a walk in the woods. Thanks so much for sharing and God bless my friends.
Thank you so much R Ox! Your words have touch us and we can't thank you enough for sharing. :)
This was made 3 years ago, but still has the same effect. Wow! Reality isn’t reality! Thanks so much.
This was the sermon my soul has been hungering to hear. Thank you! I'm on my way!
I am with you! You people is one of the reasons why I am a full time RVer now. You showed me that it is possible. You made me ask myself: So why don't you? I am very happy with my life now, living in my small 4*2 meter travel trailer The Nomadic Nest. The best home I have ever had. Thank you my friend's for opening my eyes. Life is good.
Well said, friend! How's your life going?
@@gardengym496 well life is good for me.
I do no longer live in my travel trailer.
Now I live in my VW sharan mini van.
I still love the lifestyle.
Got a lot of videos on my RUclips channel where you can follow my life.
What a beautiful beautiful speech! Thank you so much! My wife and I will start our own great adventure in 2 weeks. Love from Germany, alle the best to you guys!
I would wager that all your viewers and fans don't just think of you both as a guy a girl and a camper van, even though most of us have never and probably never will meet you, we consider you both friends
That is a fabulous comment and I couldn't agree more.
Oh wow, thanks Paul!! You don't know what that just did for us. Thanks so much. Your friends, Paula and Derrick.
Thanks Lost On Land Again, that means a lot. Derrick and I are really touched by these comments
🌸🌸Definitely a TED talk! I have fallen in love with your channel. You have inspired me beyond words. Thank you 🌸🌸
"So why don't you?" Pierced my heart and the tear drops fell. Thank you for telling your story!
Pierced your heart.........Exactly!
You certainly are a fantastic story teller! I was listening to every word intently and absorbing the reality of it all. I am at the beginning of my tour across Canada this year. It would be great to stop and have a chat with you both along the way at some point.
You gave me goosebumps, and misty eyes, thank you.
At this point in my life as a studying Mum, with two young children at school and a husband who loathes his pressure filled job, reality seems so far away.
I try to show my children glimmers of a less complicated life, in the little things, like gardening - picking fresh cherry tomatoes off the vine, watching as our Zucchini's swell and that satisfying crunch when they are harvested, feeding the chickens and collecting their beautiful warm eggs - but it doesn't feel like enough...
We live in a rural town in Australia, hardly a rat race at all, but societal norms and pressures are ever prevalent. We are the people you speak of, putting things off until the weekend, until the holidays, until retirement. It is heartbreaking.
You've given me much to think about, so thank you again.
WOW, that was deep and I heard you loud and clear. You are an amazing story teller, love the new channel name :)
Tina
Very inspiring story! Brought tears... well said.
what an amazing experience to watch this beautiful video. Inspire others is such an amazing thing when it is about to get in touch. After some time backpacking i finally got a van, and im ready for it!
You just can't imagine how dearly I wish I had heard these words 40 or even 50 years ago. I'll be following your continuing journey for sure.
This is why I am in Canada. I was ready and I left all I knew in my country. I started my life in Canada in Ontario then in Alberta again Ontario and then back west British Columbia where we feel the best. The energy over here is just what we needed. We moved like this with kids, pets too.
Welcome!!
I enjoy all of your videos, but this by far the absolute most awesome of all. Such an adventure it has been. reality. 😊👍👍👍
This made me tear up! I will be watching more videos and applauding you all the way. Bravo!
wow...one of the best videos I've seen on RUclips...or anywhere..thank you
longest poem i've ever heard.. thank you :D
Two thumbs down? Why? You guys deserve 130k subscribers not 13k. Keep them coming
A big "heart" to you both, the channel and all that is shared. A "thumbs up" is just too inadequate for the motivation, inspiration and happiness your posts have given. Thank you for sharing and I look forward to all your future endeavours!
You are a very great storyteller. I could listen for hours about the travels you two made, the people you met and the lessons they learn. This was awesome!
Thanks Marten!
