Introduction

Welcome to the blog for the 2021 Oil Leak, during which we will explore the Valleys and Volcanoes of eastern California to southern Oregon. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Kjell Nelin who originally planned the route for the 2020 Oil Leak which was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Kjell prepared all the daily drive routes, as well as suggesting hotels for our overnight stops, and restaurants for our evening group dinners which have become a key features of our annual trips. We also thank Geo Hahn who maintained and enhanced the on line planning spreadsheet that documents all the details of this year's trip.

As always, Debbie and I will be accompanied by one of the family bears. This year, Russ made the best case for inclusion, particularly because his tiny stature allows him to share the cockpit of our 1969 E-Type OTS.

Russ ready to head out on an adventure!

This year's Oil Leak will start at Death Valley National Park in California. Death Valley contains the lowest point in North America at 282ft below sea level, as well as the hottest place on Earth. An ideal place for the notorious E-Type cooling system....

Most of the participants congregated this afternoon at the Ranch at Furnace Creek - only 102 degrees today, where we had a group dinner at the 1849 Buffet (named after the birth year of the chicken served on the menu).  Two more cars will join us tomorrow.

Dinner at the 1849 Buffet at the Ranch at Furnace Creek

Michael Jenkins had a fuel filter issue that needed resolution on the trip from home, but that is the only problem reported on the drive to the start. Rick and Christine Kuschel win the award for the longest route to the start all the way from Missoula, Montana. After dinner we met besides the pool in the cooling evening where Michael Jenkins presented us with mementoes for this Oil Leak.

3D printed memento of the trip produced by Michael Jenkins. Can't wait to paint it when I we get home

Tomorrow morning we will start with a tour of Death Valley National Park before moving on to higher elevations and (hopefully) cooler weather.