Picture:
2009 Eldon, Dale (our father), and Marvin Ott

The "Bucket List" Story...

Now Tim, I know doesn't have time to sit down and write his recollection of the story...so mine will have to suffice until he corrects me!

Last year while attending our Ott "Coon-Feed" Family reunion, we were lamenting my Father's failing health. Many of us had watched the recent movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman titled "The Bucket List". It chronicles 2 dying men and the list that the created of things that they wanted to do before they passed on. Tim said that something on his bucket list was to ride a motorcycle to Alaska. Now this suggestion was said in my presence but sent to my brother David. Quickly, plans made and bold statements of "Let's do this!" thrown out. I said, "You aren't going without me. I will drive a support vehicle." So, that is my memory of how I tagged along on this brother trip. Since that small beginning, we have Tim, Harold, and Henry riding motorcycles and Becky, Amy, Deb, and myself riding in the support truck to go along. They didn't really need a support truck. They (the guys) really wanted to just get on a motorcycle and head north. Tim has humored me ...as he has done most of his life. We are taking his truck! He is a good brother and friend.

All of us are of the mindset that we may never pass this way again and if something hits us that we want to see or do on this trip, then we will do it. I got a new video camera to hopefully chronicle the journey. Back in April we got together when Amy and Harold came to Utah to plan. We sat around T and Bs kitchen table and split a gut. The point of sharing this is that when we are together we laugh. That is what I want for my part of the bucket list...."To laugh until I cry...on many occasions." (... and p.s. ...not get eaten by a bear)

So, Dad... This is for you...the year of your 80th birthday... We want to celebrate life before it is too late. We will eat a piece of fish in your honor. xxooShelley