8-24-2024
H: 64ºF L: 49ºF
Thousand Trails Seaside, Seaside, Oregon
We started our day by going to the community market at the campground. This campground offers a lot of activities which encourage community engagement. We also took the boys to dog island which they loved.
We were planning on attending a Thousand Trails membership sales pitch offering free margaritas, chips, and salsa at the campground but it was canceled due to a relay marathon, Hood to Coast, culminating on the beach in Seaside. They also canceled the beach bonfire, which we were really looking forward to, due to the race. The traffic is horrible in town so we just stayed at the camper today.
We did get our Starlink Mini a couple days ago and we set it up today to make sure it works.
8-25-2024
H: 69°F L: 54°F
Thousand Trails Seaside, Seaside, Oregon
We started the morning with coffee in the hot tub. We had a nice conversation with an older Canadian couple and a local boy who just started middle school. We have always thought that it would be a good idea to have a time period at the campground pools for adults only. We learned that the campground used to reserve an hour for adults first thing in the morning but got sued for age discrimination. Some people just suck.
8-26-2024
H: 69ºF L: 52ºF
Thousand Trails Seaside, Seaside, Oregon
We started our day with phone calls from my sister and Dan Funk, our excavator. It was good to catch up with both of them.
We went to the thrift store which raises money to spay/neuter local animals. We learned that the thrift store was started 45 years ago and is run by volunteers. It was a small store but it was packed with people.
We stopped at Ecola State Park and had fantastic views of the coast and Haystack Rock in the distance.
We drove through the towns of Ecola (very cute) and Tolovana Park. We walked down to the beach by Haystack Rock.
Next we went to Hug Point Falls where a stream empties via a waterfall onto the beach. It wasn’t flowing very well compared to some pictures we saw online but we had fun exploring the caves and dodging waves.
We drove further south on highway US 101 and stopped in Oceanside at Tunnel Beach. You literally take a tunnel from one beach to another. The town of Oceanside is built on the side of a mountain with houses piled on top of each other.
8-27-2024
H: 65ºF L: 53ºF
Thousand Trails Seaside, Seaside, Oregon
We stayed at the camper and did laundry today.
One thing we have noticed is a popular thing in many parts of the country which we weren’t aware of is Sasquatch. There are museums, stickers, shirts, and statues everywhere. Big Foot is a big deal!
8-28-2024
H: 67ºF L: 49ºF
Thousand Trails Seaside, Seaside, Oregon
Today is an adventure day! We are going to Portland, OR to explore all the weird things this “Keep Portland Weird” city has to offer.
There is a long list of potential things to do and see today. A few noteworthy things which we will not be partaking in include an all vegan strip club which was sued for choosing exploitation of women over the exploitation of animals and a very popular 24/7 donut shop which offers wedding packages too.
We started with Hoyt Arboretum and walked to the Redwood Observation Deck which overlooks a grove of Coastal Redwoods. We met a nice teacher from Spain at the deck who kindly offered to take our picture.
Next we went to the downtown area but it didn’t look safe and parking was nightmare-ish. We had wanted to see the Weather Machine but the construction and lack of parking dissuaded us.
We went to Ota Tofu and got some fresh tofu and soy milk. Ota Tofu is the oldest tofu company in the US. The tofu was so good.
Next we went to The Wishing Tree which is in a residential neighborhood. A home owner puts out cards and markers for people to write their wishes. Some people even wrote on the leaves.
We drove by the Paul Bunyan statue which, unlike the muffler men of its era, is made of cement.
We took the boys for a walk around Cathedral City Park where the supports for the bridge are beautiful.
Next we went to Washougal, WA to check out the area. Living in Washington on the border with Oregon seems like a financially smart decision (WA no income tax, OR no sales tax). We stopped at Washougal Waterfront Park which had beautiful views of Mt. Hood.
We had dinner at Bye and Bye, an all vegan bar and restaurant. We sat on their large patio with the boys. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was relaxed.
8-29-2024
H:72ºF L: 52ºF
Thousand Trails South Jetty, Florence, Oregon
Today is a travel day! We are going south along the coast to Florence, OR. It’s a sunny day and the views of the ocean during our drive were fantastic.
We got the campground a little later in the day and ended up with an electric/water site. Most Thousand Trails campgrounds let you choose your own site. After picking a spot, we drove around to see which full hookup sites will be vacant tomorrow.
8-30-2024
H: 65°F L: 51°F
Thousand Trails South Jetty, Florence, Oregon
We moved to a full hookup site this morning. We met the man who had previously occupied the site, Shaun, and he was super nice. He plays music locally so we are hoping to see him play. He was kind enough to text Daniel a list of things he recommends seeing while we are in Florence, OR.
8-31-2024
H: 63°F L: 53°F
Thousand Trails South Jetty, Florence, Oregon
We have seen and done a lot of things during our travels. We have complied a Google Maps list of some of our favorite places. Most of the places are free because we like being frugal.
Stats
Expenses:
- Tow vehicle fuel: $0
- Campsite: $49.50
- Camping memberships: $29.84
- Food: $324.95
Miles driven: 555.6 (231.5 kWh)
Number of people asking about the Tesla pulling the camper: 2
Contact Happy Vegan Campers!
Happy Vegan Campers are traveling the country and building a passive house! Any suggestions on places we should visit or questions about our house? Love our recipes? We’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment at the bottom of the page or send us an email: happyvegancampers@gmail.com
