Day Eleven. Sitting on a hotel bed, looking out at the Pacific ocean as its waves crash against the sandy beaches of Newport, Oregon. That's where we are now. This in all likelihood the last stop of our journey west. The hotel room is booked for three nights, and if the weather stays pleasant and no one finds him/herself in boredom, we will most probably enjoy the three-day-oceanside close (although the drive home still remains) to an incredible vacation.

One last look at Portland, though this time from the Washington state side of the Columbia River, as we drove past following the highway toward Salem, the capitol of Oregon, Corvallis, and finally Newport.

The land leveled a bit, opening out into farmland.

In the distance, way out there, mountains loom.

This and the picture above appear to be blueberry bushes--thousands of them. We passed vineyards as well: grape vines climbing up from the ground.

Following alongside train tracks once again.

Getting into populated areas before arriving in Corvallis.

And finally entering Corvallis, Oregon, home to OSU (Oregon State University) and The Sunnyside Up Cafe, which was our destination.

Tree lined steets and multicolored houses intermix with businesses  and branch off the streets that run through the main part of the city.

Trekking toward The Sunnyside Up Cafe. The cafe is the grey building just ahead.

Getting closer.

The atmosphere of the place was very comfortable. The people were relaxed and started conversations easily giving us tips on what to see on the coast.

After enjoying lunch, we ordered the coffee of the day before hitting the road again for the last spurt until the ocean.

And since we had come all this way, we drove around the town's suburbs a little to get a feel for the surroundings of Corvallis. Since we are right next to the university, a great part of these streets are student-housing, or what we think to be student-housing.

This is the fashion in which mom and I want to landscape our yard back in Michigan: hardly any grass to mow, naturally growing and spreading perennials and annuals, herbs everywhere, and winding brick paths so that we can have access to all the plants we give homes to. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but it's fun work and the result could be absolutely amazing.

The courthouse.

After meandering the streets of peoples' homes, we entered the university's area.

The university buildings we happened to pass, and that were not so blurry as to be unintelligible. 

Then we arrived at the ocean. Mom picked our hotel perfectly. The view from our hotel room overlooks the ocean and beach with nothing in the way to obstruct it. We plan on leaving the door cracked so the ocean breeze drifts in as we slumber.

Luckily, the next few days are predicted to be clear, sunny and the warmest for several weeks. Most of the sightseeing done, it's time to relax, read the many books we brought on vacation, and play games on the bed with all of us somehow managing to fit comfortably while still making room for the cards to lay flat on the comforter. I'm looking forward to the sunset tonight, and then waking up to the sound of waves gently coming ashore.

じゃあね！