Oh hell, I had tears every time you'd say "back to reality" then when the cyclist said "why don't you?" I just exploded with tears! This is the best thing I've heard in at least two years, my issue is health, income and a hubby who wants shiny things. I'm just outside of drumheller and when I visit home in Nova Scotia in 2019 I hope I can visit you and hug you for this wonderful gift you've given me today. :)
I absolutely adore the way you tell stories. While I know you feel that your cross Canada trip brought your closer to Canadians, pieces like this story will bring you closer. Thanks so much for sharing - shared it on Facebook for you.
Thanks so much Colleen, that means a lot to us. :) Paula
This was one of the most well spoken & inspiring videos that I have ever seen! I am from a small farm town outside of Peterborough, ON but have been living semi-nomadically in AB & BC for just over 4 years now and do this resonated with me on such a personal level. Especially since I had done 11 months in my campervan & plan on buying a vacant lot in the next few years to be off grid and become more self sufficient. Thank you for such an incredible talk! :D
Ok, this was so inspiring... I'm from France, (sorry for my english btw) and you just helped me to realize that we don't need to be afraid of changes. I always wanted to live clother to the reality you talked about and you, both, are the best example of what a life should be like. You helped me to take the courage to try to live the life that I always wanted. So thank you!
I will follow your adventure on youtube,
Wish you the best!
Wow, thanks Mhia!! We totally understand what it is like to fear change. We just try our best every day to be our authentic self...which can be hard with the daily pressure we all face. Good luck on your journey and we are really happy you have joined us.
Unquestionably, the single best video I have yet to see for hitting the road, as it were. The way in which you have pieced this story together is a superb lesson on how to "RUclips" properly and not just from a technical standpoint, but from an inspirational one as well. Thank you so much for this.
I love this! Thank you for all your videos. I have been following your journey since almost the beginning. You two are very inspirational.
A provocative speech spoken from lived experience. You've owned your truth!
After many evenings in front of my computer watching the two of you travel and enjoy Canada, I have found myself wanting to come over and experience it myself. Now I find I MUST come to Canada, if only to meet you. You are a truly inspirational speaker and have helped open my eyes to reality. My girlfriend lived in Canada for a couple of years and has told me many stories of her time there, all of them ending with how beautiful it is and how friendly the people are. She loved seeing all the places she had been on your videos. We have even built 2 Hugelkultur gardens after watching you guys, which are just waiting for the plants.
There was recently a mass whale stranding where we live and while the students I took out to help did what they could to save these whales, they had their own reality check. For a start many of them saw them as just whales, but as I explained that they were mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, aunties, uncles, brothers and sisters and new born babies, the immensity, or "reality" of it sank in. And you have now confirmed for me that there are far more important lessons than algebra and how to interpret Shakespeare. The real lessons in life are the chance meetings and conversations that can't be planned. The sights we see and the things we experience. Taking off our blinkers and showing a true passion for what we stand to lose rather than what we may buy.
We will soon be "A guy, a girl and a house truck", but no, you won't see that on here. Just our way of stepping off.
Will always be watching. Cheers.
Moving and inspirational, my father prior to his passing told me "If you want to do something do it now. Time waits for no one". Now on the fast downslope slide to 60, I'm going to save this one for when obstacles get in the way. Thank You.
Someone on FB just turned me on to your channel and this is the first video I've watched. It's as if you crawled into my heart and read my mind! SO nice to find other like-minded people out there. I'll definitely be checking out your videos!
Wow ... I have tears in my eyes, wondering if I could ever be brave enough to take this trip back to reality. And I hear your quietly, beautifully spoken words whisper, "So why don't you?"
That was another awesome story that makes one feel as though they (we) were right beside you on the trip. I followed your trip real time when you were traveling, and nobody that I know can relay a feeling as well as you can. Thank you so much.
I live a couple hours south of Toronto in a small town community. It's awesome to see people find their reality, especially when they are willing to share their experiences and lessons!
Awesome story. Ours was similar, except we drove a small car, slept in motels and travelled from Vancouver to the East coast. One morning I was waiting for my wife in a hotel lobby in Charlottetown, PE. I stumbled upon a real estate section in a local paper. Coming from Vancouver, I thought the ads were missing a few zeros. We decided to check them out and stayed there a couple extra days. We ended up buying 15 acres of land which we managed to pay off in only a year. After two more years, we are moving and starting our new life with no more rat race, no more traffic jams and no more angry crowds. Thank you for this video. I hope more people will watch it and get inspired to change their lives. Happy and fulfilled people make better neighbours.
