A Wild Life with my Family, The Best Road Trip in the World

I have been off KZbin and off grid for the past few weeks exploring Canada with my wife, daughters and Cali, our Golden Retriever - three weeks of camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, filming and photographing wild scenes and wild life. My wife, Cali and I drive 13,000 kilometres from Ontario across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon Territory and Alaska. We're joined by our daughters Erin and Emily for a week in Kananaskis, Banff and Jasper before we part ways and the three of us head north on the Alaska highway through the northern Rockies and back down the Stewart Cassiar Highway east of the coastal mountains, camping in remote areas and fire evacuation zones. Along the way, we film log cabins, wild fires, grizzly and black bears, woodland caribou, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, fox, birds, mountains, rivers, clear blue lakes, glaciers, autumn colors and waterfalls.
Patreon: / myselfreliance
Shawn James KZbin Channel: / shawnjames1
CLOTHING: teespring.com/...
AMAZON LINKS: www.amazon.com...
Best of My Self Reliance: bit.ly/2OfW7ry
2022 OFF GRID CABIN LIFE: • 2022 Off Grid Cabin Life
OFF GRID LIVING: • Log Cabin & Off Grid L...
COOKING: • Cooking at the Cabin
BUILDING LOG CABIN WITH HAND TOOLS: • Building a Log Cabin A...
BUILDING OFF GRID SAUNA: • Building an Off Grid S...
BUSHCRAFT & SURVIVAL: • Bushcraft & Survival
Facebook - / myselfreliance
Instagram - / myselfreliance
Mailing Address for items sent by regular mail:
My Self Reliance/Shawn James
51 King William Street
P.O. Box 30017
Huntsville, ON
P1H 0B5
Address for items sent by courier:
200 Manitoba St., Unit 3, Suite 415
Bracebridge, ON P1L 2E2

[@Stanley-xd1gf]

A man's greatest wealth is his family. A big hug from your followers here in Brazil.

[@mriley4955]

Sean, I lost my Callie in March. Watching your channel has been a bright spot in my journey. My Callie was a beagle with a nose that could find anything. Watching your Callie retrieve birds was such an awesome thing. We don’t deserve dogs. They are amazing

[@sandrasherritt9708]

I totally agree!

[@heru-deshet359]

They add to our lives and take a piece of hearts with them.

[@janethartwig774]

My condolences on the loss of your furry baby. 😢

[@robertspies4695]

Losing your dog can be really rough. I was in mourning for a couple of years when Jake pased on.

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Sorry for your loss... dogs are family.

[@eddiehayes1523]

Look at that Cali, living her best life! ❤

[@hexhex7220]

Your lens on Canada fills me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude, that I may call this remarkable country home. Awed by the sheer magnificence and beauty .

[@cherrydowns7745]

It's been a long time since I've seen Cali wagging her tail like she is on this trip! She's with her beloved human and she is happy!

[@denyseleonard240]

I just love looking at that floof wag 😊

[@kenwezeman7827]

It was good to see you had time off with your family. Thank you for sharing all the pictures of your beautiful country with us.

[@orientxprsoffroad]

Shawn, glad to know that you and your family are doing well. That’s one way to recharge and reenergize your battery. Well deserved. Beautiful. 👏👊🏼

[@yogininamaste]

Miss seeing you, Shawn. So glad to see you enjoying time off with your famiy. Thank you for sharing it is breathtaking.

[@alwayssearching1882]

To have your beautiful family's support over the years is such a blessing.

[@JohnShalamskas]

Wow! Thanks for sharing your vacation with us! I hope Emily is continuing her recovery from the concussion. Looking forward to the next video, as always.

[@theanthonyrw]

It's so good to see you back Shawn. You had us worried...lol Good times with the family.

[@maryannevaughn2743]

Absolutely love the music in the background as you and Cali wander the woods, etc.!!! Just perfect.

[@Four1LF]

Some absolutely stunning footage. Nice to see your happy family too.

