Quickies: Mavis and I Make it to the Pacific

So after what seemed like weeks of brown, dry, tumbleweed-laden desert, I crossed Oregon and went through the Willamette range.  Bang!  Just like that I saw green again, and lots of it.  Although I was amazed by the stark beauty of the volcanic area I had just passed though (otherworldly is a good word for it) my heart leapt when it saw the mountain peaks looming on the horizon.  It was a beautiful trip, one I highly recommend.  As some of you have picked up on, I tried to take U.S. Route 20 as far as I could from Chicago to the Pacific.  I failed in some instances by having to dip southward due to weather or just the need to see a more urban environment (the eastern slope of Colorado, for example).  But I made my way back to 20 and followed it through Oregon.  I ended up in Newport, Oregon.  End of the line.  Finis.  I found myself tearing up when I went over that last hill and saw the Pacific finally.  

Newport was lovely and had a public beach which was pet friendly.  Mavis went down with me and sniffed a bit.  I don't think she liked the roar of the ocean though.  I, however, was thrilled. I later found out that the many places in the town of Newport have municipal (free) wifi.  It was lovely.    

Gallery below: A.) Look! It's brown. With bits of dark green. But mostly brown.  B.) The ocean from the parking lot at the end of U.S. Route 20, next to Don Davis Park.  C.) Whale bones near the beach reminding people of Newport's past as a whaling town.  D.) A view from the beach to the houses perched on the cliffs above.  Lucky people.  E.) A poem inscribed on a Vietnam Veterens' memorial in Don Davis Park.