Freedom in a Can: Adventures with Hamlet

Haida Gwaii – Everything Depends on Everything Else While we deliberately seek out wild places, and live in them as much as possible, there is nothing quite like the simple act of unplugging, packing up all your gear, food and clothing into a sea kayak (or backpack) and exploring an even wilder place where we’ll be off the grid, and out of touch for over a week. The daily worries of our normal life seem to fall away replaced by thoughts on wind speed and direction, weather, food, and physical exertion. It’s not that our worries disappear, they just become simpler, and more real, like trying to set up the tent with a broken pole before the impending rain storm hits. Reducing life to the pace of a human-powered vessel, every once in a while, is necessary for both of us to be happy and healthy. It had been a while since we’d done it, and it was time. “Hayduh where?” Is exactly what we thought when a lovely young family told us about their home on the Haida Gwaii Islands. We all stoo

"I'm sure I don't know, darling...luck favors the prepared."  ~Edna Mode, The Incredibles Sometimes you just get lucky.  Like when Shari asked me to marry her over 24 years ago.  She says she was only sort of kidding in the moment, but I liked the suggestion so much we doubled down, and well, here we are.  While traveling along the stunning coast of British Columbia, Canada, known as the "Sunshine Coast" because of its location in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island that has peaks over 7,000 ft, we have certainly felt extremely lucky to be here.  But things just got even better...     All the ferry sailings from Port Hardy, on the northern tip of Vancouver island, to Prince Rupert along the world famous "Inside Passage" were already booked until August.  We don't make reservations very far out because, well, you know that's just not our style.  Reservations tend to get in the way of being able to pivot quickly. Last Sunday morning, Shari th

PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM PIZZAS Hutch’s favorite food group is Pizza. So, we always find new methods to cook something amazing that can hold sauce and melt cheese on top. This recipe is a new take on an old favorite of grilling stuffed portobellos, and our beloved OTZI Flame Grill is once again the star of the show. This video was filmed on the shores of Kitsumkalum Lake, in British Columbia, Canada -- an amazing place to boondock, swim, kayak, and work for a few days! Check out  more delicious recipes  and subscribe to our  FREE Almost Monthly Newsletter  to get a new recipe (and lots more RV camping tips, hacks, and resources) in your inbox each month! Ingredients 2 Portobello Mushroom Caps 1/4 cup Marinera Sauce (your favorite) 1/2 cup of Pizza Toppings (your favorite) 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded) Marinade for Mushrooms: 1/4 cup Worcester Sauce 3 TBSP Olive Oil 2 Garlic Cloves (chopped) Cracked Pepper (to taste) Instructions Fill mushroom caps with marinade and let them sit unti