[@virginiatolles1664]

What a wonderful vacation you and your wife took! It's been on my bucket list for many years. One day. One day.

[@kriswright1022]

Couldn't agree more! It's a beautiful world we live in if ya take time to get out in it! 😊

[@adelacoburn1396]

Beautiful shots of the trip with your wife (not seen) and Cali 💛, beautiful family. Nature is so beautiful and the wild life is exciting to see. Thank you Shawn, look forward to your next video.

[@kingsdaughter9659]

Canada is an Amazingly beautiful country. You are so Blessed to live the free life you do Shawn in the midst of all our country offers. Thank you for sharing it with those of us unable to travel this beautiful land. Simply stunning video shots. Blessings 💞

[@craigretzloff]

Good to see you here again, Shawn! The scenery from your vacation looks spectacular. Glad to know you spent some quality time with your family for a season before cabin tasks demand your precious time.

[@marinadelosangelesespinoza4853]

Soy de Nicaragua no sé hablar en english admiro su buen ánimo y muy trabajador lo ayudó su familia? O algún amigo ese trabajo es muy pesado

[@craigretzloff]

@@marinadelosangelesespinoza4853 , según los títulos de los vídeos de Shawn, los proyectos de la cabaña son cumplidos solo. A veces su hija le acompaña trabajando en el jardín, pero el trabajo en la cabaña propio se parece algo independiente.

[@pinky2245]

Lovely to see you enjoying some down time with your beautiful family! Being a life-long Albertan I never tire of the wonderful scenery we are blessed with. Beautiful video!

[@tommychew6544]

I'm glad you took the time to take that trek across Canada. As we get older, we really do appreciate the things we see more. Thanks for letting us experience it through video with you.

[@dladylikessports7780]

Remember last year when Shawn stated that by winter 2023, he would 1) Have the cabin downstairs completed. Check. 2) Electrical and solar system installed. Check. 3) Phase 3 of the upstairs cabin completed. Check. 4) Outdoor kitchen completed. Check. 5) Water filtration and plumbing completed. Check. 6) Quality time spent with family. Check. 7) Fishing, hunting, hiking. Check. 6) Producing quality KZbin content. Check. Respect and admiration for the men who put actions to words.

[@jlotoo850]

I don't think the bathroom plumbing is done yet--just the tub and toliet set in place....

[@dladylikessports7780]

@@jlotoo850 Hi Jlotoo850, You are correct. It is not yet winter. There's still time. 🙂

[@jlotoo850]

@@dladylikessports7780 ♥

[@cgrite2468]

@@jlotoo850It will be..

[@ladysmith3988]

Beautiful! Family, scenery, peace, all of it. A life worth living.

[@karensinclair4189]

Glad you had a great trip with your family. Such natural beauty restores the soul. Sending love to all.

[@davidgodal98]

The quality of these recordings are impeccable, you're so talented Shawn! Thank you so very much for sharing your incredible life 🙏🏻

[@susanableton8647]

Absolutely beautiful photography Sean. We Canadians forget how beautiful our country is and the vast quantities of resources we have. Glad to have you back. Hope you had a good break, and got to spend some quality time with your wife and girls.

[@kathyl5610]

Absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing. So happy that you and your family were able to get away and see the stunning scenery.

[@aantaug]

Seems to me that your cabin is a perfect vacation spot, if you can manage to relax and not work! 😃

[@tylerbarrett6652]

Welcome back. I've missed your videos and have been eager to see more progress at your homestead, but I'm glad to know you've taken a much deserved break and was able to spend good quality time with your loved ones. Thanks for sharing this journey you are on with us.

[@genevievebakkensen86]

Definitely needed this serene moment following you and your family across the northern realms it’s so nice to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, thank you for sharing.

[@brandonburdette7895]

This is some of the most beautiful landscape in the world Shawn I wanted to say thank you for sharing your life with me and the world Shawn I hope to travel and see all of Canada's wild country one day it's been a dream of mine to have some property in Ontario Canada and build my own cabin just as you did Shawn I've learned so much through the years of watching your channel so thank you again. 🇺🇸south Carolina

[@user-qc3uj7bm4d]

Seeing Cali proudly retrieving the bird back to you was awesome. Look at that Cali, living her best life! .

