Summer 2015

The Howard Lavelle Sellers Memorial Swim

July 31, 2015 Laura Sellers-Earl

Kim, Marilyn and Jana take photo stock of our start.

Kim and Marilyn are ready to take over the lake.

Thank goodness, Connor is willing to go in first, backside down. Brave boy.

Brock is more hesitant. Mom Jana is assisting him into the water.

Hanging with Marilyn on our emotional day cruise.

Brrrrr. Oh wait, it was much more like a howl.

Jana was brave in the water, saving her young pup.

What secret was shared? Must have been “Mr. Bojangles? lyrics.

Marilyn and Mark look down the lake to our next path.

Alright, Kim, stop with the hilarity. This is a serious (not) moment.

Camryn and Connor are too cool for words.

This is flyboarding. What a rush, I think?

What a great coup to pull all this together. Thanks Marilyn and Jim!

Connor, Shawn and Camryn ponder the lake.

Shawn takes after Dad as he does have many answers.

Kim has been ogling the Flip from afar, but she can’t hold herself back much longer.

A lake resident tells us that our castoff crumbs need more bacon, but it was Super Awesome meeting us on the lake..

Summer 2015

The Howard Lavelle Sellers Memorial Day/Cruise

July 31, 2015 Laura Sellers-Earl

IMG_0129_2 — Dad’s ashes and a lock of his baby hair, which was oddly dirty blonde. Peace.

Ten years ago today, Howard L. Sellers checked out. It’s horrible that this loss of such a force in our lives becomes so apparent in its absence.

At the funeral, only sister Kim had the presence of mind to speak with such a powerful tribute. I’ve admired her, even more, ever since,

A decade later, we gather as the guests of Marilyn and Jim Parke to have a more realistic parting with someone who changed and molded all our lives beyond measure.

We all traveled from afar: Kim’s family from Canada; Jana’s from South Carolina; Marilyn and Jim from Utah; Shawn hauling tail over the highways from Texas (um, South Texas). Carl, Flip and I undertook our longest motorcycle ride (The Howard L. Sellers Memorial Ride) to meet at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake.

We will add more later as we get photos and videos from the others, but this was an emotional, fun, staggering day. At the end, is a poem for Dad.

Summer 2015

Thrice the fun in Missoula

July 30, 2015 Laura Sellers-Earl

So, can Missoula top Coeur d’Alene. Darn close, mainly because we met up with good Associated Press Media Editors Board alum Peggy Kuhr and very cool sister, Barbara Kuhr at Caffe Dolce. We split lamb burgers and sparkling fun and had a great time. Then, brother Shawn hit town and started the family party going.

Carl needs help being properly scared about selfies on the road. Nuff said.

Carl found the perfect place to stay in Missoula, the Wingate, across from the Harley dealership and the Big Sky Brewing Co. Unfortunately, neither served food, so we wound up with convenience-store corny dogs and some poppers. Culinary mecca? Not yet.

So, these things called ground squirrels or prairie dogs, they bear a faint resemblance to a certain Flipster, if you squint your eyes. However, they would not answer the doorbell for a second look.

Going to the source.

Horns are very cool!

Clean clothes are cooler.

Hanging out with Peggy and Barbara Kuhr at Caffe Dolce. What great fun!

Let’s hit the road and see how the new converts do.

Summer 2015

From Ellensburg to Coeur d’Alene (yes, we’re proud we can finally spell it)

July 29, 2015 Laura Sellers-Earl

Yep, that’s Laura. Yep, that’s the middle of nowhere I-90 in Washington. Yep, Carl is taking an iPhone picture while going 60-70 mph. Yep, I promptly got on the intercom and cussed him out.

But before I can flag Carl down, he does this. It wasn’t so much that it was dangerouse for him, but what if he had dropped the iPhone …

Sprague Lake Rest Stop outside of Spokane on Highway 90. These reenactors were there providing coffee and cookies and major firearm advice, including the best ordinance to use. Flip had to raise his eyebrows (you have to draw those in).

Sprague Lake Rest Stop, west of Spokane, Wash.

I guess this must be Sprague Lake, Wash.

Yep, that’s a dog burnt to order at the stateline Lone Wolf Harley-Davidson between Spokane, Wash., and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Huge store, good grub. Flip made friends.

Carl fulfilling the S requirement in his HOG alphabet trip in Spokane Valley, Wash.

Downtown Coeur d’Alene at the resort bar before walking the boardwalk. Splendied cool drink, way hot weather.

Flip gazes out over Lake Coeur d’Alene. Water, good.

The resort in Coeur d’Alene. Flip makes a compelling arguement.

Check out the cruisers and the parasailors. Flip’s not afraid to fly, just needs a very special harness, first.

Where’s Flip? Lovely camouflage along the Coeur d’Alene Boardwalk.

A memorial to an Air Force hydroplane lieutenant colonel in Coeur d’Alene. Flip’s all on board.

Flip at the Moose, tryig for incognito. Not working.

Millie the Moose if very pleased to make Flip’s acquaintance in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

Carl and Flip get a real meal at Scratch Bistro. Laura vegges out. Really.

What a cool idea for a newspaper rack. Just saying.

Summer 2015

Day 1: Where is the massuese?

July 28, 2015 Laura Sellers-Earl

On the road by about 9:30 after stopping at the Astoria Police/Fire Department to get an official HOG alphabet pose for our trip (A, check). Then we wended our way to Longview for grub a the Indy Diner. On up a blustery I-5 with lots of semis (not Laura’s favorite). Over on state Highway 12 through some tight curves, steep drop-offs and cute towns. Beautiful scenery when I’m not eyeballing the yellow line. Pitstop at Yakima Harley, dinner at the Buzz Inn in Ellensburg. Jacuzzie for Carl and Flip. Done and done. On to Coeur d’Alene tomorrow.

Stopping for breakfast at the Indy Diner in Longview Wash. Flip has his leash around his ankles, but is already enjoying the trip. Montana or bust!