Beach, Boat, and Shopping

Atlantic Ocean
Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, FL
February 20, 2026

 Fantastic!

That is how I describe our boating adventure yesterday. Chris, Nicole, Finnegan, and I  headed out of Pirates Cove Marina in the Manatee Pocket just before 10 AM to enjoy a full day centered around boating activities. We were embarked on my new favorite boat, a 22 foot Bayliner, which has a ladder on the bow for easier beach and sandbar access. 

On the Beach, Nicole and Chris
Hobe sound National Wildlife Reserve, FL
February 20, 2026

The water was relatively smooth as we made our way to Peck's Lake and our first stop to enjoy time on the beach. Along the way we saw a manatee! The water was very cloudy and so we did not get a great look at the manatee, but we saw it as it surfaced a couple times. I kept the boat a safe distance so we could watch as best we could without endangering the manatee.

The beach was great! It was sunny with a nice breeze and temperatures into the 80s! We stayed for a while, but then needed to head out for Stuart for lunch and shopping. During the unloading process from the boat to the beach, my flip-flops broke! A terrible wardrobe malfunction. I determined that I would replace them in Stuart--but it was a long walk from the dock to the store mostly barefoot. I did find a nice new pair of flip-flops fairly rapidly once in the city. I had forgotten what it felt like to walk on nice, new, squishy flip-flops.

Stuart City Docks Heraded to the Boat
Stuart, FL
February 20, 2026

There was a lot of traffic on the ICW and St Lucie River yesterday. A lot more than I am used to seeing and it really tested my boating skills. The wakes from the bigger boats were a problematic. Chris hates it when I crash through and so I slow down to push through them. There was one relatively tight section of the ICW where I was faced with two other motor craft headed south while approaching two large sailboats headed north. Everybody did perfectly, I guess the sheriff's boat as part of the procession helped keep everyone in line. 

Seagulls on the Beach
Hobe Sound National Wildlife Reserve, FL
February 20, 2026

We enjoyed our time in Stuart, but the boat needed to be returned by 3:30 PM and so we only had about a half-hour to shop after enjoying lunch along Osceola Street. 

The trip back to the marina was rougher than the ride to Stuart. The wind had grown stronger while we were enjoying time in Stuart which meant the water had gone from light chop to choppy with whitecaps! The chop, coupled with all the other boating traffic, meant crossing wakes became a bit trickier. I hit one a little to square and threw spray over the entire length of the boat. Chris was not amused. I was not spared and had to wipe water from my sunglasses so we could continue on. 

We made it back to the marina with 15 minutes to spare! All agreed, it was a great day on the water. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

By the Fire

 

Fire Pit and View of the Yard
Tequesta, FL
February 19, 2026

We do not often get the opportunity to sit around our fire pit in the evening. Well, it is not a real pit, it is a small tabletop, ethanol fueled pit. Usually, it is too warm outside to actually enjoy the flame, but last evening was an exception. 

Moon over Tequesta
Tequesta, FL
February 19, 2026

The temperature was perfect and the evening was just made for relaxing on the veranda. We had enjoyed dinner at Tiki52 and retreated to the house for the evening. Nicole is visiting from Maryland and the comfortable weather provided a great respite from the snow and ice that she had been experiencing.

We enjoyed chatting and catching up around the fire as night fell deepened us.

Today is a boat day. Yay! It has been a while since we have been on the water. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Birds by the Water

Fish Crow
Tequesta, FL
February 17 ,2026

 The other evening, we enjoyed dinner and adult beverages at our favorite watering hole. The weather was perfect, OK, the breeze off the water was a a bit cool and strong at times. 

We enjoyed watching the birds. Mostly we were blessed with Fish Crows. Sadly, there were too few pelicans or other birds. But, the crows provided comic relief. 

Finnegan joined us for the evening and enjoyed trying to play with other dogs. There was a lot of activity at the restaurant due to the moderate temperatures and the prevalence of the Snow Birds, who have fully arrived for the season. It is a bit strange that "in-season" is February and March. We have some additional visitors due to the start of the MLB Spring Training games. The Marlins and Cardinals team logos are beginning to apperar everywhere. 

The traffic has become a problem at times. There are intersections that I avoid when I need to make a left turn. Instead, I drive around the block to get to a traffic light to ensure that I can safely make the turn. 

Well, it is Thursday or Friday Eve! I am looking forward to a summer-like boat day tomorrow, finally. February in South Florida can be fantastic.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Betrayal

 Steven Colbert's interview with James Talarico on Monday evening helped clarify an important aspect of what is happening right now in America. 

Yes, I watched the interview on YouTube! CBS, based upon a request from the FCC, did not want the interview aired and so Colbert put the interview on his YouTube channel. The decision by CBS was likely a mistake since the interview was seen by more people on YouTube than regular interviews on Colbert's show. Watching the interview was worth the effort. 

Talarico helped me understand the nature of Christian Nationalism. 

Talarico is a Texas state lawmaker studying to be a minister, who criticizes the Republican use of Christianity as a political weapon. Such politicization of Christianity both distorts politics and cheapens faith, he says. The true way to practice Christianity is simple but not easy, he says: it is to love your neighbor. Political positions should grow out of that to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, and heal the sick. “[T]here is nothing Christian about Christian nationalism,” he told Colbert. “It is the worship of power in the name of Christ, and it is a betrayal of Jesus of Nazareth.” (Letters from an American) (Highlighting added)

That pretty much says it all! Not that I had really wondered, but it was reassuring to hear someone else say it so clearly. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Settling into Tuesday

Florida Dawn
Tequesta, FL
February 17, 2026

 The week got off to a easy start with the President's Day holiday celebrated yesterday. President's Day marks the end of the holiday season that began with Labor Day, as there are no more Federal Holidays until Memorial Day. I remember how I used to look forward to three-day weekends!

Forecast
Tequesta, FL
February 17, 2026

This morning dawned clear and bright. I took the image through the screen on the veranda. It looks as if it is going to be a great week! We are expecting temperatures to return into the 80s and I am fortunate to have a boat reserved for Friday! On the downside, after the beautiful weather this week, next Monday starts cold and I have tickets to a Spring Training game.

I am excited that baseball is back! I am also happy that warmed weather has returned to South Florida. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - February 16, 2026

 1. February is half completed. Today is the thrid Monday of the month with only one more to enjoy. There are 45 Mondays remaining in 2026. 

2. Yesterday marked a Sunday without football or baseball. It may have been the only Sunday of the year where neither sport was being competed. But not to fear! Spring Training baseball games begin this week and so not another Sunday in 2026 will pass without either football or baseball!

ArtiGras
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
February 15, 2026

3. Chris and I attended ArtiGras yesterday. It is a large event dedicated to artisans selling their creations for premium prices. We saw many very nice creations, but could not determine when we might display them in our home had we decided to buy them. It is not inexpensive to attend the show as tickets were $15 each (plus service fees) and parking was another $15. Add in a little food and drink and just for the opportunity to view the wares of the artisans made it a $100 day just to walk around. We arrived shortly after the event opened for the day and were able to spend some time enjoying the show before the suffocating crowds arrived.

4. The Olympics continues. The U.S. team has won more medals this past week and moved into third place overall, but still seems to underperforming. I wonder if the apparent underperformance is due to lack of preparation or whether judges are being tougher on the U.S. team due to the developing geo-political situation? One case in point is the French judge in the couples ice skating. 

5. Today in History. On February 16, 1923, in Thebes, Egypt, English archaeologist Howard Carter enters the sealed burial chamber of the ancient Egyptian ruler King Tutankhamen.

Because the ancient Egyptians saw their pharaohs as gods, they carefully preserved their bodies after death, burying them in elaborate tombs containing rich treasures to accompany the rulers into the afterlife. In the 19th century, archeologists from all over the world flocked to Egypt, where they uncovered a number of these tombs. Many had long ago been broken into by robbers and stripped of their riches.

When Carter arrived in Egypt in 1891, he became convinced there was at least one undiscovered tomb–that of the little known Tutankhamen, or King Tut, who lived around 1400 B.C. and died when he was still a teenager. Backed by a rich Brit, Lord Carnarvon, Carter searched for five years without success. In early 1922, Lord Carnarvon wanted to call off the search, but Carter convinced him to hold on one more year.

Iran says potential energy, mining and aircraft deals on table in talks with US - Reuters

Europe aims to rely less on US defence after Trump's Greenland push - Reuters

Savannah Guthrie says 'do the right thing' in latest emotional plea - CNN

DOJ lists hundreds of prominent people named in Epstein files in letter to Congress - CNN

How polls show Republicans shifted away from caring so much about Jeffrey Epstein - CNN

Trump is trying to block a new border crossing. A billionaire donor may have something to do with it. - MS Now

With Latest Rollback, the U.S. Essentially Has No Clean-Car Rules - New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It was a Dining Experience

View of the Table
Tequesta, FL
February 14, 2026

 How do I describe our Valentine's Day dinner? 

Fabulous! 

Better than any restaurant because the meal flowed smoothly and the evening was not punctuated by noise from other patrons. Sometimes it gets so loud in restaurants that it is hard to hear the conversation at our own table. 

Last evening was a perfect setting for our loving wives. 

Scallops in the Pan
Tequesta, FL
Valentines Day, February 14, 2026

The four course sea food meal consisted of beet salad, scallops on pasta, corvina entree, and cheese cake. The guys enjoyed oysters on the half-shell in addition.

It was a well orchestrated event with the timing of each course being superior. Each course was paired expertly with the perfect wine to highlight the light flavors of the food.

But more important than the food, hard as that is to imagine, were the friends with whom we shared the meal. We enjoyed varied conversation as the evening progressed. 

I wish that I had taken a few more images because the dishes were works of culinary art in and of themselves.

Thanks to Fran for creating the menu, shopping with me, and serving as the master chef for the evening. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Valentines Day 2026

 Happy Valentine's Day!

It is the day for lovers!

Valentine's Bouquet
Tequesta, FL
February 13, 2026

A friend and I are preparing a sumptuous dinner for our wives tonight. We shopped yesterday for the fixings and believe that, not counting the wine, we will spend about $110 on a special dinner for four people. We would expect to pay at least that per person for a Valentines Day dinner in a restaurant.

Dinner should be fantastic, of course, if it goes according to plan. 

Chris likes yellow roses, not the ubiquitous red ones, and I was able to secure a dozen of her favorites. She was happy that I remembered flowers and there may be a card for later today since the flowers are already on the table. 

Enjoy the day.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Beach Beckoned

Carlin Park Beach to Ourselves
Jupiter, FL
February 12, 2026

 We did it!

Yesterday afternoon, Chris and I made it to the beach for happy hour and dinner. We ordered subs and enjoyed a very nice late afternoon and early evening on the beach. 

Seagull in the Beach
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 12, 2026

Except for the birds, we had the beach to ourselves--and this is one of the main beaches in the Jupiter area. The surf was calm and the wind off the ocean, while cool was not uncomfortable. We dressed appropriately and were quite comfortable.

We enjoyed the birds who seemed very brave in approaching us for handouts. I went about knee deep into the 72 degree water--it was too cold to actually immerse myself into the ocean. It remember that as a boy growing up in Upstate NY, we believed that once the water hit about 70 degrees it was swimming time in the lakes. I'm not sure I'd enjoy that now and I also understand why the adults who accompanied me never got into the water. It is just too cold!

For our first foray to the beach for 2026, it was a great time. We stayed until just after sunset, leaving as the beach succumbing to the evening darkness.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Across Tequesta

 

My Orange Bike Helmet
Tequesta, FL
February 12, 2026

I managed to get out two days in a row on my bike. I rode 18 miles again yesterday around Tequesta. That has been a feat lately with the cold weather. But the weather is becoming very nice, except for this morning with the threat of showers--it is supposed to be the dry season.

My Ray-Ban Wayfarer Smart Glasses have stopped accepting a charge and so I no longer have the use of the "smart' functions. They are effectively just expensive sunglasses. I miss listening to music and the news during my ride. This is the second pair of Wayfarer glasses that have developed the "will not charge" issue, but now I am out of warranty. there do not seem to be a lot of options to fix a bad battery, I am still researching. 

On a good not, however, I asked for and received a "smart" biking helmet for Christmas. I finally set up the Bluetooth and was able to get all of my media desires during yesterday's ride. I like my new helmet as it is very orange and had lights to increase my visibility to vehicles with which I am sharing the road.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL