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    Are We Welcome Here? Attempting VAN LIFE on the Oregon Coast



    We’ve been waiting to drive the Oregon coast for a long time now, hearing nothing but incredible things about this stretch of wild coastline. However, the secret is out! Oregon isn’t exactly a hidden gem. We’d been given recommendations on where to stay, but when we arrived, it looked like things were starting to change for van life on this stretch of the coast.

    ↡ SAVE FOR YOUR OWN TRAVELS! ↡
    📍 Ecola State Park Viewpoint (https://maps.app.goo.gl/D9nKMLtVW4C3FetU7)
    📍 Hug Point Beach (https://maps.app.goo.gl/KEBeoM2JLGbjF5b5A)
    📍 Gracie’s Sea Hag (https://maps.app.goo.gl/dRR9V3EuH5ukodKa9)
    📍 Nye Beach (https://maps.app.goo.gl/CEoh7zQ6854eFMzj8)
    📍 Hobbit Beach (https://maps.app.goo.gl/FcnibuTQjgTy9Ui6A)
    📍 Umpqua Lighthouse (https://maps.app.goo.gl/EJd61RmHDHthN7Tw5)

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    ↠ WANT TO WATCH MORE?
    Van Life France to Sicily Series
    » https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9T0BcGBqYn1NUYY2VXyhlgsLvnXZQWp0
    Van Life UK Series
    » https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9T0BcGBqYn0ZKqneAbha94jkMnkBBGFr
    Van Life Portugal Series
    » https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9T0BcGBqYn1NoG9YimtMCTeQpk-aqstn
    Van Life Spain Series
    » https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9T0BcGBqYn37KGDpBq683reFQuxjlhXR

    ↠ SEE HOW WE BUILT OUR VAN
    Watch our Van Build 2.0 from the start
    » https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9T0BcGBqYn09Q7QKe9RSfcmCvu5KgxHZ

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    ↠ A BIT ABOUT US
    We’re Chesca and Ben, and with our two pups River & Scout (🐶 🐶 ) we live and travel full-time in our self converted sprinter van, Sophia. We spent the past 2 years road tripping as much of Europe as we could, from the wild coasts of Portugal to the Syrian border in Turkey, tackling lockdowns and a van re-build along the way. But now, we’re feeling like a new challenge. In the summer of 2022, we’ll be shipping our van from the UK to Canada, on a mission to drive her all the way to Argentina!

    45 Comments

    3. Carlos Seligo on

      I assume you post with some delay but if/when you reach Santa Cruz, ping me if you want a local guide. We are famous for surfing but its really the redwoods, which you have likely been driving through since Trinity that are our unique California beauties. (Don’t go to Muir Woods!)

    10. George Buscay on

      Sounds like you were enjoying my neck of the woods. We live across the street from the Pacific Ocean between Newport where we shop (where you stayed at Nye Beach) and tiny Waldport where my husband crabs. We love it here. Every day the ocean scape changes. Right now the seals across the street are barking day and night and we sleep well listening to the waves roll in and crash against the rocks. Saw you were in Depoe Bay watching whales. I'll have to try the crab mac and cheese next time we take a drive up to check out the whales. I heard you say the Shearwater Inn while you were reading names of places in Lincoln City. We rented a room there this summer for the kite festival they had and really enjoyed the huge kites and to people watch from the balcony. Just started watching you today and it was all about our area. Will continue and get caught up on others. Thanks. Kathleen

    11. Cathy and Greg on

      Such a lovely place , the Oregon Coast….and to think only 1 year ago you were in Nova Scotia….wow Keep on the with the great videos and be sure to go find some COFFEE!!!!!

    16. Ana Neto on

      Loved the video! Thank you
      Btw: the European way of enjoying restaurants and other facilities, where we take our time and enjoy the food and company, it's THE way to live…

    17. Space Travler on

      It's really hard. We live in a 40 foot bus and usually camp in a state forest on the coast range. Tillamook and Clatsop state forests by Astoria and Seaside. There are some nice campgrounds on the Siletz River. There are very very few places on the coast unless you book ahead especially in summer. There are almost no pullouts that allow overnight parking anymore and that's sad. With all that being said if you drive 20 miles into the mountains you will usually find somewhere to boondock. Save travels, Llama bus 🦙🚌💨💨

    18. Gerald Southard on

      Oregon 101 (southbound) is one of our favorite drives. We recently drove from Port Townsend (I am the guy that commented to you about Tommy Knockers restaurant) to just north of San Francisco on 101 (we continued on to San Diego on alternate routes). If your stay at Umpqua was recent, you might have seen friends of ours that did a 3 month volunteer gig at the lighthouse. Not sure where you are now, but highly recommend hiking somewhere along the Avenue of the Giants. Safe travels.

    20. Sharon Addison on

      Wow, I seem to start every comment I put under your videos with wow! I had no idea Oregon had the most amazing beaches. I want to see everything you see now. Incredible. Thanks again for sharing your journey. Amazing x

    23. Karl Gillcrist on

      The people who told you about the Oregon coast were not pulling your leg the scenery was spectacular i'm so glad you have a drone it gives us such an amazing perspective of the areas you go through thanks for bringing us along looking forward to next weeks adventure Karl from eastern Canada

    24. David George on

      Just after Peggy’s cove, did you guys stop at a campground to dump your sewage and fill up with water? One of the owners helped you? Pretty sure that was me! I’ve been following your journey all the way from Peggy’s Cove.

    25. wickiuprat on

      I live in Tillamook Oregon and I’ve tried camping on the coast and it’s not very friendly to RV camping or vans. I hope you guys found places I mean free places to sleep.

    26. Scott E on

      Been in Oregon since 1975. Had a beach cabin in Pacific City. I have had the pleasure of seeing the west and east coast line. Have to say the Pacific coast is spectacular from Washington to southern California.

    30. EDD Vanlife on

      Hi Ben and Chesca. Just a note to say hi. Currently 3 weeks into my Camino Frances doing a fundraiser for Dekafok. Will catch up with your vlogs when I get home. Keep trucking

    32. Barry Watler on

      Hi ya Chesca,Ben River and Scout ,awesome to see another video , we have the coffee trailers on the roadside . Take care and stay safe cheers from Australia 🇦🇺☕️🥰

    35. Celina Mumey on

      I live in Salem oregon, and we visit the coast often its beautiful I love it so much ❤ enjoy. Yachats is an amazing place to visit the cutest small town with calm vibes and welcoming folks.

    36. No one You know on

      Oregon born and raised. 29 yrso. If your actually on the coast still. You got about 6 hours until you reach peak beauty. “Natural bridges” gold beach. Come visit I’ll take ya! Love the vids guys

    38. Karen Horn on

      Finally able to watch your video and it didn't disappoint. Hurricane Lee came to visit NS so we were without power for almost 4 days. I have always read the signs. Our kids would make jokes about it when we went on road trips when they were young. It's been 10 years since we travelled the Oregon coast and after watching your drone shots, I'm ready to go back!!!

    39. Bob Butcher on

      Reading signs, we do that. It's all about being observant. The amount of times when speaking to friends they say they haven't seen such and such or didn't notice something. We reckon we must be really nosey or we prefer inquisitive or enquiring. Like you we see stuff and get to know our way around.

    40. Barbara Qualley on

      Sea Hag Clam Chowder

      Gracie’s Sea Hag Restaurant, Depoe Bay, Oregon provided a delicious lunch when we were on a road trip in 2006
      This is from their recipe book.

      • 3 (6 1⁄2 oz.) cans chopped clams
      • 4 (8 oz.) bottles clam juice
      • 1 tablespoon Minor’s clam base
      • 1⁄4 teaspoon dried basil
      • 1⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme
      • 3⁄4 cup butter
      • 1 cup all-purpose flour
      • 1⁄2 lb. chopped bacon
      • 3⁄4 cup chopped celery
      • 3⁄4 cup chopped onion
      • 3 cups chopped, peeled potatoes
      • 4 cups scalded milk or Half & Half
      • Butter, for garnish
      • Chopped parsley, for garnish
      Drain claims, reserving juice. Combine reserved juice and clam juice in a large soup pot. Stir in clam base, if desired, basil and thyme. Bring to a boil.
      In the meantime, melt 3⁄4 cup butter over medium heat in a small saucepan. Stir in flour to make a roux. Continue to cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
      In a separate skillet, cook bacon until limp and slightly brown on the edges. Drain off excess fat. Add celery and onion. Continue to cook for 5 minutes or until tender-crisp. Cook potatoes in lightly salted water, just until tender. Drain. Stir roux into boiling clam juice, using a wire whisk to blend thoroughly. Stir in clams, bacon mixture and potatoes. Bring mixture back to a boil then reduce heat. Stir in scalded milk or Half & Half. Do not let soup boil.
      Top each serving with butter and chopped, fresh parsley.

    41. Grumpy Wolf Gaming and Tech on

      I'm a native Oregonian. I have also driven across half the US. In my opinion there is no state as beautiful as Oregon. We have the coasts, mountains, forests, dunes and an amazing climate. I spent at least a month a year on the coast, mostly in Newport. Unfortunately the state is being destroyed by the politicians. I love it here, but I'm on the verge of leaving. The spot where they had the no camping signs is an example of this, we have an extreme bum and drug issue here.

    43. Boots S. on

      The Oregon Coast was the first road trip my husband and I took after we were married. Would even hop in the car after work and head down there for 3 to 5 days in every season for a few decades. Your stunning video and especially those gorgeous,gorgeous, gorgeous (just had to add one more in lol) drone shots made us "homesick" for it again. Don't know how one can be homesick for a place that has never been home but that entire coastline is just pure magic and always calls us back to it. So glad to see that you guys got the best weather for it as well except the darn cloud bank forming before sunset. Cloud banks and fog does make the coast tricky to visit. Love those sand dunes as well to explore. That was super cool to see the lighthouse light at night. Always stayed far enough away from it that we had to head back to the motel. It was fun to realise just where you were before you even said it. Fantastic that you got to see whales (well Ben saw them lol) at Depoe Bay. The whale trips from there are fantastic since they don't have to go out too far to spot them after leaving the harbour. What a shame about people taking advantage and making it harder for people like yourselves that respect the rules and keep things clean as possible. Oh and yes always always reading the signs out loud. lol Continued safe travels and thank you for sharing your travels and all the amazing facts/history you share as well.

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