Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

And We're Home


 

It has been a wild two weeks with travel on three successive Tuesdays. We arrived home yesterday afternoon happy to be under blue skies and upper 70 degree temperatures. It was a beautiful evening and I changed out of my jeans and into shorts almost as soon as we arrived home. 
Snow Shower
Middletown, MD
March 10, 2024

During our visit north Chris and I were treated to a snow shower while visiting a meadery in Middletown, MD. That checks the "must see snow" box for 2024. So at least that is out of the way. 

The trip home yesterday was pleasantly uneventful and I played with the flight tracker app that Southwest provides. It is kinda cool, but not as interactive as the one that United provides. 

It is good to be home and I'm hoping to get out for a bike ride today and later Happy Hour on the beach. We have some appointments tomorrow and then cruise into Friday with some time on the water in a boat. I have reserved the newest boat in the fleet and am pretty excited about heading out on a warm and sunny day.

Thanks to everyone who made our trips to Houston and then Maryland a great adventure despite the weather. It was good to see you all.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Happy Tuesday Travel Day

Finn Sitting on Chris's Backpack
Tequesta, FL
March 4, 2024

 I remember before I retired I always had a problem with Tuesdays. They just didn't seem to fit well into the week. 

Monday was, well,  the back to work day after the weekend.

Wednesday was Hump Day

Thursday was Friday Eve

Friday was Fantastic Friday!

But Tuesday just always seemed to be a sore thumb in the week.

Now that I have retired I have figured out what Tuesdays are good for: travel.

Last week I traveled to Houston on Tuesday, but returned home on Sunday. Today I traveled to Baltimore and next Tuesday I return to Tequesta. So I will have traveled on three successive Tuesdays.

We left Finnegan home last week in the care of friends, but he made it clear yesterday that he was not to be forgotten this time. He was a trooper and we had another great flight with him today. I do have to remember that the 7:10 AM flights are hard on the body. I am gonna need a nap!

But, we have arrived in cold, rainy Baltimore. I miss the sun of South Florida already. This is continuing a string of travel where we suffer with cold, rain, and constantly overcast skies. Last time I was here I attended the final Ravens game of the regular season in, you guessed it, a cold rain! 

But here we are for the next week. Missing the expected 80s of Tequesta.


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Two Paths to the World

 

Path off Beach Road
Jupiter Island, FL
February 24, 2024
Yesterday was a travel day. I am looking at a few travel days during the next two weeks as Chris and I visit family in Weston Lakes, near Houston, and then, after a brief stop back in Tequesta head off to Maryland. 
Leading to The Concourse
Houston Hobby Airport, TX
February 27, 2024


But it was yesterday as we were leaving Hobby Airport that I turned around and snapped an image of the main hallway leading to the concourse. It reminded me of a path that I had seen during our last bike ride along Beach Road.

And so I thought about the two paths. One leading to concourses which provide a means to access the sky to travel the world and the other leading to the beach and the ocean which also allows access to the world. So very different, yet similar.

I much prefer the beach path lined with grape mangroves on either side of it to the cold and lifeless windows of the airport. 

But as travel days go, it was a great day. The Southwest flight departed the gate on-time, arrived 20 minutes early and was able to pull right into a gate at our destination. That does not happen often. There is nothing worse than arriving early and waiting on the tarmac for a gate to open. Well, maybe pulling away from the gate and waiting an hour to take-off is worse because the flight really hasn't even gotten underway and the passengers are trapped inside the plane. 


-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

#travel #houstonhobby #southwest #flying #beach

Friday, February 23, 2024

Worst Tourist Traps in America

 Moneywise has compiled the 30 worst tourist traps in America. 

Atop the Space Needle
Seattle, WA
August 26, 2023
I was appalled. I have managed to visit 15 of these places and some of them more than once. 

Wow!

Now I have to admit, I did not think the Space Needle was a tourist trap nor the Alamo or Times Square. It is really interesting the places that have made the list--like Mount Rushmore, a place that I have yet to visit. 

Sunset from the Empire State Building
New York City, NY
September 25, 2021
The list is presents an interesting collection of places. Yes, they may be tourist traps--but really, some of them are historically significant. I do think the Empire State Building is overpriced for the value--but, at sunset when I was last there it was pretty nice.

Now, I will admit places that I have had the misfortune to visit places on the list that are actual tourist traps or not worth the time, for example South of the Border. Yes, we stayed a night there--once, about 20 years ago. Also, Plymouth Rock is just that--a rock! And it is not even in the place where they came ashore. I admit, I was underwhelmed when I saw the rock. 

I recommend taking a look at the list. It is a classic-advertisement filled list and is cumbersome to navigate, but just for fun figuring out how many places on the list I actually visited was an interesting exercise. 

Enjoy!


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#worsttouristtraps #touristtraps 

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Thrice Christmas

 The Christmas season, it seems, is ending later this year. 

Chris Opening the Final Gifts
Tequesta, FL
January 9, 2024
We arrived safely home early yesterday afternoon. The two-day trip was completed and we managed, somehow, to travel around, but not through the severe storm that smashed the mid-west and east coast. We had some rain and a lot of wind yesterday, but we avoided the worst of the storm. 

Tabletop Fire Pit and Chris
Tequesta, FL
January 9, 2024
When we arrived home, we were greeted by our still decorated for Christmas house. But that was a good thing since we had some presents under the tree that needed to be opened to complete the season. We had decided not to take all of the gifts we were exchanging with each other on the journey to Maryland. We celebrated our third Christmas of the season while opening the last gifts. 

Last evening we put into service one of Chris's gifts--the tabletop fire pit. This one replaces our much smaller cement pit that we were using. 

It was nice to be back in the warmer and more humid South Florida. I had to immediately shed the jeans and long-sleeved shirt that I was wearing while driving and get into shorts and a short-sleeve shirt. 

Today will be devoted to removing the Christmas decorations and returning the home to its more normal configuration. 

In other news:

Today we celebrate my Dad's 96th birthday!


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Out the Hotel Window - Pooler, GA

Out the Hotel Window, Embassy Suites
Pooler, GA
January 8, 2024

 The trip home to Florida comes with an overnight stop in Pooler, GA, near Savannah, at the Embassy Suites. 

I love the Embassy Suites for two reasons: the Managers Reception and the breakfast. And I continue to enjoy the ambiance. 

We arrived early, hours before check-in, but they were able to get our room cleaned and ready while we ate lunch and did some shopping at the nearby outlet mall. 

Me and Chris at the Managers Reception
Embassy Suites, Pooler, GA
January 8, 2024
The view out the window was not much to enjoy and the windows were dirty. As a significant storm was expected, many people were scurrying about trying to get things buttoned down.

We discovered that the area is extremely dog friendly. Finnegan accompanied us to lunch and dinner and no one even asked about his Service Dog status. The area seems very welcoming to traveling dogs!

We expect to be home about 1:30 PM today! After three weeks away we will enjoy being home, but we are already missing our family and friends in Maryland.


-- Bob Doan, Pooler, GA

Monday, January 8, 2024

On the Road Again

I-95 in North Carolina
January 8, 2024
There is something about southern North Carolina which makes driving a royal pain. It might be the construction. The southern portion of I95 is under construction.  There are barriers on both sides of the lanes.  

We departed just after 4 AM and have been on the road for 5 hours. We are stopping for the night near Savannah and we should be there in about 4 hours.  We leave early to avoid morning  traffic around DC. And we did. 

Finn is being good.  He is happy not to have been left behind. 

Chris is spelling me now so that I can nap. 


— Bob Doan, North Carolina, MM 46

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Arriving under Cloudy Skies


 It was strange in that during our two-day drive from Florida to Maryland the only time we traveled under clouds was once we approached D.C. 

I wonder if that means something? Everywhere else was crystal blue skies. I hope the weather is as good as that when we make the trip home next year.

It is, however, cold here this morning. I am showing a nippy 24 degrees. That is a temperature I will not see in Tequesta, nor would I want to see it.

But, we arrived well and only had minor traffic-related delays around the D.C. beltway and on the B-W Parkway. 

This morning the cold had brought clear skies. I am looking forward to the day.

Bring on the holidays. 


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Relative Calm


 I know that I am enjoying the relative calm before the storm. 

A few deep breaths and some relaxation because the holiday rush begins in earnest next Monday as we depart for Maryland and the frozen northlands. 

My drive weather forecaster is showing about a 40 percent chance of rain for almost the entire trip. Those would be the lime green dots on the map at the right. Hopefully the weather will improve between now and then. We are planning a stopover in Fayetteville, NC, which will be followed by a short jaunt the next day to being us into Odenton and miss D.C. rush hour traffic. 

The app I am using, and have used very successfully in the past, is Drive Weather. I use it to avoid snow, ice, and torrential rains. 

Once we arrive back in Maryland it will be great to be with family and friends to celebrate the holidays. There is so much that will need to be done to finalize the preps--but that, after all, is what the season is about. 

So I'm taking a pause, well also because we are getting thunderstorms today, and getting ready for the fun to begin. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

A Train Went By . . .

 

Brightline Train
Tequesta and N. Old Dixie Highway
Tequesta, FL
December 4, 2023
How can you tell? 

I can see the tracks!

Chris and I did a short 12-mile ride yesterday, but managed to sit at a crossing to wait for the Brightline to pass. It is exciting to have the Brightline passenger train zoom by at 60 mph and be gone in less than a minute as opposed to waiting for the lumbering freight trains that also pass through our village a couple times per day. They last, it seems, forever as they move long lines of freight-laden cars along the tracks. 

I learned a lesson about my iPhone while trying to video the train. The video will not work when the cell is on! Chris and I establish a cell connection when we bike to stay in communication and chat. I did not know that I could not be on the cell and use the video feature at the same time. 

Lesson learned. 

I at least managed to get a few images of the train as it whooshed past.

And then we rode off across the tracks as the train rolled across the drawbridge just down the way. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Surviving Air Travel

BWI Terminal C
Baltimore, MD
November 28, 2023

 We came, we saw, we made it home. 

It was not very bad for a post holiday travel. The airport was not empty, but it was not crowded either. The jet owe flew home was full--but then they are always full it seems. 

The Southwest desk was pleasantly empty, but processing for the flight still took a lot of time because we travel with a service animal. Thankfully, we arrived early for our flight.

It was cold in Baltimore as we departed and we looked forward to warm South Florida temperatures. It was in the 70s when we arrived at West Palm Beach. Yay. And palm trees!

I do have some feedback for Southwest, however. Loading and unloading the passengers on the aircraft has become a nightmare. There are multitudes of wheel chair and pre-board passengers. The problem is that they are slow, which is why they need pre boarding--but then they sit in the very front of the aircraft. That makes getting out of the plane an equally slow process. Perhaps the wheelchair and pre-board passengers could be seated in the rear of the aircraft. I know it seems harsh, but putting the them in the rear would allow for boarding of other passengers while they are getting seated. There are also two restrooms at the rear--a convenience issue for many. Having them in the rear would allow for faster unloading of passengers and then allow the wheelchair passengers to receive debarkation assistance without slowing the entire process. 

One other comment from yesterday's flight. The captain had the seatbelt sign on for nearly the entire flight and at least the last 1h30m. The captain and first officer were both able to use the restroom facility--but passengers were not supposed to leave their seats to do likewise. Maybe a bit more consideration for the self-loading cargo.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL



Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Tuesday Travel


 Chris and I are at the end of our Thanksgiving visit to Maryland. 

It is sad to be leaving family and friends, but more moderate temperatures await us in Florida. And we will be there for three warmer weeks until returning for the final push to Christmas. 

I had planned this trip to occur just before and just after the traditional travel dates for the holiday so hopefully the airport will not be a disaster. 

We are supposed to fly when we return, but I am beginning to think about driving since we will need to rent a car when we return. I would not attempt a straight through event, but even adding in hotels I think it will be less expensive for us to drive. It is definitely a point of discussion. 

Well, here is for good flying from Southwest!


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD



Saturday, November 18, 2023

Where Am I, Today?

Where Am I?
Odenton, MD
November 18, 2023
 I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is less than a week away!

The holiday season has just about arrived! Well, given the level of decorating that I have already witnessed, it has arrived. I do so enjoy the palm trees wrapped in lights! 

Finn Trying to Sleep on the Plane
Somewhere Over the East Coast
November 17, 2023
Yesterday, however, Chris and I along with Finn departed the warmth of South Florida and journeyed north to Maryland for Thanksgiving. We were treated to a nice flight along the Chesapeake and beautiful scenery just before landing. The rusts of the final autumn colors greeted us. Of course, there was not a palm tree in sight! 

Regarding the holiday travel--we were lucky. I think we beat the big rush, although the plane was completely full. We did not experience any unusual delays. Southwest, however, does need to figure out how to get everyone seated before the door close time. People were still getting onboard at the designated time to pull away from the terminal. 

But we are here, complete with rental car--and I will not even begin to write about that broken process. 

So bring on the turkeys!


-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Checking out the new Starbuck's

Finnegan with Pup-cup
Tequesta, FL
October 2, 2023

We were supposed to be on a plane this morning headed to Baltimore. 

We're not!

It's a long story that needn't be told, except to say that complications arose at the last minute forcing me to reschedule the reason for the early October trip. We will miss seeing the family and friends with whom we had planned to visit. 

Yesterday, Chris and I enjoyed our first visit to the brand new Starbuck's Coffee, which is located all of about 500 feet from our home. 

We are not Starbuck's fans, but we needed to check the place out. Finnegan had already visited the new coffee shop while we were on our Alaskan adventure. He definitely enjoyed the pup-cup they provided for him. 

We enjoyed the visit, but it will likely not be a regular thing. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Danger Lurks There

Caution Sign
Weston Lakes, TX
September 22, 2023

 Walking around the Weston Lakes community was an enjoyable experience. The houses are opulent and the lawns, for the most part, are immaculate. 

But, we noticed that in some places when the facade is peeled back that real danger lurks right in people's backyards. 

Alligators!

We had Finn on a very short leash at this point. We did not want him to become alligator bait! But I was astounded at how close the houses and lawns were situated to the alligator infested bayou. 

Of course, here is Florida alligators are a fact of life, but who knew that an hour outside of Houston alligators were also causing problems?

Danger lurking in the back yard!


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta ,FL 


Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Wednesday means Houston

Out the Cabin Window
Take-off Ft Lauderdale, FL
September 19, 2023
 And we arrived last evening after waiting out a thunderstorm in Ft Lauderdale. 

Flying out at night into the lightning filled sky was fabulous. It made for. some great entertainment. 

I tried to get an image of the clouds illuminated by the lightning, but all I got was the engine. My camera just did not want to focus on the action. Ugh. It was great.

But, we arrived safely in Houston, after about a 30 minute storm delay, about the same time as the Orioles were defeating the Astros. 

We are here for a few days and then back to Florida. It is hotter here than home!


-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Chateau Ste Michelle

Chris and I 
Chateau Ste Michelle, WA
August 27, 2023

 One of the really fun things we did while on our trip to the PNW and Alaska was to visit a winery. Yup. Wine!

We visited Chateau Ste Michelle right outside of Seattle on a glorious Sunday afternoon. It was the last day of nice weather for the entire trip. 

The Tasting Area with Fran and Chris
Chateau Ste Michelle
August 27, 2023
We thoroughly enjoyed the visit to the winery and decided on a high end tasting served outdoors in the bright sunshine and heat of the day. The wines were tasting great and the tasting came with a small charcuterie tray to help understand the nature of the wines better. 

I remain, however, convinced that handing wines and munchies to visitors and allowing them to do their own thing is not the best way to tell the story of the winery. But, Chateau Ste Michelle is HUGE! It may be the largest winery operation that we have visited. 

once we were finished with the tasting, which was $50 per person, and we decided to join one of the top end wine clubs we were invited to the members only lounge for more tastings and some relaxation. I had forgotten how expensive West coast Wine Tastings are. 

Our first wine club shipment should arrive next week and I am excited. The wines we tasted were very good with a nice price point. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Friday, September 8, 2023

And it's Friday

Finnegan at the new Starbucks
Tequesta, FL
August 30, 2023

 I'm not even sure why I know today is Friday, except that it is on my watch. 

I've been aware of the excruciatingly uncomfortable weather in the Northeast. While we are seeing 90 degree days here, the humidity is finally down and we once again enjoy being outside. I am happy to be away from the 50-something degree days of the PNW and Alaska and back into the warmth of South Florida. 

I hope that things begin to settle a bit now that we are back and have addressed the elephant in the room, that being Riordin's failing health.

And then there was one
Finnegan, Makayla, Riordin
Tequesta, FL
February 11, 2022
In an anthropomorphic moment yesterday, I felt as if Finnegan knew something serious was afoot as we carried Riordin, in his carrier, out of the house for the trip to the vet. He made an unusually extraordinary effort to accompany us. Chris had to physically restrain him from charging out the door. I believe he knew something was happening. 

Even after we returned home, Finnegan was strange. He examined the empty cat carrier and immediately began searching for Riordin. It was sad to watch this small dog look in all of the usual places for his pack-mate. He continued looking through bedtime and even made some small noises trying to get Riordin to respond as if they were playing a game of hide-n-seek. I wish there was a way to help him understand. I guess it was easier with Makayla, since she died in my arms at home and both Finnegan and Riordin were there at the moment she passed.

I guess it is the circle of life!

Will there be another cat or dog added to the household? Right now the answer is a solid no. I have the memories of two great friends to sustain me and I always felt bad leaving Riordin alone when we traveled. 


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Traveling Home

Mountains Above the Clouds
Leaving SeaTac, WA
September 5, 2023

 It is finished!

Chris and I arrived home last evening about 6:45 PM, completing a 12-day travel adventure in the PNW (Pacific North West) and the southern coast of Alaska. 

The trip ended with gray overcast skies, pretty much the same as the whole cruise. I need to remember that the three days we spent in Seattle were mostly blue skies and sunshine. It is easy to forget since the last nine days were gray. Yesterday, once we got above the clouds, the mountains were finally visible.  I managed the image shooting out the airplane window from an aisle seat. 

At the Entrance to Endicott Arm
Quantum of the Seas
September 1, 2023
And speaking of SeaTac. Ugh. What a mess yesterday. We flew on a 7:55 AM Delta flight. The first mess was baggage check-in. We had two bags, at $30 each. The process for checking bags took a good 20 minutes, possibly more and required painful line waiting. Now this is what really gets me, we paid extra to have our bags and were subjected to substandard service. Why would I do that again?

But wait, there is more. Chris and I are both TSA Pre. There was only one TSA Pre line for the entire airport. And it was a long way from the terminal we needed. We stood in line for another good 10-15 minutes to clear TSA only to have them discover a cork screw that we missed in Chris's backpack. It had a one inch blade and was confiscated. Now here is the weird thing--3 inch succors are allowed, but a small blade designed to cut the foil from a wine bottle is dangerous? Really? 

Chinatown Alley
Victoria, BC, Canada
September 3, 2023
Don't get me wrong. We enjoyed the trip, it is just that air travel in America has become very tedious. I calculated our departure time from the hotel based on my experience elsewhere and added a pad. Thankfully, I added a pad. By the time we got to our gate we were able to walk right onto the plane. We did manage a quick stop for breakfast once we cleared security. 

But, we made it to Ft Lauderdale and to the place where we parked our car. The flight was pleasant and I have to admit, Delta has the best in-seat entertainment and free WiFi (for mileage members). The almost 6-hour flight seemed to pass quickly. 

And now, it is all a memory.


-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

And So it Ends

Float Planes in Ketchikan
Ketchikan, AK
August 30, 2023

 It has been 12 days since we departed Florida for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.  Wow! What a rush!

The days in Seattle before the cruise were fantastic. We really appreciated the city and the opportunities. Chris and I also joined another winery: Chateau St. Michelle! I will write more about that later. 

Ice Flow
Endicott Arm, AK
September 1, 2023

And then the cruise. Sadly the cruise was gray and overcast most of the time with rain. But, We enjoyed Alaska and the wildlife.

What a trip this has been from the heights of Mt Rainier to the Sitka Bay. And then walking Victoria. 

I am putting together a video of some of the sights--especially the whales. 

We have enjoyed so much--I was amazed by the float planes--theyt are everywhere and fly everywhere. I almost wish I were a float plane pilot. 

I wish the weather had been better. Gray was the color of the cruise skies with a few limited exceptions. 

Well, tomorrow it is back to the regular grind, I guess. 


-- Bob Doan, Seattle, WA

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