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    • Feb 8thTurks and Caicos January 17

      LeBeef did not want to be in-country for the inauguration, so we booked a trip to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.  This was EF’s second trip abroad.  The island was very family friendly, had amazing dining both casual and upscale, and a beautiful golf course and expansive and gorgeous flats to hunt bonefish.  The girls’ snorkling trip got canceled due to weather, so we can’t speak to that, but this island really has it all.  The surf was calm most days, and never as rough as the Outer Banks.  It was also probably the most beautiful beach we’ve visited.  If you’re looking to go to the Caribbean, I’d highly recommend TCI.  If you’re just here for the fly fishing write up, please scroll down.

      Waiting to board at an ungodly hour
      Waiting to board at an ungodly hour
      yep, yep, yep, uh huh
      yep, yep, yep, uh huh

      This lil girl was a saint on these flights.  She watched shows on a phone, wore headphones, and napped and snacked like a champ!
      This lil girl was a saint on these flights. She watched shows on a phone, wore headphones, and napped and snacked like a champ!
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      Another Momma and her bebe
      Another Momma and her bebe
      contraband
      contraband

      entertained and well-behaved
      entertained and well-behaved
      IMG_0943

      the hotel was awesome
      the hotel was awesome
      the view even better
      the view even better

      IMG_0956
      We planned to have a low key first dinner
      We planned to have a low key first dinner

      the beach bar had karaoke
      the beach bar had karaoke
      so we ended up at Opus
      so we ended up at Opus

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      The beach at Turks and Caicos is just beautiful
      The beach at Turks and Caicos is just beautiful
      Our hotel in the background
      Our hotel in the background

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      IMG_1018

      This was one brave and adventurous lil girl
      This was one brave and adventurous lil girl
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      Rum punch and amaretto pina coladas
      Rum punch and amaretto pina coladas

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      IMG_1066

      I ate so much conch
      I ate so much conch
      buying turks head beer from the source
      buying turks head beer from the source

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      our haul, FJ was skeptical, but we polished off all three
      our haul, FJ was skeptical, but we polished off all three

      One of the few options for real Cubans
      One of the few options for real Cubans
      IMG_1075

      On the way to the Thursday fish fry
      On the way to the Thursday fish fry
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      Provo fish fry for HB's bday!
      Provo fish fry for HB’s bday!
      The fish fry is every Thursday if you go, and you should
      The fish fry is every Thursday if you go, and you should

      omg this jerk chicken and conch
      omg this jerk chicken and conch
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      IMG_1093

      more conch
      more conch
      So good
      So good

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      IMG_1098

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      dancing
      dancing

      IMG_1101
      IMG_1115

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      jes?
      jes?

      nightcap
      nightcap
      IMG_1135

      breakfast of champions
      breakfast of champions
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      IMG_1142

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      snack time
      snack time

      The beach had loaner toys, EF loved them
      The beach had loaner toys, EF loved them
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      IMG_1161

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      EF had a blast in the ocean
      EF had a blast in the ocean

      salty
      salty
      How many carbs does Turks Head have?
      How many carbs does Turks Head have?

      IMG_1171
      yo ho ho
      yo ho ho

      Pawpaw and EF
      Pawpaw and EF
      nap time
      nap time

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      Infiniti (definitely the best ambiance of any restaurant we visited)
      Infiniti (definitely the best ambiance of any restaurant we visited)

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      The menus glowed like a kindle
      The menus glowed like a kindle

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      Provo had a ton of great dining options, fine and otherwise
      Provo had a ton of great dining options, fine and otherwise
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      what to order for dessert?
      what to order for dessert?

      too many good choices
      too many good choices
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q1HSjBVB8Y
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q1HSjBVB8Y

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      IMG_1243

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      "Apple pie!" (EF for pineapple)
      “Apple pie!” (EF for pineapple)
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      Provo Golf
      Provo Golf