[@darrellm9150]

Shawn it stunning to see what a beautiful country Canada is through your eye of the lens. I am sure your family enjoyed such a wonderful vacation.Enjoy your hunting trip and we will see you back at the Cabin

[@markholmes1346]

What a spectacular video showing all the beauty and ruggedness of the Canadien and Alaska tundra and forest! The waterfalls and drone shots were incredible! Thanks for sharing your family vacation with us and I’m sure you all loved it as well! I needed a great Self Reliance video! ✌🏼❤️🙏🏼

[@DragonflyenAmber]

What an awesome trip!! I love Kananaskis and Banff, such a beautiful area. So nice to see the whole family.

[@dennisbeaver5958]

WOW! Was wondering where you’ve been! But you certainly deserved the respite!

[@dottiehildebrand3123]

So glad the family was together taking a Vacation.. Is always nice to spend time with family..Although we have missed your videos. God bless.. Love your channel..🇺🇸🌹❤️

[@venetianstudios5171]

Thank you for sharing some of the most beautiful parts of Canada with your global audience! I'm glad you had such a wonderful trip with your family :)

[@larrymaxwell5535]

I missed your videos! It's a beautiful video, thanks so much for sharing! Glad you was able to spend quality time with family! Relaxing to be around family especially if everyone gets along!

[@dawnahuggett377]

Kananaskis is an incredibly beautiful area. What an amazing trip for the family. Thank you for sharing, as always!

[@One_Crazy_Dog_Mum]

Shawn, I just wanted to tell you I was totally chuffed last week when I met a fellow subscriber to both your channels right here on the Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia, they’ve been watching since the start of the 1st cabin build like myself and it was awesome to chat about our love for yours and Emily’s content. ❤Michelle

[@elliotazus6258]

Hi Shawn and the rest of the James family. Thank you so much for sharing thru the years. Beautiful scenery!! Terrific channel!! As always God bless and take care from your long-time California subscriber.

[@dawnskent1667]

Enjoying Family Time Winter not far away!

[@deblarsen8528]

Hey Shawn, Thank You for another great video! You had a great family road trip! ❤ Glad you are back and we will look forward to new videos from you! Take care, & get lots of rest! Until your next video ~~~Stay safe, healthy and happy! Hugs to Cali! 🌲🐕

[@kurtismasters8680]

Love a good road trip 😊 So glad you took some time off to refill your tank with loved ones Much respect from Bowmanville 😎

[@Future_Ghost76]

Nice to see you back safely Shawn and family ❤ Mesmerizing isn't it? I have been to Jasper, going through Hinton. I didn't want to leave 😂

[@charlottemoorebutler3376]

Good to hear from you. I hope you and your family enjoyed the vacation!! This makes me feel better. Enjoyed the video.

[@YvonneSebastian1980]

My heart sings and tears flow when I see your travels.. simply stunning.. thanks for sharing..❤️☮️

[@arthenry498]

Beautiful beautiful!! That must be THE most beautiful video I have seen here. Fantastic Shawn. Great to see your whole family together. A really wonderful group. The real treasures of life here. Thank you for sharing all of them with us. I appreciate it all.

[@SusieLovesJesus]

Absolutely stunning Shawn 💖 I'm so happy for you that you, Cali & the family got to spend some quality time making lasting memories 🥰

[@arboristo4407]

What Beautiful, awe inspiring travels, well done! Glad you got to spend time with your family ❤️❤️❤️🐾

[@sweetjayne47]

Absolutely breathtaking. our world is so beautiful in the right places.

[@AGirlHasNoName1.168]

Exactly right! Easy to overlook for some, sadly.

[@MingWLee]

Canada is such a beautiful country and only few of us have the time to explore within, I wish more of us could travel around to enjoy our background responsibly. Thank you for sharing, Shawn~ ❤

[@gtfate]

Shawn…..Your cinematography is nothing short of amazing . Well done sir.

[@Hoàng-Thị-Hương]

A wonderful family. Watching your videos I discovered a lot about the nature of your country. I live in Vietnam of Asia, the nature and geography are completely different from your country. I hope one day I can bring my whole family to your country ❤❤❤

[@add9354]

Nice to meet Hoang Huong here, I've been following you for a long time and don't remember the specific time, you give me a lot of life skills, I love you

[@theodora-ex9i]

Nice to meet you here, I'm your loyal fan, I always follow your videos

[@Zelda919]

These beautiful videos I discovered are of indescribable beauty….

[@Bellamy-ex99]

I'm your devoted admirer I'm a proud Wailwan Aboriginal woman who absolutely loves watching every episode I think you're killer 😊

[@fanprimitiveskills]

OMG. I can't believe I can meet Hoang Huong here, I love your videos so much, wish you all the best

[@Esoj.]

Very hyped especially after this video!! Nice to have you back Shawn it looks like you had a great time! Thank you for capturing footage of your trip and willingly sharing it with us. Good luck on your hunting trip & take care.

[@armandzottola1626]

Lost my grand dog, Torre a few months ago. My daughter had an artist do a painting of him in better days. Cannot express how much we miss him but he gave us 13 wonderful years.

[@Sweetsluv]

Wow🤩 I’m born and raised in Canada never thought this country’s landscape is actually so magical. Now if we can only get a competent government to run it, this place has potential close to perfection!

[@ClownWorldEnjoyer]

It's crazy to me how casually you edit some of these footage like it's just another scene. Some of those shots were absolutely breathtaking.

[@Lillymae-gq4oe]

Glad to see the rumour mill is so very wrong. In the last 5-6 days we were all lead to believe by other KZbinrs, that you had ceased your KZbin channel and quitting off grid life altogether. Not sure why people would do this type of thing. Great to see your having a break with your family. You work so incredibly hard, building this type of life for yourself and family. Watching your videos brings me such happy memories and joy, reflecting back on that I’d been taught some building skills and survival skills from my father, as I’d grown up on a farm. We’d rebuilt a shack, into a brilliant home and farmed the land. I’d become the son my father didn’t have, ( a real tomboy, I was ) and I loved living this way. Watching you and your daughter Emily build your homes made my heart sing, as I’d done something similar with my father. Your footage of the landscape and wildlife is stunning to see. Looking forward to seeing many more videos of your off grid life. Sending you & your family many blessings from Australia, take care

[@StrikeTheRoot]

Every shot a postcard. that was spectacular. you have lived a worthy life good sir. a worthy life indeed.

[@mountains_and_moors]

Stunning cinematography 👍🏻😉

[@Rain3Silver]

Stunning scenery and videography! Amazing footage of the Elk and other wildlife! Sad to see all the forests burned though. ❤😊. Thank you for sharing your grand adventure across Canada.

[@alainroy8997]

Only one word... WOW! That was one of your best wildlife videos, brought me to tears... ❤😍🤩🙏🌞

[@hpda44]

Fantastic! Makes me want to go there and see it again. It’s nice to see you interacting with your family. They are beautiful. Also excellent choice of music. It really made the difference.

[@XenaTheQuadCamBikah]

Sounds like an amazing road trip Shawn, glad you and the fam got to enjoy some quality time together off camera. Edit: the wildlife footage in the second half of this video is breathtaking! ✌️😎

[@jonduthiel7399]

Absolutely Beautiful! So glad you had a break from all your hard work on the cabin. And spending quality time with your family.glad you’re all back safe. Hugs for Cali.

[@elizabethjohnson475]

I found out that caribou are the same as reindeer. I just about could not tell the girls apart! They look so much alike. Beautiful video!

