First Morning Tour Preview

On our first morning in Egypt we will be touring the Pyramid complex at Giza including the Sphinx. Here's a photo and a diagram to whet your appetite.

Map of Egypt

For those of you who don't have the geography of Egypt memorized, here's a map. We start in Cairo (lower Egypt), head towards Aswan (upper Egypt), and then work our way back.

This isn't clear, but this is a map with tourist locations shown (hint: right is north...lower Egypt).

Last 24 Hours Packed with Fine Dining

We wrapped up our stay in Isle of Palms with an incredible smorgasbord of fine dining, thanks to Sue and Mark. On our last night, rather than forcing us to eat the leftover deli sandwiches, or sloppy joes, or pizza, Sue unilaterally decided on the traditional shrimp boil (nobody voiced any objection plus everyone decided they could make some room for our favorite beach meal). Yes, there were leftovers (very little) but Jacob wasn't there and he could have eaten that much and then some. Here Sue is shown with what was left on her platter. While Mark and Mike continue to try and finish the last pieces at their end of the table.

The next morning was time to pack up and hit the road and Erika was not happy about the prospects of sitting in the car for so long. She wanted more beach time!

Kaley wanted to squeeze in a few more card games and was sad to say goodbye to her book reading buddy Craig.

On the way out of town, Craig and I timed it so we were at Sticky Fingers just minutes after opening. We ordered our full rack of ribs with Carolina Sweet sauce. They were delivered to us directly from the pit, steaming and juicy. They proved to be the best ribs of the trip...a great note to end on! For the record, Craig and I split the ribs, since we wanted it to be a light lunch.

Ancient Pyramid Discovered at Isle of Palms

While digging in the sand on Isle of Palms, our brave crew discovered an ancient pyramid, thought to be from the Queen Kaley or Erika Dynasty. Sadly, though the crew worked for hours to protect it from the waves, ultimately the ocean reclaimed the treasure. The local authorities showed up to make sure no tomb raiders were going to show up.

Erika decided she really liked playing near the pyramid and would still be there if the ocean had not intervened.

A Tough Life at the Beach

Here are some scenes from our awesome time at the beach. Sunday night was highlighted by Sue's famous shrimp boil. We started off with a mountain of shrimp, potatos, corn and sausage and actually ended up with a small amount left. Jacob, we needed your appetite to finish it all off! Erika made several trips down to the beach. She didn't get too enthusiastic about the water, but learned to live with a head to toe covering of sand.

This is my Greek quiche from the Sea Biscuit. It was quite yummy and featured artichoke hearts, spinach and other healthy things. Meanwhile Craig ordered the crab omlette, the most expensive item on the menu. Craig wanted to make sure he knew what it tasted like while I was still paying.

Here we are seated at our traditional spot on the porch of the Sea Biscuit. We recruited a hungry breakfast customer to snap this shot of us in front of the restaurant.
Mike enjoyed his graduation party, which included chocolate chocolate cake, swimming, deli sandwiches, and visits from church youth group leaders, David's girlfriend Sarah (and her mother) and the Hilton Head Stuligross clan.

On Sunday night Matt led the charge to do Blackbeard putt putt. Unfortunately he also invited all the flying bugs in South Carolina. We played a quick 18 holes before heading to the Robot ice cream place. Kaley was fascinated by the high tech ice cream making.

Blasting Around the Battery

On Friday we took a trip down to the waterfront of Charleston, we being Laura, Doug, Kaley, Erika and Jim. We enjoyed a bit of sun at the Battery and were conveniently by a covered pavilion building when the rain came. Kaley seemed to like the cannons as much as I remember Stephen and Craig getting into them in the old days. Kaley can run very fast when she wants to and she wore a path between two cannons.
Time for a photo op! This was the only moment when both girls stood still.

We stopped for lunch at Sticky Fingers and Kaley found a nice dog to ride down the street. The dog (statue) even wore her headband.

Michael's Graduation

These are scenes from Isle of Palms the first week of June when Craig and I joined many other Friedrich family members for Mike's graduation. Here are Kaley and Erika sitting in their 'jammies on the fireplace hearth.

Erika is a never ending motion machine. She needs a full time tender and it was good that we had four or five people to watch her most of the time.Doug arrived on Thursday just in time for the trek to the graduation in North Charleston. Sue arranged for a nice dinner for the gang very close to the arena. Erika was starting to tire out a bit at that point and allowed Doug to hold her.

Mike as the guest of honor got first dibs in the food line. Hats off to Sue for arranging a great meal.

At the start of the ceremony they asked all parents and grandparents to stand up and be recognized. The graduates gave them a rousing round of applause.

Mike's row (that would be lucky 13) started to move toward the stage for their moment of fame.

Here's Mike moving across the stage to get the big sheepskin.

Here's Mike returning to his seat after successfully navigating the stage crossing, hand shaking, diploma receiving and making it back to the right row...all without tripping!

This is a rare photo of Erika asleep. She lasted through the first 500 graduates but then gave up. We all wished we could have joined her!

Look at this good looking group of young people outside of Mike's graduation. David came directly from his second day on the job at the Medical University of South Carolina (doing a research project) to join us. Grandpa and Grandma Michigan (Sue's parents) arrived on Wednesday to join in all the fun.