Days #102-104 of Our Epic Trip

2-11-2024
H: 75°F L: 51°F
Brazos Bend State Park, Needville, TX

Today is a travel day. We drove south to Brazos Bend State Park. We have been told that it is the alligator park. As in, hold-on-tight-to-small-children-and-pets-while-walking-on-the-trails type of alligator territory.

We took a toll road on our way south out of Houston and I’m pretty sure we’re going to get a citation for not having the proper electronic pass. Houston, your toll roads are confusing!

We have also noted that southern people seem to be a little crazy about Buc-ee’s. 50+ gas pumps, giant convenience store with clothing and home decor, and a bunch of unhealthy food. We don’t get it. Apparently, people are excited about their clean bathrooms which we appreciate but, we’d rather see clean bathrooms just be the standard at all public places.

We arrived at the campground and we saw four foot alligators before we even got to our campsite! Up until now, having traveled along the gulf coast from Florida to Texas without one sighting of an alligator, we were starting to think they were a myth. But they do exist!!

Alligators at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.

Unfortunately, our excitement was dampened by a camper malfunction – our slide out wouldn’t move. Luckily, Daniel is a genius and he is able to fix just about anything. At our last campsite, he built a small shelf for one of the kitchen cabinets and the wiring inside the cabinet was disturbed. He found one of the wires unplugged. Simple fix!

Once we got set up, we drove around the campground. Daniel talked to the camp hosts who suggested a particular lake to see large alligators. We didn’t have any luck seeing the alligators but we did notice springtime flowers everywhere.

Flowers at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
2-12-2024
H: 59°F L: 44°F
Brazos Bend State Park, Needville, TX

We stayed at the campground and did some hiking. We started at the visitor center where they had some rescued hatchling alligators and we got to touch one. These hatchlings were rescued from an abandoned nest and will be released when they are a year old. We then walked 6 miles with the boys and saw many alligators, including a mom with hatchlings, a turtle, wild boars, and many birds. We watched a man’s hat blow off and land right by an alligator near a bench. The man very bravely went to pick it up. If it had been me, I would have gotten a long stick to retrieve my hat.

Hatching alligator at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Trail at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Daniel, Peter and Marcel on a trail at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Bird at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Alligator and hatchings at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Mom and hatchlings
Alligator at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Trail at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Trail at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Alligator at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
2-13-2024
H: 66°F L:36°F
Brazos Bend State Park, Needville, TX

We went to Galveston, TX today. It’s Fat Tuesday and we’ve been told it’s a big deal on the island. A parade was scheduled for the evening but we left before the parade.

Interesting fact: Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth – a celebration of June 19, 1865 – which was the day slavery was abolished in Texas, freeing one of the last groups of slaves in the United States.

We stopped at the beach on our way to Galveston and the boys had a ball running off leash. The boys get so excited about our adventures that they act like hooligans before we get them out of the car. In the video below, Daniel tried to get them to calm down.

Peter and Marcel playing at beach in Galveston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Peter and Marcel at beach in Galveston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Peter playing at beach in Galveston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.

We saw some cool stuff on the Strand in Galveston: a cute dog rocking an outfit in a stroller and a shark made entirely out of plastic garbage collected from the ocean and beaches.

Dog in stroller in Galveston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Ocean trash shark in Galveston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Ocean trash shark in Galveston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.

We also heard from a follower of our website who has been inspired to eat more whole food, plant-based. Yay! Daniel is happy to offer advice or answer questions for anyone interested in better health through healthier food choices.

Stats

Expenses:

  • Tow vehicle fuel: $0
  • Campsite: $72.51
  • Camping memberships: $11.19
  • Food: $0

Miles driven: 268.4 (121.5 kWh)

Number of people asking about the Tesla pulling the camper: 2

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Days #99-101 of Our Epic Trip

2-8-2024
H: 72°F L: 59°F
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, Willis, TX

We just relaxed, did laundry, and napped. I made the worst, most watered down coffee of my life today. It definitely affected us as we could barely stay awake by mid-afternoon. I’m still figuring out the best way to use the new percolator.

2-9-2024
H: 74ºF L: 62ºF
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, Willis, TX

Today we went on a free 90 minute educational boat tour of Port Houston. It was fun seeing the big freighters and we saw the U.S. Coast Guard driving around with a machine gun on the front of their boat. We were told by an artist, who is a retired teacher/principal, that the shipping channel used to be so polluted that, on a field trip, the boat had to turn around because so many kids got sick and vomited.

Port Houston boat tour in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Daniel looking at shipping channel during a Port Houston boat tour in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Freighter seen during Port Houston boat tour in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
US Coast Guard boat seen during Port Houston boat tour in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
2-10-2024
H: 72°F L: 65°F
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, Willis, TX

Today we met with Stacy and her friend, Debra, at Sawyer Yards, a very large converted space for artists’ studios. We had fun talking to some of the artists like Kathy Drago who does wonderful paintings of elderly women. I did not take any pictures of her paintings (I wasn’t sure it was allowed) but, if you have a chance, check out her website. I looked through her website and for some reason I had a strong emotional reaction to Marguerite (10 x 10 oil on wood). I got a fluttery feeling in my stomach and tears sprang to my eyes.

Art displayed at Sawyer Yards in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Art displayed at Sawyer Yards in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Art displayed at Sawyer Yards in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Art displayed at Sawyer Yards in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Art studios at Sawyer Yards in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.

We had a great time hanging out with Stacy and Debra as we looked at the artwork. We hope to meet up with them in the future.

Stats

Expenses:

  • Tow vehicle fuel: $0
  • Campsite: $0 (Thousand Trails)
  • Camping memberships: $11.19
  • Food: $106.18

Miles driven: 224.2 (62.1 kWh)

Number of people asking about the Tesla pulling the camper: 0

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Days #95-98 of Our Epic Trip

2-4-2024
H: 65ºF L: 50ºF
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, Willis, TX

We had a relaxing day at the campground. We stopped by the office to get the code for the gym. Then we took the boys to dog island. We sat outside the rest of the day and just relaxed and enjoyed the sunshine. Retirement rocks!

2-5-2024
H: 65°F L: 49°F
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, Willis, TX

Today is the anniversary of our first contact – an email from Daniel. We were both on VeggieDate looking for “the one”. We very quickly became inseparable. To celebrate we went hiking with the boys at Sam Houston National Forest in New Waverly, TX. We also made a nice dinner of baked marinated tofu over a bed of brown rice with a pepper jack sauce, vegan of course.

Sam Houston National Forest in New Waverly, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Sam Houston National Forest in New Waverly, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
2-6-2024
H: 68°F L: 43°F
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, Willis, TX

We worked on stuff at the camper most of the day. Daniel is taking an online safe driver course to get a lower rate on car insurance. They did a whole section on how ABS brakes function which seemed a little weird because ABS brakes have been standard since 2004. Then we realized that people living in the south may not use ABS breaks very often so info on what and how is probably appropriate.

2-7-2024
H: 70°F L: 45°F
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, Willis, TX

Today is an adventure day! Of course we started the day with a trip to dog island for the boys. They love it there so much!

Peter and Marcel running to “dog island” at Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort in Willis, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
The boys running to dog island

We drove to Houston and took a tour of the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern which cost $15 per person and was totally worth it. This cistern was built in 1926, took 95 days to complete, and held 15 million gallons of water for Houston residents. It was decommissioned in 2007 and turned into a park. It has 221 columns and is currently filled with about 10 inches of water which gives a nice optical illusion. The acoustics are amazing inside the cistern! Listen to the tour guide sing in the video below.

Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern

Our history tour guide sang for us because this cistern has an echo that lasts 17 seconds!

Next we walked in a park next to a river down to the bat bridge. We did not see any bats but we could hear them. They leave the bridge every night at dusk. The view of the city during our walk was beautiful. Houston has miles of underground tunnels that connect various office buildings. The tunnels offer shopping and dinning.

Skyline in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Houston skyline

Next we drove to graffiti park. We like street art and find the creative messages and artistic talent to be just as good as any museum.

Graffiti Park in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Graffiti Park in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Graffiti Park in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Graffiti Park in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Graffiti Park

We met Stacy, Daniel’s friend from college, for coffee. It was fun talking to her. She is funny and welcoming. And she gave us homemade vanilla extract! Can’t wait to use it in my cooking. We already have plans to meet up with her again on Saturday.

Stacy, Daniel, and Kristin in Houston, Texas. Picture for Happy Vegan Campers by Stacy.
Photo courtesy of Stacy

Stats

Expenses:

  • Tow vehicle fuel: $0
  • Campsite: $0 (Thousand Trails)
  • Camping memberships: $14.92
  • Food: $26.33

Miles driven: 226 (65.6 kWh)

Number of people asking about the Tesla pulling the camper: 0

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Days #92-94 of Our Epic Trip

2-1-2024
H: 70°F L: 48°F
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, Willis, TX

We sat outside to drink our coffee and we were serenaded by a Northern Mockingbird. Such loud, beautiful sounds coming out of such a little body.

We got a free car wash at a new facility and now the Tesla is sparkling! Daniel loved that we worked together after the wash to clean out the inside and wipe down the car.

We walked on a small boardwalk and met a family with a little girl. Marcel was fine with being pet until the girl hugged him. After that, he didn’t want anything to do with the family.

2-2-2024
H: 72°F L: 53°F
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, Willis, TX

We went to Houston today. We enjoyed dinner at a vegan pop-up, Vuture, and sat with fellow vegans. Two were from Bosnia and are pregnant (hope Feb 18th is the day for you guys!).

Then we went to a cool coffee house, Brass Tacks, where most people were studying or working. We sat in the loft. The coffee, music, and ambiance were really good.

Brass Tacks in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Brass Tacks

Then we went to a game store, Joystix, where they had a night of unlimited games for $15. We played pinball games and a lot of old school games like Pac-Man. Daniel tends to dominate at Air Hockey while I dominate at Skee-Ball.

Joystix in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Joystix
Joystix in Houston, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Daniel won!
2-3-2024
H: 68°F L: 53°F
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, Willis, TX

We had a relaxing day today. I finally started to feel better. We took the boys to dog island but there were people there fishing and the boys were not interested in running around with strange people present. We spent the evening in the hot tub and it was so relaxing.

Stats

Expenses:

  • Tow vehicle fuel: $0
  • Campsite: $0
  • Camping memberships: $11.19
  • Food: $87.91

Miles driven: 157.1 (47.2 kWh)

Number of people asking about the Tesla pulling the camper: 1

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Days #85-91 of Our Epic Trip

1-25-2024
H: 72°F L: 63°F
Bayou Segnette State Park, Westwego, LA

We had planned on going to a the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve just south of us today to do some hiking with the boys. Unfortunately, it rained all day and I’m more of a fair weather hiker and so are the boys. So we stayed home and caught up on chores. Daniel booked more camping reservations. We can book anywhere from 2-6 months in advance at most campgrounds. Daniel has to consider distance and elevation traveled when planning our stays because we pull the camper with an electric vehicle and need to plan charging stops.

Daniel did go to an Amazon Pick Up Counter to get some orders. We also got the cutest picture of Marcel from his foster mom.

Marcel as puppy. Picture by Marcel's foster mom.
Marcel as a baby
1-26-2024
H: 68°F L: 56°F
Maxie’s Campground, Broussard, LA

Today is a travel day. After staying in NOLA and now driving through Louisiana, we both agree that this is a dirty state. There is garbage everywhere. Everything has a decayed look, even the nice homes look decayed somehow.

We stayed at Maxie’s Campground in Broussard, LA. We are just staying for one night as we make our way into Texas.

1-27-2024
H: 65°F L: 48°F
Delta Downs Racetrack, Hotel & Casino, Vinton, LA

Today is another travel day. We are boondocking in a casino parking lot tonight. We took the boys for a walk and then explored the casino. They only had slot machines, no table games. We aren’t gamblers so it was no big deal and we were happy to just hang out in the camper. The inverter attached to the Tesla battery worked perfectly and gave us all the power we needed.

1-28-2024
H: 60°F L: 43°F
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, Willis, TX

We drove to Texas where we will be spending two weeks at a campground. We are both looking forward to having an extended stay so we can relax.

We met the nicest people while charging the Tesla today! John and Maree were super friendly and we hope to meet up with them when we’re in Blanco, TX. We also met Leo who is the kind of guy who is instantly your friend and we hope to meet up with him too.

We arrived at Lake Conroe RV and Camping Resort which is a Thousand Trails campground. It is first come, first served for the campsites so we drove around to find one we liked. The campground is pretty full. We started to unhook at a dirt site on the outskirts but quickly realized the mother and three kids next door would be too loud for us to tolerate so we moved to another site. The site we ended up with has a huge cement pad which is great because there has been a lot of rain lately.

1-29-2024
H: 66°F L: 37°F
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, Willis, TX

It was fantastic weather today so we stayed at our campsite and got things done. Daniel took everything out of the storage area where he keeps tools so he could get organized. He also fixed our new percolator so it could accommodate a glass knob on the lid. Using the percolator is a flashback to Daniel’s childhood as his mother used a percolator and it will give me more time in the morning compared to the pour over method we have been using.

1-30-2024
H: 72°F L: 44°F
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, Willis, TX

We took the boys for a walk to check out the campground. We walked down by Lake Conroe and found an island where we could let the boys off leash. They had so much fun! Peter even went in the water. Peter also held up traffic on our walk because he chose to poop right in the middle of the road.

Kristin, Peter, and Marcel at “dog island” at Lake Conroe Lake RV & Camping Resort in Willis, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
The boys love dog island

We went to Home Depot for some tools and parts Daniel needed. You can take dogs in stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Joann Fabrics. The boys enjoy exploring and it has been really helpful for them to get used to strangers.

Daniel worked on fixing the door on the Tesla, which hasn’t been shutting properly, while the boys and I took a nap. Then I made Whole Wheat Bread and Soy Milk.

1-31-2024
H: 73°F L: 45°F
Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort, Willis, TX

I woke up sick so no adventures today. We did drive the boys to the dog island again and they loved it, especially Peter. We also went to Kroger (yay! We miss Kroger) and the post office. You can have mail delivered to “General Delivery” at some post offices so we will do that going forward. We also have to plan our Amazon purchases so we can pick them up at pick up counters or lockers because our current campground charges $5 per package delivered.

Peter and Marcel at “dog island” at Lake Conroe Lake RV & Camping Resort in Willis, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Peter enjoying the water
Kristin, Peter, and Marcel at “dog island” at Lake Conroe Lake RV & Camping Resort in Willis, Texas. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Dog island

Stats

Expenses:

  • Tow vehicle fuel: $0
  • Campsite: $36.61
  • Camping memberships: $26.11
  • Food: $190.83

Miles driven: 509.2 (366.2 kWh)

Number of people asking about the Tesla pulling the camper: 3

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Louisiana Campground Reviews

Marcel and Peter and Banksy's Ubmbrella Girl in New Orleans, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Bar in New Orleans, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.

Bayou Segnette State Park

Westwego, LA • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ • Electric/water

Campsite 66 at Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Armadillo at Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Cabins at Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.

We stayed here for one week and paid $17.61 per night with a senior discount. We had campsite 66. This is a pretty campground right in the swampy bayou which means mosquitoes. The park has a day use area, playgrounds, boat launches, and really nice cabins for rent floating right on the river. It was quiet and our neighbors were friendly. After 10pm, you need to use a difference entrance and have the code for the lock (Note: they changed the code during our stay so check with the office if you will be out late to make sure you have the correct code). We really liked that they have garbage cans spread throughout the campground. The campground boarders a levy with large doors. (Jan 2024)

  • Lafayette Cemetery No. 1: The cemetery has been closed since 2019 for the city to renovate.
  • Brevard Clapp Wisdom House: Author Anne Rice’s former house which was featured in her Mayfair Witches books.
  • Garden District: This area is a beautiful place to walk. Just watch the sidewalks as they are quite treacherous.
  • Old Eiffel Tower restaurant: It’s across from the Ponchartrain Hotel. It’s currently the Nieux Society.
  • French Quarter: This area is filled with restaurants, bars, and shopping. It is also a historical area and you’ll find many walking tours.
  • Wooden Quilts: Self-taught artist Jean-Marcel St. Jacques makes quilts using wood some of which is from his Hurricane Katrina damaged home.
  • City Park: This large park has many things to do including a Children’s Museum, walking trails, botanical garden with model trains, putt-putt course, and a dog park.
  • Various walking tours

Maxie’s Campground

Broussard, LA • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ • Full Hookup

Campsite 64A at Maxie’s Campground in Broussard, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Maxie’s Campground in Broussard, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Bath House and Laundry at Maxie’s Campground in Broussard, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Maxie’s Campground in Broussard, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.

We only stayed at this campground for one night as were just passing though on our way to Texas. We paid $19 as RPI members and had campsite 64A. It’s a nice campground with laundry ($4 per load) and a bath house. There is a small stream/drainage ditch behind some of the sites. Jason, the owner, was very friendly and offered suggestions on things we could do in the area. There was a strong WiFi signal which we really appreciated. Our site had a large cement pad which was great. The only negative with this campground is the traffic noise from the highway but we just turned our fan on to drown out the noise and had no problem sleeping. (Jan. 2024)

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Days #83-84 of Our Epic Trip

1-23-2024
H: 67°F L: 56°F
Bayou Segnette State Park, Westwego, LA

We had another relaxing day today although we did go to an Indian grocery store to get chickpeas. Two different Walmarts did not have any dry chickpeas. We bought all the chickpeas the store had. The owner of the store was very nice.

1-24-2024
H: 72°F L: 63°F
Bayou Segnette State Park, Westwego, LA

Our neighbor a few campsites down was playing an upright piano behind his camper. That’s a lot to travel with but we loved seeing it!

Camper playing his piano at Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.

Another neighbor said there is a big alligator that’s always in a certain area and, since it’s warm today, we may see him sunning himself. No luck. We have yet to see an alligator while we have been in the Deep South. Alligators don’t eat if the weather is below 70º and they brumate this time of year. This neighbor also said that the campsite fee is half off if you’re 62 or over so we went to the office and saved $104.28! Yay!

We then drove back to the Garden District and walked past the restaurant that used to be on the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In the 1980s, the original restaurant was deemed too heavy for the structure of the Eiffel Tower so it was dismantled piece by piece and a new restaurant was built. The original restaurant was bought by a chef and his partner and reconstructed in New Orleans. Unfortunately, despite its initial popularity, the restaurant only lasted three years. The building has been home to numerous restaurants and nightclubs and was an events space too. It is currently the home of Nieux Society, a collaborative workspace, launchpad, and collection of entrepreneurs.

Old Eiffel Tower restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Original Eiffel Tower restaurant

We also drove past the wooden quilt artwork of Jean-Marcel St. Jacques. He used remnants from his Hurricane Katrina destroyed home to make these works of art.

Wooden quilt folk art by Jean-Marcel St. Jacques in New Orleans, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Wooden Quilt door
Wooden quilt folk art by Jean-Marcel St. Jacques in New Orleans, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Wooden Quilt artwork

We went to the City Park where they have lots of neat things including a labyrinth we walked the boys on. They seemed a little confused that we were walking in circles especially when there were so many other fun things to explore and smell.

T-shirts for sale in New Orleans, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Guess which t-shirt Daniel wanted to get for me?

Today, Daniel and I dressed alike. Yes, we have become that couple. We wore t-shirts that say “Animal Lovers Don’t Eat Animals”. We had two black men tell us they liked our t-shirts. Unfortunately, the typical stereotype for vegans is white and female so we thought it was cool to have our shirts recognized by men of color.

Stats

Expenses:

  • Tow vehicle fuel: $0
  • Campsite: $35.22
  • Camping memberships: $7.46
  • Food: $34.71

Miles driven: 97.9 (28.2 kWh)

Number of people asking about the Tesla pulling the camper: 1

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Mississippi Campground Reviews

Fishbone Alley in Gulfport, Mississippi. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Friendship Oak in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Marcel and Peter on beach in Mississippi. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.

TLC Wolf River Resort

Pass Christian, MS • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ • Full Hookup

Campsite 74 at TLC Wolf River Resort in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Aqua Cycle at TLC Wolf River Resort in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Campsite 74 at TLC Wolf River Resort in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
TLC Wolf River Resort in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Campsite 74 at TLC Wolf River Resort in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.

We enjoyed our stay at this campground. We stayed here for one week and paid $10 per night as RPI members. We had campsite 76. They have amenities such as a pool, small playground, laundry building, recreation building with a ping pong table, and a path that goes to Wolf River. The people were friendly (you may find the “River Rats” hanging out by Wolf River). You can check out an Aqua Cycle for free at the office to explore the bayou. The campground is within a 10 minute drive to the gulf coast. (Jan. 2024)

  • Friendship Oak: In Hattiesburg, MS, stand in this old tree’s shade with someone to remain friends for life.
  • Fishbone Alley: Neat alleyway with old cobblestones and graffiti art in Gulport, MS.
  • Beaches from Pass Christian to Biloxi
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Days #81-82 of Our Epic Trip

1-21-2024
H: 45°F L: 29°F
Bayou Segnette State Park, Westwego, Louisiana

We did very little today. It was nice to just have a chill-out day with some Netflix, nice and cozy in our camper since it was cold and rainy today.

1-22-2024
H: 65°F L: 43°F
Bayou Segnette State Park, Westwego, Louisiana

Today we explored the French Quarter and did some fun window shopping. We took the boys for a walk around the French Quarter and they got a lot of attention – everyone thought they were so cute. We walked to Banksy’s Umbrella Girl which was covered in plexiglass to protect it. Banksy is a famous street artist and activist who has remained anonymous creating art since the 1990s.

Marcel and Peter with Banksy’s Umbrella Girl in New Orleans, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Marcel and Peter at a Banksy

We also walked to LaLaurie Mansion which is a beautiful 3 story mansion built in 1832 with a gruesome past. It was suspected that Delphine LaLaurie was horribly abusing her slaves and in 1834 the truth was revealed. An elderly slave had been chained in the kitchen and she deliberately set fire to the kitchen in an attempt at suicide or rescue. When bystanders requested the key to the slave quarters to make sure everyone was safe from the fire, LaLaurie refused. A mob formed and broke down the door and found seven slaves in horrible condition having been mutilated and starved. Delphine and her husband were run out of town and an angry mob destroyed her house.

This happened mere blocks from the location of Theophilus Freeman’s “slave pen” where up to 500 people at a time were kept waiting to be sold and from local hotels where men, women and children were sold. We also learned at the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve French Quarter Visitor Center that the majority of the workers who built the houses and buildings in the French Quarter were free men of color. Where was the line between publicly accepted slavery and what was deemed abuse of slaves? Why were some people of color slaves and others allowed to be paid tradesmen? It’s so hard to understand the rationale behind all of it.

LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
1140 Royal St. LaLaurie Mansion
French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
French Quarter

Stats

Expenses:

  • Tow vehicle fuel: $0
  • Campsite: $35.22
  • Camping memberships: $7.46
  • Food: $41.47

Miles driven: 31.2 (9.8 kWh)

Number of people asking about the Tesla pulling the camper: 0

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Days #79-80 of Our Epic Trip

1-19-2024
H: 64ºF L: 37ºF
Bayou Segnette State Park, Westwego, Louisiana

We arrived at Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego, LA. It’s in the middle of a bayou, we passed by levies in the park, and it’s at 0 ft elevation. I hope there aren’t any hurricanes while were here. After setting up, we walked the boys by the levy to check out a giant door in the levy. The state park also has some really nice cabins for rent floating right on the water.

Levy door at Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Levy door
Cabin floating on water at Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Nice cabins on the water at state park
1-20-2024
H: 45°F L: 30°F
Bayou Segnette State Park, Westwego, Louisiana

Today we explored New Orleans, LA. I’m a fan of Anne Rice, especially her Mayfair Witches trilogy books which are set in New Orleans. We drove around the Garden District and saw the house Anne Rice lived in which she featured in the books, including the porch the character Deirdre sat on every day. We also drove past some of the schools mentioned in the books and a lot of really beautiful old homes, most of which had plaques on them regarding the original owners who built them in the 1800s.

Anne Rice house in New Orleans, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Anne Rice’s house built in 1857
House used for Mayfair Witches TV show in New Orleans, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
House from the TV show “Mayfair Witches” built in 1875

We also stopped at an estate sale in an old house, mostly just to see the inside. It did not disappoint – velvet wallpaper on all walls and ceilings.

Old house with velvet wallpaper in New Orleans, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Old house rocking velvet wallpaper

Then we got some chicory coffee and perused a book store which had autographed copies of Anne Rice books. We also took the boys for a walk around the Garden District and saw Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, which was closed. It’s so fun to see the boys having fun exploring. They tried to take any stairs or small alleyways whenever they could.

We went to the French Quarter to listen to live blues music at Bamboula’s. Parking was a nightmare and, so far, we have found the sidewalks in New Orleans to be downright dangerous especially when you’re trying to sightsee and walk at the same time. It was also a little like Halloween as many people were dressed in costumes. I felt underdressed (or overdressed?).

An older couple at the bar started dancing and it was great to see them having fun.

Bamboula’s Bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. Picture by Happy Vegan Campers.
Bamboula’s

Stats

Expenses:

  • Tow vehicle fuel: $0
  • Campsite: $35.22
  • Camping memberships: $7.46
  • Food: $98.13

Miles driven: 159.9 (91.96 kWh)

Number of people asking about the Tesla pulling the camper: 0

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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 below or send us an email:
happyvegancampers@gmail.com

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