Run 101 Flip had a great day Gallery August 17, 2014 Laura Sellers-Earl Ready to ride! Kickstands up at 8:30 a.m. Club ’08 is off for its Run 101 Ride to the Redwoods. Stuck in traffic. A part of the journey. Club ’08 mascot Flip gazes adoringly off Neahkahnie Mountain. We don’t know, but suspect he has some sperm whale in his genes. A little bit of serendipity, which is what this jaunt is really all about. The Old Iron Show was just there, beckoning as we cruised through Tillamook. We had to stop and play a bit. Nice people, cool stuff. The Flipster goes international on this double-decker bus at the Old Steel Show in Tillamook. Catching a ‘Flip’side ride on the London Bridge Lorry. Just what is this? We were thinking waterpark ride, kiddie aquarium feature, product of an alcohol-laced daydream? No, it’s a monster sea lion ice chest. Yes, it’s for sale, and if we weren’t on motorcycles and heading the wrong way, Flip almost convinced us to take it home. Flip is the star of his own “Green Acres” episode. Look close to the right for milepost 101, which happens to be on U.S. Highway 101, as we are grooving down the highway on our ’08 Club’s Run 101 ride. Notice the single finger raised in salute; and yes, it’s an index finger and there is a smile on Laura’s face. Epic! A motley crew if ever there was one. Hanging out on Neahkahnie Mountain. Flip takes a ride on a friendly gray whale in Depoe Bay. The Traveling Goofbury’s point out gray whales in Depoe Bay. We saw at least a dozen spouts, surfacing and, even got some tail! The whales were very close to shore, making us wonder why you would go out on a whale-watching cruise. Flip again tries to reconnect with his ancestors. Hanging out waiting on whales at Depoe Bay. Flip’s feeling a little small. Flip makes a friend in Depoe Bay. Not sure of this critter’s parentage, but I’m not sure they hit it off. Bones was traveling with priates in town for a festival. Avast. matey! This pirate tried to barter a bunch of bones for Flip. We declined and ran. The King’s Men take Flip to task for various transgressions while in Depoe Bay, including not wearing a motorcycle helmet, traveling in the company of known hooligans and raising a ruckus loud enough to scare the pirates away. Yep. A touching moment, brought to you by the folks at Ron Popeil’s Pocket Fisherman. Are you my mother? Flip is on a mission to discover his roots. This whale skull at the Whale Center in Depoe Bay. Thar she blows! Criminy, but she’s a cutie! Just sitting on the dock of Depoe Bay. It’s just Depoe-lorable that we have to hang out with the whales in the sunshine on the very first day of our journey. Most excellent, and thank you to the vacation planners that arranged it so. The Stanoviches pose by the bridge in Depoe Bay. Such cuties. Some random guy in Depoe Bay totally captures Flip’s attention. I think it’s the word “plaque.” Flip’s not sure what to do with the Sea Hag and her overwhelming, er, assets. Timeout for Laura and Flip in Depoe Bay. This is the way we bond. Flip seems to be channeling some alien powers to overshadow the most-excellent bridge in Newport. Really, all I see is the Magnificent Flip. The Stanoviches share quality texting, social media time in Newport. Me thinks we have been an excellent influence on their relationship. Top of the day with Flip and Laura in Newport. Really, this journey has been the bomb, so far! Flip seems to be channeling some alien powers to overshadow the most-excellent bridge in Newport. Really, all I see is the Magnificent Flip. Bird is the word! Flip thinks this may be his inroad to exploring like Jacques Cousteau. His method of underwater conveyance, a crab pot. We asked him to wait until he’s off our insurance. While working on his selfies, Flip has an epiphany in Newport. The sharper in focus I am, the fuzzier the world gets. Is this true in all things? Flip’s Rogue-version of Twister. No mascots were injured in this adventure. Well, “we’ll see you on the ‘Flip’-side,” as the Flipster is fond of saying. Although, since he is on his lips, it sounds more like “I’ll flip you on the seaside.”