What a video! I was breathless in the majority of it. And a feeling of "I need to do something about my life" kept me anxious all the time, while I was crying with your stories. Your write was beautiful and your delivery amazing! I just discovered your channel, but I wish I did sooner. Thank you two for all! For share your knowledge, for share your love for life! You certainly inspires and drives people to just do what they want, instead what they think they must in order to survive.
As many others have commented, you tell a wonderful story. Thank you for your inspiring words and the reminder that we all need to get out and live life. Thanks for the wake up call !!!
This is an amazing story! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Very inspiring.
Bravo and Well told. This is an inspiring and captivating tale of discovery. Thank You for sharing and for such a powerful delivery.
Brought a mist to my eye. Thank you for all your time and hard hard work bringing these videos to us, to enjoy.
Well THAT WAS AMAZING!! What a story. To be honest I teared up up at the end. Two year ago my husband and I (not married at the time) took a month long trip across America (we are from Ontario ourselves) not knowing how much this one trip would change us forever. Everyday being some where new - taking our breath away every new place we saw. realizing that this is what life was about. this is what we want. A Simple life- less stress - less of well you should doing this and that...when we came back from that life changing event. We would tell people that was ' real' life for us. we don't want to live this "fake" life anymore. So a new life started for us!! Two years later we are living in our 512sqft cabin off grid in the woods. Living our 'Real' life. We plan on traveling sooooooooo much more. Cause we are ' just doing it'!! cheers Chris and letitia
no strings attached living off grid , I started to feel teary-eyed too. Very good message. So inspiring!
Fantastic story, thanks for that, my wife and I agree with all you said, good luck
How have I not seen this? That was powerful, and beautiful. Even teared up. Thank you for sharing your story and your passion so honestly, and with a certain vulnerability. It really made an impact on me. You two are such wonderful people. Love how wholeheartedly you go after your dreams and how much fun you seem to have along the way. My boyfriend and I deam of those same things, and go in the direction of them every day. Thank you for the inspiration, and the feeling of companinship in this crazy adventure :D
This video definitely spoke to me. I think you and Paula might have a future in teaching others how to live authentic and full lives.
Thanks Sarah. :)
Perfect video, so inspiring! I was all choked up by the end. :)
Thank you for sharing all this time in the past and looking for the future :).
Absolutely wonderful!!! Inspiring, uplifting, awesome. Yes! Thank you so much!
Awww, thanks for your kind words Cathy. :) Paula
your video brought so many tears to my eyes - after more than four years on the road I was forced to return to 'normal' (as my mother called it) - but as we headed towards 'normal' my heart was screaming 'carry on, carry on' - the reality of the first world northern hemisphere is nothing like the reality of most of the rest of the world - keep going, keep going
Very inspirational, and so true. In my opinion, the best inspirational video that I can remember (and I'm 57).
I'm slowly formulating in my head as to how and when to embark on a similar journey of minimalism and discovery. Our eldest 2 boys are now on their own (lawyer and computer scientist) but we still have a 14 year old competitive swimmer who has to be anchored to his Guelph club for 6x practices/week. We somehow have to take in your spirit of adventure and minimalism in the context of our living situation. Your videos with your strength of conviction is so compelling without being dreamy and unrealistic.
Looking forward to your future videos!
Beautiful video and beautiful talk! Thank you for sharing your family's story!
YEPPER kiddo you hit the nail right on the head... I've always been and still am a rambler and a dreamer... My wife said that before she would marry me I had to find a good job with a weekly pay check to support us so I did. She was the only one that kept me in reality as she knew it... I married her and unknowingly clipped my own wings at the same time... In 2009 I finely was able to retire with a nice pension .... I jumped on my motorcycle and hit the road, free at last free that last praise God almighty I was free at last... She got a monthly paycheck and I got the road. But I wanted her to sell this big 6 bedroom house quit her job and hit the road with me... She says that she to young to retire and she don't want to give up her paycheck.... So I traveled without her until I was in a sever motorcycle accident that took my life as I knew it... That's another long story. But I'm disabled now my left leg don't work. So now I ride a Can Am Spyder ST and I love it... I had a set back in 2015 that has put me back in bed... But come hell or high water I've told my wife and doctors that come June I'm out of here and won't be back any time soon... Pain or no pain I'm gone... My rambling fever is stronger than the pain that I live with every day... I'm getting closer to that 70 year old mark so it's hit the road now or never... I MUST RIDE with the wind in my face and my knees in the breeze....
awesome !!!!!
Wow. Praise God my wife is willing and able to go with me on our new journey.
Long long time watcher of your videos. You really outdid yourselves. This one is in my top three inspirational videos ever on RUclips. Thanks. -- yes this should be a ted talk.
Wow man! This video has been so motivational for me. I'm a Colombian that wants to move to Canada with my wife and we'd also like to do a trip like yours. We'd like discovering the many things that life and nature have to offer us. Thank you for this amazing video. Greetings from Colombia.
What an amazing video...
you are shaping me to do it,and lighting my path to reality
DUDE !!! Seriously THE best youtube video I've EVER seen !!! LOVE LOVE LOVE
Thank you for sharing
Yes, TED talks!!! You guys would be amazing!! I loved this message. Such a great storyteller and such amazing memories! Thanks for bringing us along. I miss your van life videos but wish you all much joy and happiness in this new chapter of your life!
Great Video, very enlightening. I am currently stuck with a life style living in a world class metropolitan. It's time to explore life and come back to who I am. Thanks, your video reminds me of the best part of being a Canadian.
Amazing sense of reality!! You are already living it! eheh Great video, great talk, great people you are! keep on doing what you do best, best wishes!!
Wow! What an amazing trip and an amazing message! I also have friends who have dropped everything and followed their dreams. They say, "Just do it." and I'm screaming, "But my job, bills, house, kids..." I get it, but we can't go out and do it yet. We aren't ready. Thanks for sharing your journey! We're just starting ours!
An truly inspirational journey shared with amazing passion 👍
You are an amazing storyteller enjoy this new endeavor
I've never seen a video that impressed me as much as this one. Thank you for sharing your amazing transformation. I hope that you guys can achieve even more happiness. Than you. Obrigada!
I agree!
as soon as I graduate I've planned to travel travel travel for years now, you are so right about the reality thing man!
Way to go, guys!! You are an inspiration for all of us!
I wish you the very best on your journey and look forward to sharing it with you.
What a beautiful, beautiful story/video! Thank you so much. Subbed & looking forward to watching more and figuring out my own plan back to reality. 😊
what a great story! Thank you :)
I'm encouraging people to share this. So inspiring! Wow. Love it.
We must say, You are the best story teller, if you ever decide to narate books, let us know.
Wonderful story, thanks fro sharing...Very inspiring :-)
Been watching for a while...this is your best video yet! The student has become the teacher.
This is so beautiful, it gave me goosebumps and I'm so IN for going back to nature and reality with you! :)
Very inspiring, well said.Thanks for sharing.
THANK YOU so much that was a wonderful share. from Australia
WHAT A GREAT STORY TELLER OF TRUE LIFE,LOVED YOUR TRAVELS THANKS BRIAN
Absolutely beautiful!
Listening to you gave me chills...thank you for the journey. My dream has been to travel across the continent, and now I think I can do it ! Thank you !
May God bless and keep you moving forward in your quest for REALITY!
Awesome and inspiring video!
I just finished watching your video! Oh my goodness! I only wish that we weren’t 61 and 60, in debt, and quite frankly too scared to find our way back to reality. But maybe we’re just not ready to hear it. Yet. You inspire me to start dreaming again, but not about bigger houses or nicer cars. Maybe instead we can get out of debt and live more simply and discover that maybe less is more. For now I’ll live a little slower, breathe a little deeper and smell the flowers a little longer. Here’s to you two and the message you are spreading. Then why don’t we.
Amazing! Well said! Keep making amazing videos, I know I will be watching!
Riveting stuff! I feel like this was the exact moment I needed to hear this.
Wow! This video blew me away! You are a gifted story teller and I’m so excited to see the rest of your videos :)
Great recap of your adventures that we all loved following, you are one of the best story tellers on utube.😀