Grasshopper

9 hours ago, boboneleg said:

Nom, nom, nom 

 

Too cute....just say'n 

3 minutes ago, Marcel said:

Are you fitting the van with winter tires.... I might have miss it.. If you did mention  it previously 

Yes, the stock tires are shit, so we are getting some new beauties put on before we leave.

I am also getting some new Nokian tires for the 4Runner.

Happy snowflakes all around! 

5 minutes ago, Marcel said:

Northern new Brunswick... About 20 km from the biggest city in the area...Bathurst new Brunswick. 

Were you born there?

4 hours ago, Sir Fallsalot said:

Driving 6000km in bad weather for some reason really appeals to me, my old 4 runner was great in the snow even with shit tyres on, looking forward to the reports if you can be bothered to do one 

At first I was apprehensive, then I was nervous, now I am starting to look forward to the adventure and the challenge. 

I should have internet access for most of the way as I will be staying on the major highways.  I will be recording for future movies, but I hope to do daily shorts on my YouTube channel.  Those movies would be vertical, which I know is hard for some people to deal with......lol

11 hours ago, Marcel said:

Your such a tweeb.... Chances are pretty slim to none... She might spot in the corner of her eyes one of my two glorious bikes one of these days thoe... 

So where exactly do you live? 

1 hour ago, Tym said:

We have a nice B&B next door first nights on me... as far as NavakaScotia...is that safe from russian missles yet, i dunno, people actually live there? 

It’s all good, the new place has all the amenities.

3 hours ago, Marcel said:

A 3 day marathon might be pushing the envelop now.. But I'm pretty confident a 2 day stretch would be possible... 

11 minutes ago, Marcel said:

Atmospheric Pete!!.. When did you become a meteorologist.. 

Hey, I love creating an atmosphere, Pete gets my groove....

So....today was an exciting day. 

Something came about that I thought was out of reach after we decided to purchase our van instead of a home back in July.

Home prices in Canada are expensive and after the van I figured we would be renting places here and there, as there was no way we could afford another home.

Well dreams tend to have a way of being persistent and out of habit we kept looking in the place that we have wanted to move for years now.

Prices were still high, but then one day on the way back to camp I found it.  I small home, which is all we want and some land, in the spot we had wanted, at a price we could do.

I called the agent, an offer had already been put in.  No way, it had only been on the market for 3 days.  I was kicking myself, how did I miss this opportunity.

A week later the agent called, the first offer had a problem and I was next in line. 

So we put an offer in, they accepted and today we signed for our new home on the east coast of Canada in the province of Nova Scotia. . We haven't seen the place but have been researching homes in the area for many years now.  I also had a great agent check everything out for us.

That means I could actually show up for pie some day @Tym, just say'n....lol

So excited to have a place to hang out in for our winters, while we still travel the rest of the year.  Also a great investment.

Now the crazy part begins......

We are bored sitting around and want to see our new place.  So this means driving across Canada in the winter.  Honestly, I have more experience on a bike in the snow then I do with 4 wheels, but I grew up in it and will approach everything with a calmness that I hope will get me through.

The vehicles get new tires in December and we have all the safety gear, but I am still really nervous about the over 6000km drive.  Even though I did way more kms in the past 8 months, it is the nature of winter that changes everything.

I was going to take my canoe, but luckily some people have talked me out of that craziness.  WINDS + ICE + CANOE SAIL = Fast way into the ditch...  I will leave her with a friend and come back out west for her in the summer!  Another reason for a road trip is only a good thing.

I am excited, nervous, and a bit scared.  But it sure will be a snowy adventure.  

Right now departure date is December 12th.  Any happy thoughts you want to throw my will be gladly accepted. 

If you actually read all this....

14 hours ago, Buckster said:

Great, which canoe have you got? 

A Clipper 16' Prospector

Her name is Sally

Finished a short paddling video today. 

It was a misty day last week with lots of low cloud and fog. A wonderful day for a paddle around Garden Bay lake. 

It was cold so I got to try out my drysuit.  Kept me super warm and if I get lost I will be easy to spot! 

The drive there is also a fun run.

4 minutes ago, Marcel said:

Oh that's just peach fuzz... I've seen pics... No big deal..

What a sweet talker.....are you taking notes @Buckster  

4 minutes ago, Marcel said:

Well I can vouch... It won't look like a goat... 

How do you know, have you seen my old lady beard yet?  

5 minutes ago, Buckster said:

Are you having Marcels baby? I bet it will be hairy and not have opposable thumbs.

Don't be jealous, you are still number one big guy! 

7 minutes ago, Marcel said:

Oh I love those... I can eat the whole bunch.. They have to be warm thoe.. 

Agreed, warm is better! 

Buns are hot, get them while you can! 

I also made some coffee, but some tea can be arranged for those who prefer such beverages. 

Now the van is toasty warm and smells awesome!

33 minutes ago, Marcel said:

It's not what your thinking...,, (could be)... It's genetics and my enlarged brain put out a lot of heat... 

. 

1 minute ago, Marcel said:

You know it.... I get so hot at night at time.. I have to pull the blankets off in order to let my body cool down.. 

ummm, thanks for the info 

18 minutes ago, Marcel said:

I tell you these people have twisted minds... At least you have body heat if the furnace fails.. 

11 minutes ago, Slowlycatchymonkey said:

Have I missed something or has everyone just skipped over that statement? 
 

What news?!!

Too funny, somehow I knew you would notice that.  

I will know tomorrow for sure, and then I will share.  Just need to be sure before I do my happy dance. 

6 minutes ago, Marcel said:

If you don't mind me asking... Are you alone on this adventure? 

....nope, I am with my partner 

4 minutes ago, Sir Fallsalot said:

Ehh @Grasshopper has a 9.9 million square kilometre garden to play in how can that be restrictive 

. 

10 minutes ago, Six30 said:

i'll explain to the idiot  @Grasshopper...

 

its an adventure, an exploration , a feel good factor of life .... yeh the space is small but it doesnt matter... look whats on your door stop every morning , a different place of beauty every day or every other day or week the choice is grashoppers .... brilliant .

  Nice, well said!   

2 minutes ago, XTreme said:

That sounds really good......but don't you find the lack of space very restrictive?

I thought I would find it restrictive, and yes there are things you can't fully do, but you manage.

Our van is a "window" van so we have windows all around, so that helps.

I am also outside a lot and there tends to be more than enough space outside. 

I was one of those kids that would build small caves and forts to hangout in, I don't mind small places if I have the outdoors right there.....

20 minutes ago, XTreme said:

How do you heat the van Michelle?

With a Timberline heating system.  It's really neat, works with gasoline/diesel and electric power.  (We don't have propane)

Provides heat and hot water.  A heated glycol solution is circulated through the interior of the living space.  Then quiet air vents provide soft, radiant heat as the air passes over the heated coils. 

The heat is warm and dry, my old house was colder most days....lol

It is also really good on power and fuel for the amount of time it is used, impressive so far.