Out the Hotel Window - Bahamas

Awesome ocean view!

What more can I say? Probably the best view outside my hotel window that I have had.

It is awesome. Palm trees and the ocean.

It is an amazing view form the third floor of the hotel. 

Sometimes great views out of the hotel window are worth waiting for, and this is one of those occasions. 

I am waking up on my first morning in the Bahamas to clouds and warmth! It is awesome. I wonder what the day will bring?

-- Bob Doan, writing from the Bahamas

Arriving--Bahamas (three long blasts on the ship's horn)

The View from our Ship's Cabin

Via the magic of an overnight cruise out of the port of West Palm Beach, well it should have only been a three-hour tour cruise but they wanted more money, Chris and I arrived in the Bahamas. I could not believe that there were five cruise ships in port this morning! Two of them were Carnival cruise ships.

Yay! I love Spring Break!!!!

It is our (and my) first trip to the Bahamas! It likely will not be our last. Although the day was cool, it has been awesome!

Wandering Around the Shopping District

The overnight cruise was fun, but very basic. I am glad that I have been on other cruises and know what a real cruise is all about. Arriving in the Bahamas this morning during a thunderstorm at the Grand Lucayan Breakers Cay really put a damper on our day until noon, but, the view from our room is fantastic.

Bird of Paradise

We spent the day on the beach, although I had a light jacket on the entire time due to the coolness of the breeze. We walked the beach and did what we like to do--decompress from the frantic pace of life.

I have to admit, the Bahamas are a lot of fun. The scenery is pretty--it is ocean. Vacation--which is what this is all about, it fantastic. I did find my all-time favorite flower--yes, the Bird of Paradise!

I wrote last week about retirement being  a constant Spring Break, and this is the Spring Break of my dreams. I could live here, really. The people I have met are very impressive. 

Although overcast the weather has not dampened our spirits! We are having fun and there is a Bahamian band playing outside my room right now!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Freeport, Bahamas

Out the Hotel Window - Fort Lauderdale

Out My Hotel Window

Tiki Bar in the Daylight

Looking out the hotel window is not one of the prettiest scenes I have ever viewed. The tennis courts seem unused in a long time. There are no palm trees in the view but there is a great deal of green.

I guess having a room on the backside of the hotel means that I don't have the best view. 

But, in defense of the hotel, there is a very pretty and comfortable pool area that has a tiki bar and a hot tub. The area is very popular and last evening when Chris and I went to enjoy the evening there, it was very crowded and loud. There were many kids in the nearby pool which made the Tiki bar a less than enjoyable experience.

I did enjoy the sign near the entrance of the pool area advertising directions to many places. Why was Syracuse included? Who knows, but, hey, they are in the Final Four! Note--the hammock is big and always busy!

Today promises to be another great day!

-- Bob Doan, Writing from Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Monday Musings - March 28, 2013

1. Go 'Cuse! The team many thought should not be in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament (a/k/a March Madness) is in the Final Four! 

2. Easter Egg Hunts are the best fun--especially when the kids hide the eggs and make the adults find them!

3. The theme of our Easter message was: "Easter Changes Everything." Thankfully, we have hope because of Easter.

4. It is no fun flying when the pilot never turns off the seat belt advisory. People need to go to the restroom and they feel bad not following the rules.

5. What is the difference between a high of 58 degrees and a high temperature of 81 degrees? Two and a half hours and palm trees.

6. I'm reading a book by a person that I know and have worked with! It is great and I highly recommend it. Matt Bentley has written a great book called Overwatch. 

7. So who keeps saying we are not engaged in a religious war? When a group attacks Christians celebrating Easter in a park, I think the nature of the conflict has materially changed. 

8. What is the first thing people do in the morning? I wonder. Check the temperature outside? Turn on the news? Grab coffee? I have to put the dog out, she wakes me every morning.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Golf with the Geese

Happy Easter! Today is the celebration of the most important event in all of Christendom. 

Mike just after Striking the Ball

Yesterday, however, the guys and I were able to play some gold at Eisenhower Golf Course. It was out first outing in Maryland for the season. Yes, at 37 degrees when we arrived at the course it was cold!

Goose Guard

The Spring day was beautiful. The budding leaves are growing in mass and size creating a haze of green in the branches. It was fun to be on the golf course again knowing that a whole spring, summer, and autumn of golf ahead. I got a really nice image of Mike just after he hit the ball, the ball is still in the picture, although it seems a bit deformed from the power of his swing!

We did have an issue on one hole, however. Geese! One enterprising pair was building a nest along the lake aside one of the teeing ground. It was kind of rough to have to hit towards the goose but relying upon the lift of the club to ensure that the ball was not a danger to him (I presume it was a him since he was standing guard of the nest builder). 

Jeremy with Geese in His Sight

Jeremy had the toughest time because when it was his turn to tee off, both geese had waddled up to the side of the teeing ground. It was pretty funny. I can confirm that no geese were harmed in the playing of the hole because all three of us controlled our shots.

It was a beautiful day and a fairly brisk round of golf. We played the course in about 3 hours and 20 minutes. It would have been quicker but there was a foursome in front of us.

A beautiful Spring day, golf, and now ready for the celebration of today.

In a word--awesome!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Springtime Revival

Weeping Cherry Beginning to Blossom

It is happening everywhere around. 

The land is reviving after the dark season and the evidence is even in my own yard.

The forsythia are blooming and the white blooming trees along the roadways here in Maryland are in full flower. As an aside, so is the pollen.

Daffodils in a Friend's Yard

But it is a sight, a very welcome sight after the too cold and too long winter.


My weeping cherry is even beginning to blossom. The daffodils have been in bloom for what already seems like weeks and they as that much needed splash of color to the landscape. 

My lawn will need mowing within a week or so!

I am happy to see the green return! The trees are beginning to be more than just bare branches!

It is an awesome time of year.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Spring Break

It is that time if year--Spring Break for those of us still in the work force and therefore calendar constrained.

I wish businesses celebrated Spring Break with time off, but at least remaining connected with the school system through Chris,  I get the opportunity to enjoy the break from studies just like I used to in the good old days.

Some systems are effectively ending their Spring Break this weekend; however, Howard County, Maryland, begins Spring Break today. Is it any coincidence that it begins on Good Friday? I'm not sure. Often it ends on Easter Monday. 

Regardless, it is the time of year for planning a vacation or usually in our case a work week around the homestead to clean up the winter debris. 

I do enjoy the week when the weather is supposed to be good--as it is next week. At least 60's every day and lots of sun!

I am glad that I have not lost touch with Spring Break and since I wrote of retirement yesterday, I guess I envision that aspect of my like as a permanent Spring Break. I know my friends who have already achieved that milestone do not seem as calendar constrained as I am now.

Is there a beach calling my name from somewhere?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Retirement Calling

Louis, our ragdoll cat, did something very uncharacteristic last evening. He crawled up onto my chest, while I was dozing during a TV show, and made himself at home. 

Louis Enjoying Me Time

Chris was laughing and as I woke she asks for my camera to capture the moment. Louis is not a lap cat and only rarely consents to being touched. This was a major step forward in his development as a cat! I think he is a bit slow and now, after seven or so years, he is only beginning to enjoy close human contact. 

Well, he only stayed for a few moments after I started stroking his soft fur. 

Perhaps my retirement calling should be as a cat whisperer!

I think not, they make me sneeze. 

I need something that is more suitable to my temperament--like being a wine taster! Now that would be a great job! Even a laborer at a vineyard might be educational, learning about the business side of wine making without the stress of having to turn a profit!

I guess I need to keep thinking about it.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

What time is it?

I'm still adjusting to the time change from 10 days ago.

Dawn Breaking over BWI as I Left for Florida
March 10, 2016

I cannot get used to eating dinner while it is still light. We have been eating dinner in the dark for so many months that it is hard to change to eating in daylight. 

Last evening, after hitting a few golf balls into the net in my yard, I came inside while it was still light at 7:02 PM and it dawned upon me that this was our normal dinner time and I wasn't even hungry yet. So much for Jeopardy!

I am enjoying the additional light in the evening, however, driving to work in the dark again is a bit demoralizing. But, I do get to see the dawn gathering on the horizon and I enjoy seeing the day begin. 

Getting up in the morning is still tough, although Makayla seems to have adjusted to the time change and is acting like a very adequate back-up alarm clock. 

But, time marches on and another day is at hand. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Why is there Garbage Everywhere?

Winter has been tough on this region. I can tell because everywhere I look there is garbage along the highways and streets. Even in the wooded area next to our house where the street runoff drains, the garbage has accumulated.

I have wondered where all the garbage comes from.

I have wanted to take a picture of the garbage everywhere, but I am usually driving and the image will require some composition.

Yesterday, however, on my way home from work I discovered one source of the garbage.

Unbelievably, the trash truck in front of me was spewing garbage everywhere as the wind whipped across the top vehicle. Massive pieces of plastic were released into the environment.

I did not get a picture of the garbage rising from it, but I took a quick shot of the truck. I find it incredible that trash trucks are allowed on the highways without being required to cover their loads. 

While the Maryland legislature is arguing about partisan control of the government, perhaps they should do something worthwhile and require trash and recycling trucks to cover their loads. It will cost less money for highway cleanup.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 21, 2016

1. Maybe it really is springtime? Despite an ominous forecast, this weekend's storms did not bring sub-freezing temperatures or snow (other than a few flakes mixed with rain).

2. While is Sarasota last weekend, I saw the ultimate vanity plate on a car. An image of the car itself! States with only rear license plates can be a lot of fun.

3. March Madness, as the NSAA Men's Basketball Tournament is called, is truly underway. My bracket is totally busted, but my alma mater (Syracuse) and my hometown favorite (Maryland) are still in the dance having made the Sweet 16. 

4. Chris and I watched the movie Room over the weekend. We recommend it. Brie Larson won the Best Actress Oscar and she turns in a great performance.


5. I noticed that the trees are beginning to green. Yesterday I saw definitely hints of green on the formerly bare branches. 

6. Maryland's first tournament game was a classic tale of the turtle and the hare. It pit the Maryland Terrapins against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. The turtle won again!

7. The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament and a well timed TV broadcast Orioles Spring Training Game provided some much needed relief from the political primary season over the weekend.

8. The President is in Cuba! I think that it is fantastic that we are finally recognizing that Cuba is not an enemy but that they can be a partner.

9. On this day in 1871, Stanley began his search through Africa for Dr. Livingstone which ended about 8 months later with the Stanley uttering the now immortal words "Dr Livingstone, I presume?"

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Happy Spring!

Chris on the Tractor
March 19, 2016

Although it may not feel like it this morning, Spring arrived overnight. The season of darkness is officially behind and warm sunny days lie ahead. 

Chris Clearing the Yard

Yesterday, before the rain and snow began falling as Winter made its last attempt to control the weather, Chris and I began the process of clearing the yard of the winter debris. Although below freezing temperatures had been forecast overnight, they did not materialize. The storm is proving to be much milder than originally projected.

That included getting the tractor out of the shed and running--which was surprisingly easy. There is something reassuring about hearing the tractor burst to life when the key is turned. Well, it did grind for a while--but then came alive.

The yard has already taken on a bright green color and the buds on the trees are everywhere. By this time next week, Easter, everything should be in full bud and bloom. We needed to get some of the leaves and smaller twigs off the lawn.

This is a great time of year as everything springs back to life. 

Spring has Sprung!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Week of Celebrations

Running Sunday to Sunday, this was a week chock full of celebrations, events, and remembrances.

Check these out:

Sunday, March 13 - Daylight Saving Time arrived. We got our outdoors evenings back! Although I had to drive to work in morning darkness again for a while. It sure was hard to get up in the morning for a couple of days.

Monday, March 14 - Pi Day. The day each year we pay our respects to the constant of the circle! And eat pie! Mine was Key Lime. What was yours?

Tuesday, March 15 - Ides of March. A quick remembrance to Julius Caesar who was assassinated on this day. Also, incidentally it is one month to Tax Day!

Thursday, March 17 - St Patrick's Day. Nuff said. It was all very green. 


Saturday/Sunday March 19/20 - First Day of Spring. Spring officially arrives at 12:30 AM EDT on Sunday morning, which is still Saturday night for the rest of the country. 

It was and still is a very busy week of observances and celebrations!

Party on!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

It's Not the Major Leagues

It is hard to believe, but Spring Training, so to speak, has arrived for the youth baseball leagues. 

Last evening I went my first GORC Pirates practice, it was already the second practice for the team. I missed the first practice, not a good example for a coach, but I was on the road.

Portion of the Ten Day Forecast

Baseball season is truly underway and it felt good to be out on the diamond with the boys doing drills to improve their baseball skills. Although practice is late, at 6:30 PM, I am not complaining because I miss the worst of the rush-hour traffic while getting to the ball fields. It is also easy to tell when practice is over because we can't see the balls anymore.

Our team is a year older this year and I can already see how they have retained and added to the skills they developed during last season's campaign. 

Springtime has arrived--if only we weren't supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow on Sunday, everything would be spectacular.

At least the sound of baseballs smacking into gloves has returned.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Flowers Arrive Despite the Weather

Crocus in my Garden

Springtime has arrived in Maryland. 

The trees are budding and flowers are blooming throughout the region. And even in my own yard. I make that point because my house is situated in a low area that is a bit colder and also receives less sun than some other areas. Forsythia are blooming along the highways, but mime are barely budded.

Daffodils in the Garden

It is good to see the weather turn warmer.

Although, there is a significant snow maker on the horizon for Sunday! Ugh. Presently it is calling for 3-5 inches of snow. Hopefully it moves off shore between now and its arrival in the region. 

I am distressed at how the temperatures nosedive through the rest of this week and below freezing conditions return. I have already moved a few of the plants we have been wintering outside to get reacquainted with the sun and they will need to be brought back inside.

Oh well--Happy St Patrick's Day anyway.

Spring officially begins on Sunday morning at 30 minutes past midnight in the Easter Daylight Timezone--during the snowstorm! It will be Winter's last hurrah!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Reflections of a Golf Weekend

This past weekend I was blessed to be able to play 72 holes of golf on four different Florida golf courses. Three were in Bradenton and one was in Fort Myers. 

Me Beginning my Tee Shot

In the two days since returning home, I have not even unpacked my golf clubs because I have been so busy. 

During our time together away, some pretty funny things were said and some fun situations arose.

Some of the best quotes from the trip include:

"You broke the tee box." 

"Gravity is like Santa, it only works if you believe."

Jeremy Deciding on a Club

"I know the ball had to come down somewhere, because if it didn't we have bigger problems."

"That was a great shot, right up until it wasn't."

"Where's the green? It's not even in the same time zone."

"The van that Budget gave us is like the Tartan Prancer."

Of course the Tartan Prancer is the fictitious vehicle from the most recent Vacation movie. Our Ford van was big, bulky, but surprisingly agile. The problem was that while big, the interior space was not easily reconfigurable and we had trouble getting four people, four golf bags, and associated suitcases stowed.

About the golf courses. 

Eagle Ridge Golf Club, Fort Myers. Well maintained and a tough course. Lot's of water, but generally wide fairways and well maintained greens. Bring extra balls. Club house is nice and the staff helpful. Great location near the stadium and the airport. I highly recommend playing this course mid-Sunday morning as we had the the place to ourselves, it seemed. This is one of the few courses where I was advised to drive the cart on the fairway! Awesome, I can do that!

Waterlefe Golf and River Club, Bradenton, Florida. Well maintained and the greens were great. A beautiful course with nice views and tough but fair holes. Pace of play was good. Some of the fairways were narrow which made for interesting golf. 

12th Green at The Preserve at Tara

Preserve Golf Club at Tara, Bradenton, Florida. I was disappointed in the assistance with getting started. After paying the greens fees, we were left on our own to find the first tee. Never saw a marshall and there was a very slow group in front who finally let us play though on the 12th hole. Admittedly, we did have an afternoon tee time. The greens were in adequate condition, but needed work. 

Rosedale Golf & Country Club, Lakewood Ranch, Florida. This was the first club we played on the trip and it was probably the best maintained. The marshall was everywhere and kept the pace of the game moving--which was great. We felt a bit pushed, but were always right behind the group in front of us. Excellent greens and good tee boxes. Most of the fairways are tight with houses close by. A great course, but probably not the best choose as the first course after not playing for the winter.

And there it is. A quick recap of the courses and our golf experience.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Sarasota, Florida

I am actually astonished about how little I have been traveling recently. I have become pretty much of a home-body; not traveling far from with the exception of trips to Ithaca. 

Out the Hotel Window - Sarasota, FL

Last week when I arrived in Sarasota to golf and attend a few Orioles Spring Training games, I was excited that I could again get an image of life outside the hotel window. 

As it turns out, I waited until my second morning to snap the image, but it turned out to be a great day. The Orioles won their first game of the Spring Training campaign. 

I was disappointed in the window of the hotel room  however. It was dirty and I was afraid that the image would not be as vibrant a the scene that I was viewing. I do enjoy the sunrise and the opportunities that begin with each new day. 

Not seen in the image, as it was captured, is the large play tree right outside the window that I enjoyed looking at. Palm trees are a good symbol for me that I am far enough south. 

The clouds in the sky turned into a blessing as the day wore on and I spent time on a golf course. The clouds kept the temperatures moderate and the breeze made the game enjoyable. 

It was, as it turned out, a great day. And it all began by looking at the world outside the hotel window.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 14, 2016

1. My short baseball and golf vacation has ended. When can I do it again? I can't believe I played 72 holes of golf and saw three Spring Training games in four days while also flying into and out of Florida!

Orioles spring Training Parking Lot Sign

2. Today's high in Baltimore will be 17 degrees lower than this morning's low in Sarasota.

Getting a Toddler through an Airport

3. March Madness is underway. Don't forget to pick your bracket for the biggest tournament in basketball.

4. Saw this sign in an Orioles Spring Training parking lot. I'm not sure exactly how these two go together. I've never tried playing golf from a motorcycle, I wonder how that works?

5. Coming back through BWI last evening as I was getting a dose of weather reality from the cool temperatures and cold rain, I saw this creative way of getting a toddler through an airport.

6. Don't change your drink order mid-thought. I wanted to order a large diet cola but changed my mind while talking and it came out: "Can I have a large diet . . . water?" I have created the next fad: Diet Water!

DirecTV Blimp over Eagle Ridge Golf Club
Fort Myers, Florida
March 13, 2016

Pileated Woodpecker

7. While on the golf course yesterday, I thought it just a bit creepy that a blimp kept stalking me through the trees. I wonder if I was secretly being televised.

8. I found more critters on the golf course yesterday, but this time is was a rarer sight as a pileated woodpecker posed for me. It was very busy getting breakfast.

9. Matt Wieters' elbow seems to just sore and need more strengthening. That is good! He left Saturday's game after the first inning.

10. Have you noticed that Donald Trump blames someone else for his problems? Now he is blaming Sanders supporters for problems at his rallies. Really? How does that make sense?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

In the Win Column Again

Ed Smith Stadium
March 12, 2016

The Orioles made it into the win column for the first time this Spring Training yesterday.

Ny Spring Training trip mission is accomplished!

Hopefully the Orioles new found winning ways will continue today with another win in Fort Myers against the Twins!

I did briefly meet General Manager, Dan Duquette, yesterday. Seriously, it was a brief hello and hand shake at the stadium and we mentioned hoping for a good season from the team and I felt that they had the players and staff to every successful.

Getting Ready for the Game

That is one of the great things about going to Spring Training, you never know who you are going to meet while prowling the stadium. 

To recap the game, the Orioles starting pitcher, Ubaldo Jimenez, allowed a run early in the top of the first inning and over the course of the game the Orioles scored eight unanswered runs to make the final score 8-1. It was exciting to be there for the first win of the campaign.

The concern of the day was when catcher Matt Wieters left the game after the first inning with elbow soreness and given his recent surgery there is come cause for concern. The tests should be back today on the elbow. I noted that on the one throw to second to stop a steal that his throw was unusually high. 

The pitchers who relieved Ubaldo did their jobs and included some of the ones I expect to see back at Camden Yards once the season begins and included Zach Britton and Darren O'Day who each pitched one scoreless inning. 

It was a great baseball day with a nice breeze and temperatures in the mid-80's. 

Do I have to come home?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Critters on the Course

Golfing in Florida is different than golfing in Maryland, by a long shot.

Jeremy and Mike in the Tee Box

Yesterday, my traveling companions and I, played 36 holes of golf on two different courses. During that span, we spied a couple dangerous critters but also enjoyed the antics of many more harmless ones. 

A Small Gator Guarding a Water Feature
on a Golf Course

There are two rules that I adhere to when golfing in Florida. The first is never reach in to the water to retrieve a ball no matter how placid the water seems. Every water feature comes complete with its own alligator. The gators are always watching. OK, I did get one out of the water yesterday, but I made sure there were no large reptiles within a good distance.

Watching the Birds on the Course

Second--since snakes do inhabit the underbrush, don't go poking around with your hand. Use a club.

But those rules written, there are al to of fun critters to enjoy while golfing. The sand cranes man a sound like a dinosaur and can be a bit unnerving, but they seem relatively harmless.

The most important rule, however, is to have fun and play good golf!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Sarasota, Florida

Orioles Training

BWI Preparing for a Pre-Dawn Departure

I arrived in Sarasota well in enough time for lunch and a ball game yesterday. Thankfully, the flight from Baltimore to Tampa was on time, even early.

I thought the view in the morning light was especially interesting with the sunrise behind the jet that carried me south. It is amazing what 2 hours and a few minutes can do to change the temperature and the scenery.

View from the Standing Room Only Seats
Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota, FL
March 10, 2016

Those of us traveling together arrived in Florida with the idea that we could bring some magic into the 0-9-1 start and even more importantly break the string of 9 consecutive losses. And we did, partly. The Orioles did not lose, but they tied the team whose  name shall remain unspoken from up north. That was a good thing. The stadium was sold out for the game and that always makes it exciting when a large crowd is on hand to view a contest.

Manny Machado and Adam Jones Warming Up

We had the opportunity to see many of players and even saw one of the Orioles new acquisitions get his first ever hit off U.S. major league pitching! That was exciting.

Even though it ended in a tie, the game was exciting. The weather was fantastic--a strong breeze kept the temperatures feeling cool.

Observation. The Orioles bats are still coming around. They had a lot of hits but could not string them together to secure enough runs to win the game.

It was a great day to be in Sarasota, Florida.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Sarasota, Florida

Buds on the Trees

Well, I thought Tuesday was great with temperatures in the 70's, but yesterday was even better. The temperatures crested 80 degrees and I wore shorts for the first time this season.

It was awesome to be outside and enjoy both the warmth and the sunlight.

While I was tracking down an errant golf ball, I discovered buds on the trees behind the house.

They were a little blurry--but they were definitely emerging from the winter slumber to restore green to the scenery.

Today marks the beginning of my southern sojourn for baseball and golf.  Be advised, I expect to be writing about mostly those topics for the next couple of days. I may be lucky enough to see the Orioles get their first Spring Training win. The are still mired at a dismal 0-9-1. I am excited about seeing Chris Tillman, our pitching ace get the start today.

Even with less than successful baseball, Spring is here. We moved some of the plants outside to enjoy the sunshine and warmth. I want the weather to continue.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD