Dad & I had such a fun time with you & Jess! It’s always an adventure!!

Yeah, I've watched you for about a year and although I live in NY, that doesn't mean I can't wish I lived in Canada. Your train videos are my favourite especially the luxurious ones because of the small, compact but still comfortable cabins. You've made this quarantine a lot more fun as if life was still adventurous and happy in other places of the world! Thank You DownieLive!

Holy Moly! I’ve driven by Squilax General Store dozens of times and never stopped there or realized this was behind it 🤯 Very cool!

Hanging loose in a Caboose with no drama from the Llama. Listening to the distant sounds of trains while enjoying the panorama. How wonderful for you to share with us your mama and papa while I am watching this sipping on a cuppa. I am in Australia and some will say down under but when I view your videos they give my life an upper. I could watch your content from breakfast time to supper. Stay safe and healthy.

Loved that you were able to share this experience with your parents

As an European, I always find it funny when you and J.J. show your love for Canada! I loved Seattle, but haven't gone further North yet...

The drone shots are 🔥 🤓 great video Mike

In the UK, the only thing we see and hear about Canada tends to be about Toronto & Niagra falls. Your vids have shown the beauty and excitement of the whole of Canada, not just one section of it. Thank you for this. Your channel is wonderful.

Being a Brit with our tiny island, I don't think I've ever really thought about how the cabooses were used - what a fantastic way to preserve the industrial history of them, and make a distinctive hostel! I'm sure at least half your viewers must be making lists of places to visit in BC just from your videos now, I know I am!

The drone shots, the editing, the story telling… everything is so damn good 👍 real nice content man.

Gotta get me to Canada one day 💛 I wish Australia wasn't so far away! Love that someone is still finding a use for those old carriages !❤️

My father worked for CN as a Brakeman/Conductor for 35 yrs out of Edmonton he probably spent time in that caboose! The desk/ work station is where the conductor reviewed the cargo manifest and completed his paperwork, The wheel on the outside platform is a hand brake. Two crew members rode in the caboose- the tail end brakeman and the conductor,and in later days of crew reduction just the Conductor. Beds were used when there was 2 crew and trips were longer. Trips were shortened when reduced to one crew as sleeping was never allowed on duty. As a youth I rode in caboose with my father this video brought back wonderful memories, thank you for sharing 2 thumbs up!

I love that you can hear the rails sing as trains go by. I would love staying here. BTW, the handles on the ceiling are called OS handles... let you figure out what it means.

My Dad was a keen HI member and visitor to many hostels around the world, but his absolute favourite hostel was Squilox. I know he stayed there several times, and I joined him there once. As it wasn’t a busy week we each had our own caboose. And of course, pancakes with maple syrup for breakfast! This video has brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eyes. Thank you. I forgot about the llama.

Pure Enjoyment watching!!! My late father was a railroader he operated a Draw Bridge here in Cleveland Ohio most of his life. The places you are taking us on in Canada are just gorgeous the trees!!! Wish I could be with you in person.

It is so nice how you interact with your sister and your parents. Some people are so rude with each other. The hostel looks very special but also very nice on the other side. Easy to reach by car (when you know the way) but also in private because of the hidden location. Great. Take care, don't risk anything while travelling and I am looking for your next video.

You could sure tell your dad was having so much fun up in the caboose lookout. What a great little place.

Your family is so adorable and wholesome.

I’ve stayed in ‘Glacier‘ in Summer 1997, thanks Mike for bringing back an awesome memory from the time I spent in Vancouver/BC

Mike, this was great! You are an inspiration! I love your passion for travel and trying new things!

God, I love Canada. What an awesome idea. It's my goal to get up there (when we Americans are welcomed back... can't blame Canada for THAT!) and drive the Trans Canada from Coast to Coast. Great job, Mike. Keep it up!

We’re so busy flying off to unknown destinations, yet, it takes a pandemic to force us to discover our own “backyards”. Refreshing actually. You seem to have a lovely family Mike. Cherish them! I’m the oldest of 7 (2 boys that are anchors with 5 girls in between). We’re spread throughout the U.S. and Europe. Last time we were together was 3 years ago next month ... and even at that, one Sister did not join us which sadly is just as well she didn’t.

4:24 multiple of caboose-- cabeese 8:14 WC- water closet, the head, etc 11:51 gently boiled and concentrated sugar maple sap, ever tried birch syrup? 12:31 hope you enjoyed Lake Louise, in the '80's I fell in love with the Post Hotel's French Onion soup and roast Cariboo.

Short and sweet, but packed with all the info we need for our next road trip into the interior. Great job Mike 👍👍

Mike, it was great to see your family supporting you and joining in your crazy lifestyle. 👍🏻

I really enjoy your videos. Your so charismatic and have a honest excitement for each adventure. Love how supportive your family is as well, it's refreshing. Keep up the great content! ❤

... oh, this so wonderful ... brings back many memories of summer's @ my maternal grandparents retirement residence near Scotch Creek ... the fabulous salmon runs every four years, the magical bells from the lead sheep of the herd, as the First Nations peoples led there flock along the lakeside road ... the old Herrings, an elderly couple lived in the back area of their Squilax store, which was filled so neatly & clean with some fantastic ancient goods ... Mrs. Herring was a fastidious housekeeper w/ baked goods always on hand ... she invited Grandma, Mom & I into the rear parlour & it was a splended place .. an old bit of Brit' ... Mr. Herring was a famous British photographer who had the parlour walls filled with his wonderous photo's ... all black & white ... some hand-painted ... landscapes reminiscent of Ansel Adams or Byron Harmon ... not dramatic mountainscapes, but the same marvelous energy ... beautiful art craftsmanship ... not so long ago, I began a research on the Herrings, & as to the where abouts of Mr. Herrings wonderful photographs ... thanks for the memories ...

Mike, Great catching up with you. How great to have your whole family on your Great Tour of the Hostel with all the perks to be enjoyed! A piece of history that is brought alive in the past to the present memories made. Thanks for sharing. Wish Safe Travels & Safe Health. Always, Tommy :-)

Oh what I would do to be Canadian right now!!!!! Always wondered why the trains don't have cabooses anymore. Even though you aren't traveling as much as you were pre-Covid, your videos are still really great. Thanks again for the entertaining, informative diversions you provide for us.....

Such a great video about our best kept secret. I've been taking my grandkids here for years, plus hosting writers' retreats each Fall. The uniqueness of the place alone inspires creativity, mystery, storytelling, and a whole lot of fun.

Keep up all the great videos. We're moving to BC next month, so you're giving us so many exciting destinations to visit, especially for a train nerd such as myself :)

Canada is one of the few places Im sad I will never visit.....thanks for sharing your road trip with us stop at home types.

Mike you manage to find all these neat Hostels to stay in. You are a great travel guide . Spent many summers on the Shuswap lake as a kid. My Dad's business partner had a few acres of land on the beach front and Copper Island was straight ahead of head it. Sorrento to be exact. Another great video and thanks again. Always looking forward to the next one. Cheers bud!

This is awesome! I love how they kept the cabooses in its original state! I’ve stayed in something a little similar, but they kept it a little more modern. In Folkston, Georgia, there’s what’s called Chessie’s Caboose, where you can sleep, have a barbecue, and is less than 100 ft away from the CSX mainline to Jacksonville! I have a video of the caboose somewhere on my hard drive, but it’s a pretty neat place! For a train fan myself, it’s definitely worth the trip!

Love your family Mike! keep up the great work you're doing show casing beautiful British Columbia!

I have driven past this General store many times and not thought much about it! I can't believe this gem was hidden on the other side.

Love this show. Almost always something interesting, the enthusiasm is infectious. As far as the plural of caboose goes--a rule of thumb: If it’s not Roman in origin, it generally won’t end in “i”: Octopuses, hippopotamuses, cabooses.

If you like cabooses, you should stay in the restored 1919 Caboose campsite at the Chester Railway Station Museum. There's a lot of history and hiking around that area, plus it's located right next to an active railroad.

My wife and I were supposed to take a trip to Maritime Canada this summer (canceled due to the pandemic). We hope to make that trip next year but you are making such a strong case for us to visit BC. Keep 'em coming, Mike!

I have passed by this countless times and had NO IDEA! I'm glad I stumbled across your channel! I would definitely like to check this out!

