Old Dog Crew

July 4, 2012

ODC, Golden Beach, 2012

ODC, Golden Beach, 1998





Kevin, Eli & Michael

Old Dog Crew

The Old Dog Crew originated in Indianapolis, most specifically in the Broad Ripple neighborhood where we grew up, in fact the majority of ODC members attended Broad Ripple High School, and while I did not, my association with the group and its members dates back almost thirty years to the beginning I guess. Over the years, we have managed to not just stay in touch, but remain close friends even though many of us spread out across the country and far from our roots in Indiana.

1998





Kathy & Michael

Our friendship has seen all sorts of wonderful times and lasted through numerous girlfriends, wives, children and now even loss as time has marched on and this gathering in Golden Beach is the first time in years that we have made a concerted, organized effort to get together for something other than special occasions like weddings.



The Chastain family



Abe

Golden Beach holds a special place in our hearts and history as many of us had had the chance over the years to spend time there with our ODC host Eli, whose family has owned the house there for generations. Most of us spent significant time here when Eli and his wife Mary were wed under the pavilion on the beach here back in 1998, and I have made numerous visits over the years.









Since my last visit, the old house has been demolished and a beautiful, much larger home has gone up on the same site in the beautiful gated private community. This place is even more spectacular than the previous home and easily was able to accommodate the twenty-eight ODC members and their families who stayed on-site. In fact, despite the numbers, it never really even seemed crowded over the week. It is a beautiful place in a beautiful location that lies directly on the intercoastal waterway, just a block from the beautiful private beach reserved for the small Golden Beach community.



Wes

Kathy





This was really the first real ODC gathering that families were not only invited too, but encouraged and members came from near and far bringing along spouses and kids, many of whom I had not previously met. There was a large contingent from the West Coast as the Cali ODC contingent was well represented, which was really cool because they are some who we actually see the least often due to the distance involved. It was so cool to have so many kids around; they were seemingly everywhere, enjoying immensely the pool and the beach and seemingly instantly bonding in a way that only children seem to be able to do easily when meeting new people.

Abe

Tim

Eric & Wes





The pace of life during the week was awesome, mostly resting and relaxing either poolside, at the beach or on the comfy couches in the living room, punctuated by much eating and drinking, fantastic food and drinks with the occasional game of Eucre thrown in. The food was spectacular with delightful grilled local yellowtail one evening and a spectacular Korean BBQ another and even a catered Cuban Paella feast yet another night.

Tracy, Eric, Michael & Kathy



Annestasia & Mary



The weather could not have been more spectacular, sunny and beautiful for the week, perfect weather for the incredibly beautiful soft sandy beach at Golden Beach. The water was perfect and comfortable and while we love the beach at Ft. Taylor in Key West, it is nowhere near as comfortable as the one in Golden Beach. We spent hours, just hanging out at the beach there and also at Hallandale Beach, which was just across from the hotel where Kathy & I stayed.

Kathy, Ted & Abe

Abe