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      I couldn't get anything going, but the course was beautiful
      I couldn’t get anything going, but the course was beautiful
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      IMG_1295

      couldn't putt to save my life, but had a great time
      couldn’t putt to save my life, but had a great time
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      The girls back at the hotel
      The girls back at the hotel

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      Coyaba served the best food we had all week
      Coyaba served the best food we had all week
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      tandoori mahi
      tandoori mahi

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      IMG_1343

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      Coco Bistro
      Coco Bistro
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      IMG_1363

      lil fam
      lil fam

      I did a lot of research about the bonefishing options before our trip.  There are two main outfitters down there, and both have decent reviews.  The American-born/non-local guides seem preferred based on tripadvisor reviews, but when you book with a larger company they don’t guarantee you a specific guide.  The reviews were pretty hit and miss overall depending on guide.  I read about an independent guide/one man operation down in Provo named Darin Bain.  A quick googling of his name provided several articles (found here (written by a fellow Virginian), here, and here) from fly fishing publications that spoke to his skills, qualifications, and reliability.  He even guided for Jimmy Buffett.  I decided to take a chance on a local entrepreneur, and emailed Darin Bain.  He quickly responded with his availability, and I put down a deposit.  I only recently got into fly fishing (last couple years), and definitely did not have the casting skills to guarantee bonefishing success.  Before heading down, I watch hours and hours of casting videos.  Read about bonefishing, and practiced.  When I still didn’t feel confident, I booked a casting lesson with Rob Snowhite.  After the lesson, I’d learned a lot, but still wasn’t quite there.  I watched a Lefty Kreh casting video in which he said to haul (double haul) harder, and not try to cast harder to increase distance.  Armed with this information, I took my cast (in moderate wind) from 40 feet max out to 60.  Now that I could cast plenty far enough, I focused my practice on accuracy and speed.  I finally started feeling like I might be good enough to land a fish.  I let Darin know about my experience and casting ability when I contacted him, but he said he had yet to be skunked on a full day trip.  My dad and I woke up early to meet Darin in our lobby, and were cautiously optimistic…

      sunrise
      sunrise
      Darin was right on time
      Darin was right on time

      Heading out of the harbor
      Heading out of the harbor
      I noticed spinning gear in Darin's boat.  I figured that was plan B if our casting was prohibitively poor.
      I noticed spinning gear in Darin’s boat. I figured that was plan B if our casting was prohibitively poor.

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      anxious about my first cast to bones
      anxious about my first cast to bones

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      covered in clothes, buff, hat, and dermatone
      covered in clothes, buff, hat, and dermatone

      IMG_1394
      Darin put us on fish pretty quick, but I scared most of them away with bad casting
      Darin put us on fish pretty quick, but I scared most of them away with bad casting

      But I hooked up, had a few runs, and landed one!
      But I hooked up, had a few runs, and landed one!
      strategizing
      strategizing

      IMG_1417
      IMG_1408

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      on the hunt
      on the hunt

      Darin liked the spawning gotcha best
      Darin liked the spawning gotcha best
      I like to be over prepared
      I like to be over prepared

      setting the hook
      setting the hook
      fighting
      fighting

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      landed another!
      landed another!

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      eyes peeled
      eyes peeled

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      FJ landed an absolute monster.  4 runs to the backing.  It was incredible.
      FJ landed an absolute monster. 4 runs to the backing. It was incredible.
      headed back
      headed back

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      Celebrating a day we'll never forget
      Celebrating a day we’ll never forget