Wish your parents a long, healthy and happy life Mike.

Honestly, I love your channel. Always original.

Another wonderful video, Mike. At the time, I'm living my travel adventures vicariously through you. I've traveled all over the world and Banff is my favorite place by far, so I'm looking forward to the next installment! I can't wait until the border opens and I can go back. However, I certainly can't blame you guys for not letting us in :)

Looks like everyone had a wonderful time!! Happy trails everyone 😊

Great video! Those drone shots really rocked! On my bucket list for next year! My granddad worked for CN!😎

My family did that when I was a kid. Stayed in old cabooses. It was awesome!

This was so much fun, showing you with your family. I thoroughly enjoy this experience.

I loved to visit Kamloops with my grandfather, he was a tombstone mason and delivered to cemeteries all over the PNW. Glad to see some of the old caboose cars being repurposed, looks like a quiet place to get some R & R.

Great video. Originally the caboose allowed the conductor and brakeman were able to look ahead and see the half of the train which could not be seen looking back from the locomotive. The advent of much longer trains, along with electronic devices to detect failures mid train did away the need for them. Trains have not looked the same since there demise. I think some may still be in use in Alaska. The compartment atop the caboose is a cupola. On some railroads, bay windows were used instead of cupolas (Southern Railways in the southeastern U.S. was one). They were originally heated with coal-fired, then later, oil-fired heaters. The University of South Carolina has a number of cabooses behind the stadium. They are sold for game day party headquarters! condominiums. Each caboose has two units. They are cool. A nearby town has purchased one for their historical society headquarters (one of the Southern Railways bay window units). Thanks for teaching me about the overhead bars. I did not know about them. It makes perfect sense.

Awesome video man!! You definitely up'd the production!! So clean and very informative! 👌🏼

A caboose motel - is that a Mike Downie dream come true or what?! Another incredible video. I wish you guys could adopt me. You Downie folk are some amazing people! Thanks again for having me along :)

I LIVE IN VANCOUVER WHY THE HELL HAVE I NOT STAYED THERE???? This channel has literally saved my life for quarantine activities!

I love the family together! 💕

Your family is great. Shuswap Lake looks so beautiful.

I like these happy ,informative Canada videos

Great video! Love seeing your travels around Canada when international isn’t an option. 👍🏼

Great video Mike! Jasper is awesome and the new hostel in town is pretty amazing. Hope you got out to do some of the iconic hikes in Jasper National Park. There are even little smaller hostels throughout the mountain parks allowing a more personal experience of the Rockies!

The owner is my friend. I love the creativity and the atmosphere there!

My family were the 'previous owners in the 80s' mentioned in the video. When we owned it, it was the 'Squilax Craft Post', a pottery & other handicrafts shop. The lower floor was our house. One big difference I see is that the old boathouse is gone. And of course we didn't have a llama! I'm surprised that it is actually open, I thought they had closed down completely due to 'corona' but I guess not!

Your videos keep getting better and better, Mike! Loved it! Your family is awesome. Can't wait to travel in BC.

Great clip good to meet your family, looking forward to more episodes with Jess!

Great video ! I have been to Lake Louis, Jasper and seen the Rockies, when I was living in Calgary . Canada is soo blessed by natural beauty .

This is great. There is a caboose hotel in Strasburg Pa. The cabooses were modernized but it was still a fun place to visit.

I live vicariously through you right now. Thanks for bringing the fun :) Looking foward to Lake Louise. We hiked to the tea house a few years back. That blue water is stunning.

I know lots of my friends and people on social media have been very vocal about not going outside, not traveling, not infecting others - but like you said, there's no reason to put your life on hold if you are not infected, do so safely and not endanger other people. Thanks for addressing issue, and I'm hoping you're not getting criticized too much by those people. As always, thank you for the amazing content and sharing your life with us! Stay safe!!

What an awesome place to stay! The hostel owner had the tracks built for the “caboosei” to rest?? Another beautiful tour of a vacation spot in Canada to visit. Thanks for including the bathroom shot and your Dad in the engineer seat.

loving the train videos, and I now have to update my bucket list, keep up the awesome work.

Mike! Going back watching some of your videos I had never seen. This is was so cool. That area of Canada looks so pretty.

