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

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

Out the Window - Ithaca

Dawn on January 2, 2016
Ithaca, NY

It has been a while since I have traveled and my "Out the Hotel Window" blogs have suffered.

Yesterday, while I was admiring the frozen wasteland set before me in Upstate New York, I realized that I was indeed admiring the view outside the window through which I was looking.

It was about 28 degrees and the snow had fallen during the night covering the land.

I wrote about the snow yesterday, but there it was, outside the window and all around. I had to deal with it while hoping to soon return south.

As I write this, I am driving through Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania, returning to Maryland. The snow is a memory. But there it was yesterday, outside the window.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Shamokin Dam, PA

Out the Hotel Window Returns: Denver, September 2015

Denver Afternoon
September 20, 2015

I realized that it has been a while since I was in a hotel and therefore, have not added to my series about looking out the hotel window.

I did enjoy a nice cruise this past summer, but, even thought the scene outside the cabin window does change continuously and I loved being on the balcony watching the ocean, it is not a hotel.

Sunrise in Denver
September 21, 2015

I am once again in Denver, Colorado. Yes, I come here a lot. This time, however, I am in a downtown hotel with a very different view out the window. 

I have already been treated to three stunningly different views: afternoon, dawn, and sunset.  And they are all outside my window. 

I find it amazing how the scene changes as the sun moves across the land. Unfortunately, the windows in this hotel are dirty and so the view is not crystal clear. But still is awesome.

Sunset over Denver
September 21, 2015

The clouds in the sky make all of the difference reflecting the light of the sun which has set.

Today is the last day of summer, as an aside.

I hope to fully enjoy the day as the autumnal equinox is tomorrow. 

Autumn will arrive as I sleep.

I will look out my hotel window tomorrow morning and the scene will be different, as will the season.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, Colorado

Out the Hotel Window - Denver, Colorado, April 2015, Part 2

Out my Hotel Window
April 29, 2015

I was reviewing the post about the scene out my hotel window and I realized that it was a pretty gloomy view. 

Over the past two mornings, however, I was treated to am such more exciting sight out of the window. In the first, the early morning rays of the sun cast long shadows across the land, but the sky is clear and the day is dawning with great promise. 

Pikes Peak
April 30, 2015

In the second,  taken a bit later in the morning, Pikes Peak is in view to the south. The snow capped peak was majestic on the horizon rising almost 9,000 feet above the plains well to the south to an elevation of 14,114 feet.  It is sad that my cell phone camera could not capture the spectacular beauty of the scene that greeted my eyes. 

Out my hotel window the scene changed every day. I'm glad that I took a few moments each day to view the world as the day began.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Denver, Colorado, April 2015

Looking at Denver April 27, 2015

Yes, I am at a hotel near Denver looking south across the plains to the mountains and the ever increasing urban sprawl. 

It is amazing how different the scene can seem separated by a day. 

Looking at Denver, April 28, 2015

Even separated by a day, however, the effects of the drenching rains can still be seen in the huge puddle in the overflow parking lot. Both images were taken in the morning, just about sunrise. One day dawned rainy and cold with only the promise of more rain all day. The next dawned cold but clear and ended with sunny and bright skies.

From the ViewHouse Restaurant
Centennial, Colorado
April 28, 2018

Yesterday's ending was far more spectacular than I would have imagined. I enjoyed dinner at the ViewHouse Restaurant in Centennial, Colorado, and was treated to the spectacular sunset as I was leaving. I could not pass up taking a quick image of it--the colors were fantastic and placed an exquisite exclamation point on the end of the day.

Today promises to be an even better day!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, Colorado

Out the Hotel Window - Salt Lake City, Part 2

Out My Hotel Window
Salt Lake City
April 16, 2015

What a stunning difference a day, or two, can make when looking out the hotel window.

When I first looked out the window of my hotel room, and for the first two days of my trip to Salt Lake City, the scenery was obscured by the Springtime snowstorm that engulfed the area. Who really knew what was there?

All I saw was the snowstorm that held the region in its grip, snarling traffic and bringing cold and misery to the area. And it was cold--temperatures in the 30's and 40's. During the storm I removed at least six inches of snow from my rental car. Because of the elevation and the relative warmth, the snow fortunately did not accumulate on the ground, else the region would have been completely shut down.

Out My Hotel Window
Salt Lake City
April 14, 2015

I could tell that Spring had truly arrived, however, because the trees had leaves on them--not fully mature leaves, but leaves that were well into the process of bring Spring to the region. As I drove around, I could see the flowering trees were in flower--they were covered in snow--but, flowering nonetheless. 

As it turned out, once the storm subsided on the morning I was departing, the scene outside my hotel window was stunning! 

Salt Lake City from the Airport
April 16, 2015

I was so impressed with the view when I arrived at the airport to depart, that I snapped a quick shot of the city of Salt Lake City nestled at the base of the mountains from the airport. There is a lot wrong with this image--the reflection on the glass for instance, but I was never able to get another opportunity to take a better one. 

Why do the good things always seem to happen when I am leaving?

At least the trip home was uneventful! And there is no snow--hopefully I am finally done with snow because it seems that Winter doesn't want to end.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Salt Lake City

Snow Falling in Salt Lake City
April 14, 2015

I have not been to Salt Lake City, Utah, in many years. I do remember that last time it was summer--and that meant warm. I remember wandering around the Temple Square looking for ice cream!

Outside my window yesterday, as I arrived, it was snowing. What a shock to my system. I stood in the window in disbelief that snow could be falling from the mid-April sky. 

Snow outside the Hotel Window

But it was. 

I have heard, and remember that there are mountains around here somewhere--they were not visible due to the snow. 

So I am not sure what is truly the scene outside my window except for a view of some business buildings. 

And snow.

It is time for winter to be over--seriously.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Salt Lake City, Utah

Out the Hotel Window - Sarasota, FL

Green. I have been overcome with green after the long cold and monochromatic winter of my discontent in the north.

Outside my hotel window people are playing in the pool surrounded by lush green foliage. It is awesome. I don't really want to leave. The smells of life are everywhere.

Playing golf yesterday I enjoyed the wildlife everywhere.

I am more than ready to enjoy the warmth and green on my return to Baltimore

-- Bob Doan, writing from Sarasota, Florida

From Snow to Palm Trees--Out the Hotel Window, Miami

Out the Hotel Window

It is amazing how a simple change of scenery can  change my attitude. 

Me with Jax and Ethan

It happened yesterday as I flew to Miami to enjoy the sun and warmth. I was amazed that the breeze could feel cool even when the temperature was 79 degrees. But there were palm trees. And blue skies and warmth.

Miami is but a stop on the journey as boarding a cruise is the big event of today. But yesterday, the big event was swimming in the hotel pool in the afternoon light--outside. And no snow in sight.

Why? Because that is not happening in the Northeast. There is no outside swimming in a unless it is a polar bear plunge. But it was fun in the pool yesterday. Yes, the breeze was amazingly cool--but the water was warm and the mood was light.

Did I mention the palm trees? It felt good to switch from shoes and socks to sandals. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Miami, Florida

Out the Hotel Window - Denver, August 2014

Sunset on August 11, 2014 looking at the
Denver International Airport Terminals

It would be easy for me to get bored looking out the hotel windows in Denver, since I seem to stay in the same area and have seen the landscape and the sights on so many separate occasions. But I don't! 

Yesterday I was reminded why I like to look out the hotel window, because I caught the sunrise--the actual no kidding sunrise as it was coming up right over the terminals at Denver International Airport. 

Sunrise Denver International Airport
August 12, 2014

On Monday evening, after I had arrived, I snapped a nice image of the airport terminals bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. I also, apparently, caught an image of a UFO--because I have no clue what that thing in the top center of the frame is and I don't remember seeing it when I took the image. It is not present in the image I took a few seconds later. Hmmm. A good one for the conspiracy theorists. It is probably dirt in the window.

But yesterday morning, I caught the rising sun coming up over the buildings just to the left of the main terminal at the airport. The sunrise was, in a word, magnificent! As I have written before, I like sunrises more than sunsets.

Sunrise Denver International Airport
August 12, 2014 #2

And this sunrise was one to be remembered. I remain fascinated at how quickly the sun jumps up into the sky from being just below the horizon to being "up."

I didn't take an image of the full-up sun.   I was so caught up in the moment, that I missed it with the camera.

But it is etched into my mind!

Good morning world! Another day is at hand with all of its promise and hope. Make today better than tomorrow--that is my goal with each sunrise.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, Colorado (again!)