      As you can see, we both caught fish.  I was ecstatic.  We motored out to a few atolls/small islands and were put on bones pretty quickly.  I fished first and managed a scare a bunch away.  I also quickly realized that my biggest weakness was speed.  Bonefish are predators and constantly on the move.  When Darin called out, “11 o’clock, 30 feet”, it would take me too long to get my fly out there.  By the time I did, the fish had moved, and Darin would be yelling, “more left!”, but it was often too late.  When I did cast in the right direction, my cast would often be too short to be noticed by the fish, or so long that the floating line hit the water above the fish and spooked them.  Finally Darin saw some bones near the shore and for once I was able to see them as well.  I cast about 3 feet short of them, and started stripping immediately.  Darin yelled, “strip faster!”, I picked up the pace and felt a strike.  I strip set just by franticly stripping and was on.  The bone took a second to figure out he was hooked, and then he was off like a bullet.  After a run or two I got him close to the boat, and Darin showed me how to land and safely handle a bonefish.  After a quick picture, I put the fish back in the water and watched him swim away.  I was euphoric, but I knew FJ still needed to land a fish for the day to be a success.  FJ had taken the casting lesson with me, and practiced some, but was still having trouble with the double haul and distance.  He fished a few times before lunch to no reward.  At lunch I could tell he was feeling a little down and frustrated despite the interesting political discussion with Darin.  After lunch, he protested when Darin and I said it was his turn to fish, but quickly capitulated and picked up his Orvis 8wt.  At this point in the day we were about 20 miles from Provo in Middle Caicos.  It was a beautiful spot, and things looked fishy.  Darin called a fish about 30 feet off the port side.  FJ casted out, stripped, and was on.  This fish made the reel sound like a circular saw.  It was immediately clear it was a monster.  I was excited, but also apprehensive as I’d lost three hooked fish earlier.  One to a mangrove which snapped the line, and another to my inexperience when I reeled while the fish was still making a run and snapped the line.  The last lost fish was when I had a tangle in the line at my feet.  Darin ran forward to try to clear it as the fish ran, but it was sucked up into the reel and the line popped before the tangled could be fixed.  A comedy of errors, but a great lesson in what not to do…  FJ let the bonefish take off, reeled it in, and repeated as the fish made run after run.  I started videoing halfway through it was so epic (videos below).  FJ brought it in close, I grabbed the leader, and he grabbed the fish.  WE BOTH LANDED BONEFISH ON OUR FIRST TRIP!!!  FJ’s was a monster, probably twice the weight of the 2-3 pounders I caught.  FJ doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve, but I could tell he was elated.  I think Darin expected us to be more excited to land such a monster for FJ’s first fish ever, but to be honest, neither of us knew how big this thing was until I got home and saw that there were only a couple pictures of bigger fish on Darin’s website.  Our success had a lot to do with our preparation, and certainly some luck, but there is no way we could have done it without Darin’s expert guiding.  I can’t thank or recommend him enough.  If we caught fish with Darin, you can too.  As inexperienced as we were, it was definitely a risk to pay so much for a day of fishing.  I had tried to prepare myself for a nice sunrise cruise, and a learning experience without fish, before I booked the trip.  My dad and I both landing bones our first time out was definitely the highlight of the trip and an experience I’ll never forget.  I’m definitely hooked on bonefishing.  Next time I’m in TCI, I’m calling Darin Bain for sure.

      Back at the beach
      Back at the beach
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      Celebrating our fishing success at Da Conch Shack
      Celebrating our fishing success at Da Conch Shack
      This is a less expensive option that was very very delicious
      This is a less expensive option that was very very delicious

      I'd definitely check this place out
      I’d definitely check this place out
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      The Perfect Storm
      The Perfect Storm

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      Best cigar of the trip, Trinidad Fundadores
      Best cigar of the trip, Trinidad Fundadores

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      EF in a hole
      EF in a hole

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      built in lighter holder
      built in lighter holder

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      windy lunch
      windy lunch
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      my loves
      my loves
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      Got a little sandy that day
      Got a little sandy that day
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      finishing off some rum
      finishing off some rum
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      I told Dave I'd be wearing this and some lil draws on the Seas the Day this summer
      I told Dave I’d be wearing this and some lil draws on the Seas the Day this summer

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      EF and CiCi
      EF and CiCi
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      I'll miss this walk
      I’ll miss this walk

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      Uppy!
      Uppy!

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      IMG_1792

      one last swim
      one last swim
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      finishing off the rum
      finishing off the rum
      packed up
      packed up

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      back in USA, #burgertime
      back in USA, #burgertime
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      missing the TCI; we'll be back
      missing the TCI; we’ll be back

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      "Apple Pie!"
      “Apple Pie!”

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      #mood
      #mood

      There was something special about the TCI.  I’ve been to a lot of islands, and this one stands out.  I really think we’ll be back soon.

       

       


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Dec 29thHomecoming ’16

      CW rented us an awesome spot to set up base camp for CNU Homecoming 2016.

      View from the great house CW found
      View from the great house CW found

      #college
      #college

      CW is my big boy
      CW is my big boy

      img_8166

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      picnic before raging
      picnic before raging

      ballin'
      ballin’

      img_6991

      img_7027

      Still gods among men
      Still gods among men

      frat house
      frat house

      img_8183

      img_8186

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      Lil Butt! (holla holla holla)
      Lil Butt! (holla holla holla)

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      Small school, big party
      Small school, big party

      img_8283

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      besties
      besties

      img_8331

      ChaddyDaddy
      ChaddyDaddy

      img_8294

      img_8347

      D E D
      D E D

      washing the ded off the whip
      washing the ded off the whip

      The Baron
      The Baron

      The Baron with baron, revealing...
      The Baron with baron, revealing…

      ...The Baron.
      …The Baron.

      img_7022

      img_8362

      img_8367

      oh my...
      oh my…

      img_8369

      al fresco
      al fresco

      img_8379

      Bobby Light and Schliz' for brunch/Premiership/foonon
      Bobby Light and Schliz’ for brunch/Premiership/foonon

      Houseparty
      Houseparty

      Some videos:


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Dec 15thHappiest Place on Earth

      We went to the happiest place on earth (would that be the one with screaming kids, or the one with 2 for 1 drinks?) to visit my aunt and uncle.  If you don’t believe either are the happiest place on earth, just look at FJ.  Hes smiling in every photo.  I’d been wanting to visit The Villages for some time.  I read an article about it which peaked my interest, and having been, it really does feel like going to a big state party school.  We saw lots of active people enjoying clubs, and living it up.  EF had a blast, and it was great to see everyone.  One day, I will own a lanai.

      Look mom, no car seat
      Look mom, no car seat
      Pre flight tacos and ritas
      Pre flight tacos and ritas

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      IMG_7218

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      First ride at Disney
      First ride at Disney

      second ride at disney
      second ride at disney
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      Best restaurant ever...
      Best restaurant ever…
      ...because we realized its 2 for 1 drinks after our second round (4 drinks in)
      …because we realized its 2 for 1 drinks after our second round (4 drinks in)

      4 people, 6 beers, they kept bringing them about four at a time
      4 people, 6 beers, they kept bringing them about four at a time
      Disney
      Disney

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      small world
      small world

      soaking it in
      soaking it in
      IMG_7229

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      Effie's fav, she was clapping and really into it
      Effie’s fav, she was clapping and really into it

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      I've had this everywhere its served (Dole Plantation and Disney)
      I’ve had this everywhere its served (Dole Plantation and Disney)
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      Effie loved Tom Sawyer Island
      Effie loved Tom Sawyer Island

      We had a stroller, but I carried this girl all over
      We had a stroller, but I carried this girl all over
      Happy family
      Happy family

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      img_1208

      Couldn't believe this is still here
      Couldn’t believe this is still here
      EF loved shooting it, and got excited when it made noise
      EF loved shooting it, and got excited when it made noise

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      Boom Boom
      Boom Boom
      jungle cruise, EF was fearless
      jungle cruise, EF was fearless

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      IMG_7241
      IMG_7242

      EF met her fav, POPPINS!
      EF met her fav, POPPINS!
      EF and FJ were star struck
      EF and FJ were star struck

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      Great-Papaw
      Great-Papaw
      Great-Nana
      Great-Nana

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      Lighthouse for Sooz' bday
      Lighthouse for Sooz’ bday
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      key lime marg
      key lime marg
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      well past sleepytime
      well past sleepytime
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      grilling out in the lanai
      grilling out in the lanai
      image10

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      IMG_7283

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      when in Rome
      when in Rome

      Greedy
      Greedy
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      IMG_7291

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      I'm no fan of Danny Snyder, but this dark chocolate shake was decadent
      I’m no fan of Danny Snyder, but this dark chocolate shake was decadent

      IMG_7294
      Ef agreed
      Ef agreed

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      Foreshadowing?
      Foreshadowing?

      Seeing Fred one last time
      Seeing Fred one last time
      image2

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      home
      home


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Dec 14thOBX ’16 Part II

      LeBeef won a week at the OBX, so we went back this summer for round 2…  Lil girl had no fear and was running headlong into huge waves, rolling around, and loving it.

      Pierce's
      Pierce’s
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      Jerk local shark and sweet potato fries
      Jerk local shark and sweet potato fries
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      chicken salad and country ham
      chicken salad and country ham

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      at the top of the lighthouse
      at the top of the lighthouse
      I'm constantly proud of how fearless the lil butt is
      I’m constantly proud of how fearless the lil butt is

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      carry 30 lbs of baby up 220 steps to 162 feet is easier said than done
      carry 30 lbs of baby up 220 steps to 162 feet is easier said than done

      especially if she is squirmy and you're not great with heights
      especially if she is squirmy and you’re not great with heights
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      pre-hurricane weather
      pre-hurricane weather

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      french toast bagel from lighthouse bagles
      french toast bagel from lighthouse bagles

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      enjoying a brief lull in the weather before rolling out early to miss the storm
      enjoying a brief lull in the weather before rolling out early to miss the storm

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      rain during lunch on our way through Duck
      rain during lunch on our way through Duck


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Dec 14thTubing ’16

      Due to pregnancy, small bebes, travel, and etc., we don’t get to go tubing every year, but this year we made it a priority.  We went down to the woods and got a round of golf in, despite oppressive heat.  The heat index at the end of the round was 106.  It was indescribably hot.  There is a picture (somewhere) of me lying on my back on 18.  I felt like I was going to die.  Fortunately our plans for the next day were much cooler.

      Teeing off
      Teeing off
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      champs
      champs

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      hot out there
      hot out there

      this flowa is wiltin'
      this flowa is wiltin’
      cigar break during a brief thunderstorm
      cigar break during a brief thunderstorm
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      The girls shot the day's high and low temperature
      The girls shot the day’s high and low temperature
      Tubing!
      Tubing!
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      laid back
      laid back
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      posted up
      posted up
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      rapids
      rapids

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      weather rolling in
      weather rolling in

      but still looking good downstream
      but still looking good downstream
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      downpour
      downpour

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      crazy downpour
      crazy downpour
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      Needless to say, a good time was had by all.  It was a crazy adventure, especially with the weather.  Just to give you an idea how of crazy it got at the end…

      That from clear blue skys only an hour earlier…


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Nov 9thFamjam OBX ’16

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      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Nov 9thMyrtle Trip ’16

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      Prime seats courtesy of FJ
      Prime seats courtesy of FJ

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      shots
      shots
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      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Aug 26thEastern Shore Bike Trip ’16, RIIDE EBike Review

      About thirty years ago, my family started doing a thirty mile bike ride on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  Now that EF is big enough, we decided to take her out on the trip.  I’m not nearly as in good of shape as my dad was when he was my age, and EF’s bike trailer is not fun to haul with a bike.  Pair that with the heat and humidity we’ve been having, and it doesn’t make for a very enticing trip.  I was researching ebikes for my Mom, and came across Riide.  Riide is an ebike that does about twenty mph, charges in three hours, has a range of about twenty-five miles, and only weights about forty pounds.  When I found out they do three day demos, I had an idea…  I booked two Riide ebikes for Thursday afternoon-Sunday morning, picked them up in DC, and headed straight for Oxford, MD.  During the demo, we covered over twenty miles in MD, and then when we got home, we rode about another twenty.  The short story is that the bikes were awesome, but I have a more detailed review after the gallery.

      Eastern Shore Bike Trip '16
      Eastern Shore Bike Trip ’16
      Made it to Oxford
      Made it to Oxford
      Crab roll and hush puppies
      Crab roll and hush puppies

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      Thousands of dollars of bikes in the bed
      Thousands of dollars of bikes in the bed
      Butter pecan at the general store
      Butter pecan at the general store

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      Robert Morris Inn
      Robert Morris Inn
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      Dinner was delicious
      Dinner was delicious
      EF watched her, "Poppins"
      EF watched her, “Poppins”
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      The only time I've had better Smith Island Cake (State cake of MD) was on Smith Island
      The only time I’ve had better Smith Island Cake (State cake of MD) was on Smith Island
      EF loved it
      EF loved it

      Watching the weather roll in with a cigar
      Watching the weather roll in with a cigar
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      Ferry Group Shot
      Ferry Group Shot

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      lil slippy
      lil slippy

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      Made it to St. Michaels!
      Made it to St. Michaels!

      The Crab Claw!
      The Crab Claw!
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      Cheezin'
      Cheezin’
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      Present Day
      Present Day
      30 years ago
      30 years ago

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      Present Day
      Present Day
      30 years ago
      30 years ago

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      Last crab (on crab) on the Eastern Shore
      Last crab (on crab) on the Eastern Shore
      Home, charging the bikes
      Home, charging the bikes

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      Caboose Brewing
      Caboose Brewing

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      One of the big hills that killed the battery
      One of the big hills that killed the battery

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      Respite from the heat
      Respite from the heat
      "OUTSIDE!"
      “OUTSIDE!”

      Passed out on the way to dinner
      Passed out on the way to dinner
      Eating her own quesadillas at El Tio
      Eating her own quesadillas at El Tio
      Brunch at Dogwood Tavern
      Brunch at Dogwood Tavern

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      Not happy about black tot day
      Not happy about black tot day
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      Close up of the rear hub.  I attached the trailer to one of the two identical nuts above the big one
      Close up of the rear hub. I attached the trailer to one of the two identical nuts above the big one
      The front bike seat fit around the stem
      The front bike seat fit around the stem

      Our traditional Eastern Shore ride is from Easton through Oxford, over the ferry, to St. Michaels for crabs, and then back to Easton.  Its about a thirty mile loop, and a long day trip.  Not knowing how EF would sleep in the trailer, we decided to spend the night in Oxford, go to get crabs in St. Michaels, and then retrace our steps, riding about fifteen miles.  The riide ebikes did great.  The say the have about about a twenty-five mile range, but thats obviously not while pulling a baby trailer loaded down with a baby and accoutrement.  We did the fifteen miles no problem, and then tooled around Oxford about another five after the ride.  The bikes still felt strong and zippy at the end of the ride.  At this point, I was about sold.

      When we got home from Maryland, all three of us really wanted to take the bikes back out.  I charged them (it only takes about three hours for a full charge), and we went out on the W&OD trail, and hit up some parks.  We biked to dinner and brunch.  While we had the bikes, we enjoyed being outside constantly, and the bikes really made it easy and fun to get out there.  In one day, we had brunch at Caboose Brewing right on the trail, and then rode back, hit up a park near our house, and then rode out to El Tio for dinner.  On the way to dinner the bike pulling the trailer died.  It had been fully charged and we had only traveled about ten miles, but all the hills and the trailer took their toll on the battery.  Earlier I had marveled at how I was passing serious road bikers wearing all spandex while in casual clothes and pulling a baby trailer.  Now I was stuck pumping a fixie with a heavy trailer behind it.  Once we made it to the restaurant, I took the other riide (stilll charged because it was not pulling a trailer) and rode it home to get the truck.  The bottom line is that these ebikes can pull a trailer twenty-five miles when its flat, but max out at about ten when its hilly.  My wifes bike did about fifteen with hills not pulling a trailer, which is still pretty impressive.  In Maryland I was sold on the riide, but now I was thinking I should test ride some electronically assisted bikes (you pedal and the bike adds supplementary power) before deciding on the riide (Which is more like a moped with pedals.  You can twist the throttle, or you can pedal, but you really can’t do both except while going up steep hills.)  I haven’t had the chance to test ride another ebike yet, but I still do really like riide and may end up with one.  If I didn’t have to haul a baby trailer, I would own one by now.  I definitely think its worth doing a free demo if you’re interested in an ebike.


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Apr 29thMyrtle ’16

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      That time we got comp'd in Vegas
      That time we got comp’d in Vegas
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      Beautiful day for golf in Durham
      Beautiful day for golf in Durham
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      #MyrtleBeach
      #MyrtleBeach
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      Drinking for Pars and Birdies
      Drinking for Pars and Birdies
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      FJ wanted to catch a game
      FJ wanted to catch a game
      So we got some fixins
      So we got some fixins
      beer
      beer

      and great seats
      and great seats
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      But they didn't let CW pitch
      But they didn’t let CW pitch

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      peace offering
      peace offering
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      delicious
      delicious
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      These pictures don't due the evening justice.  It got a lil wild.  People laid down in the thoroughfare
      These pictures don’t due the evening justice. It got a lil wild. People laid down in the thoroughfare
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      Fireball shots
      Fireball shots

      Chipping on under regulation after two four locos, fireball, drinks for par, and who knows what else
      Chipping on under regulation after two four locos, fireball, drinks for par, and who knows what else
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      Sea Captain
      Sea Captain

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      Cigar with a view
      Cigar with a view
      handing out the cash
      handing out the cash

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      trying to stay awake on the long drive home
      trying to stay awake on the long drive home


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Apr 17thSt. Martin January ’16

      In January we went to St. Martin to escape the cold and get lil girl her first passport stamp.  This post is long overdue, but as you can see, there were a ton of pictures to sort.

      Getting packed
      Getting packed
      You would not believe how much planning went into international bebe travel
      You would not believe how much planning went into international bebe travel

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      First plane ride
      First plane ride

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      First meal in St. Martin
      First meal in St. Martin
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      KHGO2212

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      Might have got a little lost...
      Might have got a little lost…

      This is the life
      This is the life
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      jes.
      jes.
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      floatin with aunt CC
      floatin with aunt CC
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      This is how close we were to one of the island's best restaurants
      This is how close we were to one of the island’s best restaurants

      Astrolab
      Astrolab
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      Mommobile rental
      Mommobile rental

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      Trying to fly fish in high winds and high seas
      Trying to fly fish in high winds and high seas

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      Grand Case
      Grand Case

      Miss Manners
      Miss Manners
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      Carnival
      Carnival

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      nom
      nom
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      This was unexpectedly amazing
      This was unexpectedly amazing
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      I've recreated this at home
      I’ve recreated this at home
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      time to wake up
      time to wake up
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      LeBeef tipped out way into reserved oceanfront cabanas
      LeBeef tipped out way into reserved oceanfront cabanas

      ripcurl
      ripcurl
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      Like father
      Like father
      Like daughter
      Like daughter

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      Marigot
      Marigot

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      cheeseburger in paradise
      cheeseburger in paradise

      slippy
      slippy
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      Get Money
      Get Money
      Get Paid
      Get Paid

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      Woke up early one morning and went out for a walk before anyone got up
      Woke up early one morning and went out for a walk before anyone got up
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      feeling the breeze
      feeling the breeze

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      Enjoying my last moments in St. Martin
      Enjoying my last moments in St. Martin

      Packed up for home
      Packed up for home
      IMG_8585

      family selfie
      family selfie
      IMG_8601

      IMG_8604
      IMG_8605

      IMG_8621
      IMG_8612

      IMG_6875
      resting her body
      resting her body

      Here are some videos from the trip:


      by rsiv with no comments yet
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      Good Old Fashioned Hand Written Code by Eric J. Schwarz

        Bon Vivant VAA blog about living the good life in and around the Commonwealth of Virginia

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