Definite trip within the next couple years. I live in North Idaho about 6.5 hours from there. Thank you for sharing!!!!

You found a great hostle there! I would take that over many of the expensive motels for its quiet yet picturesque location. Thank you for the video!

Thanks Mike, Always enjoyable. Wife & I are hoping to get back to travels once we get through this COVID issue. Being train enthusiasts we would LOVE to spend a night @ Hihostels Caboose in Shuswap Lake. Happy for you that you were able to spend some "safe " family time! Joe-R DFW Texas USA

Came to find you here and on instagram through the Infotel Kamloops article. I've driven past there so many times on my way from Manitoba to the coast, back and forth, many times and a friend actually lives nearby. What an interesting and fun video you've made. Now I'm off to check out more of your travels. Road tripping is my absolute favourite and especially Canada.

Great Video Mike. I think that it’s great to have a great time with your family. Stay Safe and God Bless You and your family. Keep up the great videos.

Great videos! Your energy and upbeat personality help me beat the "Pandemic Blues". Thanks Mike.

You knock it out of the park. Thank You.

Real professional & spectacular view . Thanks

Mike, I'm glad you want me there with you because I enjoy everyone of your travels AND it's the FIRST TIME I'VE EVER BEEN INSIDE A CABOOSE!!! Thanks for that and thanks for your Canadian pronunciation of "out," lol! Great seeing you with your family. Your Mom and Dad are good sports 👍👍👍

Thanks, Mike! Looks like an adequate and unique place to stay! Looking forward to more....

Going back through your video cashe and I got to tell you they are wonderful. I can do Canada without leaving my home. Thanks, Mike.

That's one of the coolest hotels I think I've ever seen! My bucket list seems to be getting longer and longer because of you. 👍😀

Amazing content! So blessed to have found you fellow Canadian ☺

Such a fun video with your family!

Another great video Mike!!! And another destination to put on my must-see list. Can’t wait for the next one.

Wow your videos are super fun and I've been binge-watching them. What fantastic travels and a great way to do them. Well done!

Soary Jess, but that's a brake wheel. I spent many hours with conductors or utility listening for brakes that needed to be released before the trains left the yard. Vacation travel in the States is slowly opening up. We socially distanced our 42nd anniversary @ the beach. It is important to call ahead. The senior Downies look to be enjoying vacationing 'with the kids'. Keep on making the videos, we'll keep on watching them!

This is awesome. I live in Canada and had no idea about this. So thanks

I look forward to your videos every week! This looks like such a unique place for an overnight stay. ❤️

I’m so jelly you find all the cool places... but thankfully you always take me with you ...so thank you for all you do mike! Lovely family by the way! See you next time😊

What an awesome place to stay for a family get together. Your choice was totally on track !

Extra cool! Mike you’re making me rethink my travel bucket list once Americans are free again. I was set to go to Israel in April to celebrate the part of my Jewish heritage. That has been postponed until next April. I think I shared my love of trains so this is soooooo cool! Another great one my friend!! Muchas Gracias Amigo!

Cool editing and shots! And you are really enjoying along with your Family! Congrats !

You always make me smile when I watch your videos. Thank you and God bless.

That looks sooo cool. Maybe one day I’ll visit there. I’ve only ever spent 2 nights outside of Ontario in my whole life, hopefully once we get past this covid craziness, I’ll be able to do some real traveling.

This is a great video. It's so cute that as an adult you're spending time with your parents and sister. I found your channel when researching the Amtrak overnight train experience for one of my clients earlier this summer.... But i have watched many of your videos over the past few months. And, I must say you are very likable, charming and enthusiastic ambassador for travel and overall joie de vivre. Thanks so much for making these fun and very watchable videos, especially now during Covid. I hope you can do more in into 2021. Take care. XOXO

Thanks for sharing Mike, love the hostel. Stay safe!

Your dad, up in the bump out, was so cute.

Awesome place to visit! Totally enjoy your videos, the drone shots are a great addition.

Awesome, I would love to stay in an old caboose. Great video, yet again!! Thanks for sharing....😊🚊

Hey, he's back...good to see you traveling again.

Loving all your train videos!! So cool that you get to travel with your sister too!