The morning started with some speed, as we planned to traverse the Coastal Mountain Range in the electric vehicle and wanted to get to the Pacific Ocean beaches with plenty of time to enjoy them (and the possible need to recharge). This was the most extended and boldest trip with Air VW the Gray I had tried. We got a 100% charge (93% once we hit the highways), which meant an over 200-mile range. The trip to Astoria was 83 miles one way, giving me more than enough range for there and back and some sightseeing.
We had breakfast before heading out. We had bagels with Nova Lox (smoked salmon) and cream cheese. We also brought trail mix-like snacks. I put my boots in the car, as it is always good to be ready when traveling the passes. I had newly purchased socks (traction devices) in the EV. Like the Volvo, the VW can do socks or snow tires, not chains. It being Wednesday, there was some traffic, but once we started into the forests and hills, the traffic was light. As always, it is a lovely drive, and the moss in the trees gets heavier closer to the coast. There was light snow at the highest elevation, about 1600 feet (487m), but nothing on the road, and the temperatures were never near freezing.
We arrive at Seaside, Oregon, in just over an hour. On my navigation, using the one that comes with the EV (not Maps), we can see some chargers on the map, but none are near beaches and are long walks from anything interesting. We find parking near the main tourist drag and walk to the beaches by way of a coffee place.
We walk on the beach and look for sand dollars, but mostly, we find 1/2 broken ones, which we call half-dollars. Over the years, I have found one whole sand dollar, which I have at home. We had one sneaker wave that we had to run away. It threw water fifty feet further than any other wave, and we managed to run before getting our shoes soaked. It was not large enough to knock us down, but it was a strong reminder to always keep one eye on the ocean on Oregon beaches, especially in the winter.
Once we had spent a long time and were quite cold, we walked down the street with a fine collection of shells and looked at a few stores. Salt-water taffy was acquired for Z. I always get Z a bag.
We next took the EV to Astoria and saw an excellent charger, but again, it was a walk, this time up and down the large hill in Astoria! Nope. We parked in the old town, walked, and enjoyed the area. Deborah commented on the upscale feel compared to the primary t-shirts, candy, and usual tourist junk for sale at Seaside. We went to the Supper Club for lunch and had excellent salads with meat, steak for Deborah, and crunchy chicken for me. The food was outstanding. I had a Diet Coke as I had to drive, and I was feeling off just a bit (too much coffee).
We stopped at Godfather Books (mostly new with some used bookstores), and I found Graham Kerr’s book there for $12. He was one of the first chefs on TV and was famous for all the wine he drank while cooking. His show was The Galloping Gourmet.
The trip home was by Nav, which sent us to Highway 202, Nehalem Highway, which was twisty and full of sunken grades. It was not a fast-driving route but more direct and fun. Air VW the Gray handled very well. When we were close to Jewel (sort of a town in the Coastal Mountains), there were elk herd preserves. We stopped to take photos of a large herd, like all good tourists, but there were places to do this; thus, we did not block the roads or do a dangerous pull-off.
On the Nehalem Highway, there were guardrails here and there, as well as babbling brooks, creeks, and even rivers next to the road along the passes. The snow was a few inches deep in the forest as we crested some pass on 202. The speed signs for the turns were not suggestions but often the highest survival speed. And sometimes there were no signs like they just got tired of repeating themselves. The sign could have been, “Again.” Or if you are still with us, you will likely make it and don’t need signs.
Once 202 became 103 and then 26 (also known as the Sunset Highway), we were back on the familiar roads. We reached the house with a thirty-five percent charge. Plenty! It was just dark. We reheated the prime rib from a few nights ago. I also made some asparagus in the new veggie steamer (my old one broke), and I microwaved some potatoes and fried some ham while the beef heated in the oven (Best to bake to get it back to normal, if you have the time; microwave would be less effective). We watched a few episodes of Silo together while we enjoyed our leftovers and my extras.
With the walking, travel, and food, we soon were sleepy. A good day!
Thanks for reading.
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