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The Stick: Sandy Grandkids for the Win

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Ah the Stick, where we ditch our cares about everybody else in the world.

The Stick always provides a much needed respite from the real world. Though we started our visit during memorial day weekend (a big no no), the week was awesome. By Tuesday the beach was empty again.

The grandkids were a great joy to have around, especially Iulie who is a complete waterbug. Iulie spent more time in the ocean than in the house.

Our time was a great family-oriented mix. From reading on the porch, through baby care, to a cocktail or seven.

The view is calming.

Baby Leiden presided on his picnic table throne during meals. He was a hoot.


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Many mornings, Iulie walked the dogs with Nonno and Bubby. Nights too. This is a study in how to stay dry while in your PJs.


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A reminder of our post wedding Euro visit of 2025.

Iulie in her own world.

Wine on the porch

Rainbow (sent to the neighbor Pam).

Morning with the dogs.


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Can you spot the waterbug in this picture? Nothing like an entire ocean to yourself.

Cactus flower.

One of the highlights of the trip (and a cause of all the grandparents gaining five pounds) was our visits to mootown on Sunset.

Leiden had his very first ice cream.

Somebody had too much sugar!

Moonshine and Leiden became fast friends.

About that waterbug (very brave for 7). Romey’s smile when she was bodyboarding with Iulie was so very bright.


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Leiden a ham? We will never forget his “how” greeting.

The jenga towers got smaller as the dogs destroyed various pieces.


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A girl and her dog (with the puppy zoomies).

The whole little family introduces Leiden to the great big ocean.

I believe we have a second waterbug on our hands.

Spaghetti monster.


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Moonshine in the morning inspecting the completely empty beach.

No more ice cream?

Gin and tonic (jacques style).

Out for dinner.

Man o’war.

In for dinner (Micheal beef).

Leiden’s first cow.

This is the start of a new tradition.

Decompressing at the Stick

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After all of the planning, and then the actual event itself, we were ready to put our feet up. So we did.

The Stick with Göran, Anne, Noelie, Lisa, Rhine and April—hosted by the newly married McGraws! Late May is perfection at the beach. No people.

Oh yeah, the dogs came too. We rented a huge vehicle in Pittsburgh to cart everyone and all their stuff down.

Now back to those feet…

About the only complication was figuring out the state of the improperly-installed dishwasher. We built our own sign to signify state. It was good in theory. LOL.

As always, cooking was an important part of our beach time. Romey and Lisa made a delicious meal indeed.

The dogs felt left out.

The view from the porch leads to inner peace.

We did make a few cocktails.

Tranquility…unless you are a ball.

Just add more olives.

Starts like this…

Ends up like this. Thanks John and Joan!

The Stick 2024

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Some pix from the Stick. OIB, NC.

T.C. Boyle memorial howitzer

Krispy Kreme factory frier

 

 

AHHHHHH….

Moonishine loves the beach

Bikes in the Beach in Venice (LA)

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Oh yeah, bikes on the beach.

 

These socks were not there. Tell no one.

Hiking Topanga

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Oh yeah, a morning hike to the top of the bluff. All told we may have hiked four miles.  We started at Walt and Nora’s house and walked up to the Pacific overview.  The weather was standard issue California — perfect.

Panorama

The crew (gem, nora, walt, romey)

Art?

It was a great opportunity to spend some time together.

Sugarloaf on the Last Day

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Our first trip as fiancés was our last sidetrip in Rio. Up sugarloaf. Leaving this for last was a good plan. Make sure to get tickets on the net in advance and definitely spring for the VIP thing.

It all starts at the red beach on a 90+ degree day.

Fortunately there is Casa Que Doce nearby for some respite before the ascent.

And then it’s up up up on a guided tour.

First station.

And then more up to the top. We walked around the gardens and had a bite at the sunset grill (where our news leaked when Noelie called). Yes, we were engaged.

Black diamonds drip.

Then back down to reality, the metal tube home, and winter.

Home to Chez Georges, where a last Caipirinha, and a trip to GIG were in store.

October beach: Sun Down, Moon Up

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Because this beach faces South, the sun can go down and the moon can come up on opposite sides of the beach.

Sun down

Moon up

And then the next morning, the sun can come up while the moon sets.

Sun up

Moon down

The Stick in October is ideal.  What people?  We’re not in Norway anymore, moonie.

 

 

Hot Summer Doldrums at the Stick

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Sometimes the doldrums strike even at the Stick.  Intensely hot. No wind.  The Stick is usually a place of respite with crosswinds blowing through the house, but we up and left when it was just too hot.  This is likely to be more common as climate change unfolds.  That is, until the Stick is eaten by the Atlantic ocean.

We flew the usual flags.

In any case, we dragged a bunch of stuff down from the cabin.  So that was accomplished.

Which also means we got to get rid of some stuff.  UHaul at the dump!

All gone.

The dogs had fun when they were not completely overheated.  Maybe loves the beach.

Check out the baby puppy Maybeline in the water!

Life is but a bowl of dog food.

Oh yeah, there were cocktails too! Served up on the new bar.

Dark and Stormy

Gin and Tonic

Colt’s Neck

Of course, more dogs in the ocean.  Which sometimes means the baby has to be dried off.

One of my very favorite views.  We will, of course, be back.  Two visits slated for the Fall.

Dogs at Play: Ocean Isle

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The Stick with two dogs!  Including the new puppy Maybeline and Moonshine (who has already been to the beach this year).

Digging in the morning!

The sand and the ocean sans leash.

Where’s Aubrey Recording in Wilmington

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All work and no music makes gem a dull boy.  So we fixed that.  Music refactoring at the Stick followed by recording in Wilmington.  Here are some highlights.

Where’s Aubrey was joined by the incredible Charles Arthur in the studio.

And yes, we started at the Stick (on Ocean Isle Beach) where we practiced.  Our schedule was tight, and sleep is for the weak.  But first things first.  Since Rhine flew into ILM, we set up an impromptu rendezvous with Adrian and Julie.  Dinner was excellent, and Moonshine made a fast friend of Ralph.

We ended up at the Symphony with those fine people come Saturday.

Practice on the porch.

Industry sour with the last bottle of Green Chartreuse in NC.

Moonshine got in some fine music time.

The Wilmington Symphony played Shostakovich 5.

Moonshine, meanwhile, destroyed the screen door.

Turns out I found a musical sibling (same teacher, Linda Case, as Suzuki kids).

The bassist from NY.  Hella talent.

NC sippy cups for the concert.   LOL.

The after party was a blast.  But then it was time for even more work.

Each night before a recording session we crammed on the music.

There was also some beach time.  Moonshine was a hit at doggie day care.

Studio day one.

Hope in time for sunset and breakfast for dinner.

 

More cramming.  And more studio time.

Followed by more beach and more cramming.  We were very efficient, but the work was intense.

Studio day three (the last).

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And then it was time to get into the Liberals.

All in all a great experience.  We bonded as musicians and friends.

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