The campground we stayed the night at had full electrical and water hookups, so we were able to recharge the car while also powering this little portable oven from it. While we showered, the tiny oven cooked our breakfast: enchiladas with sun dried tomato chicken sausages.
The solar panels put 17% of a charge into the secondary battery (which we used for our laptops and heated blankets) while we showered. Then by the time we ate and were ready to leave, it was up to 22%:
It attracted a lot of condensation though. The heat from charging I assume. Still, this was a successful practical test of many pieces of gear I bought over the past year, confirming that they really do the job.
The sunny morning gave way to a grey, dreary afternoon. Mainstreet of Seaside has all manner of quirky little shops catering to tourists. Exotic dried meat shops, an attraction full of upside down rooms to take selfies in, that sort of thing.
Also a massive resort we'd later tour. Brace yourselves for that. It did wind up being worth our time in the end. Check out all the little white ice cream and burger shops long the ground floor.
There was an indoor carousel! Naturally indoors, as the weather here is only rarely sunny and warm. It's part of a complex that's basically an indoor boardwalk with all the sorts of shops and cafes you'd expect on a boardwalk.
We found a tchotchke shop with various metal welded robot statues, a cyborg skull, and a skull made out of naked bitches. The perfect conversation piece for polite company.
We then voluntarily consented to a time share tour. Yes, I know. We felt dirty the entire time but they promised us $100 in coupons for local restaurants. It was grueling, though the tour guide was very sweet and personable. Her job was still to get us to sign something we had no intention to.
They showed us one of their nicest rooms. The view was incredible. I mean if you want to creep on swimmers. Which I do. Haha, look at them down there like little insects at my feet. I stand in judgement of you, little swimming people.
Beautiful view of the beach too. The weather gradually improved, tempting us to go outside. Nice try nature, we're wise to your tricks. After the tour was a pushy sit down meeting where they showed us various numbers on paper. It was boring to me because I've already seen every number.
Here it is, our precious coupon treasure! $100 worth of crab, lobster and fish which we will avail ourselves of later, at dinner. I'm actually sitting in a seaside cafe writing this now, so the day's not even over yet. It's been one of the more memorable trips we've so far taken.
Though, that might be in large part because we slept in a transforming electric car that cooked our breakfast. This town does have a lot to recommend it, and there's going to be one or two more articles to come about the local attractions we visited in the coming days.
Stay Cozy!