Afternoon Flight over Tequesta

Cody and I in front of the Aircraft
North Palm Beach County Airport, FL
July 23, 2026

 I had a unique experience yesterday, I was able to fly in a Cessna 172 over Jupiter, Palm Beach, and Tequesta. It had been years since I had flown in a small aircraft and I have to admit, the thrill of flying is still there. 

Jupiter Inlet Looking East
July 23, 2026

Sitting in the right seat of the aircraft and absorbing the information on the panels and controls, as well as looking out the window, was a lot of fun.

We flew over Jupiter and around Tequesta and then down along the coast to North Palm Beach, being careful to avoid the restricted areas. The sightseeing was great.

Of course, we flew by the house--both mine and his. I love flying and seeing the world from above. I had, however, forgotten how tight the cockpit of small aircraft can be. I at times had a hard time turning to see and get pictures. It was a late afternoon flight and the sun was often in the wrong place, but Cody would make a turn to get remove the sun from the image equation.

I took video of our take-off and then one of the touch-n-gos we did on returning to the field. Cody's landings, and we did three of them, were a lot smoother than many commercial landings I have experienced. 

Formation Flying
Jupiter, FL
July 23, 2026

One of the unique things we did was fly in formation with two other aircraft. I was fascinated with the communication that occurred to keep everyone safe and while I was a bit skeptical at first, in the end it was a great experience. 

When I returned, Chris asked me whether I wanted to get my pilots license. I said no, I am at the point in my life where I need to pay others to fly me around.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Consequences for Failing Meal Planning

Blowing Rocks Marina and Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
July 22, 2026

The South Florida afternoon heat and humidity continues to be oppressive. But, I think we are growing accustomed to it and are doing some outdoors activities.

Last evening we headed to Tiki 52 for Happy hour and dinner, primarily because we were so busy packing for our upcoming cruise that we failed to adequately plan for dinner. I have heard it said that planning for meals is one of the toughest things that adults have to accomplish. Well, we failed at meal planning yesterday. 

But we enjoyed Tiki52! And so did Finn! Tiki is one of those words that Finn understands. As we were discussing dinner options last evening, I casually mentioned Tike as a possibility and the dog literally and really became very animated and making it clear that Tiki was his choice.

And so we went. 

It was very pleasant under the Tiki out of the sun and with a comfortable breeze off the water. We enjoyed some nice adult beverages and salad and wings. 

Finn was happy and he enjoyed the wings as well, well some of the meat from the wings. No wonder he doesn't eat the food we prepare for him!

I'm not sure that heading to Tiki52 as the consequence for failing meal planning is actually encouraging us to do better. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Promise of the Day

Rainbow over Tequesta
Tequesta, FL
July 22, 2026

 It was not the usual Hump Day beginning. We were treated to a rare sight this morning. 

A rainbow stretched across the sky. It was perfectly placed above the palms just outside our door. I saw it when I took Finn out. It was actually the second attempt for Finn this morning. It began raining during the first attempt and we aborted. We were lucky that it rained because we would likely have missed seeing the rainbow had we not aborted Finn's first outdoors adventure of the day. 

The rainbow scene was enhanced because the sun was still relatively low in the sky and the rain added to the color saturation. 

It is rare that I can almost see both the beginning and end of a rainbow. That made me wonder--which is the beginning and which the end? Are they both ends or both beginnings. 

I guess it is a conundrum, like which came first the chicken or the egg? Of course we know the answer to that one; the chicken came first! (Gen 1:24-25)

Happy Hump Day!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Cheese Hound

Chris, Finn and Cheese
Tequesta, FL
July 20, 2026

 Finn is a confirmed cheese hound.

The dog loves cheese and it was evident again last evening as Chris and I were enjoying Happy Hour on the veranda. 

The temperature and humidity moderated and we were able to spend time on the veranda during the early evening before dinner. Finn moved between us as we ate cheese, hoping for a piece. And he was usually successful.

We are careful not to give him too much cheese, which could be bad for him. But he likes small bits. 

During our time on the veranda we discussed upcoming activities and travels. We do our best planning over wine and cheese and we have a busy travel season ahead of us. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - July 20, 2026

Happy Moon Landing Day 

1. Happy Monday. The third Monday of July is here! The heat and storms continue as summer deepens. There are 23 Mondays remaining in the year!

Along Indiantown Rd
Jupiter, FL
July 19, 2026

2. The Orioles have been amazing since the All Star break. They just completed a sweep of the Astros and head to Boston for a meeting between two of the hottest teams in MLB. Boston is riding a 13-game win streak and the Orioles are on a 7-game streak. It will be a battle for third place in the AL East!

Limestone Creek Trail
Jupiter, FL
July 19, 2026

3. My 22-mile ride yesterday took me into the heart of Jupiter, along Indiantown Road. It is the busy 6-lane wide, main East-West highway in the area. It was a hot morning, but riding in the shade at time was almost refreshing. I also managed to take the short side-trail through Limestone Creek Park. I love that trail because it gets me away from the cars and noise of the streets. I stopped to walk out on the pier over the creek and look at the fish. The new pier is very nice. 

4. I noted that the president's speech on Thursday was precisely timed to distract us from the Epstein files and the war in Iran. The war got real again over the weekend as three military members made the ultimate sacrifice. My prayers go out to their families and I fervently hope that their deaths are not in vain. Congress needs to corral the president and bring this unjust and unauthorized war to and end before more brave service members lose their lives. 

5. Today in History. At 10:56 p.m. EDT,  [July 20, 1969] American astronaut Neil Armstrong, 240,000 miles from Earth, speaks these words to more than a billion people listening at home: “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Stepping off the lunar module Eagle, Armstrong became the first human to walk on the surface of the moon.

The American effort to send astronauts to the moon has its origins in a famous appeal President John F. Kennedy made to a special joint session of Congress on May 25, 1961: “I believe this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth.” At the time, the United States was still trailing the Soviet Union in space developments, and Cold War-era America welcomed Kennedy’s bold proposal.

Iran and US widen attacks, raising fears for Gulf shipping and water supplies - Reuters

Spain unites in joy at second World Cup crown - Reuters

Trump claims voting by noncitizens is rampant in America. The numbers tell another story. - Reuters

Russia pounds Kyiv in major ballistic missile attack - Reuters

Russian attack on corn ship off Ukraine's Odesa kills 10 - Reuters

CNN Investigates for Subscribers How Trump Jr.’s firm is soaring: Investments that align with his father’s policies - CNN

Third US service member killed as US ramps up strikes on Iran - CNN

The GOP’s last-minute bill makes their priorities horribly clear - MSNow

NORAD responds after multiple aircraft fly into restricted New Jersey skies - FoxNews

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

After the Sun Sets

Jupiter Lighthouse at Dusk
Jupiter Island, Tequesta, FL
July 18, 2026

 I drove to the beach last evening after the sun had set just because I had not been there in a while. I determined to visit both the ICW and the ocean. There is a place where I can walk across Jupiter Island and do just that in less than five minutes.

The heat of the day had dissipated a bit and the crowds likewise departed. 

Atlantic Ocean Looking North East
Jupiter Island, Tequesta, FL
July 18, 2026

It was nice to be on the beach. I waded into the ICW and stood there enjoying the warm water on my feet and a light breeze on my shoulders. The lights at the base of the lighthouse were just visible as dusk deepened. A person was on the water, likewise enjoying the end of day.

It was peaceful. The ocean beach was much more expansive than I expected, but there were no turtle nests marked. Usually at this time of year turtle nests abound on the beach. I wonder if they have reduced their nesting protection efforts?

I tarried for a bit before heading back to the car and then to home. I needed the peaceful scenes to recenter myself. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Cranes, Lettuce and Travel Preps

Sandhill Cranes
Tequesta, FL
July 17, 2026

 Apparently, the sandhill cranes are enjoying the South Florida heat and humidity. Yesterday, I saw three of them on my ride. That is unusual. I sometimes come across two, but three is unusual. Perhaps the third was a chick of the pair, I didn't slow down to try and figure it out. 

Packing Preparations
Tequesta, FL
July 17, 2026

The cranes pretty much go where they want. They also are not too concerned about me and my bike, which is nice. They neither run nor attack--I am especially happy about the not attacking part. 

Lettuce Wars: I am glad that someone in authority clarified the source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak: lettuce! Let us stop eating lettuce! Funny though, we are being told that it is better to eat head lettuce rather than bagged lettuce. That seems a bit counterintuitive to me.

Finally, we began packing for our cruise which departs in a week. Chris wanted to get things laid out, and we did! Packing is incredibly stressful for some people. She also has commandeered one of the guest bedrooms and her dresses are hanging there, waiting for final packing into the garment bag. For me, however, I can pack in about 30 minutes, but I'm a guy. I'll begin laying stuff out maybe the morning before we depart. Fortunately, the cruise port and parking is only about an hour drive away. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Perhaps it is time

 I watched the President's address last night. It was hard because I had to change channels in the middle because the channel I was watching decided to launch into commentary.

For context, we are losing/lost a war with Iran, the economy is tilted against most Americans, and our president still pushes the mantra that the 2020 election was stolen from him even though he was the president and in-charge at the time. 

Weird, huh?

He does not care about the plight of everyday, non-billionaire Americans. 

I have begun poring through the documents released on the White House website. I admit, I have not read meany but those I have read, and I am focused upon the Michigan Voter Registration tranche, detail successful investigations which may have uncovered illegalities but no illegal votes were cast. 

So far, the documents confirm that the current system works!

There is no smoke and there was no fire. 

And wait . . . wasn't Trump president during the 2020 election? And he wasn't president during the two elections he won: 2016 and 2024. Go figure! This apparently confirms that he may be the problem.

It may be time for the Vice President to work the Cabinet to implement the 25th Amendment to remove our apparently senile and out-of-touch president from office. I know that it is a stretch, but someone needs to work to save the republic from the whip-saw rantings we are experiencing. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Bird Watching

Tufted Titmouse
Odenton, MD
July 15, 2026

 I am lucky that Nicole, back in Maryland, has a Bird Buddy and that I can enjoy watching birds come and go. We are not allowed a bird feeder in our condo community because it attracts the dreaded palm rat! Providing the rats a source of food, like a bird feeder, is the worst thing a South Florida homeowner can do. Eventually, the rats will find a way into an attic and take up residence where they will chew wires and cause a biohazard mess. 

Tufted Titmouse Fluffing
Odenton, MD
July 15, 2026

Watching the birds in someone else's yard is not nearly as satisfying as in my own yard. Back in Elkridge, we had multiple feeders and varied the food for the season. During the winter, we put out a lot of peanuts for the Jays and Cardinals.

We constantly watched and enjoyed the birds. 

Now I have to bird watch vicariously, but no mess to clean up.

Yesterday was a particularly good day. A tufted titmouse put on a show, visiting multiple times and giving me a couple good opportunities to enjoy its antics. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Really Most Sincerely

 Happy Hump Day to all!

Boat Heading Down River
Tequesta, FL
July 14, 2026

I hope you partied hard to celebrate Bastille Day! Chris and I enjoyed some nice French wine last evening as part of our celebration. Really, and most sincerely, we had a very subdued celebration.

Some mornings, it seems that crises abound. Like this morning when one of the chargers failed to charge a watch and phone. I am sure it was operator error--but it still becomes a crisis. 

Yesterday, in addition to Bastille Day, I enjoyed a great ride. It was another nice day. 

I wasted a few minutes trying to capture the sun glinting off a spider's web. The camera would never actually focus on the spider and the images didn't work. 

I stopped to take the image of a solitary boat motoring down the North Fork of the Loxahatchee River. The river was pleasantly flat and I wished I had been in the boat rather than on my bike. But, I rode 19 miles and was able to enjoy the ride and the day. The weather was not nearly as oppressive as it had been which made the ride even nicer. 

As an aside, mangos are ripening and falling from the trees. They make a mess on the roads and sidewalks. Sadly, they usually do not survive the impact with the street or ground and so I have not collected any.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL