September's End

Reunited: Chris and Finn
Tequesta, FL
September 29, 2025

 Well, apparently, tomorrow when we wake, we will have an even less efficient government than we have had since January as a partial government shutdown ensues. 

Happy Fiscal New Year--the wheels are actually falling off. 

I am glad that I am not traveling until later during October. 

Finnegan was extremely happy, perhaps overjoyed, to see Chris and me. He stayed very close all day as he relaxed and reacquainted himself with our house and routine. He definitely took his place in bed last night and seemed fully reintegrated into the operation of the family. We really appreciate the care that our friends gave him in our absence. 

From the 15th Deck of Celebrity Reflection
Basseterre, St Kitts
September 23, 2025

I am reviewing images from our cruise and will select one over the next few days to highlight some of the things that I missed in my daily blogs.

Today is Basseterre, St Kitts, as seen from the running track on the 15th Deck of Celebrity Reflection. Chris and I attempted to do a daily walk, that lasted for about three days, but it was a good idea. We had ported in Basseterre, St Kitts, on Day 4 of the cruise. Days 2 and 3 were Sea Days devoted to travel. The sun was hot, when not behind clouds. We disembarked and spent some time walking around the port area doing some shopping and enjoying an adult beverage. The image shows the helicopter landing pad on Celebrity Reflections. During our last port call in Dominican Republic, we enjoyed a short arrival party on that very helicopter landing pad!

I think we would like to return to St Kitts at some point in the future to spend time exploring the island. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sea Day and Home - Days 9 and 10

 We have arrived safely home. 

The cruise is over, sadly. We had to depart the boat earlier today and drive home. 

Créme Brûlée Night 9
Celebrity Reflection
North Atlantic
September 28, 2025

I am combining the final two days of the cruise because Day 10 - debarkation is only a few hours in length.

Day 9 I set a personal record for all of my cruises: I had Créme Brûlée for dessert on all 9 nights! I may have in addition, snuck a piece of Key Lime Pie on the last night as well. I call this a true culinary achievement. I think I am going to learn how to make Créme Brûlée. 

Dawn on Day 9
 Celebrity Reflection, Off the Coast of Cuba
September 28, 2025

For the Sea Day (Day 9) the captain was skirting the newly developed hurricane. And he did a masterful job. I was looking at the weather app and I almost always saw that our position was in the middle of the only open area surrounded by storm. I know, however, that during the night as we drew closer to Fort Lauderdale, we had to traverse a rough part of the storm--not hurricane force, but strong enough to wake us as the ship was buffeted by wind and waves. Fortunately, our arrival in Fort Lauderdale was under mostly clear skies as we sailed out of the edges of the storm.

Lights of Fort Lauderdale
Celebrity Reflection
September 29, 2025

Confined to the ship for the Sea Day, we found some things to do, such as attend a lecture on the possibility of life in the universe and watch the Ravens lose.

Our last dinner concluded with sad good-byes to the servers who treated us so well during our voyage. They were all great. 

I took a video of the tugboats escorting us into Port Everglades this morning.

And it is over, but the memories remain. 

Maybe another birthday cruise will be planned for next year! 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Puerto Plata - Day 8

 We had an enjoyable day in the Dominican Republic. 

The port area at Puerto Plata has been significantly improved/completed since our last visit. We enjoyed a few hours in the upgraded port area. 

Sunrise over the Atlantic
September 27, 2025

The day began with a stunning sunrise in the clouds. We were looking behind the ship as the sun was rising to see the light show. 

We sailed for a while before porting at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. It was an interesting arrival at the port as the ship traveled in reverse down the channel because there was not enough room in the turning bay for the ship to rotate around. So, the ship either had to arrive or depart in reverse. I guess they decided arriving was the better option. 

Fort at the Harbor Entrance
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
September 27, 2025

We passed the ancient fort located strategically on a point to provide protection for the harbor. The cruise port is technically named Taíno Bay.

Once tied up and cleared to go ashore, we headed off to explore the port area. We did not have an external excursion planned and so the day was ours to shop and relax at one of the bar/food establishments in the area. 

Taíno Bay
Dominican Republic
September 27, 2025

Chris has some fun at the shops. I was afraid that she wanted to run off with a tall swarthy pirate that she met. But he was a bit stiff and did not acknowledge her overtures.

We enjoyed a lunch off the ship, yes, we had to pay for it even though there was ample food on the ship. But, we were enjoying the activities in the port area and, perhaps, some local beer and margaritas. 

Chris and Me
Celebrity Reflection
September 27, 2025

Evening on the ship was a dress-up night punctuated with the signature lobster meal. I chose beef Wellington instead of eating one of the bug's tails.

It was a great last Port Call Day. We were very fortunate on the cruise in that of the five ports we visited, we were the only ship in port for four of them! That makes the port days very pleasant.  

Today is a sea day as we make our way to Ft Lauderdale while skirting the tropical depression. The captain did advise that we could see wind speeds of 40-45 mph, but so far this morning it has been very pleasant. 

Programming note: As tomorrow is devoted to departing the ship and arriving home, Monday Musings will not be published. 

-- Bob Doan, Celebrity Reflections, somewhere north of Cuba

St Thomas - Day 7

First, a big thank-you to everyone who wished me Happy Birthday. Your notes and comments were greatly appreciated as I crossed over into another decade. 

Sunrise
Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas
September 26, 2025

Turning to our current trip, the cruise is drawing to a close. We have our last port call in the Dominican Republic today. It is another shortened port call, from 11 AM until 5:30 PM. Then tomorrow is a sea day and on Monday back to Ft Lauderdale and home.

Yesterday, Chris and I experienced St Thomas. I have to admit, it was good to see Old Glory flying over the island. We taxied into Charlotte Amalie to do some shopping. I actually got to relax at a pub with Mark while Chris and Peggy hit the shops! The taxi ride, both ways, was an experience. An open air taxi that seated about 20 people. OK, it is a racket. Town center was fun though.

Floating Dry Dock
Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas
September 26, 2025

My real enjoyment was watching one of the floating dry docks that we were berthed next to actually do work. There were two of the floating dry docks in this repair area and when we arrived they both had catamarans in them. During the morning, one of the docks submerged, the catamaran exited and they brought a sinking dive boat in for, presumably, repairs.

The dry docks were just across a small channel from where the ship was berthed for the day. The activity was interesting, if slow. I took a video of the sinking dive boat being brought into and secured in the dock while it was submerged. 

We have been very lucky on this cruise in terms of having the post areas all to ourselves. Yesterday was the first time that Celebrity Reflection was not the only ship in port. We shared the port with a Carnival ship, whose name I could not discern. 

Today should be a lot of fun in Puerto Plata. 

-- Bob Doan, Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Dominican Republic

Antigua - Day 6

Down the Channel into Antigua
St Johns, Antigua
September 25, 2025

 The ten day cruise continued with a stop in Antigua yesterday. 

The island seemed beautiful even though we were berthed next to a huge construction project with provided an incredible amount of noise all day. 

Frigate Birds
St Johns, Antigua
September 25, 2025

Chris and I called an audible and decided on a down day. We did not leave the ship, but enjoyed the services of our floating hotel with few passengers aboard. 

We spend time in the hot tub, enjoying it all to ourselves and we wandered the ship. I took a timeout to get a massage and we just enjoyed the day. As the day progressed, it became blisteringly hot and that confirmed our decision to do a "boat" day. 

We also enjoyed the antics of a pair of frigate birds that flew around most of the day. 

-- Bob Doan, Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas

Return to St Lucia - Day 5

Celebrity Reflection at Dock 
Castries, St Lucia
September 24, 2025

 It has been 14 years since Chris and I visited St Lucia. We enjoyed a great week then with my sister Pennie and her husband, Scott. 

Yesterday, we made our return to the island and were not disappointed. We made port in Castries, the capital, and took a bus tour of the northern part of the island. Lush vegetation was everywhere. The roads were as bad a I remember, rough but passable. We further enjoyed a beautiful but hot day from the comfort of an air conditioned bus. 

A Hole on a Sandal's Golf Course
St Lucia
September, 24, 2025

During our three-hour tour, we discovered a golf course built along the Atlantic Ocean that I would love to play. It looks to be a lot of fun and a definite difficult challenge with the narrow fairways and ocean breezes.

We also revisited Pigeon Island, where we had visited during our previous adventure on St Lucia. It was much the same, except this time we did not enter the fort. 

We made our way back to the ship for lunch and an afternoon of relaxation. 

Sunset over the Ocean
Atlantic Ocean off St Lucia
September 24, 2025

The final bit of St Lucia enjoyment came during dinner as we witnesses a stunning sunset over the ocean near the northern tip of the island.

We have not enjoyed many sunsets on this cruise because we have been blessed with many storm clouds, but few sunsets. I took the image through the somewhat cloudy windows in the dining room. But it was a sunset to enjoy. 

-- Bob Doan, St Johns, Antigua

St Kitts and Nevis, Day 4

Chris at the Port
St Kitts
September 23, 2025

 Our cruise continues and yesterday we made our first port: St Kitts and Nevis. Although the weather forecast was for showers and thunderstorms, they did not arrive until the day was complete. 

We did not have a planned excursion and so we got off the boat and walked around the port area for a couple hours. Our ship was the only one in port meaning that the shops were not crowded. The day was hot! The sun was hot! But we enjoyed ourselves, even stopping at a local bar for some refreshments. 

From the Pier
Basseterre, St Kitts
September 23, 2025

The island is picturesque with its volcanic hills running right into the water. The hills are green and lush. In retrospect I wish we had done an excursion to explore the island a bit more.

The ship departed St Kitts about 6 PM and headed for St Lucia, where we are about to enter the post at Castries. We are looking forward to a bus tour around the island which will allow us the opportunity to see how the island has changes/grown since our visit some 14 years ago. 

More fun and adventure is in store. 

-- Bob Doan, Castries, St Lucia 

At Sea 2, Day 3

Out the Stateroom Window
North Atlantic Ocean
September 22, 2025

 We enjoyed another Sea Day yesterday. The ship was alive with things to do and see. 

First though, the scene out my stateroom window has only this morning changed since we are porting in St Kitts. But for the past two days it has been unending blue ocean with the skies varying by the clouds. 

The seas moderated from our first day and the sailing has been very smooth. 

Riedel Wine Glass Tasting
Celebrity Reflection
September 22, 2025

The highlight of yesterday's activities was a Riedel Wine Glass tasting and demonstration. We thoroughly enjoyed the tasting and were reminded that glassware really does affect the taste of the wine. We compared four wines in Riedel glassware, standard unnamed glassware, and a plastic glass. Glassware definitely makes the difference. Of course we knew that, but it is good to be reminded. And I was reminded why wine in plastic glasses served on airlines tastes so bad! It may be cheap wine as well.

We enjoyed a great day, some great meals, and good fun. 

The only damper on the day was the Ravens not showing up for their game against Detroit! Ugh.

-- Bob Doan, St Kitts

At Sea, Day 2

Chris and I on the Ship
Celebrity Reflection in the North Atlantic
September 21, 2025

 Since Chris and I are at sea aboard Celebrity Reflection, there will be no Monday Musings today. 

Day 2 was a Sea Day, as is today, Day 3. Beginning tomorrow we will be making port calls on 5 successive days. I forget the complete order, but tomorrow is St Kitts and Nevis followed by St Lucia on Day 5.  

Yesterday, Chris and I relaxed and enjoyed some hot tub time along with wandering around the ship. Oh wait, we did a World Wide Wine Tasting of six reds and six whites from around the world. Yes, there were twelve wines. The wines presented well, but the tasting was more of a free-for-all rather than being a structured tasting with each wine being introduced and tasted along with a food pairing. Even so, we had a lot of fun.

We managed to watch some of the Cowboys loss to the Bears and earlier we saw the Steelers steal a game from the Patriots. Congrats to the Commanders and Chiefs for their wins. Tonight the Ravens play and I'm hoping for a good result. 

The evening was a dress-up night and we enjoyed a very nice dinner. Our table is next to a window and being on Deck 3 we are much closer to the ocean. It is amazing how different it looks compared with our stateroom Deck 10 view. What looks to be a mostly flat ocean from above is actually 2-3 foot swells as we get closer. 

I am enjoying the veranda as I have an ocean front view! Those are hard to come by on land unless blessed with millions of dollars. I enjoy sitting on the veranda reading and writing, although this morning I am in the stateroom waiting for our coffee order to arrive. 

-- Bob Doan, Celebrity Reflection, North Atlantic Ocean

And off into the Caribbean, Day 1

Grand Foyer of Celebrity Reflection
North Atlantic Ocean
September 20, 2025

Our cruise departed Fort Lauderdale yesterday dodging rainstorms and 4 foot swells. Fortunately it is a big ship, not the biggest, but far bigger than the 23 foot boat I use from my boat club. Being massive, the waves hardly affect it but the winds cause a perpetual rocking motion.

It is the kind of motion that will either make you sick or rock you to sleep. It rocked me to sleep, but only slightly. I can report that the swells moderated overnight and are much more tame today. 

I stood out on my veranda at about 10 PM last night and looked at the stars in the very black sky. I do not see such a black sky devoid of ground light very often. I saw stars that I had forgotten existed between the clouds and the smoke from the Reflection's engines. We were traveling at about 18 knots--a solid speed for a cruise ship facing two sea days and needing to be somewhere in less than 48 hours. 

I remembered how small we are in the universe and that what happens on our rock called Earth matters only to us and in the larger scope of the universe we are insignificant.  A speck. 

Yet, we are all that we have and we can't seem to get along. 

We need to do better. 

-- Bob Doan, North Atlantic Ocean

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

The Day Before

Celebrity Reflection
Key West, FL
September 24, 2024

 Well, the sun arrived with the morning today. 

That was a welcome change. 

Chris and I are in the "day before" mode. Packing and preparing the house for our upcoming Caribbean Cruise. I expect to be able to continue blogging while on the cruise. 

We are excited because it is a longer cruise, 9 days. The short cruises, 3 and 4 nights, seem too short. On those cruises we just begin to get into the vibe of the ship and learn the crew members names and then it is time to disembark. 

Did you ever notice that cruises are sold in terms of nights and not days? 

The image is of our cruise ship from last year when we made a port call in Key West. 

We are excited for the cruise because we will be visiting three new Caribbean islands and by the end of the today we will be ready to head to the port to begin the adventure. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

And We Made it Home

Image of the Seat Back Video Taxiing to Depart Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
August 27, 2025

 Chris and I arrived home to a very happy Finnegan this morning just after 1 AM! The people caring for him dropped him off earlier in the evening so that he would be there to greet Chris. I am not sure who was more excited at the reunion, Finn or Chris.

Image from Houston Airport
Houston, TX
Auguat 17, 2025

The flights were, again, fantastic and on-time! Yay, Delta! They were 4 for 4 on this trip. We even dodged a few thunderstorms around Houston. It is always somewhat eerie arriving after midnight into a deserted airport as we did early this morning at PBI. 

We especially appreciated the hospitality of Pennie and Scott. Thank you again. It was good to spend time with you and of course see Dad.

Chris and I are excited that we have a break in our travel schedule, for just over three weeks, until we head out into the Caribbean for a cruise!

As we put an exclamation point on the Houston trip, we are happy that it was both successful and enjoyable. 

And now,  it is back to our regularly scheduled life. I know there is a palm tree around here somewhere. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Out the Airplane Window

Open Pit Mine
Nearing Atlanta, GA
August 22, 2025

 I rarely sit next to the window on an airplane. I did, however, sit next to the window on the flight last week from Palm Beach to Atlanta. Most of the flight the I kept the window shade down, it was a cloudy and there was bright sun above the clouds and I was on the East facing side of the jet. 

I opened the shade after the jet descended under the cloud deck to land in Atlanta and was amazed to see a very large open pit mine. The mine was pretty much in the middle of an industrial area and along side a major highway. I figured it was an active mine since the bottom had not filled with water. 

It is interesting to see some of the features outside the airplane window. 

Today is a travel day. Chris and I are completing our trip and heading home to Finnegan. Hopefully the flights are as smooth today as they were last week. We have had a good visit with Dad and the Houston-area members of the family.

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Visiting Dad

Dad
August 22, 2025

 Chris and I arrived in Houston. where we were greeted by my sister Pennie and her husband, Scott.

As I wrote yesterday, we enjoyed some good flights. That we enjoyed flying was no small miracle given some of the horror stories we have been hearing from recent travelers. 

The purpose of this visit is to see Dad and we are having a big celebration for him this afternoon. 

He was in good spirits when we surprised him with our arrival yesterday afternoon. It was good so see him. We spend some quality time with him before he was wheeled off to dinner. We are looking forward to seeing him again today and, for that matter, every day during our trip. 

It is 74 degrees this morning in Weston Lakes. I find it very refreshing as the humidity is also low. I have not enjoyed a 74 degree temperature in South Florida since about April. So I will enjoy this bit of summer while preparing for the day. 

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Off to Houston

Sunrise over our Jet
Palm Beach International Airport, FL
August 22, 2025

 Chris and I are traveling, again.

Finn is off to spend time with his second family. They love him, especially Cody. 

It has, so far, been a great travel day. I know that there are lots of travel impediments right now, but we have so far been spared. And we have enjoyed the Delta Sky Lounges!

The flights have been easy and on-time. I am actually writing this from my seat on the second flight of the day. Yay! 

It has been a different kind of travel day. Chris and I are flying to Houston from Palm Beach International (PBI) on the same plane. It is one of those weird days when the plane we flew from PBI to Atlanta is the same plane that we flying to Houston from Atlanta. 

The flight deck crew is the same and we enjoyed a great landing in Atlanta, but the cabin crew changed in Atlanta. Weirdly, the new cabin crew is all guys! How often does that happen?

We are looking forward to arriving in Houston about noon and will likely get to see Dad before the sun sets today.

Another positive thing is that I am getting free WIFI on the flight! Wow. Southwest doesn't do that for me!

Well, it is really encouraging that some things work sometimes!

Chris and I were not able to get adjoining seats on today's flights due to the short notice booking, but on this flight we are across the aisle. 

Rock on!

-- Bob Doan, Airborne over the Southeast United States

#deltaairlines #traveldays

Getting over Hump Day

Loxahatchee Bridge
Tequesta, FL
August 20, 2025

 Well we I made it to the second half of the week. I did enjoy a nice 19-mile ride yesterday around Tequesta. It was my usual route, but I still enjoy getting out and seeing the changes. 

I snapped a quick image of the day as I traversed the North Fork Loxahatchee Bridge yesterday, just to remind me of the clear beautiful day that we enjoyed. It was cooler in the morning, yes all of 78 degrees, but it made the ride enjoyable. 

Tomorrow is another travel day. Chris and I are headed to Houston, OK, Weston Lakes actually, to visit and spend some time with Dad. Yes, this trip is somewhat sudden as we only returned from Maryland a week ago, but it happens. 

Hopefully, today will be a bright and beautiful as yesterday was although the temperature is expected to top 95 degrees making it the hottest day of the year, so far. With the hurricane stoked surf, it will definitely not be a beach day. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Touring South Carolina

Mount Pleasant, SC
August 15, 2025

 The trip back to Florida for Maryland was unique. We left our usual I-95 in southern North Carolina and headed for Murrells Inlet. Talk about an overland route! Wow! Between traveling yesterday to Murrells Inlet and today's trek back to I-95 to complete our journey to Tequesta, Chris and I traversed a lot of South Carolina.

Upon arriving, we were treated to a great lunch along the banks of the inlet. I guess I just like being near water. It was beautiful day, right up until the afternoon thunderstorm rolled in. I was glad we were off the road. 

Today, we traveled around Charleston and enjoyed the wide wetlands and forests on mostly Route 17. Yesterday it was a number of roads, many of them really small, to avoid Myrtle Beach and get to Murrells inlet. 

What a great place to drive through. Both Chris and I were impressed. 

Today's drive took 10 hours--a full day and we did not get home until just after 6 PM--but we made it home. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Out the Hotel Window - Dunn, NC, Aug 2025

Out the Hotel Window
Dunn, NC
August 4, 2025

 Yes, Chris and I are back in Dunn, NC, along with our trusty dog, Finn. Dunn has become the place where I like to stop for the night as we travel north from our home in Florida. It is about 2/3 the way to Maryland, maybe a bit more, but given the traffic around DC having a short second day is desirable. 

The view for this stay is one of the best in a long time. I have to giggle a bit at the Burger King sign. I believe it has been over a year since the sign was damaged. I wonder if it is ever going to be repaired? 

I enjoy looking at the flags and of course the cloud filled sky. 

The trip, thus far, has been one of the best. The clouds kept the hot sun away for most of the day. We only encountered one brief rain shower and were blessed with no long delay traffic incidents. We lost only 48 minutes during the trip for stops--our best ever. When we left Tequesta, Apple Maps predicted a 2:13 PM arrival time and we arrived at 3:02 PM. Chris packed some power bars, which we decided would be lunch and so we never stopped for food, so only one gas stop and three bio breaks.

Finn was his usual trooper self, once he settled after realizing that he was being loaded into the truck after the suitcases. He is funny when he sees suitcases and makes it a point to be underfoot so he won't be forgotten. 

Well, time to start today!

-- Bob Doan, Dunn, NC

Looking at the Clouds

I-95
Oak Hill, FL
August 4, 2025

 We are on the road north. Looking out the window this morning at the clouds in the sunrise was a spectacular sight. We have been on the road for two hours and completed our first driver swap which allowed me to do the Wordle and write the blog. 

I made the decision to let Chris drive when the driving is usually easiest; through the wilds of Florida. I all too often hand her the wheel just in advance of construction and thunderstorms.  While she drives through them great, it isn’t fair for me to do the easier driving. 

We are headed for an overnight stop in North Carolina before finishing our trip in Maryland tomorrow. 

— Bob Doan, I-95 in Florida