Next Stop -- Summer

Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning of summer. To celebrate the beginning of the best season, yesterday was an especially cool day, following days in the high 80's and low 90's. 

But, we are poised for the run at summer with the fireflies cued and the smells and sounds of the season ramping up to make an imminent appearance.

The pool is open and I've been in it a couple of times. It was too cold yesterday, but Saturday and Sunday were definitely pool days.

The days of summer are upon us. Baseball is getting deeper into the season and tonight the GORC Dodgers take the field again and hope to reverse the poor play they displayed during their last game.

Summer sports and vacations. The time has finally arrived. School is ending soon and the vacation season will be in full swing. 

Bring on the sun and season!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 28, 2018

1. Happy Memorial Day 2018.

Rain Falling 

2. We survived the deluge which by some accounts saw 8.5 inches of rain fall in two hours yesterday. Officially we only received just over an inch of rain although it certainly seemed like a lot more. We will begin the clean-up process today. Thanks to all who wrote/called with concerns.

Enjoying Big Cork Vineyards

3. Chris and I accompanied by two friends spent a wonderful afternoon at Big Cork Vineyards in Rohrersville, MD. We enjoyed music and some nice wines in a beautiful setting.


4. Our prayers and support go out for the people of Ellicott City who yesterday experienced a second devastating flood in less than two years as as a result of the torrential rains.

5. Memorial Day isn't just about honoring veterans, its honoring those who lost their lives. Veterans had the fortune of coming home. For us, that's a reminder of when we come home we still have a responsibility to serve. It's a continuation of service that honors our country and those who fell defending it. - Pete Hegseth

6. It is tough to play baseball after being off for two weeks. The GORC Dodgers lost in a blow-out on Friday night. There are two games remaining in the regular season and then the playoffs begin next week.

7. I am glad that I mowed the lawn yesterday before the rains turned the yard into a soggy mess.


Headlines

U.S. and North Korean Officials Race to Resurrect Trump-Kim Meeting - The New York Times

‘OMG This Is Wrong!’ Retired English Teacher Marks Up a White House Letter and Sends It Back - The New York Times

What happens when a soldier dies - The Washington Post

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"The character of the American people is our country's most precious asset, and, like any asset, it should never be taken for granted."

— Remarks at the annual foundation luncheon of the YMCA of Metro Chicago Illinois,

May 10, 1982

- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Memorial Day Weekend 2018

The Family around the Pool
May 26, 2018

Ready for Memorial Day 2018
Radio Flyer

The family gathered yesterday to celebrate Memorial Day. We gathered early because we found a break in the weather that would support a picnic.

The day was pleasantly hot, with the temperature hitting 91 degrees. It was a perfect unofficial beginning to the summer season. The day was hot, the water in the pool was warm, and the family was mostly gathered for some fun and interaction.

Radio Flyer got to fly and observe the scene.

It had been a week since my drone had flown. Last week it was in Ithaca and I did not take it with me on my trip this past week, although it will likely accompany me in the future.

Enjoy your Memorial Weekend. Remember the sacrifice of our military members of the past and present how have helped to secure our freedom.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Old Cars at the Airport

Schacht Model K Runabout

Schacht Model K Runabout

Airports can be interesting places to explore while waiting for flights. I have found that some airports are committed to improving our sense of history and not always about air travel and the development of the aircraft.

The Cincinnati airport advertises the local museum. One exhibit that displayed as I passed through yesterday contained older automobiles spanning a few decades made by companies in the Cincinnati area. It was very interesting to observe the development of the car. The Model K Runabout has the driver sitting right behind the radiator. While the license plate suggests it is a 1911 auto, the model dates from at least 1910.

Vehicle Dated from 1925

A later example of the auto development was in the wooden vehicle, which was dated 1925. I have to admit, I didn't get as much information on this vehicle. I tried the museum website but could not positively identify the car. 

There were many other exhibits from the museum in the airport and I actually look forward to heading back through the airport sometime to view other displays.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Watch What You Write

I went to dinner last evening. It was a nice beer garden type restaurant and I enjoyed a couple of nice beers while I was there. It was the sign I passed on my way inside that caught my eye, however. 

I guess someone should have thought about what to write to get the message out in a more grammatically correct fashion. 

Sunset Springfield, OH
May 24, 2018

I know that all too often in this blog that I forget to proof what I am writing and I write some really interesting sentences. I also fight the autocorrect feature that all-to-often picks the wrong word for what I am writing. But, that written, if I was posting an important sign in my establishment I hope I would ensure the message was clearly and correctly written.

In addition ot the fun dinner, I was treated to a beautiful sunset out my hotel window which provided an exclamation point to a full and busy day. The clear sky was beautiful and the sinking sun, even behind the Bob Evans from my hotel room, was an enjoyable sight.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Springfield, OH

Out the Hotel Window - Springfield, OH

Springfield, Ohio
May 24, 2018

Another day, another city it seems on this trip. 

It is very different being in a hotel on an interstate than it is being in a plush downtown location. The view out my window is a rugged criss section of middle-America. Even the Bob Evans! The early morning, just before sunrise shot captures the essence of the area. 

Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport
Delta Boarding Area
May 23, 2018

My traveling partners and I ate at a local Bar-be-que place near the hotel last evening. The ribs fell off the bones and it was certainly authentic.

It was much nicer than that chaos associated with boarding the aircraft in Atlanta. I fly Southwest frequently. I can assure you that the line-up in groups concept that Delta uses is vastly inferior to Southwest's. It was total chaos in a very busy airport with stanchions that did not allow enough room for everyone to line up. They really need to take a look at the way they execute the boarding process.

It was a crazy, long day.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Springfield, OH

Stairs

I went for a walk last evening. The idea was to walk to dinner and then back, but due to the drenching rains that started during the walk to dinner, I only walked to and not from the eating establishment.

I walked along a canal/creek for most of the way. At the end of the park was a climb up some stairs to get to the city level. I had intended to take a picture of the canal and part from the higher street level, however, the trees were full with leaves and blocked the good vantage points. Since it was raining, I was not too motivated to find a clear shot of the park below, hoping that I would find one during the return trip.

Since there was no return trip through the park I lost my opportunity and am left with only a memory and this image of the stairs at the end of the park.

I need to remember to be more aggressive in taking the images that I see in my mind when they are happening on the first occasion. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Huntsville, AL

Out the Hotel Window - Huntsville, AL, May 2018

Out the Hotel Window
Huntsville, AL
May 21, 2018

It is good to be back in Huntsville to celebrate the Springtime and graduation season. Yesterday as I was arriving, there was a major graduation event occurring at the Convention Center. There were students and adoring families everywhere and it was an exciting sight to see. 

The view out my window is very exciting. There is a lot happening. I enjoyed watching the parking garage in the distance fill and then empty  yesterday during and after the commencement.

It was good to get to blue skies with white puffy clouds!

The trip was uneventful and I look forward it a good week of work away from home-base. As an important note, since this is a work trip, I did NOT bring Radio Flyer with me, so there will be no drone images to share. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Huntsville, AL

Monday Musings - May 21, 2019

Looking at Mom and Dad's House from Above
May 19, 2018

1. Hopefully, the rains of the past week are giving way to some nicer weather. It has been a bit oppressive.

2. Driving back form Upstate NY yesterday I was amazed at the speeds some of the drivers were reaching. I am sure a couple of people passed me doing sat least 90-100 mph.

Bird's Eye View
May 19, 2018

3. Chris and I did stop in Pennsylvania to visit Fero Vineyards and Winery in Lewisburg yesterday during out drive back. It was a much needed respite during the trip.

4. It was amazing how the weather got better the further south we drove yesterday. Maybe nicer times are really ahead and the rains have subsided for a while.

5. Isn't it amazing how sometimes victims are victimized twice, the second time by the very people or businesses that are "trying" to help them?

Flea market in Ithaca, NY
May 20, 2018

6. I had this phrase pop into my head yesterday as I was looking at the rain clouds: the pregnant clouds were ripe with rain destined for the earth.

7. I enjoy looking at the earth from above while I am flying Radio Flyer, my drone. I guess I am just a frustrated pilot and the ability to look down on the scene below is exhilarating. I am becoming especially excited about imaging the "Bird's Eye" view. 

8. Chris and I stopped at a flea market on our way out of Ithaca yesterday. It had been quite a while since we had been to one. I believe we will be going to more.



Headlines

Trump Grappling With Risks of Proceeding With North Korea Meeting - The New York Times

Santa Fe High’s Baseball Team Takes the Field, Shadowed by Tragedy - The New York Times

China seems to be winning Trump’s trade war - The Washington Post


Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"Today millions of Americans are asking themselves that same question about the dedicated men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. Like me, they're asking that question with gratitude, with respect and affection in their hearts. Today, I want all those wearing American uniforms around the globe to know: America is grateful to you -- and proud of you, too."

—Statement on Armed Forces Day,

May 16, 1981

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Cayuga Lake Wineries

Sheldrake Point Winery
May 18, 2018

During our short weekend visit to upstate New York, I of course had to visit a couple of my favorite wineries. Our house white wines are from Americana Winery and Sheldrake Point Winery. So I visited both yesterday in the rainy weather that followed me from Maryland.

Chris and I of course have our favorite wines from both, however I was disappointed to find that both were out of the wines that I was seeking.

At Americana our favorite table white is Apparition. It has been immensely popular and I was able to purchase the last four bottles. They are bottling more next week I was told. Yay. I added eight bottles of Riesling to round out the case.

The news was not so good at Sheldrake Point. Our favorite white table wine from there has been Luckystone White. I was informed that this wine is no longer produced and there were no more bottles to purchase. I tasted the Pinot Gris and decided that it was a very nice substitute. And so, I was able to obtain a case to refill the wine cellar.

The image is of Sheldrake Point. I was able to fly Radio Flyer during a break in the oppressive weather. I obtained some nice shots of the lake and the vineyards as well.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY