Day 5 - Friday

A lot of rain fell overnight, so it was a pleasant surprise to find that, though overcast, it was not actually raining as we set out for the final day's drive. Today's route involved a ferry ride from Coupeville to Port Townsend, so a prompt start was mandatory. Stragglers would miss the boat... The drive on US-20 was pleasant, and we all arrived in time to take our positions in the line for the 11am ferry.

Lining up for the ferry

We had been forewarned that as low tide was close to our boarding time, the ramps to the ferry would be at their steepest angle, and we might experience problems due to low ground clearance. These fears proved to be unfounded, and we all boarded without any issues.

Michael, Phil and Drew braving the weather on the deck as we crossed to Port Townsend

The sister ferry passing us in the reverse direction - each ship can carry 64 vehicles

The ferry ride was only 35 minutes, and uneventful (the best kind of ferry ride!). After disembarking at Port Townsend, we congregated in a parking lot close by, and explored the small port. The specialist Tea Store, and Chocolate Shop received several visitors. Many of us took the opportunity to enjoy a quick lunch.

Lunch at the Silverwater Cafe in Port Townsend

"The best fish and chips in Port Townsend"

Following lunch we took the one hour's drive to Port Angeles, and then up to Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park. During the drive up to the Visitor's Center in the park we were treated to several sightings of deer grazing right by the road side. Less of a treat was to experience the result of a very recent landslide (it must have happened only a few minutes earlier) where a tree came down onto the road together with a huge boulder about 4'x4'x4'. Fortunately, no-one was passing at the instant the rock came down. Having negotiated around the tree, we proceeded up to the Visitor's Center. Lower down the mountain, rain was falling, but higher up it was dry, though the clouds were low.

Hurricane Ridge Visitor's Center

Unfortunately, the low clouds meant that we couldn't see the range of peaks that the viewing point is famous for. Those of us who'd hoped to hike up Hurricane Hill to get the best view didn't do so - there would have been no point.

View from Hurricane Ridge

The drive back to the hotel was interrupted while the park staff cleared the tree from the road, though the boulder may take a little longer to move... Back at the hotel we congregated in the Breakfast Room to celebrate the successful completion of the Oil Leak with a selection of pizzas brought in for the occasion. Wine and beer flowed, as did the conversation. Before we each bid our fellow leakers goodbye, Kjell gave us an outline of the 2020 Oil Leak plans: a drive through the Sierra Nevada from Death Valley to Crater Lake.

Despite the weather, which impacted 3 of the 5 days, everyone seemed to agree that the 2019 COL had been a great success. In the end it is the people that make this such an enjoyable event. I wish everyone a safe trip home, and hope to see them all again on a future Oil Leak.

PS: I'd like to thank those who sent me their excellent photos for inclusion in the blog. Some I have added already, and I will be adding more when I reach home. Thank You.