What a day it was

 

Empty Booth
Charlottesville Airport, VA
September 5, 2026

It was a generally good travel day yesterday, with two minor exceptions. 

First, for some unexplained reason TSA was checking IDs at the gate as we boarded our flight from the former Palm Beach International Airport to Atlanta. Chris and I had been in the gate area and did not hear the alleged announcement and so we ran amok of the agents who snipped: "We made an announcement." I generally respect the TSA personnel, but since the IDs of everyone in the gate area were checked passing through security, what was the purpose of this added exercise, other than pure harassment at 5:20 AM?

Polo Pony and Rider
King Family Vineyards, Crozet, VA
September 5, 2026

Second, I wrote of the problems we had with Hertz at the Rochester airport during late-May. Yesterday was not as bad, but when we got to the head of the too long line the agent informed me that they had our vehicle, but it was not in the right place and needed to be retrieved. He said wait about 10 minutes. Whereupon he closed the booth and departed, presumably to get my vehicle and one for another traveler to whom he had given a similar spiel. The booth was vacant for 30 minutes before he returned. At least he had my vehicle. As it was a one-way rental, a substitute would not suffice. It was almost like they did not actually expect us to arrive and want the vehicle.

After finally departing the airport and enjoying a nap at the hotel followed by lunch, we headed off to King Family Vineyards to enjoy and afternoon of wine tasting and relaxation. We had a great time and I believe have secured enough wine to suffice for the remainder of our trip. While at King Family, we enjoyed watching the polo ponies work out in a distant paddock. We also enjoyed watching many people other wine loving people who were enjoying a late-summer afternoon at a beautiful vineyard. 

-- Bob Doan, Charlottesville, VA

Fly Day Respite

Out the Cabin Window
Over Southern Georgia
September 5, 2026

Our journey to Charlottesville, VA, is about half complete. Chris and I are in Atlanta taking refuge in a Delta Sky Club until our next flight. It was a beautiful day for flying and we were treated to the sight of some unique storms are the sun was rising in the East--which, of course, is where it always rises.

The storm was impressive and we saw much lightening. Our flight was, however, smooth. We were up about 3:30 AM and off to the airport serving the Palm Beach area by 4 AM. Everything went smoothly and we were away from the gate early. 

View out the Sky Club Windows
Atlanta, GA
September 5, 2026

The flight was not without incident--one of Chris' fingernail polish bottles exploded in her purse. What a mess! But it has been mitigates. Chris stated that she will be buying a new purse today. Probably true.

The dawn arrival in Atlanta was spectacular! It was fun to watch the world waking from the air. 

The Sky Club in Concourse D is recently remodeled and upgraded. It boasts stunning views out both sides. And they are!

We are excited about arriving in Charlottesville because we have not visited there in a few years and there are so many wineries wit which to become reacquainted. Chris often laments that one of the things we miss about living in Florida is being able to head out onto a wine trail--and we will do that this afternoon.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Between the Storms

 

Looking West into the Afternoon Storm
Tequesta, FL
September 3, 2026

The weather pattern remains stormy. That tends to limit outdoors activity especially related to beach activity. 

I was able to get in my morning bike ride. I was lucky. It began raining, hard, about 30 minutes after I returned home. It was a nice ride and I felt good to be back out on the streets. The river was flat again and I took an image of the clouds and their reflection, but it was nearly identical to the one I posted on Monday.

Music at Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
September 3, 2026

Chris and I headed to Tiki52 for the evening. Although afternoon storms were brewing, the weather radar showed they would stay offshore—and they did! We experienced a brief rain shower, but no lightning or thunder, which often accompanies storms passing further inland. After dinner, we enjoyed some music from a unique duo called the Holidazed, featuring an instrumentalist who primarily played the saxophone.

Today we are making final preparations for our Labor Day Weekend trip! We fly out bright and early tomorrow--before dawn bright and early. Sometimes I wonder why I make reservations for so early in the morning, but getting out early usually avoids the schedule-changing afternoon storms. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Commentary on America's Leadership

USS Abraham Lincoln Arriving Thailand
September 2, 2026
CNN

 The USS Abraham Lincoln pulled into port for the first time in about 9 months yesterday. Observers were shocked at its appearance. The once sleek and beautiful multi-billion dollar aircraft carrier was covered in rust from its continuous use and exposure to the seas during combat operations. 

Rust is not a condition that we expect to see on our naval warships. Our ships are supposed to be rust free and ready to operate at a moments notice. 

The toll of the extended combat deployment is clearly visible on the ship and its crew. 

The discussion on X regarding the rust is interesting and somewhat educational. Most people were defending the rust and the condition, but I fear they were missing the point. 

The point is that war is costly and takes a toll of people and equipment. It is not pretty to look at and war is expensive. 

When write that I am appalled at the image of the USS Abraham Lincoln I am expressing my outrage at the war and its toll. Our leadership does not understand the cost on people or equipment. Our national treasure is being squandered and the return on investment so far has been only negative. 

I am proud of the accomplishments of the crew of not only the USS Abraham Lincoln, but of the USS Gerald Ford and all of the military personnel who are engaged in conducting the war. 

The condition of the USS Abraham Lincoln is, I believe, a metaphor for our leadership, civilian and military, which, similar to the ship, is rust covered, broken, and no longer effective.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tiki Tuesday Canceled

 

Despondent Dog back at Home
Tequesta, FL
September 1, 2026

We knew something was wrong when we pulled into the empty parking lot. It was Tiki Tuesday, when we often head to Tiki52 for adult beverages and food. We are used to the lot being nicely full of vehicles, but this definitely was not the case.

We were running a bit late and expected a few more vehicles than a normal Tuesday night. Finn was excited about getting out, he loves going to Tiki52 for dinner. He even has learned the word, Tiki, and gets very excited when we indicate we are headed there. Tiki52 is dog friendly!

I parked the car and went to the welcome station of the empty restaurant. I was greeted by the sign announcing the September closure on Mondays to Wednesdays. The restaurant is normally closed on Mondays, but the addition of two days is disconcerting. Yes, I know business has been really slow, but we enjoy our time on Tuesdays or Wednesdays and are regulars when we are in town. 

Finn was despondent. Chris and Finn never even got out of the car. We were undecided about dinner at that point and decided to order a pizza. I had a 50 percent off coupon and we enjoyed a pizza dinner for less than $10. So it worked out.

I subsequently learned that Tiki52 is upgrading the kitchen and being closed three days per week assists in the renovation. 

It is the slow season here. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Break in the Storms

 

North Fork Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
August 31, 2026

Welcome September!

The storms abated a bit yesterday and Chris and I were able to enjoy a more normal Monday. 

I hit the streets on my bike and later joined Chris for a joint walk with Finn. And the rains held off. Amazingly.

The storms are hanging just off the coast this morning. We can see the clouds, but are enjoying blue skies above us. 

The image taken during my ride yesterday was truly amazing. The river was so calm that the reflection of the clouds are clear and visible. It was a tranquil scene, even more so given the storms we have been experiencing. 

We are looking forward to our Labor Day weekend travel north. I am having difficulty believing that Summer is coming to an end. Fortunately, I live in a place where it lasts well into November. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - August 31, 2026

 1. When today is over, the year will be two-thirds complete! Four months remain and only 17 Mondays. Today is both the last day and last Monday of August. 

2. It was a quiet weekend given the rain and storms. We did not do a lot to write about. We did manage. a few around the house projects. 

3. How about them O's! They swept the A's. The O's are 5-1 during their last 6 games and are 1 game out of the Wild Card. They are also 1 game below .500! There is actually hope that they might make and appearance in the post-season. 

4. Lake Ontario has been known by that name for over 400 years. I don't think an Executive Order from a narcissistic president is going to change that. It is too bad our president is focused on such small things when there are world changing events happening that he should be addressing. Oh yea, and what about those Epstein files? 

5. “So, let me get this straight,” national security reporter David Rothkopf wrote. “[T]he US illegally attacks a country, kidnaps its president, threatens its government with massive military force, gets them to hand over to US control a huge portion of their national assets, hails the billions it has already brought in and promises billions more[,] but we don’t know where the money’s going, how it is going to benefit the US, if it is going to benefit the US, who’s privately going to benefit, what side deals have been struck with the corrupt leaders of their country or ours, & we are supposed to celebrate this act of aggression and theft that violates international law and that could well turn out to be a massive mafia-style shakedown scheme to benefit the anti-democratic forces in Venezuela and the US, the president’s friends and supporters, possibly the president and his family?”  (Letters from an American)

6. Today in History. On August 31, 1980, representatives of the communist government of Poland agree to the demands of striking shipyard workers in the city of Gdansk. Former electrician Lech Walesa led the striking workers, who went on to form Solidarity, the first independent labor union to develop in a Soviet bloc nation.

