From Walmart to the Wonders of the Oregon Coast

We woke up stiff, sore, and seriously craving a good back Massage.

But that’s the thing about road life — even the rough nights are part of the story. And Day 2? It reminded us exactly why we hit the road in the first place.

Breakfast, Bumps, and Beauty: The Oregon Coast Beckons

Fueled by a McDonald’s breakfast (yes, we were that tired), we rolled out early and hit the road again — and wow, were we rewarded.

The Oregon Coast is something else entirely. Winding highways hug the cliffs, waves crash below, and every turn feels like a postcard come to life. There’s no better remedy for a rough start than the wind in your hair (No Comments) and the smell of salty air in your lungs.

Devils Punch Bowl: A Nostalgic Stop

One of our first big stops was Devils Punch Bowl, a rugged sea cave where the ocean swirls violently inside a collapsed rock formation. I remembered coming here with my parents when I was a kid — and now here I was, standing in the same place, watching Cayden take it all in. Full circle moments like that hit hard when you’re a parent on the road.

Thor’s Well: Where the Ocean Breathes

Next, we made our way to Thor’s Well — a legendary hole in the rock that looks like it’s swallowing the ocean. It’s wild, unpredictable, and so worth the stop. Watching the waves crash and surge into the well was like witnessing nature perform a magic trick.

Cayden stood there mesmerized. And honestly, so did I.

Seal Sightings & Redwood Dreams

From there, we caught a glimpse of seals sunbathing near the coast — always a bonus! Then, we crossed into California, where the landscape shifted once again.

Driving through the Redwood Forest felt like stepping into another world. Towering giants surrounded us as the road twisted and turned. We had to stop at the iconic Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues — a quirky roadside attraction I remember visiting as a kid.

Now it was Cayden’s turn.

We took some goofy photos, laughed a lot, and soaked in the weirdness that makes road trips memorable.

Family, Campfires, and a Real Bed (Sort of)

After a long haul, we finally arrived at my cousin Jason’s place. He welcomed us with open arms, and for the first time in days, we got to set up our tent, stretch out, and rest somewhere other than a truck or parking lot.

It felt like a luxury hotel after Walmart.

We caught up, shared stories, and talked about the journey ahead. These small moments — laughs with family under the stars — are what this adventure is really about.

Why We Do This

We didn’t start Vancity Adventure to chase fame or go viral. We did it to reconnect with each other, with nature, and with the things that truly matter.

But if our story inspires even one family to chase their dreams, explore their country, or take that first road trip — then we’re doing something right.

Day 2 reminded us of that.