[@TaigaTurf]

Roadtripping through the Canadian Rockies and North is an otherworldly experience.. Spectacular

[@eliasmez9255]

Enjoy a happy life there

[@russellwatters5891]

I'm glad to see you're back and healthy. Your family and you had traveled some amazing country! It's easy to see why you call the wilderness home. Love what ya'll are doing 😊

[@m.o.230]

Sooo happy you are back my mother and I love your channel. Best wishes , best of health to you snd your family from Plantation Florida

[@user-mg4gu4mk8w]

Какая красота,дух захватывает!!!

[@rogertemple7193]

It is very beautiful there in Canada especially up in Rouleau.🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@mickiedoty623]

So happy you were able to have family time. ♥️♥️

[@davidsimon6011]

God's Beautiful Handy Work....:) Thank you for the Breath taking scenery....:) God Bless....

[@lindasmith5496]

Shawn, you have a beautiful family, and I love Callie.😊

[@shelleyrichards9028]

Canada has views unrivaled in this world. Thanks for letting us see them!😊

[@kaboom-zf2bl]

yeah so true ... drive an hour in most places and youre in the country .. Toronto is the exception ... drive an hour and youre just leaving the city

[@datagrl]

Stunning! Thank you to you and your wife for putting that together. Cheers!

[@ccccarriemchardy9216]

Thank you for taking us along and showing the beauty through your eyes.

[@mariemcgillen7401]

What a majectic creature the Bull elk is. the cinematography is stunning. just like all of your work.

[@thalleshoward3962]

So glad you spent time with the family Shawn.

[@Gl3nS]

Seeing Cali proudly retrieving the bird back to you was awesome

[@MySweetSammy]

Wow! That scenery is beyond compare! Truly God's country! Greetings from Michigan!

[@maryhudgins9133]

Lovely family. I really appreciate the beauty of Canada through your videos, American speaking. Love all the videos in several years

[@greywolfwalking6359]

Good to see all again..wonderful to see n hear some of the things that you have done!! Glad that your daughter Emily continues her healing! C ya on the next video! . 🦊🧙‍♂️🐺!!

[@vickiwood9192]

Thank you for sharing the beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife. Glad you had some family time.

[@Smalfry47]

I love sharing your adventures with you and your family…….

[@ronaldfrancis3628]

"WE HAVE MISSED YOU!, so glad you managed to get away and recharge the batteries. Awesome scenery and great photography. So much looking forward to the build. God bless you all!!.

[@sharongibson1161]

Beautiful family, beautiful scenery 😊❤

[@heidipustelniak652]

Sounds like a wonderful vacation! I have driven the Alcan Highway a few times! We lived in Anchorage AK for a little over 5 years in the early 1970’s.

[@BonsaiJCan]

Really amazing captures, you do excellent work !

[@richxts1357]

What a beautiful country and "Family"! Tks for the video!

[@robertjamison8781]

As usual , you brought out the beautiful sights of your great country . Thanks for your hard work and most of all sharing your passions in this life , take care my friend .

[@eltabarron]

Welcome back❤

[@patriciaarmstrong9845]

It’s a life saving time with family, Precious memories, how they linger… Special memories of❤️❤️❤️

[@franciscoortega2674]

Glad to see you and Cali back.😃

[@scottwhite6040]

Hi shawn looks like a incredible time thats a bucket list trip i would have loved to do with my dad he has long past but hunting and fishing was our fun. U did not post for awhile i don't know why but i always think something bad has happen. Its nice to see it was just taking a break to be with the family well deserved. 🙏

[@ronquesnelle7294]

It does my heart good to see you guys spending time together!!! Great videos . Best wishes From Wasaga Beach

[@douglasbusse4102]

What a fantastic journey for you all. Breathtaking shots and a great sense of serenity. God's creations magnificent to behold. Thanks for sharing!

[@user-uq8vu8gv5b]

I'm from Texas and been missing watching your new footage. God bless and enjoy the family!!! I'll look forward to tune in again.

[@gersonmathias2848]

Parabéns pelo vídeo e linda família!