Travel Day

Classic Car Entering the Street
Tequesta, FL
September 19, 2025

 Chris and I are off to the cruise port in a couple hours. 

The excitement is building and the bags are packed, mostly. 

As we were out doing final errands yesterday, I saw a great classic car. I'm guessing 56 Chevy Bel Air. I didn't get a great image of it, as I had to use my Meta glasses. So, I zoomed in a lot and lost some detail. But she was a beauty. 

I'm hoping that Saturday traffic is light and our trip to the parking lot is smooth and easy. Heading into Ft Lauderdale can be a pain, even on a good day. It is not as bad as driving around Houston, but can still be challenging.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Watching the Storms

This is the time of the year when most Floridians become avid (rabid?) weather watchers. I have joined that group. I counted and I have no less than four weather apps on my phone.

Why?

I guess I really don't know. They all present the weather differently, but I think they all use the same basic information to create the weather depictions. 

For instance this morning. I am watching Tropical Storm Gabrielle in the Atlantic on one app and also the pervasive rain in my area on another. Why?

Well, the Atlantic Storm, although not a threat to Florida could have made a mess of my upcoming cruise. I keep cruising during September, usually the most active month of the hurricane season, because it's my birthday month! So Chris and I and friends seem to find a reason to cruise during the month. 

Well, and this morning the storms are all around me in Tequesta. Another wet, Florida day. The weather has made me appreciate the relatively clear skies we had over the weekend. 

Rain and storms! September in Florida. 

I love it!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

As the Weather Turns

Happy Constitution Day! 

On this date in 1787, The Constitution of the United States of America is signed by 39 delegates present at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Supporters of the document waged a hard-won battle to win ratification by the necessary nine out of 13 U.S. states.

Blowing Rocks Marina and Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
September 16, 2025

And it's back!

The stormy weather has returned this morning. We are experiencing thunderstorms and rain. 

Last evening we enjoyed Happy Hour at Tiki52. There had been a passing storm just before we arrived, but it was clear and we enjoyed great conversation and food with friends. 

Chris and I had been looking to join friends on a Mediterranean cruise, but realized that it was right in the middle of high school graduation--and we have a grandson who is a senior. So, we are looking for other dates for our BIG Beautiful 2026 trip. I can't call them vacations anymore since we are retired and everyday is a vacation. Well, not really. 

But, today is Hump Day. Let's see where it takes us. 

Oh yes, toe update: toe is much better today. Some residual pain (level 1 or lower) and still no severe bruising. I got lucky!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Ouch!

Sandhill Crane on my Ride
Turtle Creek, Tequesta, FL
September 15, 2025

 I stubbed my toe last night tripping over one of Finnegan's chew bones. 

Ugh!

So the injury didn't hurt all that bad last night, but today it is screaming at me. It does not appear broken, there is no swelling or blackness, but I jammed it good. Additionally, there is no sharp pain when it is moved--so no doctor, yet!

Yesterday I had a very enjoyable bike ride around Tequesta. The humidity is lower and that makes the ride more pleasant. I'm doing a better job deconflicting my ride with the school kids waiting for the bus. Often they lay on the sidewalk to read their phones and I have to be cautious when passing them. I had one boy, the other day, who I had to yell to not to back up because he was standing up and backing into my path in anticipation of the arriving bus. 

Well, it is Terrific Tuesday!

I am hoping the incendiary rhetoric regarding the assassination and the First Amendment cools a bit today nationally. We need to get back on a more even footing. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Colorless Day

Colorless Day on the River
Tequesta, FL
September 11, 2025

 Yesterday was a colorless day. 

There were tears of anguish over senseless political violence and over another school shooting.

I saw that the morning haze sapped the color out of the day as I rode over the river in Tequesta. 

It is as if the world was mourning the loss of innocence, the acceptance of unbridled greed, inhuman actions, wars that cannot be stopped, and leaders who forment hate, anger, and distrust for their own aggrandizement. 

It was Patriot Day. As Americans stopped to remember 9/11, the weight of the passing years and the continuing toll of that day further sapped color from a mourning country. I remember the images of 9/11 after the towers fell--everything was covered in colorless gray dust and we all cried with concern for the families of the victims. 

We rose from the ashes 24 years ago, but I'm not sure we have strengthened our Republic. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Happy Hump Day

Blowing Rocks Marina near Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
September 9, 2025

 Well it is Hump Day again! 

I remember the commercial with the camel yelling for Mike and asking if he knew what day it was. 

Makes me smile. 

It used to bring some levity at work when someone would say, "Mike, Mike do you know what day it is?"

Sandhill Cranes
Port St Lucie, FL
September 9, 2025

Guys named Mike hated that, although they always played along.

Chris, Finn, and I sheltered during a ferocious storm yesterday and then headed out to our Tuesday watering hole for some enjoyment and dinner. Tiki52 was nearly empty! The storm kept people away. Even the paid musician seemed less than interested in playing. 

Earlier during the day, I drove to Port St Lucie to visit with Tigger. He was being visited by a pair of sandhill cranes. I felt bad that I couldn't let him out to play with the birds, but the birds probably would have just walked away leaving him no better off. 

Plans for Hump Day are not nearly as exciting as yesterday turned out to be. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Moon and Palms

Moon and Palms
Tequesta, FL
September 8, 2025

 Yesterday morning, while taking Finn out for his morning  relief, I noted the Moon in the clear sky amidst the palms. I enjoyed the view and took an image of it to remind myself of the simple beauty of the scene. 

Shortly after the image was taken, the storms settled in for the day. It was damp, humid and rainy. I was not able to bike the streets and so I hopped on my recently repaired NordicTrack S22i and biked around Moorea in French Polynesia. I enjoyed the ride and the heat and humidity in my garage probably approximated the heat and humidity in Moorea where the ride I followed was videoed. 

I find that riding the S22i and following a video is tougher than actually biking because there is no coasting along allowed. The feet have to be pedaling all the time. As such, it makes the workout more efficient. But I miss seeing all of the activity around the my community. 

I am planning to ride this morning.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It was like a Ghost Town

Empty Parking Lot
Vero Beach Outlets, Vero Beach, FL
September 5, 2025

 Chris and I went on a shopping excursion yesterday. On a whim, we headed off to an outlet mall in Vero Beach. I felt it was time to expand our shopping area and thought heading off to one of the, what I thought was, premier outlet malls in the area would be fun. 

We drove for about an hour to arrive at the Vero Beach Outlets. The outlet mall is just off I-95 and is both well marked and easy to find. We expected to find a thriving economic area with a full parking lot, many busses and throngs of shoppers.

We found a ghost town. 

The place was nearly empty. We cruised the perimeter to find the shops we wanted to visit and noted many empty storefronts. The economic downturn, as evidenced in yesterday's jobs report, is real. We were part of a handful of shoppers. 

While we enjoyed shopping without crowds, it was a bit eerie. The complex seemed as if it had one foot in the grave on its way to total closure. The sales staffs in the stores were nice and provided individualized attention to us as we shopped. Chris bought a number of items because of the close-out pricing. AS this was a Chris focuses excursion, I did not do much "Bob" shopping.

Despite the desolate nature of the outlet mall, we had an enjoyable trip and we took a late lunch at Cracker Barrel before heading back to Tequesta. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It went by that Fast

Brightline
Tequesta, FL
September 2, 2025

 I had to stop and wait for a Brightline train to pass through the crossing yesterday as I was starting my ride. 

It has been a while since I stood right at the crossing bar to watch a moderately high speed train pass. 

Wow! It was fast. 

I think from start to finish, even waiting for the crossing arms, I waited only about a minute. 

I would up riding 22 miles and the Brightline was not even a good water stop. It was fun to watch, however. 

Watching the train cruise past, however, was a highlight of the day. Well, until Chris and I went to dinner with friends for the evening. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Fun with Poppers

Lonely Jalapeño Popper
Weston Lakes, TX
August 25, 2025

 Jalapeño poppers were the stars of Happy Hour last evening.

I took an image of the last one sitting alone on the serving dish. 

I was amazed at how long the lonely popper stayed on the plate before being eaten. Funny, none of the adults ate this last popper. It was finally eaten by a passing 10 year old--who did not realize that the jalapeño had some heat to it and he made some interesting facial expressions before heading to the kitchen for relief. 

Food can be fun!

OK, I did feel bad for the child.

Earlier during the day, Chris and I visited with Dad. He was in remarkably good spirits and we had a very enjoyable visit.

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Tuesday has arrived again

Antenna at the Space Force Station
Tequesta, FL
August 18, 2025

 It is good to be home in Florida. 

The weather is a bit uncomfortable because the stress index was 112 degrees yesterday, but the blue sky was awesome. 

I managed a bike ride yesterday and as I was hitting my last two mile, I saw something I rarely see. One antenna at the Space Force Station was being repositioned. The closest one was swinging almost right over me as I rode by on the sidewalk. It was fun to watch the huge antenna swinging. I don't get to see that often. 

Deer near Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Tequesta, FL
August 18, 2025

I also saw a deer during the ride. While I usually see gopher tortoises, I rarely see deer. It was near the boundary to the Jonathan Dickinson State Park. I have to write again, I really love my Meta glasses. Being able to take an image at a moment's notice is really great. 

Aside from the normal pace of life, we are preparing to head-off Friday for Houston to see Dad. That is a sudden trip due to his declining health situation. We don't normally like to travel back-to-back. It reminds me too much of traveling for work which is just exhausting.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sharing the Course

Geese on the 5th Fairway
Carroll Park, Baltimore, MD
August 10, 2025

 Playing golf, which is a fantastic outdoor sport, usually means that we share the course with the local fauna. 

I have enjoyed many different species over the years. There were geese on Sunday--they are messy and we have a rule that golf balls that come to rest in goose poop can be cleaned or replaced. Geese poop a lot! 

But there are many other animals prowling the golf courses. I have avoided alligators in Florida. We have another rule that a free drop is given for any ball landing within 10 feet of a gator. 

In addition to geese and gators there are sand hill cranes, foxes, turtles, woodchucks, deer, snakes, and lizards. 

It is fun to see all of the wildlife, but some of them require a wide berth.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

50 Years

Anniversary Cake
Tequesta, FL
August 3, 2025

 Today Chris and I celebrate 50 years of marriage.

I remember that back during 1975 when two 19 year olds got married that the probability of still being together 50 years later were not that great. But, it happened! 

It was a hot summer day in Ithaca, NY, on August 9, 1975. The wedding was thankfully at 7 PM, but the church was not air conditioned. Fortunately, it was cooler as the day drew to a close and we were not all that uncomfortable during the service. Pastor Degner was mercifully short and soon we were enjoying a modest reception at a local Union Hall. I wish I had remembered to bring some wedding pictures along on this trip to include in the blog, but they are safely stored in albums in our Florida storage room.

After the reception, Chris and I settled into our hotel for the night, but a short while later our wedding party, comprised of our best friends and my sister Pennie, crashed our love nest with pizza and we partying with them until the wee hours of the morning. After the sun rose, it was off to begin Day 1 of a marriage which today celebrates 50 years together. We have been blessed with three great kids, four wonderful grandsons, and many friends and acquaintances over the years.

And writing of friends, before we departed Florida on our current trip to Maryland our friends there gave us a celebratory cake and congratulations. That was very nice and unexpected. Tonight we gather with our family to celebrate and remember. 

Tomorrow, we begin Day 1 of year 51!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

They are not just boring Pinecones

Pinecones
Elkridge, MD
August 6, 2025

 Chris, Finn, and I went for a walk and happened upon a pine tree hanging over the sidewalk. As I ducked under the branch, I noticed pine sap on the pinecones glistening in the sunlight. I had not noticed sap on pinecones before and it added a new aspect to a very familiar object.

 

I had to take an image. 

We enjoyed the walk and in writing this item I learned that pinecone, the word, can be written as an open compound word: pine cone, or a closed compound word: pinecone and that both forms are correct although writers should choose one form and remain consistent throughout their writing. 

BTW, Happy Friday--the weekend is upon us. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

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

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

Post Hump Day

Aperol Spritz
Lucky Shuck, Jupiter, FL
July 30, 2025

 Wow, what a day yesterday turned out to be.

I have already written about the early morning activity--but wait, there's more. 

Chris and I checked out a new place for Happy Hour. We went to Lucky Shuck to enjoy their Wednesday Happy Hour Special: $1 oysters and $1 wings!

It has been a long time since I enjoyed a dozen oysters and did not feel guilty! I also enjoyed an Aperol Spritz, which is one of my favorite cruise ship drinks. 

It should be noted that Chris does not enjoy oysters, but she did devour a few wings. 

The restaurant sits along the ICW next to a marina and so there is a lot of activity, but with the heat last evening we stayed inside at the bar and I had my back to the water. No matter, there was plenty to enjoy. And in a really freaky coincidence, Chris and I met and chatted with two people from my actual hometown. We compared friends from the past for a short while. It was even weirder because even though I tell people I'm from a small city situated at the southern end of one of the Finger Lakes, I'm truly from a small town without a post office or a traffic light. We went into the city for everything, including school.

Well, today is Friday-eve AND the last day of my favorite month of the year. Tomorrow begins the slide into the end of the year. I can already tell that the days are getting shorter.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

How Early Did You Say?

Sunrise on the Pines
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
July 30, 2025

 Some days start way too early. 

Today, for instance, was one of those days. 

Chris and I were up at 4:45 AM for an early morning routine medical procedure. The good news is that we were done by about 8 AM, the bad news was that we didn't get much sleep the night before. Which is why I just woke from a much needed nap after delivering Finn to the groomer. 

I got to sit around, waiting, for two hours and not sleep as I was the dedicated driver. I walked outside about sunrise to get warm, because the A/C was on max at the office, and took a quick image. I could tell it was cold in the waiting. area because my glasses fogged over as soon as I stepped outside, but the 78 degree high humidity morning was, dare I say, refreshing. I thawed out.

But, Chris got through it and so did I. 

We have the rest of the day ahead, well when Finn is finished getting groomed. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

First Off the New Grill

First off the New Grill
Tequesta, FL
July 28, 2025

 My new Lumin grill is up and running. I cooked our first dinner on it last evening. It was a simple menu--steak and squash. We also had a very nice tossed salad, which, of course, was not grilled followed by Moose Tracks ice cream. It should be noted that Chris and I usually split the steak because neither of us can eat a whole steak anymore, especially a T-bone. The squash dish was supposed to be zucchini and squash, but the zucchini went bad before we could cook it. Sometimes vegetables linger in our refrigerator a bit too long.

I worked through my new grill concerns, for instance what temperature does the dial setting equate to? That was fun--I was a bit worried, but the grill really turns out the heat. I had burned off the grates earlier in the day and the grill made it to 550 degrees. The instructions said it could go over 600, but I really didn't want to see if it could make it there since I do not expect to grill anything at that temperature. 

I am very happy, so far. The real test will come later this week when I expect to smoke a rack of ribs! There is actually a setting on the dial for smoking. 

More to follow. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Escape from Grill Hell

My New Weber Lumin Grill
Tequesta, FL
July 27, 2025

 My time in griller hell has ended. My new electric grill arrived yesterday. 

Since the Condo Association requires me to use an electric grill, I decided to get a very nice and versatile unit and chose the Weber Lumin, in yellow. Since I can't have a full size grill, I decided to go for versatility and add some color to the situation. In addition to the standard red and black, the Lumin comes in four additional colors. I chose the yellow! Orange was not one of the additional colors or I would have chosen that one. 

The Lumin comes with the usual grates, but also a pan for either water for steaming or for wood chips for warming. The instructions provide methods for High-Heat Searing, Steaming, Smoke Infusion, Food Warming, and Grill from Frozen. The size of the inserts and grates appears to facilitate easy clean-up, but I'm not sure as I haven't cooked anything yet. 

So, I have been redeemed from griller hell and am now in a sort of purgatory awaiting today's arrival of a heat insulating pad to arrive to protect the wooden table I have it sitting on. The Lumen's matching stand is not currently available and I will acquire that as soon as I can so that I can return the wooden table to its previous location in the house. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL