Night 12 + 13 | From Little River to Powell River, Ferry Adventures, Hidden Gems, and Sunshine Coast Magic.

This morning we tried right away for a ferry booking, only to find out we made the very last reservation. Beauty - spend the whole day site seeing.

We got coffee at The Break. I had an iced americano and James and I both got their maple bacon sandwich. House smoked bacon, spicy egg, ancho aioli, tomato chutney, pickled cucumber.

We sat inside while I opened up my laptop to check in on work. I edited some beautiful images I had taken from a bridal shower before leaving. Love how mobile this office can be. Blessed.

After walking back to the Roadtrek from our morning marina walk, we cleaned up the van for a day of driving and exploring as we made our way toward the ferry in Little River. This crossing would take us over to Powell River, the Sunshine Coast of Canada. Another ferry trip meant another possible whale sighting, so I was hyped. Ready. Free Willy.

Back on the road, we stopped at the Ancient Cedars Trail.

Sunlight slipped sparingly through the emerald canopy, casting a dreamlike glow upon nurse logs cradling new life in their rotting embrace. Ravens called overhead, their voices echoing like the forest’s own song, ancient and knowing. Every breath seemed to carry the whisper of something sacred, a reminder that this place does not belong to us, but to the rhythm of the wild, the pulse of the land, the memory of the trees. These towering cedars stood like sentinels, their bark furrowed with centuries of wind endurance, their limbs draped with lichen and veils of moss.

**This part of the journey was beautifully described by James Albert.

Then it was back on the road, headed for MacMillan Provincial Park to check more giant trees off our list.

Road sick, or maybe just tired, I laid down in the back to recharge before we arrived, because I knew James was going to hike me all over this spot. I meant to rest for 40 minutes, but I woke up two hours later (classic Jaime). James was disappointed to discover that the Cathedral Forest is less of a peaceful hike and more of a tourist trap. With no parking, no turnarounds, and crowds everywhere, he decided it wasn’t worth the effort, so we carried on toward Campbell River to catch our ferry.

Since we skipped the forest hike, we arrived early. We wandered around the harbour before lining up with hundreds of others for the evening ferry.

Onboard, we grabbed some chicken tenders, fries, and a lager. It wasn’t dinner, just a snack to fuel us after a day of barely moving. We enjoyed a sunset cruise, keeping watch for whales. In the distance I spotted a humpback and snapped a blurry photo, but proof is proof.

After 50 minutes we arrived on the Sunshine Coast around 7:30 or 8 pm. The community was breathtaking.

Beautiful urban planning - this coastline allows residents to see the ocean from their homes, giving the town almost a San Francisco feel, but with alpine views and endless beaches. A very hilly place, we drove up and down the strip, read about parking enforcement, searched van life blogs for recommendations, and finally settled on a spot we knew we’d return to later.

But first, tacos. We found Costa Del Sol Latin Cuisine just an hour before close. The team served us heaping plates of tacos and cold Coronas. Heaven. A lovely date night together while the sun set. Then we headed back to our little tourist spot, drew the curtains, and tucked in for a good night’s sleep.

The next morning came quickly and quietly. After tidying up the van, we drove down to see the concrete ships of Powell River. These hulking decommissioned vessels were repurposed as part of a breakwater, an ingenious bit of coastal engineering that is as fascinating as it is photogenic.

We had planned to cook breakfast at a turnaround spot James had found on Google Earth nearby, but when we arrived we discovered we’d stumbled upon, or perhaps been welcomed by, a group of local nudists. Whoops.

We relocated to another sweet spot by the bay where we made breakfast, enjoyed more than one cup of tea and coffee, and chatted with a local couple who had been born and raised in Powell River. They shared their love story and updates on their sons. There’s just something about West Coast folk - especially when you’ve got out-of-province plates - that sparks good conversations.

After breakfast and dishes, we headed toward Saltery Bay to catch the ferry to Earls Cove. This one is not reservable.

When we arrived at Earls Cove, we saw a huge line. We figured we had missed the ferry and would need to wait two hours for the next one. Gah. That was alright though -I actually enjoyed hanging out in the van, organizing blog notes and writing, sipping a drink with James while hiding from the heat. Other travelers gathered outside their cars, seeking shade and swapping stories.

As the next ferry pulled in and the line shifted forward, I noticed a bald eagle perched above us, as if waiting to welcome us aboard. A good travel omen, and a fun shot to take.

This was the smallest ferry I’ve been on - “cute” is the word that comes to mind. James and I climbed out of the Roadtrek to stretch after being cooped up and headed to the top deck for whale watching. The ride was only 40 minutes, so I filmed nearly the whole thing. Out of the corner of my eye, another humpback surfaced. I managed to capture photos of its tail. Happy- I am happy.

Earls Cove and this part of the drive delivered the Sunshine Coast experience I had been craving. I only wish we’d had more time here, or had known more beforehand. We had expected to love Tofino based on comments from friends, and while it was beautiful, it didn’t meet the magic we found here. The Sunshine Coast is incredible.

The most visually stunning stretch by car was Davis Bay Beach. It looked like Southern California, with endless beaches, palm trees, wind sports, piers, attractions, food, and constant sightseeing. Our faces were glued to the window.

We made it to Langdale for the last ferry of the day, and likely the last of our trip. Another 50-minute ride, we relaxed on the boat, maybe even closed our eyes. When we landed in Horseshoe Bay, we were headed back to Squamish.

---

Back in our favourite neck of the woods, we headed straight for our VanLife home in Squamish at House of Lager.

After showering and getting ourselves beautiful again, we went to a local spot suggested by our bartender Katie at our local brewery (I call it Church), Flux Brews. She recommended The Broken Seal, a spot she and her partner love and know the owner well.

What a recommendation. Incredibly fresh, full of flavour, with a cocktail menu that dominated anything I’ve seen in a long time. Our server Fred (she/her) was unforgettable. We had:

Bison Tartare | AAA Alberta bison, cured yolk, Japanese chimichurri, apricot, ponzu,

lemon kewpie, served with crispy wontons.

BC Pork Bao Buns | BC pork, carrot, mango, cabbage,

BBQ mayo, micro cilantro.

Dip, You Dip, Two Dips | Always new, always exciting, served with naan.

Oh man, it was perfection after a long day of driving.

James described it as one of the most satisfying meals we’d had on the trip, perfectly balanced in flavour and presentation. Here are some words from him:

*We arrived just before sunset, and I’m so glad we did. From the patio, we had an absolutely breathtaking view of the Stawamus Chief, with Mamquam Mountain and Mount Garibaldi standing proudly in the distance. As the sun began to dip behind the horizon, it cast these stunning, slow-moving shadows up the rugged rock faces. It was like watching the mountains breathe. We spotted mountain climbers slowly pitching their way up the daunting slopes, and base jumpers insanely defying Darwin’s laws of natural selection.

Honestly, we could’ve stayed for hours just soaking it all in. There’s something grounding about being surrounded by giants like that—especially when paired with a glass of something delicious in hand.

The Food: Out of This World | Now let’s talk food—because wow. Every dish we tried was a knockout. Think creative, beautifully plated small plates that hit the perfect balance between comfort and sophistication.

From the moment the first dish landed on the table, I knew we were in for something special. Each bite felt intentional, with flavours layered in a way that felt both surprising and familiar.

The Service: Fred, You’re a Star | Now for one of the absolute highlights of the night: our server, Fred. A beautiful French Canadian, effortlessly charming, and genuinely warm, Fred was the kind of server who elevates your entire evening. Attentive without hovering, funny without trying too hard—she struck the perfect balance. She had great insights on the menu and even better energy. You could tell she truly loved being there, and that joy was infectious.

The Broken Seal isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a vibe. The energy inside is buzzy but relaxed, with a cool "locals lounge" feel that makes you want to settle in and stay awhile. There’s this amazing sense of community here. Although it was our first time, it felt as if we were respected members of the Squamish community.

Would travel 4352 km again to visit this place again, and again. Heck, might have to move there.*

After a complimentary dessert from The Broken Seal, we returned to the van and headed back to our home at the Lager House.

What an adventure. I’ve had so many moments where I think, “This is just my life now—I travel, I take photos, I live in a van with my love.” I could do it. Then I miss my dogs, and I look forward to sharing these stories with family and friends. But honestly, Squamish is the spot for me.

Off to bed. Tomorrow we’re going to try and relax. It’s a heat wave here, about 35 degrees—not the 44 I hear about back home in Ontario. The water is cold here, and I am into it. We’re going to try to find a beach. I don’t know how that’s going to go. Stay tuned.