Need a Little Springtime

 Temperatures are recovering here in South Florida. 

I managed an almost 18-mile ride yesterday, but it took over 6 miles for me to warm up and no longer feel as if I was cold. I thought I had dressed appropriately for the outing, but even with the temperature at 60 degrees, it was a cold ride especially when I was biking into the wind. That would be because of the "feels like" temperature of riding about 13 MPH into a 6-10 MPH breeze. Yea, cold! Roughly a feels like of 57 degrees. 

Tulips at Publix
Tequesta, FL
February 4, 2026

It was sad to see all of the annuals which succumbed to the cold in the flower beds along my ride. All the hopes for bright cheery colors lay brown and dead on the ground.  

When Chris and I later headed off to Publix for supplies, I spied some tulips in the flower section of the store. They made me smile. It was just the piece of Springtime that I needed, all the while reminding myself that we are in the middle of Winter. Of course, the temperatures are going to be more Florida-like soon, at least according to the weather forecast I found this morning.

We might even get some boating in next week!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Below Freezing

Happy February!

It happened over night. The temperature fell below freezing here in Tequesta. 

February 1, 2026

The last time it was this cold, or colder, in Tequesta was December 29, 1894. Yup I wrote that correctly. There was a 32 degree temperature recorded in 

The weather services are saying that it hasn't been this cold in 16 years, but I think we beat that record last night. I used Chat GPT to see when we beat last night's cold. But, I was cautioned that specific data for Tequesta is not fully available. 

It is too cold for here! I wonder how many plants and animals will succumb to the cold. 

So hey, all my friends and family, Take the weather back!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Preparing for a Freeze

Sunday Morning Cold Forecast

 Turns out even South Florida is not going to be exempt from the coming arctic blast. We are preparing for extreme cold--temperatures below freezing

Ugh!

According to some news outlets, this level of cold has not graced South Florida in 16 years!

Temperatures are expected to fall to about 30 degrees with windchills in the teens or lower. Inland, where there is no protection from the ocean it will be colder. 

Chris and I are plotting to protect some of our sensitive plants.

I included a map projecting potential snowfall from Tampa to Orlando. The forecasted snow is confined to western Florida. Floridians are not well prepared for the temperatures expected early Sunday morning. I have had to swap my usual short sleeve shirt and shorts with sandals for warmer attire. I realized that I don't enjoy wearing jeans and long sleeved shirts anymore.

I hope the northerners visiting South Florida and expecting sunny warm beach days are not too disturbed. It is still a lot warmer here than in the more northern areas. But still, definitely not good beach or boating weather. 

brrr!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It was How Warm?

Weather Forecast
January 27, 2026

 I apologize to the those residing in eastern half of the U.S. for living in South Florida. 

The temperature in Tequesta hit 88 degrees yesterday. Officially, the temperature was 90 degrees in West Palm Beach! It was mostly rainy and overcast--but pleasantly warm. 

Watching Football @ Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
January 25, 2026

We are trending down and, although I cannot believe it, I even see a low in the 20s Sunday morning! I dearly hope it changes.

These temperatures are a long way from our most recent Sunday when Chris and I headed off to Tiki52 and enjoyed watching the Broncos-Patriots game under the open air Tiki. 

There were a lot of people gathered; the mood was festive and we all enjoyed watching the game. There was a good mix support for both teams, although I detected a few more Patriots fans than those of us cheering for Denver. It had been some time since Chris and I watched football with a group of our new best friends at a bar! It was fun, even though the Broncos lost. 

Looking at the weather forecast, it may be a while before we return to Tiki52 to enjoy adult beverages and food. Tuesday is usually dinner at Tiki night, but it looks a bit cold for tonight's visit and we will likely heat to somewhere enclosed and warmer. 

I also will not be riding my bike, unless I head out during the afternoon. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Cold Returns

 It was 39 really cold degrees when I woke this morning. 

Yes, the iguana alerts were out. Beware falling iguanas and don't bother them as they can still defend themselves. (Newsweek)

Chris and I are fortunate in that we do not live in an area where we see many iguanas, but they are around nearby. Given the cold, it is unlikely that I will attempt a bike ride today unless it is later in the day after the temperature had risen and the iguanas have awakened. 

Iguana on Welcome Sand Art
CocoCay, Bahamas
January 7, 2026

We were surprised last week when we were visiting CocoCay to see an iguana on the sand art welcoming people to the island. It was a bit humorous. What was even more amazing was the number of people who barely even noticed the lizard sitting in the sun on the sand art. Totally oblivious. I think it added something to the experience. I enjoyed seeing the iguana hanging out there just looking at all the people.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Gray and Overcast

Palms against the Gray
Tequesta, FL
January 13, 2026

 The weather yesterday, here in South Florida, matched the mood in the country--gray and overcast. 

The sun appeared only briefly and I never wore my sunglasses all day. There was a fairly consistent mist during the morning which convinced me not to head out on my bike and to take a down day instead. 

Even the palms at Tiki52 last evening seemed to be suffering from the oppressive gray skies. They did not have their usual vibrance. 

I have notice the daylight increasing significantly. I had to adjust the timer which switches on the outdoors garden lights. The lights were coming on whilst it remained light. I am very happy for the longer days!

I am hoping that today is a better day, but I fear not. The gray skies remain for the morning along with rain. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Enjoying the Lights at Night

Happy Solstice

Winter or Summer Begins

 

The shortest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere and the longest for the Southern Hemisphere has arrived!

We will be enjoying 10H 29M of sunlight today in Tequesta. For our family near Baltimore, they will enjoy only 9H 27M of sunlight! Conversely, in Sydney, NSW, Australia, they will enjoy 14H 27M of beautiful Summer sunshine.

Christmas Lights Along the Street
Port St Lucie, FL
December 20, 2025

Chris and I were in Port St Lucie last evening for dinner. It was fun being in a different neighborhood as darkness fell and the Christmas lights illuminated the street. This particular street was fully decorated, there may have been only one house not displaying festive holiday decorations. A huge contrast from our boring condo community where we didn't even put lights up on the welcome sign.  

Dinner and the conversation during the evening was fabulous. I was advised that I may have monopolized the discussion a bit, but we had a very deep discussion about the Netflix production, House of Dynamite. Finnegan even enjoyed being around his favorite cat friend, Tigger. 

A great holiday evening and a very nice way to celebrate the arrival of the Solstice.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Colder and Colder

 

Apparently there is a cold Polar Vortex preparing to visit the United States compliments of our northern neighbors. 

I found a forecast map for the next 8-14 Days and it looks cold, well except for South Florida. But I am not going to be in South Florida. Maryland does not seem to be too much below normal, but it will still be cold. 

Out the Windshield--Perfect Driving Day
Somewhere in Virginia
November 24, 2025

I reflected upon the drive north that concluded yesterday. Chris and I were blessed with perfect weather. Mostly blue skies with the exception of some light fog in northern Florida as dawn was breaking.

We passed a few accidents during the two-day drive. Two of them, however, we found very disturbing. Both involved  trucks that had managed to overturn and end up pointing opposite of the direction of travel. One was a box truck that was in the median and had spilled its fully loaded contents all over the highway as it overturned and skidded to a stop. The more disturbing one was a cement mixer that had, for an unknown reason, apparently dropped a tire off the road surface, I saw the town up grass and mud, and the driver overcorrected causing the front to slow quickly while the back continued around and spilled wet concrete onto the highway. That was going to be a difficult clean-up.

Well, we are here for Thanksgiving! Yay. And to visit with family and friends. Despite the weather, it will be warm in our houses and hearts. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

It was a Gray, Raw Day

 

Sailboat on the ICW
Tequesta, FL
November 11, 2025

Veterans Day 2025 dawned as a gray and raw day. At least, here in South Florida, we did not get any snow, but it was still very unpleasant. OK, it was cold!

It was too cold and windy to attempt a bike ride, so Chris and I stayed around the house. Finn didn't even want to go out for a walk. It was just too cold with the temperatures in the 40s to begin the day. 

Yes, the falling iguana alerts were posted. Iguanas effectively stop moving at somewhere less that 50 degrees and fall from the trees. They can be a serious hazard. 

The wind was so strong and water so rough, even the ICW had whitecaps. I would not have wanted to be boating. It was too cold and rough, But there were intrepid dedicated boaters on the ICW. 

I made a video of the wild Atlantic crashing upon the beaches. Note how the sand has blown to fill the bottom of the stairway across the dunes. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Return to the Rain

Fuel Barge next to Celebrity Reflection
St Kitts
September 23, 2025

 I am told that while Chris and I were enjoying hot sunny days, punctuated by brief storms, during our cruise that the rainy weather pattern we had escaped from in South Florida continued. 

It rains still. 

It was rainy yesterday, it is raining today. 

Washout. 

The picture of the day is from St Kitts during our cruise. I watched a fuel barge get tugged into place and offload fuel to our ship, Celebrity Reflection. I had never seen that operation before and it was interesting how it all happened. Unlike today in Tequesta, the day in St Kitts was bright with puffy clouds and blue skies. 

And I can't help myself--

Day 3 of partial government shutdown

Does anyone else notice that when Trump runs into opposition his response is to hurt people? And not just some people but many people across the nation. Firing federal employees not only hurts the Feds, but everyone due to loss of services. What is the plan?

Oh yea--privatize government services so the oligarchs can get richer at the expense of hard-working Americans. 

And the lies/mischaracterizations that continue to come from the White House continue to demonstrate a failing grip on reality. 

-- 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

More of the Rain

Afternoon Storms
Tequesta, FL
September 12, 2025

 We have been suffering through a very rainy pattern for the past few weeks. 

That has meant afternoon, and sometimes morning, storms which are locally heavy. 

We need the rain as I believe the region remains on the border of drought conditions, but wow--it sure puts a damper on beach time. 

I also find it difficult to ride my bike. I just do not enjoy riding in the rain.

Conditions are forecasted to improve both in terms of less rain and cooler temperatures during the next week. 

I am looking forward to the improvement. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Crashing on the Shore

Waves on Jupiter Island
Tequesta, FL
August 21, 2025

 Chris and I went to the beach yesterday and experience the huge waves from Hurricane Erin. 

And they were!

Crashing on the beach and eroding the sand. Turtle nests were being destroyed and it was sad, but it was nature. The ones high up on the dunes were safe and the turtles that dug those nests were champions of evolution. 

I took a video of the waves rolling onto the beach. They were ferocious and I am very happy the storm passed us by.  

The ICW looking at Jupiter Island
Tequesta, FL
August 21, 2025

But, weirdly, on the other side of the Jupiter Island the ICW was calm.

It was such a different scene from the ocean. The protected ICW was available for pleasure boating without restrictions. 

It amazed me how such widely different conditions could be separated by only a hundred yards or so of land. 

Inland, it was a beautiful evening to enjoy dinner at Tiki52 and look out at the ICW where there were boats and people actually waterskiing. The breeze made the evening enjoyable and Chris, I, and Finn had a great time just bing there enjoying the scene, the people, and the waitstaff. 

But to think, only a few thousand feet away the ocean beach was being ravaged by Hurricane Erin's storm-tossed waves.  

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#hurricaneerin #jupiterisland

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

A Surprise Blue Sky

Along Island Way
Jupiter, FL
July 4, 2025

 Taking Finn outside for his morning relief, I looked upwards and was rewarded with a blue clear sky! No clouds. 

It is the first time in about two weeks that the sky was blue and clear. It changed my mood.

I am looking forward to a bike ride in a few minutes and Chris and I will definitely plan some outdoors activities today. Maybe a visit to the beach!

My most recent biking adventure was along Island Way and into Jupiter on Indiantown Road--the busiest road in Jupiter. It is the main East-West road from both I-95 and the Turnpike. I use Indiantown Road so I can make a circuit and not just an out and back. I enjoy the ride along Island Wyoming because there is a lot of open area that has not been developed, yet. I am sure there are plans to cover the natural Florida growth with a sea of houses at some point in the future. 

Well, it is Sunday. The sky is blue and the streets are calling to me. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

When the Weather Radar Says Stay Home

Wednesday Afternoon Wx Radar
South Florida
July 2, 2025

 It has been quite a week, since Monday's Happy Hour on the Beach. The region has been besieged with successive storms. Sadly, it appears that the 4th of July is going to be a washout. 

I took an image of the storm tracker yesterday about 4:21 PM as we were riding out successive storms. Not shown is the lightening which makes Finn a bit crazy. 

The good news is that we did not lose power. But, it has rained off and on for the better part of two days and the cycle continues until at least Sunday. 

I have found a short break in the storms this morning and am going to try to get in a bike ride. I likely will get wet at some point. I will keep it short.

Chris and I felt bad for the lawn care workers as they were cutting lawns and trimming in the rain as long as the lightening remained far enough away. 

Well, since the weather radar said stay home--we did.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

June Rains Arrive Early

Orchid on the Lanai
Tequesta, FL
May 25, 2025

 The much needed rains have arrived early. June is typically when Florida moves into the season of afternoon rains and thunderstorms, but for the past two days we have been having intermittent showers and an occasional thunderstorm throughout the day. 

The weather has prevented me from riding my bike which makes me a bit restless. 

Finnegan is currently sitting on my feet. He hates the storms and especially the thunder. 

The Rainstorm this Morning
Tequesta, FL
May 27, 2025

He just ran downstairs when he heard thunder and came over to where I am sitting. While I appreciate that Finn views me as the Big Dog, I feel bad that the storms cause him so much angst.

The rains have stopped and Finnegan has departed from the protection of my feet. We will see how long that lasts. 

The humid weather caused by the storms is bringing out the bugs (sadly) and the flowers. I took a solid image of a blooming orchid at a friend's house the other evening. I enjoy taking images where I can play with the depth of field.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Summer Effectively Arrives in South Florida

And the Rain Fell
Tequesta, Fl
May 12, 2025

 The overcast gray and rain was perfect for a Monday. That describes our weather yesterday. It definitely was an indoor day. Last evening it rained so hard and for so long that we had a river in the street moving for the storm drains. Fortunately the drains were able to handle the water. Sometimes the can't.

Today, however, is shaping up to be a better day. The much needed rain of yesterday has cleared out and blue skies portend a hot and sunny day. 

The forecast for the rest of the week is sunny with highs in the upper-80s and low-90s. The "feels-like" temperature will be in the high-90s and even low-100s due to the humidity. I'm feeling some bike, beach and boat activities coming on! 

Feels like summer has arrived!

--Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Blue Sky Day

 

Blue Spring Sky
Odenton, MD
April 1, 2025

I appreciate a blue sky. 

Blue skies without a cloud, or with few clouds, seem to be rare. Chris and I drove from Florida to Maryland under overcast skies and so yesterday's blue sky was appreciated. 

We have been enjoying the early Springtime flowering trees and bushes. There seems to be color everywhere. The white trees and bushes adorning the hills and alongside the roads almost seem like snowballs being prepared for a fight. And then the reds and greens of the budding trees coupled with the yellow of the forsythia add to the texture of the scene. 

I know many people enjoy the colors of the Autumn, but for me the rebirth after Winter with its explosion of colors is more appealing to me. And then to enjoy a blue clear sky tops off the entire experience. 

Tomorrow is another travel day. We are heading for Ithaca in what may be our last ever trek to the area where we both grew up. 

It is a busy trip.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Cold Saturday

DST is Back Tonight!

The Palm Tree out my Door
Tequesta, FL
March 8, 2025

 It is going to be a nice day. It may become a beach day. But it will have to warm up a bit. The morning started about 54 degrees, but the day is headed for 82 degrees with likely blue skies. 

I have totally been oblivious to the fact that Daylight Saving Time (DST) returns tonight! I am going to lose an hour of sleep. I hope the government finally gets its act together and cancels the return to Standard Time in November. We can only hope. It is funny that the return to DST crept up on me so innocuously. Almost like it was trying to fool me.

In the meantime, I am going to enjoy the bright sunshine and later daylight. The days are longer as well, but that is not a function of DST, it is a function of the Earth moving around the Sun with an axis tilt. 

So I'm looking forward to a great Saturday and Sunday, even if the weekend is one hour shorter. The daylight will at least be one hour later. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL