From Seashore to Marina

Atop the Stairs
Jupiter Island, FL
August 2, 2025

 Saturday was bookended by water. Chris, Finn, and I began the day with a beach walk on Jupiter Island. The sun was hot, the water warm, and there more than a few snorkelers enjoying the day as well. I had thought it was the lobster mini season, but according to my info that ended on Thursday. 

Standing atop the stairs crossing the dune, the ocean was inviting and the encroachment of sand onto the stairs could be seen. There are dozens of turtle nests and it is amazing that some of the turtles actually crawl up the dune to the foliage at the top to lay their eggs. It makes the baby turtles descent to the ocean longer and more treacherous, especially as they have to cross the piles of sargassum. I hope it all works out for them.

Under the Tiki Hut
Tequesta, FL
August 2, 2025

The day progressed normally and we decided, on a whim, to head to Tiki52 for dinner. We had not visited there in two weeks and with our upcoming travel we will not get to enjoy the relaxing vibe for a couple more weeks.

We had a great time, although when we first arrived the live music was a bit too loud. That ended and the noise level returned to normal. We enjoyed chatting and planning, which is something we do when we go out for meals. 

It was a great ending for the day.

Today is devoted to trip preparations and truck loading. Tomorrow the road awaits.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Shooting the Messenger

 We witnessed an example of "shooting the messenger" yesterday.

Trump fires statistics chief after soft jobs report

The firing yesterday of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner is a classic example of shooting the messenger, but portends a more sinister and potentially devastating situation for our nation. 

What happens if, as Project 2025 describes, the federal workforce becomes staffed with people who are loyal to the president over supporting the Constitution? Will we be able to believe anything published by the government? That is my concern. When facts are no longer facts but become twisted to make the president happy while managing reality, the United States will become no better than a banana republic.

It is also clear that businessmen do not make good presidents. The idea that people can be fired because you don't like what they are telling you, if it is based in fact, is not good government. Period! Bad news is just as important as good news.

Trump said something the other day about the declining value of the dollar (down 10 percent since he took office)* that made no sense. 

"Well, you know, I'm a person that likes a strong dollar, but a weak dollar makes you a hell of a lot more money," Trump said in a media Q&A. (Newsweek)

If the dollar is worth less, then he has less economic power at the end of the day. Am I missing something here?

If the dollar is worth less then things like oil and imports cost more dollars and We the People certainly are not earning more. I know that my income has not increased by 10 percent this year. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

 *Note: The article says that the dollar is down 11 percent since the first of the year, but made the point that Trump was not president for the all of that time. I had heard it was down 10 percent since he took office, but I cannot find where I heard that. So, I went with 10 percent. 

Fully Assembled

Fully Assembled Lumin Grill and Stand
Tequesta, FL
July 31, 2025

Happy August!

 The dedicated grill stand arrived two days early. The matching stand was not supposed to arrive until today, but it showed up late-Wednesday and I assembled it yesterday. Yes, there was some assembly required. I actually despised the assembly directions, it was drawings which at times made no sense. But, Chris and I struggled through them and successfully assembled the stand, without injury, and mated it to the grill. 

Last evening, I prepared our second meal, salmon, on the new grill! Mmmm. I'm still learning temperature control, but the salmon was cooked to perfection. 

I found that the Weber Lumin grill cleans much easier than other grills I have owned. The salmon did not create a mess because I cooked it in aluminum foil, but the remains from the steak the other night were easily cleaned. That was way cool. 

In biking news, I finished the month 10 miles short of 300 miles. A good month, but it would have been nice to cross the 300 mile mark for the 5th time since I have been riding. I started out August with a brisk 1.48 mile walk with Chris and Finn. 

OK, now onto August!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL