March 9

Our train managed to come in to Portland ahead of schedule, even with Daylight Savings Time. Good job conductor. So we got off at Union Station around 10:00, walked next door to the Greyhound station, bought tickets for the 12:20 bus to Newport, and then wandered Portland. We went into the Pearl District and ate cake and had coffee and chai tea at the Pearl Bakery. We changed bus at Corvallis, Oregon, where Oregon State University is located, and the train that took us to Newport was not a full Greyhound bus—it was shuttle bus. The scenery was just what I expected: dark green, hills, gray skies. I liked it. The weather moved quickly; it would pour rain, then be clear, then sleet, then snow, then clear up, all of this within an hour. It was overcast when we arrived in Newport but not raining. It didn’t rain today, really. Just a nice mist. We brought our umbrellas walking but didn’t use them.

We got to the hotel, showered and changed clothes, and then headed to the Rogue Brewery Public House. Such a good decision. Besides having good beer the food was great and the people were fun to be around. Suprisingly, it was more of a local bar than anything else, so we fit in. It was right near the docks.

By the way, even though I’m on the left coast, I know Terrell Owens is a Buffalo Bill now. Bring it on.

Sunrise on the rail yard.


Rock formation at Washington (State) train stop.

Washington mountains.

Oregon evergreens.

Pacific view from our (cheap) hotel room.