Getting a Head Start on my Next BIG Project

An unusually warm and dry March gives me the perfect opportunity to clear a building site for my next big project(s). With some significant lifestyle upgrades in 2024, the needs of my family and I have changed and I'm eager to add the infrastructure improvements to facilitate them.
Log Cabin Building, Bushcraft, Survival Skills, Cooking, Canadian Wilderness, Off Grid Living, Homesteading

Hi, I'm Shawn James. I am a passionate outdoorsman living the life of my dreams in a log cabin that I built by myself in the Canadian wilderness. Join me and my golden retriever, Cali and listen to the sounds of the forest in this relaxing wilderness setting. I prefer to keep my talking to a minimum and let the natural sounds of nature make you feel as though you are there with me.
Mail:
200 Manitoba St., Unit 3, Suite 415
Bracebridge, ON P1L 2E2

My Self Reliance/Shawn James
200 Manitoba St., Unit 3, Suite 415
Bracebridge, ON P1L 2E2

[garybeaudetsr]

I’ve been with you since you broke ground on the first cabin. I’m too o old to do much now. But I’m sure there are alot of folks like me, who remember when we could do an honest day’s work. Thank you. God bless you and your family.

[ruthiewilliams]

Being a very old woman that has followed you a long time, I’ve never tired of watching one minute. Take care and thank you.

[earlshannon]

You know Shawn I want to thank you and Cali for sharing your lives with us! And shoutout to your wife and daughters it been a pleasure. God bless the 5 of you!!!

[kathiesullivan]

I love Cali so much! She’s living the dream for sure!

[DennisBater]

There is nothing that makes me smile more than a happy dog!

[ljc]

Watched for years and always appreciated your videos and commentary but never commented. Can't imagine how fulfilled you must feel for all your building/work. Inspiring...

[jeffdill]

Canvas vest, work boots, and cut-off jean shorts. Shawn is living his best life. 👏

[MichaelDeClerck-lz]

There is no such thing as a boring video when Cali is high lighted playing in the water. Beautiful surroundings. Give Cali a BIG SMOOCH from Mike & Ronnie. GOD BLESS

[dennisbeaver]

Shawn, you seem to miss the point that even your short videos are interesting to those of us that live vicariously through your content! Never any need to apologize!

[catwhisperer]

I could just sit on those rocks and watch the sky and water all day the peace and calm around me

[Kiristo]

Sitting here in Colorado with 2.5 feet of fresh snow outside, and you're in Canada wearing shorts with no snow!

[jamesfairbairn]

Sure is a pleasure seeing Cali living the best life ever. She’s one happy pup. I also enjoyed seeing the progress of the clean up for your next project. Thanks for sharing

[adamwhite]

i think in the 4 years watching, this is the only time i seen you in shorts . u go big man.

[sandramiller]

I, probably along with many others, enjoy your skills in living offgrid and building a healthy life with your family. Congratulations in achieving your love of work with your family.

[willieflowers]

BLESSINGS AND MORE BLESSINGS TOO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY I TRULY ❤️ YOUR CHANNEL 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[almathees]

Shawn & Cali living the Dream!😎🐾❤️😍🫶🏻
Beautiful view of Lake &
Canadian woods!

[danielhitchcock]

Hi Shawn, listen to swamp hunter comment. At 66 I still make syrup. Have done it since a little kid, collecting buckets with my dad. We use to have a home made arch, made out of 2 55 gal metal drums welded together. Then we could fit 2-3 flat pans on top. So I know how much time you are spending boiling when you get good sap runs. Here in upstate NY I normally have 4 weeks or so of sugaring season. Normally from the 2nd week of March, and I pull the taps around the end of the second week of April. Snow cover doesn’t matter much, it’s the temps. When the hard maples start to bud, the sap gets a milky look to it, the sugar content drops below2%, and you are burning a ton of wood. By then it is probably taking 50-60 gal of sap to make a gallon of syrup. You would love having a small sugar house, and a 2’ by 6’ evaporator. I make around 30-35 gallons with my set up, and having a 4’ pan with flues makes all the difference. It would cut your boiling time down to a few hrs a day. Keeping the wind off the pans is a huge plus, they will boil much better. Wind direction also is a big factor in how well the sap flows also. I have seen sap run nonstop during freezing rain, after switching over to tubing, whereas buckets and metal spouts would freeze. It’s a great hobby, glad to see you enjoying it!

[canadiancabin]

Greetings from Nova Scotia. You are a great motivator and inspiration to all and especially to us over 50 crew. Thanks for the content

[annerodriguez]

I love the woods. The serenity the beauty in nature. You give us peace in an unpeacefull world

[MrCopper]

You mentioned no content boring, I say it’s nice seeing you back to the basic videos of you working like it used to be.