The forecast was for rain today as we rode across Deception Pass, through Whidbey Island, and wrapped up the four day ferry party.

It rained last night, and the forecast called for more in the morning and afternoon. So we went into rain mode, with rain covers on the bags, waterproof socks and booties, and the rain fairing on the Hase.

We started the day following Washington State Route 20 south. It’s a mostly two lane highway with enough shoulder to use. There’s a bit of climbing, but not particularly steep or sustained.

Then it opens up to Deception Pass, with the cantilever bridge that crosses it. There wasn’t a great view of the bridge on the approach, but the pass is impressive. The structure of the bridge is all below the road surface, so there’s nothing obstructing the view to the water 200 feet below. We stopped in the parking lot on the other side so I could take Ruth on the narrow sidewalk to look again and get some pictures.

It drizzled off and on as we started working on Whidbey Island. There’s a Naval Air Station on the island, and F/A-18s tearing up the sky were a constant presence. The cloud cover hid the planes most of the time, but we could hear them, and occasionally catch a glimpse.

We turned off SR20 and passed the main gates for the base. Traffic died down a lot, and we were really able to enjoy the road. The drizzling continued as we got fully south and got close to the water. We decided to stop for lunch at some beach access just as the drizzle shifted into proper rain. We were hungry, and it was a good spot, so to hell with the rain.

Just as soon as we got the kids unloaded, the rain stopped and the sun came out. We enjoyed a lovely lunch on the pebbly beach, sitting on rocks and driftwood, watching the waves and talking to Ruth about erosion.

After lunch, we got more rollers, water views, fighter flybys (now more visible, as the clouds were blowing away), and erosion discussion. As we climbed towards Coupville, we spotted a bald eagle soaring nearby. By the time we could get the camera out, it had moved on, although we heard its call a few more times. Another F/A-18 flew by as if to offer a different kind of American symbol.

We got through Coupeville and to the ferry with plenty of time to prepare for our final ferry ride of the trip. They’ve been fun, but it really kills the momentum.

After getting off the ferry in Port Townsend, we rode through the docks, including a drydock facility featuring a giant lift to carry the boats from a special berth to the drydock.

We were looking for the Larry Scott Memorial Trail which would take us close to the motel. When we first found it, it was little more than a single track cut along the top of the driftwood piled at the high tide mark. This would be impassible with the trailers.

Anne found another entrance a bit further down, where it was gravel wide enough for us, but not a whole lot more. I was worried about whether we’d be able to get through the rest. Anne assured me it would be (presumably through force of will if nothing else). While she started down the path, I asked a guy sitting in a pickup nearby if he knew about the trail. He said this was the narrowest part.

Indeed, before too long it widened up, and stayed that way. The surface bounced between gravel, dirt, and asphalt. It went slowly up, past a paper mill, and right through some woods, before spitting us back onto our old friend, SR20.

As we arrived in Port Hadlock, we rode past a small airport, where planes on their landing approach crossed the road at maybe 50 feet of altitude, which is always good for an excited “woah” from the kids.

Our motel is in a small town shopping district, whose storefront vacancies tell me is past its prime. I’m sad to say that the caveman restaurant with awesome murals on the walls is closed. Still, there are plenty of other options.

Tomorrow is our first rest day, and Anne’s parents have taken a break from their own adventures to join us. We got pizza from Ferino’s nearby, then went back to their room for some surprise cheesecake, in further celebration of my birthday yesterday.

The rest day tomorrow will be nice. I don’t think we Need a rest day, but it’s probably a better idea to get one before we hit the point of exhaustion.