In July 1980, facing economic crisis, Poland’s government raised the price of food and other goods, while curbing the growth of wages. The price hikes made it difficult for many Poles to afford basic necessities, and a wave of strikes swept the country. Amid mounting tensions, a popular forklift operator named Anna Walentynowicz was fired from the Lenin Shipyard in the northern Polish city of Gdansk. In mid-August, some 17,000 of the shipyard’s workers began a sit-down strike to campaign for her reinstatement, as well as for a modest increase in wages. They were led by the former shipyard electrician Lech Walesa, who had himself been fired for union activism four years earlier.

Iran targets US bases in Jordan in the first exchange of strikes in weeks - Reuters

Nepal teams seek hundreds trapped in hydropower tunnels after deadly floods - Reuters

Another Ukrainian town lies in ruins as Russians creep closer - Reuters

Trump says US will refill Strategic Petroleum Reserve using Venezuelan oil - Reuters

Trump calls for NBC’s Kristen Welker to face ‘rebuke or punishment’ from the FCC - CNN

Nepal Raises Number of Missing From Floods to 4,700: What to Know - The New York Times

Americans warned to rethink travel plans as terrorism threatens popular destination - FoxNews

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Rain and Thunder

 

Yesterday Morning 
Tequesta, FL
August 28, 2026

Yesterday was pretty much a wash-out. We enjoyed rain and thunder all day long. We were only able to get out for a short walk with Finn during a break in the storms. There was no chance of a bike ride. 

Afternoon
Tequesta, FL
August 28, 2026

I had hoped the weather would get better, but alas, it didn't. By 2 PM, the storms were everywhere.

Some days are just tough to get out. Yesterday was one of those days. We did head out for the evening to have dinner with friends and that was nice. Finn enjoyed going out with us. I think he likes their cat, Tigger. 

I managed to watch some pre-season football. I was forced to get a subscription to the NFL Network in order to watch the out of market preseason games and it came in handy on the stormy afternoon. Sadly, the Orioles were playing a late night game on the West Coast. At least they won!

Today is not starting much better. There is a rain shower sitting right on top of us. Ugh. I am not sure if the rain will be all day again or not. I guess i am going ot have to ride my NordicTrack S22I in some exotic location. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sarcasm to start the weekend

I wonder . . . 

  when are we going to have leaders that we can believe, who have integrity, and who love our country more than themselves? 

We would not have tolerated the incompetence, graft, and lying by other presidents and their cabinets. 

Apparently the Vietnam War days have returned with respect to truthful government reporting about the Iran Conflict. Our greatest successes come with openness and our worst failures happen under the cover of deception. The legacy news media is called "fake news" and yet truth is not evident in the media sources most favored by the administration. 

I have a number of things to "thank" the current administration for:

Thank you $4.00/gallon gas. It is just like the good old days.

Thank you for starting a war that you said would be short, but is dragging and now you being compared to WW2.

Thank you for disrespecting the sacrifices of the U.S. military members who are supporting your failed visions of grandeur.

Thank you for ruining the economy and implementing strangling tariffs.

Thank you for the measles epidemic.

Thank you for reducing the CDC and the allowing the clylcoopsrasis outbreak.

Thank you for getting rid of USAID and allowing the ebola outbreak in Africa to spread.

Thank you for threatening the security of our country by threatening to pull out of beneficial alliances.

Thank you for insulting our military members, constantly.

Thank you for supporting misogynistic ideals that minimize women's choices about their health and bodies.

Thank you for diversions and distractions from serious issues. We didn't need a serious person as president anyway. 

Thank you for enriching yourself and family at the expense of hard-working Americans.

Thank you for being the greatest bankruptcy businessman in history and raising our national debt to $40 Trillion. 

If this is the Golden Age of America, I'm not seeing it. 

Change is coming.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Fighting Ibis in the Yard

 

Pair of Ibis
Tequesta, FL
August 27, 2026

So my connection to Florida goes back a long way! 53 years to be exact. That is when I entered the University of Miami as a freshman! It was a shock when a kid from nowhere Upstate NY got dropped off at a college he had never visited into a dorm room without air conditioning! 

That was the welcome I had to South Florida. Fortunately, I had a bike as my only means of transportation.

Sebastian

In those days the Hurricanes had a mascot known as the Sebastian the Fighting Ibis and that is why to this day I still smile whenever I see Ibis along a road or river. They remind me of my time at Miami.

Yes, I departed Miami during my Junior year and went to Syracuse to graduate. There was some discussion that my class time was interfering with my beach time. There was a small lagoon with a nice beach a short 15 minute bike ride from the campus. My friends and I spent many great afternoons at the beach there. Too many afternoons I guess in retrospect. 

I saw the Ibis during my bike ride yesterday. I enjoyed being out yesterday after the storms during the night. There is a rain cloud sitting over us this morning which is diminishing the chances that I will be able to bike today. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL