And so the Season Ends

Pre-game Warm-up GORC 12U Wildcats (Haslup)
June 8, 2019

The GORC 12U Wildcats (Haslup) ended their playoff run and their season yesterday with a bone crushing loss. It is the kind of loss that just leaves a bad taste in your mouth because the winning team was not necessarily the better team, they just received too many breaks in the first inning.

Line Score GORC 12U Wildcats (Haslup)
June 8, 2019

The box score tells the tale of the game. The opposition managed 8 runs on 2 hits with 6 walks. Five of GORC's errors (3 fielding and 2 passed balls on 3rd strikes) occurred during the first inning in which it took the equivalent of 8 outs to get out of the inning. Taking away those errors, which all occurred with two-outs and no runs in, the score should have been 3-2. 

Pre-game Team Meeting
GORC 12U Wildcats (Haslup)
June 8 ,2019

Once the defense stiffened, the team managed some great plays, including turning another double play and solid play by the catcher, third basemen and shortstop, but they just were not ready to play at the start of the game. It felt like we had two outs for an hour during the now pivotal first inning. We had some heroic plays as well by players who were injured fielding the ball but still made great plays before succumbing to the pain or the dirt in their eyes. Jax was one of those, on a ball hit back to him while he was the pitcher dirt got into his eyes, but he still made the throw to first for the out. And in another, the centerfielder, Cal, got hit by the ball which took a bad hop but was able to field it and get it to home plate to cut down a runner. 

Despite the heroics and the solid defense, the game ended before the bats could overcome spotting the other team 6 runs during the first inning. 

Although the season is over and the sting of the loss is still fresh and painful, the one thing that I will take away from the season is that the boys are now baseball players and not just playing baseball.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday at Home

Chris, Me, and Finnegan in Front of our Florida Home
Tequesta, Florida
June 4, 2019

I was going to start by writing that I am at home for the first weekend in a while, but then I realized that last Saturday I traveled from one home to the other. It is still weird to try and wrap my mind around that seeming contradiction of traveling away from home to come home. 

I am already looking forward to my return trip to Florida during July to enjoy additional time at our southern residence. 

Chris and Finn Chatting with Neighbors in the Pool
Tequesta, Florida
June 4, 2019

I was able to get Radio Flyer airborne on one occasion during our most recent trip south. It was our last day after all of the work had been done around the house before we decided to pack for our return trip north. The first image from Radio Flyer is of the entrance to our Florida home. The blue car is in the driveway in front of our garage and we are on the walkway to our front door. Did you notice the palm tree in the front of there condo? Yup, I have a palm tree of my own!

Looking to the Atlantic
Tequesta, Florida
June 4, 2019

The neighborhood is a very nice place to relax and everyone seems very nice and friendly. We have met many of the neighbors in our community, especially those with whom we share the building. The pool is across the street, but the entrance is around to the other side from where we live. 

I flew Radio Flyer up to about 200 feet and aimed the camera towards the east to show how close we are to the ocean. The water in the middle of the image is the Intracoastal Waterway and Indian River, the tall buildings are on Jupiter Island and beyond is the mighty Atlantic Ocean. The road in the foreground is US 1. It seems that I enjoy living near US 1 as it drive on it every day in Maryland and now also in Florida. 

The location is perfect and we are able to get to the beach in less than five minutes. We actually clocked it at four minutes one day, of course when the drawbridge is up it takes a few minutes longer.

Dreaming of being home! Wait, I am!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

What do You Do When You Want the World to Go Away?

Finnegan Hiding in the Pillows
Tequesta, Florida
June 5, 2019

A funny thing happened Wednesday morning as Chris and I were making final preparations to return to the Baltimore area on an early morning flight. Finnegan, who is generally a good traveler, suspected something was up and tried to hide from the world and the activity happening around him. 

Chris and I were making preparations to leave including ensuring that the beds were fresh and that the garbage and recycling was properly disposed of so that it would not sit and rot in the garage until our return. There was a great deal of activity happening during a short span of time.

It was early and it was still dark outside. We were up at about 4:30 AM making the final preparations to depart and Finnegan was having nothing of it.  He found a quiet and safe place among the pillows on the bed and curled up to get some peace and quiet. It was really funny because both Chris and I wished that we could do the same. But, of course, we could not hide from the world. 

Sadly, we had to pull him from his warm safe place and force him to face the pre-dawn morning as we made our way to the airport. I don't think he actually woke up until we were through security.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Walking Along the Beach

Our Footprints on the Sand
Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, Florida
June 4, 2019

The trip to Florida is complete. We arrived safely back to Maryland yesterday and were greeted at the airport by our friends Fran and Mary. Our house was in great shape as we walked through the door and although it was, as it always is, good to be home, it was sad to leave Florida,

We had successfully traveled from home to home in the reverse of our Saturday trip. I found the Uber driver yesterday morning to be a fascinating person to converse with and it made the 25 minute trip to the airport pass quickly. Fortunately traffic was light at 5:30 AM.

I will miss the morning beach walk along the ocean. The water was warm and inviting and while the shells are not as plentiful as other places, there were lots of natural treasures to be found along the beach. I also miss the heavy smell of the damp earth that greeted me in the morning, although it seems to rain as much in Maryland as Florida lately. It is raining right now outside of my window as I write this blog. And silly me, I was thinking the lawn was a bit dry as I mowed yesterday. 

I guess that I have become a true coastal traveler. Racing up and down the East Coast has become a pastime. I have already planned my return Florida engagement and it will be for more than just a few short days. I am amazed at the number of projects that I am completing in my new home. It seems that the number of things to do is endless. But, that is how it is with a home--always something to do to keep things in good repair.

Until I return, I will continue my morning beach walk in my mind until I return. I will pitch my umbrella and beach chair and sit staring at the surf and hear the waves impact the shore. And not to forget the palm trees waving in the breeze! they are there in my memory as well.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saying Goodbye

Jupiter Lighthouse
June 3, 2019

It is time to say goodbye and head from home to home. It is cool having two places to call home, but sad when it is time to leave the Florida home to head back to the complexity of life in Maryland.

It was a short stay, but Chris and I covered all of the bases and most importantly all of the furniture we had ordered arrived on time yesterday and In good condition.

But we have to leave. Monday night was must drink Monday and we went to our favorite watering hole, The Square Grouper right at the confluence of the rivers in Jupiter.

We will be back soon but at least we are always home whether in Maryland or Florida.

— Bob Doan, Tequesta, Florida

Doig Tired

Finnegan Dog Tired
Tequesta, Florida
June 3, 2019

Yesterday was a busy day. I know that I was exhausted by the time the day was done. Finnegan was also apparently tired as he crashed on the sofa and just watched the activity around him. 

I had to capture his expression as he just watched the activity around him. 

I had to smile--we have been dragging him everywhere, but yesterday we decided to give him a day off and he perked up by the time the day was over. I am sure he will not be too excited about traveling tomorrow.

Travel days are exhausting.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, Florida

Flat Water and Great Days

Home Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach, FL
June 2, 2019

As Monday morning dawns and I hear the distant sound of the train whistle, I realize how lucky that I am to be away from the rush of my day-to-day life and in Florida where Chris told me yesterday, as we were walking the beach, I am living the dream. I cannot fully comprehend how fortunate that i am to have the opportunity that currently have to be able to fly two-and-a-half hours from home to home! 

The weather has been almost idyllic in that the mornings are fantastic and then the obligatory afternoon rains come through making the evenings are nice and steamy. Chris and I have been completing a multitude of projects around our Florida home. We are still decorating and looking for that perfect piece of furniture for one room or another. Yesterday we found the perfect carpet for our patio area and it makes the place "pop!"

Even more exciting than the projects and the relaxation, the ocean has been still and inviting. Yesterday at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge the water was still! Flat even. It was war and inviting and we spent time in the water and strolling the beach looking for shells. We saw no less than three crab, big crabs, playing in the surf and I saw sand fleas launching themselves in the water to find new places to spend some time. It is summertime, almost. 

Yesterday was National Cancer Survivor Day and I am both happy and sad to count myself among that group of people. Happy that I am a survivor, but sad that I joined the group in the first place. It is truly a group that no one actively seeks to join. 

Today, more sun, ocean, projects, and relaxation. It is the beginning of the workweek after all. I am hoping to enjoy more flat water. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, Florida

Walking the Beach

On the Beach
Jupiter, Florida
June 1, 2019

We arrived home, well at our Florida home, about 11:40 AM yesterday and we were on the beach by 1:30 PM! Less than three hours after arrival, doing some unpacking, and getting some supplies we were on my favorite Jupiter beach. 

Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, Florida
June 2, 2019

It is off season here. The perfect time to enjoy these south Florida beaches. We went to the beach yesterday and there were all of three other couples on a mile long stretch of clear water and gentle waves. 

We repeated our beach experience this morning with a walk along a stretch of beach occupied mostly by fishermen and exercise conscious people. It was awesome. We have promised each other to walk the beach every morning, weather permitting, to enjoy one of the reasons that we have a house in Florida--the ocean. And the beaches are less than 5 minutes away. I waste more time than that getting ready!

Even Finnegan is enjoying the beach time. He loves sniffing at the seaweed baking in the sun. Who knows what could be hiding in there? 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, Florida

Traveling Again

Chris and Finn at BWI
June 1, 2019

And we are off. Heading to our Florida home for a couple of days. For me I will have completed a tour of six airports in three days. But arriving in West Palm will be the crowning achievement.

Chris and Finn are with me. Yay. Hopefully in a few short hours I will be on a beach enjoying sun, sand, and relaxation. I did not get home last evening until about 13:30pm due to weather delayed flights. That left the packing for this trip entirely to Chris who did a magnificent job balancing everything.

I think I will get a weekend at home next weekend. Maybe.

Rock and roll. Travel again.

— Bob Doan, BWI airport, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Dayton, OH, May 2019

Out my Hotel Window - Dayton, OH
May 30, 2019

Another day and another hotel. Staying for only one night in a hotel is tough because there is almost no reason to unpack. I am traveling with just my backpack which makes it easy to get around where but does complicate getting needed items which are at the bottom. But, I have become a believer in traveling light and with a backpack. It is a lot easier to lug a backpack around an airport than a suitcase. And my clothes need to be ironed upon arrival regardless of whether I use a suitcase or not.

The view out my hotel window here in Dayton is busy. It is also dark and rainy. Rain has been a constant on this trip. I long for sunny skies. I thought the raindrops on the hotel window when I took the image were a nice tough looking at the rainclouds and the clearing skies, which never materialized, in the distance.

At least I have a view to enjoy.

Today I am hoping/planning on getting home to sleep in my own bed again. But tomorrow, I will be off on another adventure! First things first, however, I must get through today and accomplish the very specific goals laid out for me. Summer is drawing close. Today is the last day of May--how quickly it has slipped away. Tomorrow, June arrives and it is the month during which Summer begins! The best season of the year. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Dayton, Ohio