Out the Hotel Window - Portland, Oregon

View out Hotel Modera, Portland, Oregon

The last two nights in Portland, Oregon, were spent at a downtown hotel, the Hotel Modera, on the corner of 5th and Clay streets. The hotel has many nice features, especially the bar area with awesome fire pits. The hotel is in a great location with most of downtown being accessible on foot, which is especially nice. I did think the rooms were small and the coffee service marginal.

Window Washers at work in Portland

But the view out the window was interesting and fun. Fun? Yes, on the last morning we were there, I looked out the window to the rainy streets below and then I looked up. On a building some distance away there was a window washer with an umbrella. I though that kind of funny--washing the windows of the building in the rain. I took an image of it. The umbrella is visible on the left side.

Pretty neat. 

Washing windows in the rain. Yea--they must get paid by the hour.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Willamette Valley Vineyards

View from Willamette Valley Vineyard

I have been remiss in not continuing my views out the hotel window during my vacation. We stayed in three separate locations, and I have to admin, I forgot to take a shot out the window at the second one. There wasn't much to see there, but there was a lot to hear, like the rooster at 3am. Fortunately, the couple we were traveling with were closer to the rooster. 

Another View out the Willamette Valley Vineyard Window

But for the first three nights we stayed at the Willamette Valley Vineyards. And the view out the window was fabulous.  

Did I write, fabulous?

I loved overlooking the vineyards and seeing them in the changing light of the day. 

It was an awesome experience and one that I hope to be able to do again someday.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Portland, Oregon

Out the Hotel Window - Schenectady, NY

Schenectady, NY from my Hotel Window

Where? Yes, Schenectady, NY. A city in upstate New York in the vicinity of Albany. It is our first trip to Schenectady, although Chris and I have known of the city for a long time. 

We are here this to celebrate a wedding and completed the thankfully uneventful trip yesterday. Although it looked like rain for most of the day, it was thankfully dry with the exception of a small stretch running through the Catskill Mountains as we were passing an exit marked for something to do with Rip Van Winkle. Aside form that, the weather has been outstanding and beautiful--which is especially important since the wedding is an outdoor ceremony this evening. 

State Street, Schenectady, NY

Our hotel is located in the heart of the business district. Schenectady is an old looking city which is desperately trying to reinvent itself to compete with the Shopping Mall society. 

Overall I have found the city to be clean and efforts to maintain it are evident, but there are many vacant business locations. But, there is an abundance to restaurants and bistros which offer an amazing variety of foods. While we were out walking last evening, we happened upon a small ceremony for one business and the mayor was reading a proclamation of service to the business owner--that was something I have not run across before in my travels.

We are looking forward to exploring the region today and learning more about the history and sampling some of the shopping possibilities. We have already noted that the unique Upstate NY practice of celebrating the Fourth of July on any date other than the date itself is alive and strong here. The small town of Scotia, NY, is having their fireworks display this evening. Scotia, lies between our hotel and the wedding location meaning that an alternate route must be found. Fortunately, I have discovered one.

I love a good adventure.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Schenectady, NY 

Out the Hotel Window - Somewhere in Massachusetts

A Massachusetts shoreline hotel window view. Wow!

I'm not there. But Jeremy is and he sent me this image to prove that the view out his hotel window beats anything that my views have even seen or recorded.

He may be right.

As he said, "Game, set, match!"

It is a pretty awesome view. 

This could be a lot of fun--if lots of people start sending in their views out their hotel windows.  At least I will have succeeded in getting them to open the curtains and see what is outside.

Get out of the room and see what there is to look at. 

They even light the water and the rocks at night--I'm glad he looked outside his hotel window at this sight.

I actually wish he had told me the name of the city and hotel--this looks like a great place to visit, during the summertime!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Hotel Window - Denver, CO May 2014

Denver in the Distance, May 2014

Different month, different window and a vastly different view, that is what I found as I from my hotel near the Denver airport.

I saw the mountains and the skyline of the great metropolis of Denver in the distance. They were calling to me--off in the not so distance.

After the Storm

It was hazy and cloudy. A deluge occurred yesterday afternoon which left the still barren field draining water as quickly as it could and for hours after the storm. The amount of water that fell from the sky was amazing.

Morning Clouds Hide the Mountains

And this very morning, the mountains are completely hidden from view by the clouds.  

The views outside of my window for this trip were certainly different and they changed--almost by the hour.

This morning, I can still see the standing water in the field which is a reminder of yesterday's torrential storm.

I hope the weather today is better.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, Colorado

Out the Hotel Window - Denver, April 2014

Out the Hotel Window

Penance! That is what it was. 

I had to pay for the glorious weekend that I enjoyed in Baltimore including days of temperatures above 80 degrees.

And so on Sunday evening I flew to Denver and was greeted by a blinding snow storm and temperatures of about 25 degrees. I left Baltimore in a shirt sleeves and had to pull my winter coat out of my suitcase before deplaning in Denver.

The dawn, while beautiful, was snow covered. And cold! I am ready for this kind of weather to be gone. Forever gone. Well, at least until December or next January.

Later that same day at the airport

It was definitely not the D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival. The roads were icy in the morning and reminded me of everything I do NOT miss about Winter.

The good news is that the snow melted and was gone by the afternoon. Yay. Although, there is more snow in their forecast. Happily, I won't be around to enjoy it.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, Colorado while waiting at the airport

Out the Hotel Window - Sarasota, Florida

Sarasota Hotel Window View

Looking out the window from the hotel room I see green. And that is awesome. 

I can also see my favorite "not really a tree" palm trees which just scream sun, warmth, and fun to me.

There is a palm at the edge of the image that I decided to take a shot of from the front of the hotel, just because.

I went for a nice walk yesterday down the street in the image. It was flat and compelling. I walked along a wetlands area full of wildlife which made the walk very enjoyable. I wanted to stop and take pictures of the birds and wildlife, but was conflicted because I was trying to walk a consistent 15 minute mile. I came up a bit short only walking 15:20 miles, but I did more than two miles of great walking through the green, teeming wetlands. 

Palm Trees Outside my Hotel Window

It is March, the temperatures are going to be in the 80 degree range today. There is another baseball game on tap--we are headed to Port Charlotte to see the Orioles and the Rays play a Spring training game ever mindful that Opening Day in only 9 days away--or if I happened to be in Australia it might be today as the MLB 2014 Season officially starts today with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks playing two games "down under."

Outside my hotel window, here in Sarasota, there is so much life and so many things to do--I am already itching to hit the pavement and get going on the day.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Sarasota, Florida

Out the Hotel Window - Anchorage

Sometimes, even though you are visiting a place with incredible natural beauty, the foreground of the view out the hotel window is less than spectacular.

Such was my experience during my hotel stay in Anchorage. Don't get me wrong, it was a great hotel, in a good location, with excellent amenities--but, the view out my window was not awe inspiring. It was rather pedestrian and poor.

To demonstrate that my poor view was not just in one direction, I took two images from my window just to prove visibility at any angle was obstructed. 

Yes, I know there is a beautiful view out there, somewhere, but not from my window.

Bummer. I really would have enjoyed a constant view of the sound or the mountains--unobstructed.

Well, better luck next time. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Anchorage, Alaska

Out the Hotel Window - Charlottesville, VA January 2014

I must be in one of those fun travel periods. Beginning the week enjoying the warmth of Denver, I am now back into the freezing temperatures of the East.

Out the Hotel Window in Charlottesville, VA

It is cold. But, you know that.

Too cold!

This morning, I awoke to the sunrise over Charlottesville, Virginia, outside my hotel window and through the glass of the multiple stories high atrium than helps to keep the freezing wind away from my window sash.

At the End of the Road at Pearmund Vineyards

Yes, for those who know me it can only mean one thing, my return to Charlottesville--a wine weekend to start off the new year. We visited four wineries/vineyards/cellars (funny how even though they are the same they call themselves different things) on our way here yesterday afternoon. I have another few lined up for the travels today. 

I revisited Pearmund Cellars yesterday and refreshed my remembrance of their wines and some good times that I had with Mom and Dad late last year. What a memorable day that was! Good wines and good wineries seem to get better with age.

Sunset at Marterella Vineyards

In addition to revisiting two other wineries, I also checked out a new one, Marterella Vineyards and enjoyed a spectacular Sangiovese and also an awesome view of the setting sun behind a ridge in the distance. 

Visiting wineries is fun, and I don't just mean drinking wine. The fun comes from conversation with the people I am with and also from meeting new people in the tasting rooms. 

I am convinced that wine is more about relationships and conversation than it is drinking. Conversation begins with the first scent of the wine and continues through the last sip. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Charlottesville, VA