Our Early Wake-up

Out the Hotel Window
Las Vegas, NV
June 18, 2026

 Chris and I were awakened in the wee hours of the morning to the sound of a loud emergency horn and an announcement advising us of an emergency in the building and that we should evacuate. Jolted awake and mildly disoriented, we began the process of departing our room in the middle of the night. Before we could leave however, another announcement confused us by suggesting that the alarm might not require evacuation and was being investigated. It stated we would be advised. I took that to mean stand-by for further instructions and so we did not evacuate. A few minutes later we were advised that the emergency was minor and had been resolved. Like we are going to be able to go back to sleep?

From the Hotel Pool Deck
Las Vegas, NV
June 17, 2026

Our travel day was great. The flights were on time and relatively smooth. I am becoming a fan of flying Delta. Upon arrival in Vegas, however, we were greeted with a wall of oppressively hot heat. The temperature was 108 degrees. And even though it is a dry heat, it is so very hot. We were pleased to find that, unlike Florida, the indoor air conditioning temperatures are a bit warmer and less of a shock to the system when heading inside. In Florida, it seems that the air conditioning is set very cold to combat the humidity which is conspicuously absent here in Vegas.

We managed a short walk in the heat to a restaurant for dinner and then retired to the hotel to enjoy the evening. 

The adventures begin! And a bit earlier than originally planned. 

-- Bob Doan, Las Vegas, NV

Out the Cabin Window

Out the cabin window
West Palm Beach, FL
June 17, 2026

  And we are off. As I like to say, “like a herd of turtles.”  

The adventure to Nevada begins.  We have a lot planned and the trip is off to a great start. Boarding on our first flight, a Delta flight, went smoothly and we will soon complete the short hop to Atlanta to board our flight to Vegas. 

The morning here was humid. I think the humidity was 100 percent. Ugh. But we are flying in air conditioned comfort. 

It is tough blogging on my phone. But that’s what I have at the moment. I want to send out a very high thank you to Cody, Angie, and Kaya for taking care of Finn while we travel. You are great. 

I made some edits in Atlanta to make the blog a bit easier to read and understand. 

— Bob Doan, airborne over central Florida 

Travel Preparations

View from the Bridge
Tequesta, FL
June 15, 2026

It is weird how things tend to pile up when we are trying to prepare for travel. Tomorrow is a travel day; we head out on on our trip to Vegas.

Yesterday, we received a call from the window people . They are finally ready to install our hurricane windows which were supposed to be delivered in April. Finally! Here's the rub, they wanted to install the windows today whist we are preparing for travel. We have waited for two extra months and they wanted us to move our plans so they could install our windows today. I told them no. We have waited for them and we decided that now they can wait for us. Apparently that did not satisfy them, so they called me back and offered me $150 off the price if they could come today. I was insulted. What they offered was a bit more than 1 percent of the total price. Really? If the offer had been 5 percent, I might have considered it. The windows will be installed the day after we return.

I managed my usual 18-mile bike ride yesterday. I noted that the "feels like" temperature was 105 degrees and that the actual temperature when we arrive in Vegas tomorrow is expected to be 108 degrees. Ugh. I know but it is a dry heat! So is my oven. 

Well, we have a bunch of things to finish up before the end of the day. We have another early flight--not break of dawn early, but early enough. 

I have been finalizing plans to go to Zion National Park, Death Valley, and the Hoover Dam in addition to the concert which was the genesis for the trip. It should be a fun and busy five days.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - June 15, 2026

 

1. It is the Ides of June. Et tu Brute? Oh wait that was March. It is the 3rd Monday on June. The year is creeping closer to the halfway point and there are only 28 Mondays remaining.

Worn Back Bike Tire
Tequesta, FL
June 12, 2026

2. I finally changed my very worn back bike tire. It was one of the best tire changes that I have recently undertaken. Chris provided the necessary 3rd hand to keep the bead from popping out as I set it around the rim. We worked together remarkably well and the new tire was successfully installed. I did my first ride with it on Saturday morning. 

3. Finn, our Yorkie, reminded us that he is afraid of thunder. Last evening, the storms rolled through and there were a few loud bangs as the lightening came closer. That is going to be a problem for the 4th of July as our area is incredibly loud with celebratory fireworks. 

4. Every time I think the Orioles are playing better, they take steps to prove me wrong. During the week, they dropped 2.5 games down in the standings. 

5. The announcement of the end of the Iran war is typically void of details. But, the news is at least hopeful since both the US and the Iranians made the announcement and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the end of the US blockade of Iranian ports seem to be in agreement by both sides. Nothing yet on the Iranian nuclear program, however. It will be tough to claim victory when the principle reason for beginning the conflict remains unresolved. 

6. Today in History. Following a revolt by the English nobility against his rule, King John puts his royal seal on Magna Carta, or “the Great Charter,” on June 15, 1215. The document, essentially a peace treaty between John and his barons, guaranteed that the king would respect feudal rights and privileges, uphold the freedom of the church, and maintain the nation’s laws. Although more a reactionary than a progressive document in its day, Magna Carta was seen as a cornerstone in the development of democratic England by later generations.

John was enthroned as king of England following the death of his brother, King Richard the Lion-Hearted, in 1199. King John’s reign was characterized by failure. He lost the duchy of Normandy to the French king and taxed the English nobility heavily to pay for his foreign misadventures. He quarreled with Pope Innocent III and sold church offices to build up the depleted royal coffers. Following the defeat of a campaign to regain Normandy in 1214, Stephen Langton, the archbishop of Canterbury, called on the disgruntled barons to demand a charter of liberties from the king.

Iran, US agree to halt war and reopen Hormuz, sending oil prices tumbling - Reuters

Historic Kyiv monastery damaged, 10 people killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine - Reuters

SpaceX set to extend rally after record Wall Street debut - Reuters

Trump's support in rural America slips, Reuters/Ipsos poll shows - Reuters

Twelve people killed in Missouri plane crash, skydiving company says - Reuters

China didn’t qualify for the World Cup. But its fans still have a star: a card-wielding referee - CNN

Kennedy Center exterior remains covered after Trump’s name is removed - CNN

Sen. Mitch McConnell hospitalized, his office says - MS Now

Americans’ surveillance crisis is far bigger than Bill Pulte - MS Now

Ukraine Is About to Take a Big Step Toward the European Union - The New York Times

Mysterious remains found in national park sleeping bag identified after 26 years - Fox News

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Flag Day 2026

 Normally, Flag Day passes without too much notice or fanfare. It is a day to celebrate the symbol of our nation, our unique flag, our colors, something to which we stand at attention and salute when it passes.

Flag Day was first proposed in 1861 to rally support for the Union side of the American Civil War. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation that designated June 14 as Flag Day.^[4] On August 3, 1949, National Flag Day was officially established by an Act of Congress.^[5] On June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania became the first state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday, beginning in the town of Rennerdale.^[1] New York Consolidated Laws designate the second Sunday in June as Flag Day, a state holiday.^[6] (Wikipedia)

This year, however, Flag Day has been overcome by a pompous, pretentious, and self-aggrandizing birthday celebration that will occur on the White House Lawn. It has become clear that the president's view of America is one where charlatans and snake oil salesmen are able to grift "We the People" and rob the treasury.

But I guess that is just me.

Happy Flag Day!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Bob Effect

 Traffic lights. 

Intersection of A1A and Indiantown Rd
Jupiter, FL
June 11, 2026

My superpower is getting stopped by more than my share of traffic lights. 

Traffic lights apparently become aware of my approach and turn red. Ugh! Driving often becomes a painful slog. I approach empty intersections and wait for no one until the light turns green. It is frustrating. 

It is the Bob Effect. Green lights turn red.

Green lights turn to yellow and then red as I approach. 

There is a stretch of 5 lights from the corner of South Dixie Highway and Village Blvd to Toney Penna and ALt A1A that I regularly drive. I have begun to make it a game as to how many of the 5 intersections I be waiting. Most days it id 3 or 4 of the 5. On good days it is only 2. I have never made it through all intersections 5 without being stopped by red.

Having my progress halted by red lights is, therefore, obviously, my superpower. Chris and I laugh about it all of the time and I usually add about 5 minutes to a projected driving time to compensate for my proclivity to be stopped at red lights. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Back to the Beach for Happy Hour

Yellow Flag on the Beach
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
June 11, 2026

Atlantic Ocean
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
June 11, 2026

 The weather finally decided to provide us with a clear afternoon and that was the signal to go down to the beach and celebrate a Friday-eve Happy Hour. 

There were yellow flags flying, to advise of the dangerous surf conditions, but we were safely on the beach above the high tide which occurred during our stay. I was the only member of our group that wandered into the pleasantly warm water up to just above my knees.

It had been over a month since the four of us gathered on the ocean beach for Happy Hour. It was good be be together on the beach again celebrating the life and blessings that we have. 

There were not so many birds on the beach as we are used to. One osprey was hunting and a few crows were scavenging, but other than those, not much was happening with respect to animal life. No matter, we filled the time catching up on each couple's recent trips and planning for future activities. 

Friends on the Beach at Happy Hour
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
June 11, 2026

I took my usual empty chair image, the three of them and my empty beach chair, but a nice beachgoer came by and offered to take a couple images of us all, and so here that image. She was on vacation from Montauk, Long Island staying in a community where many years ago we used to rent to enjoy life in Jupiter, before we owned our condo. She asked if I knew of Montauk and I responded that I only knew of it from the song. I don't think she connected it to the Billy Joel song, The Downeaster Alexa. 

All-in-all, it was a solid Friday-eve. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Preparing to Go

The Sphere
Las Vegas, NV
October 29, 2024

 Chris and I are excited about our upcoming trip to Vegas. The original purpose of the trip was to see Kenny Chesney at the Sphere. I bought tickets to the the show a long time ago. In addition, we are going to visit a couple National Parks and the Hoover Dam. 

We had seen the Sphere during our visit to Vegas during October 2024 and I never thought we would actually attend a concert within it. But, it is going to happen!

We are making the final preparations. It is gonna be HOT! The weather forecast is for temperatures in the mid- to upper-100s the entire time we are there. Ugh! We are gonna need a lot of water! And writing of water, I am hoping that the winds are not too strong and we can see the dancing water show at the Bellagio. 

We depart next week and so I am still doing some planning for the excursions. But excitement is mounting. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Early on the Street

View from Tequesta Bridge
Tequesta, FL
June 10, 2026

 I headed out on my first ride of June this morning, a bit earlier than normal. It was also my first ride since school ended and it was weird not to be dodging kids and school busses. It was a quiet overcast morning. 

Given the high humidity, I was happy the sun was not beating down on me making me even hotter than I was. 

BIke Radar on Back with Light
Tequesta, FL
June 10, 2026

There was a relatively cool breeze when my ride began. That made the ride all the nicer.

I modified the attachment of my rear-facing radar to the bike. I have determined that I need to carry a saddle bag on the back with some of my repair gear in it. That meant that the recommended attachment for the rear-facing radar to the seat stem will no longer work. I managed a workable solution using cable ties. It isn't perfect, but it is functional. 

New Bike Seat
Tequesta, FL
June 10, 2026

Yes, I need a new back tire. I am procrastinating until it strands me somewhere so that I can swear at myself for procrastinating.  

This was also the first ride with my new bike seat. Wow! What a difference. I can actually sit straight on the seat and enjoy the ride. I don't think I realized that I wasn't sitting straight before. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Flamboyance

 

A Flamboyance of Flamingos
National Zoo, D.C.
June 4, 2026

What is a group of Flamingos called? A flamboyance. 

I observed a flamboyance during our trip to the National Zoo last week. They were stunning. Even more interesting is that the birds were nesting--on fake eggs. We talked to one of the keepers and learned that after the Flamingos lay eggs, the eggs are harvested and put into incubators to ensure they make it to hatching. It seems that Flamingos in captivity are clumsy and many eggs are lost during the roughly one month incubation period. Fake eggs are placed in the nest and the birds continue nesting. About a week before hatching the real eggs are redeployed into the nests so that the hatchlings hear and see their own kind when they break free from the eggs. I thought that was really interesting. 

As the keeper said, "we don't want the birds to think they are human."

Whooping Crane
National Zoo, D.C.
June 4, 2026

Among other birds that we saw during the trip, I was able to capture good images of a Whooping Crane and a Red-shouldered Hawk.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Odenton, MD
June 3, 2026

The Whooping Crane is a sad, but interesting story. The species declined to about 20 birds during the 1940s, but today numbers around 600 due to conservation efforts. I learned that the Sandhill Cranes, which I see around Tequesta, are related to the Whooping Crane.

And then there was the Red-shouldered Hawk. I captured this image in the wild. Well, maybe not wild, but suburbia. The hawk flew into sight and landed on the fence as I was on Nicole's back deck chatting with her after Jax's graduation. He sat there for a while before flying off to find a better hunting ground.

I enjoyed the birds and of course we saw many more at the National Zoo aviaries, but the ones here are those that I most enjoyed watching. Of course, I could have remained at the Flamingo enclosure for a lot longer than we did--but I like Flamingos. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL