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

Finding Friday

Sidewalk Home
Tequesta, Fl
July 25, 2025

 Being on the cusp of the weekend again is amazing. It has been a busy week, even though I have not ridden since Tuesday. I'm not sure that I needed two days off. 

Watching the Republican Party implode over the Epstein files has been refreshing. It is weird that some try to blame the Democrats for the problem, but it is a self-inflected wound where many of the Cabinet-level leaders made promises to release the files before they wound up in their positions. It is almost funny if it weren't so tragic. 

I enjoyed a just short of 18-mile ride this morning. The wind from the East was tough, but I had a good time and crossed over 200 miles for the month. That is the most miles ridden in a month since I rode over 300 miles for the Cancer Society during October last year. 

And so, since it is Friday, Chris and I will be heading out to get some supplies for the weekend. That will be the big trip of the day, although we are looking forward to dinner tonight. We hope to try a new, as yet undecided, restaurant.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Griller Hell!

Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
July 22, 2025

 Tuesday is, of course, Tiki Tuesday and last evening was no exception. We sojourned to Tiki52 for Happy Hour and were greeted by bright sunny skies as Chris and I arrived. What is not evident in the image are the gray skies behind us which cut short our evening as a rainstorm moved in about an hour after we arrived. But, we had a great time until the rain began. We were actually very lucky because we arrived at our car just as the first raindrops started falling. We brought our Happy Hour wings home to enjoy--which we did sitting on our veranda watching the rain.

In disturbing news, I am in griller hell! Yup. My electric grill died. I have owned it for one-year and just over one month. The warranty expired at one year. I will not be purchasing another Char Broil grill. This is the second one that died prematurely. We went to Home Depot to look for a new grill, but they did not have any electric grills on the floor. I found that incredible. 

Always something it seems. Why, you might inquire, do I use an electric grill? Simple--gas or wood grills are not allowed in our Condo community. I have learned how to grill effectively on an electric grill. And we grill three to four times per week!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Crashing into another Week

View on the Ride
Turtle Creek, Tequesta, FL
July 21, 2025

 My trusty and somewhat faithful dog, Finn, is relaxing in his bed near me this morning as I begin to think about the day. 

We had quite an ending to yesterday as we had the vents, all 17 of them, in the house cleaned. That process did not start until almost 6 PM and lasted until just after 8 PM. Coupled with my HOA Board Meeting, we did not have dinner until late--too late! 

The highlight of my morning was a 17-mile plus ride through Tequesta. It was my usual route, but I enjoy heading down the streets and seeing the changes. 

It was a beautiful day for biking and I am headed out early this morning to beat the heat. Yes, we have been having heat stress temperatures in the 105-110 degree range by midday. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Exotic Plants and Reptiles

Chris with a Python
West Palm Beach, FL
July 19, 2025

 We did something very different yesterday. You might have guessed from the banner; Chris and I attended a Reptile & Exotic Plant Supershow. We had no idea! I have never seen so many lizards, snakes, tortoises, and a few other animals in one place even in a zoo.

Eyelash Gecko in Chris' Hands
West Palm Beach, FL
July 19, 2025

Chris really enjoyed the whole scene. She held a gecko, petter a snake or three, and even met and stroked a skunk!

We had a good time walking arounds and enjoying how the crowds, made up of a lot of boys with their families, were fascinated in the reptiles. The plant part of the show was interesting, but not nearly as fascinating as the replies. And there were a lot of lizards and snakes! And there were snakes of all kinds. 

I did not think the prices were too terrible, if someone really wanted a reptile or snake as a pet. Of course, there are a lot of extras required to keep a snake or reptile alive and writing of alive, that seems to mean live food. 

Chris and the Skunk
West Palm Beach, FL
July 19, 2025

We wandered around for a while enjoying the displays and the animals. For our amusement there was also a sloth and a joey prepared for a hands-on experience. 

Chameleon
West Palm Beach, FL
July 19, 2025

As for the skunk--he was a sad case but had landed in a good place. His first owners overfed him and kept him in a small enclosure. He developed hip problems and can barely walk. His current life, though, is as a therapy animal and he is very soft! And cuddly, but we could not pick him up. He definitely enjoyed the attention.

Just for completeness, there was a tropical fish section of the show and there was a pig was in attendance as another exotic pet. Also, not all of the animals were constrained. There was one exhibit with chameleons in potted plants. They were colorful. 

OK, so we had fun. It was something we had never done and it was definitely worth the price of admission!

And for those of you wondering, yes, there was a lot of hand sanitizer available. Some of the exhibitors wanted people to sanitize their hands before handling the animals--to protect the animals!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Meditating on the Beach

Blowing Rocks Beach, Jupiter Island
July 18, 2025

 I headed off to the beach yesterday afternoon to enjoy the 105 degree stress index heat and commune with the ocean. 

I would like to say it was a religious experience, but the hot sun beat down on my back while I was trying to enjoy to somewhat cooler ocean breeze and the waves. 

Alone on a popular Florida beach! That in itself was a miracle because just a couple hundred yards away on the other side of the island the ICW beaches were jam-packed with boaters and beach goers. The oceanside of the island provided a solitary experience. All the while I was there only two joggers joined me briefly. 

I would like to have remained longer, but I had forgotten to bring a beach chair. My stay was then, necessarily short because I did not want to take a lot of the beach with me into the car when I departed.

Reconnected, I departed and drove home to enjoy the evening.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

*ICW - Intracoastal Waterway

Backsies

Finnegan on my Chair
Tequesta, FL
July 16, 2025

 Finn actually did not care that I called backsies. He jumped into my chair and proceeded to make it his, despite my protestations. 

Well, he is a dog, after all. 

I had only stood to get some water before resuming my computer work, but since Chris was in sitting in char next to mine, Finn decided to take my now empty chair for his own. That I called backsies did not matter. 

It had been a long day. I had canceled our boat reservation based upon the advice of the marina because of expected weather--that put a big hole in our day. 

I managed a short 12-mile bike ride in-between the storm clouds, but that was pretty much the extent of my outdoors activity. 

Another stormy day is on tap, sadly. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Gully Washer

 And so Tuesday has arrived. 

At least it will is Tiki Tuesday! That should be fun, if the incessant rains can hold up for a day or so. 

Yesterday was pretty much a washout. It rained, off and on, all day. There was more than one gully washer. I was weathered out of my morning bike ride and with the exception of an hour or so, the entire day was dreary and wet. Ugh.  

Today, it seems, we will enjoy a short respite this morning and then by about 1:30 PM the rains will arrive. The image is the projected rain/thunderstorm situation at 1:33 PM. 

Chris and I have busy mornings planned and it seems as if we should just consider hunkering down for the afternoon. I am hoping that the weather clears by Happy Hour so that we can enjoy Tiki52. If not, we may have to frequent another watering hole. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Footprints in the Sand

Footprints in the Sand
Jupiter Island, Tequesta, FL
July 13, 2025

 Chris, Finn, and I headed out for a beach walk this morning. The day had dawned beautiful with blue clear skies and a light, I think it is Saharan Dust, haze. 

We decided to head back over to the beach and enjoy a walk along the shore. As I stood at the base of the stairs which cross the dune, I was amazed by the numbers of footprints I saw in the sand. Beyond the beach the ocean was flat and inviting with the recently risen sun reflecting off the water. 

Blue Heron Fishing Vessel Heading Out
Tequesta, FL
July 13, 2025

I knew we were in for an enjoyable beach walk.

In the distance, on the flat ocean motoring out of the Jupiter Inlet, I spied the Blue Heron drift fishing vessel heading out with its passengers for a morning of ocean fishing. It has been more than a few years since I paid for a spot on the Heron and headed out to fish. I have only once actually caught anything that was edible--but I always had fun.

Chris, Finn, and I added our footprints to the sand along the stretch of beach, although many of them washed away in the rising tide. We noted that we had been preceded not only by people, but birds, dogs, and a number of sea turtles. It was fun to read the signs of those who had gone before the wind and waves washed them away. 

Footprints in the sand are, after all, only a temporary record of those who have come before us.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Changing up the Day

Jupiter Island Beach
Tequesta, FL
July 11, 2025

Chris and I changed our usual activities yesterday. 

We did something that we had not done in a very long time, we began the day with a walk on the beach. It was a beach that we used to frequent often, but had not visited in more than a few months.

The walk was fun and we saw many turtle nests. I was actually surprised at how many nests were on this lightly used beach. We walked well over a mile along the beach enjoying the breeze, the sun, and finding treasures along the way. There had been an eruption of turtles during the night that was being examined by a staff member from the turtle center, but we did not see any baby turtles. 

For our afternoon excitement we went to the movies and watched Superman. Both Chris and I enjoyed it and it was refreshing because it was not an origin movie, but an action movie that spared us Mose of Superman's history. The dog, Krypto, stole the show!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tiki Tuesday

Blowing Rocks Marina
Tequesta, FL
July 8. 2025

 Tuesday is Tiki Tuesday! 

Enjoying Tiki52 on a Tuesday evening is becoming addicting. Even though the day was hot, the late-afternoon was delightful at Tiki with a nice breeze blowing off the ICW. We enjoyed conversation with friends along with adult beverages and dinner under the huge tiki hut. After dining, we moved to chairs along the marina to watch the boats arrive and disgorge their passengers, crew and fish.

Lights in the Garden
Tequesta, FL
July 8, 2025

Later, after sunset, Chris and I sat on the veranda and enjoyed the new green lights we deployed in the garden. It was decided that we need two more for the full effect and I immediately ordered additional lights from Amazon. We also lit the fire pit, even though it was a hot and humid evening. The ambiance was exceptional.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Starting the Week Correctly

Wine and Sand
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
June 30, 2025

Happy July!

 It was Monday, after all. 

The weekend was over and it was time to settle into the rhythm of the week. 

I began the day with an almost 18-mile ride. I was very hot when I returned home. But, it had been a great ride. 

On the Beach with Friends
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
June 30, 2025

Chris and I then headed off to the store for supplies. It is weird, no matter how often we go for groceries, there always seems to be something more that we need. I definitely have noticed the prices creeping up. Has anyone else noticed that ginger ale is now more than $1 per bottle?

After doing some work around the house, we headed off to the beach for Happy Hour. Despite the nearly suffocating humidity and temperatures at the house, the beach was very nice with a wind coming off the ocean. There water was warm and inviting--and I enjoyed the ocean water for more than a few minutes. 

It was a great ending to the month of June!

Now arriving--my favorite month of the year: July!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

At the Marina

Blowing Rocks Marina
Tequesta, FL
June 23, 2025

 It was a typical Tuesday in South Florida. It was hot, but not as hot as north of here where extreme heat warnings were issued for most of the East Coast. We had normal heat and humidity--which can be very enjoyable.

Pelican
Blowing Rocks Marina, Tequesta, FL
June 23, 2025

Chris and I made our usual Tuesday trek to the local watering hole. We enjoy the afternoon breezes coming off the ICW and watching the fishermen return from a day on the water. The sky was blue and punctuated with bright puffy clouds, but there was no rain.

A pelican arrived as we were enjoying the scene and provided some live entertainment before the band began cranking out noise. 

It was relaxing; sitting along the edge of the marina enjoying the scene and the breeze off the water.

I am beginning to really enjoy the idea of Tuesday. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL  

Sunday Funday

Crepe Myrtle in Turtle Creek
Tequesta, FL
June 21. 2025

 Chris and I are expecting a very exciting day. Jeremy and Julie are scheduled to board an aircraft soon and fly-in for an overnight visit before heading off on a cruise out of Miami. We have a fun day planned on the water followed by a relaxing at the house for the evening.  

I have a boat reserved and we should have fun exploring the sandbars which appear at low tide with hundreds of our new best friends. 

Yesterday, I enjoyed a 17 mile ride through Tequesta. The crepe myrtle are in full bloom and I saw this one that made be take notice because of the deep color. 

Here's hoping you have a great Sunday!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Caught

Chris and Finn
Tequesta, FL
June 20, 2025

 Priceless. That is the expression on Chris's face as I caught her napping on the sofa with Finn. I wordlessly grabbed my phone to catch the scene as she was sleeping, but for some reason she woke up just as I took the image. 

What else is there to do on the longest daylight of the year? Nap, of course. 

We had had a busy morning and had just completed lunch. It was, after all, siesta time! Finn is a great bed buddy. 

We finished off the day entertaining friends and had an enjoyable Happy Hour  followed by a summertime dinner of hamburgers, potato salad, and cooked squash. Somewhere along the way we forgot to serve dessert!

Welcome weekend.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Against the Storm Clouds

Palms against the Clouds
Tequesta, FL
June 17, 2025

 There is something about sunlit palms waving in the breeze against gray storm clouds that makes me want to take an image. And so I did, yesterday. 

The rising sun provided just the right illumination for the trees. And these trees are right outside of my front door. 

As the day was drawing to a close, Chris and I enjoyed  Happy Hour along side the ICW which cannot be beat. Even with the heat of the day lingering, we sat comfortably under the expansive thatched rook of Tiki52 and enjoyed the cooling breeze and adult beverages. 

Who knows what today will bring. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL