Under the Sea - Three Stop Snorkel Adventure, Roatan

Star Fish in Roatan
August 30, 2018

Coral in Roatan
August 30, 2018

I can hardly believe that last Friday I was lounging on a Mexican beach as part of Chris's Retirement Cruise with the family enjoying the sand, surf, and sun. 

Sunken/Grounded Ship Snorkel
Roatan
August 30, 2018

The memories are still so fresh and now that things have returned to normal around the house with the communications and the pool, there is time to dig into the images of the trip.

One of the most enjoyable days was the snorkeling adventure we did on Roatan, Honduras. It was a three stop snorkel adventure. I was reminded of how hard it is to snorkel in a large group, but the day was fun and the grandsons had a great time. There was plenty of coral to see, but I felt that the fish were largely absent.

Sunken/Grounded Ship in Roatan
August 30, 2018

The first stop was primarily a short check to snorkel to assess the ability of the 30 or so people on the boast to swim and snorkel. That was actually important as it turned out that a number of people were not experienced snorkelers. I was able to image a few starfish  and enjoyed paddling around. 

The Bow of the Sunken/Grounded Ship
August 30, 2018

The second stop was a reef snorkel and included a long swim which got people ready for the third snorkel stop which was the sunken/grounded ship. There was plenty of coral and beautiful ocean to admire on the second stop. I enjoyed paddling around and as always on a snorkel tour, the stop was too short for me. 

Coral in Roatan
August 30, 2018

The best of the three stops was without a doubt the sunken/grounded vessel. The ship was not particularly large and the boiler and part of the superstructure are still visible above the surface. The rusted remains below the surface are covered with corals and some fish. Of course, the large group essentially drove the fish away, but it was a fun snorkel and I enjoyed looking at how the wreck was transforming into a reef. 

From what I could see, the ship ran aground on the reef and has been slowly decomposing ever since. 

It was a fun adventure and I was able to capture some good images from my trusty GoPro!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Lighthouse - Nassau, Bahamas

Lighthouse Nassau, Bahamas
August 27, 2018

I have seen quite a few lighthouses. I tend to take many images of the one in Jupiter, Florida, because it is everywhere on the landscape. This lighthouse , however, sits alone on a spit of land guarding the channel into Nassau, Bahamas. I have seen it and imaged it before, but on my recent cruise I was lucky to be awake as the ship was sailing into the channel and caught the sky behind the lighthouse as the sun was rising.

This image was one of the memorable images from the trip. It was taken the first morning onboard The Allure of the Seas and it started the trip off in great fashion.

As an update, I am still without landline phone, internet, or tv. Monday Musings were written on my laptop but did not get published because the library was closed and I could not get an internet connection. I will publish Monday Musings-Labor Day 2018 when I get internet back. This edition was written on my phone, which lacks some of the formatting and other capabilities that my laptop provides.

Chris and I pulled out some blu-rays and watched two movies yesterday for entertainment. Thank goodness we found something in our lives that does not depend upon the internet.

— Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saying goodbye is hard to do

The Allure of the Seas
Puerto Casa Maya
August 31, 2018

Chris and I and the family walked down the gangway of The Allure of the Seas this morning for the last time officially ending the retirement cruise. It was sad. We had experienced a fantastic week aboard the grand ship and visited four fun ports of call. We were blessed with good weather, fair seas, and light winds. Amazingly, there was no rain and the sun shone brightly on us all week until our return to Fort Lauderdale this morning.

The Allure was a majestic and fun-filled ship. The food was very good, the entertainment was fabulous and the libations flowed freely.

I resisted the urge to purchase a gaudy, large watch that I do not need. But the shopping was fun.

In the coming days I will bore you, my readers, with stories and images, both still and video, of the family's adventures of the past week.

August turned into September while we were away and that means that summer's end is drawing near. Sadly. It is Labor Day weekend. Tomorrow is a holiday for me to recover before heading back into day-to-day life.

Looking back on the week, I loved sitting on the balcony of our stateroom enjoying the sunrises or just looking at the ocean as it raced past the ship. At night we were often treated to bright stars and lightening on the horizon. We did not get to enjoy any sunsets as they happened during dinner time and we dined in the middle of the Grand Restaurant in the aft portion of the ship.

The trip was even more special, however, because the entire family had the opportunity to sail with us. We were a bit apprehensive about how it would work out, but it was great! It was good to be with our children, their spouses, and our grandsons for an entire week. I believe we all bonded together and overcame the fractures caused by the daily grind. It can be tough getting 10 people to all head in the same direction and so we allowed plenty of alone time for the individual families.

And now I am winging my way home to Maryland.

Soon this week will be a distant memory, but our family will always be closer for having spent the time together.

Thank you Royal Caribbean and Allure of the Seas for a memorable voyage.

— Bob Doan, writing from 35,000 feet over the Carolinas

Beach Day

Puerto Casa Maya Beach
August 31, 2018

Sitting again on a beach in Mexico sipping a cold local beer with our cruise ship safely tied up in the distance.

What could be better?

The ocean is beautiful. The beach serene. And best of all, it was a short taxi ride on our own and not an Uber expensive ship organized tour.

It is the best thing to do in Casa Maya. Getting out of the port complex was, well, complex. They seem to have everything planned to thwart people from just going out and getting an inexpensive taxi ride to the beach. We are at Playa El Fuerte beach. A short $2 taxi ride from the port.

Beach admission was $5 for a chair for the day and there is beverage service to the chair.

What could be better?

The Kenny Chesney song keeps scrolling over and over in my head. "So I'll just sit right here and have another beer in Mexico, and let the warm breeze melt my blues away."

Blues? What blues? My Caribbean vacation's end is closer than it's beginning. Too soon, I'll be back in the grind of daily life and this week will be just another in a string of great memories.

— Bob Doan, writing from Casa Maya, Mexico

Stay right here and have another

Beach in Cozumel
August 29, 2018

As the song says. It is a great day in Mexico. Cozumel to be exact. We are on the beach enjoying g the incredibly warm waters and an idyllic day.

It is good to be off the ship for a bit. I went diving in the Bahamas on Monday and yesterday was a sea day. I love sea days.

The diving was great. It was good to suck some compressed air and I did enjoy seeing a black tipped reef shark. As I procrastinated about checking out my gear, I was unable to take any pictures because the charger for my underwater camera came up missing.

But no matter. I have the image in my head.

All is going well so far.

— Bob Doan, writing from Cozumel, Mexico

Out the Hotel Window - Ft Lauderdale, August 26, 2018

Out My Hotel Window
Ft Lauderdale
August 26, 2018

And the vacation is underway.

Outside my hotel window this morning there are palm trees and bright skies. The start of the day is also my second day of vacation. 

Allure of the Seas in Port Everglades
August 26, 2018

Today's big event is boarding the Allure of the Seas and setting sail for the Caribbean. Yup, you guessed it, Bob is sailing away on another Caribbean vacation! Someday soon I hope to be on permanent vacation.

The second verse of Zac Brown Band's "Knee Deep," one of my current favorite songs, comes to mind:

Wrote a note, said "Be back in a minute"
Bought a boat and I sailed off in it
Don't think anybody's gonna miss me anyway
Mind on a permanent vacation
The ocean is my only medication
Wishin' my condition ain't ever gonna go away

Palm Trees
Just Because they Are
August 25, 2018

And speaking of ships or boats, airship came into port overnight. Allure of the Seas is tied up waiting for our imminent arrival. I was able to get an image of it from our hotel. Not out my window, because I am on the wrong side, but it is that close!

How close is it? 

Close enough that I had trouble getting it all into one image! It is that big!

So the morning will be devoted to getting aboard the ship after saying good-bye to my hotel room and beginning a great vacation.

Important blog note--I did NOT purchase internet connection for this trip and so blog updates will be sparse, if any at all, until I am back in port at the conclusion of the cruise.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Ft Lauderdale, FL

Preparation is Key

Palm Tree on the Beach
Jupiter, Florida
April 9, 2018

Vacation looms and proper preparation is the key to success. 

I am becoming very excited about being away for a Caribbean vacation to decompress.  Life has been a bit crazy during the past couple of weeks. 

My beach time low-level light is fully illuminated. I need sand, sun, surf, and palm trees. 

Looking Along my Favorite Sandy Beach
Jupiter, Florida
April 6, 2018

Although we are not departing for a few days, preparation is the key to a successful vacation adventure. This one is timed to allow Chris to be on vacation when she otherwise would be going back to work for another school year. 

The clothes and other essential travel items such as masks and snorkels are being carefully laid out on the guest bed as we begin the extensive packing process. 

The countdown clock is running down and excitement grows with each passing tick. I have not set for on a beach since traveling to Florida during early April. 

This vacation is shorter than many we have planned. We usually head off for two weeks, but for some unexplained reason we are only away for a just over week this time. I feel an autumn get away in the planning process. Now that Chris has retired we are not limited to school vacations and holidays for travel!

Turn out the lights, the party is starting!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Next Stop -- Summer

Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning of summer. To celebrate the beginning of the best season, yesterday was an especially cool day, following days in the high 80's and low 90's. 

But, we are poised for the run at summer with the fireflies cued and the smells and sounds of the season ramping up to make an imminent appearance.

The pool is open and I've been in it a couple of times. It was too cold yesterday, but Saturday and Sunday were definitely pool days.

The days of summer are upon us. Baseball is getting deeper into the season and tonight the GORC Dodgers take the field again and hope to reverse the poor play they displayed during their last game.

Summer sports and vacations. The time has finally arrived. School is ending soon and the vacation season will be in full swing. 

Bring on the sun and season!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Leaving Paradise

Me on the Beach

As the jet took-off from Ft Lauderdale this morning shortly after 6AM, I was struck by the hard reality that my beach time had come to an end.

Sadly, a real end. 

The Ocean (Left) and Intercoastal (right)
Radio Flyer in the Skies
April 9, 2018

Yesterday I was on the fifth different beach of our vacation, flying Radio Flyer, my drone, in the bright warm sunlight. Today I was flying out of Florida under the over of darkness!

What a difference a day makes. At 9AM I was standing in the 30-degree weather at BWI waiting to be picked up and ushered home.

It is always great to be home, but this time I would be greater to stay warm.

Jupiter Lighthouse
April 9, 2018

We visited the Intercoastal Waterway Beaches yesterday. Radio Flyer made a great first flight, but then the day began to cloud and the winds began blowing at unsafe speeds.  

In the evening, we celebrated the end of another great Florida vacation by enjoying a couple cold ones at The Square Grouper and watching the weather form around the Jupiter Lighthouse.

It is over.

I didn't even have time to write the blog this morning, but I did edit the video on the plane.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Another Day, Another Beach

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach
April 7, 2018

It was another idyllic day in Florida during the month of April yesterday. That meant another trip to the beach to enjoy the sun and surf. The beach of the day was the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach on Jupiter Island. 

Fishing on Hobe Sound Beach
April 7, 2018

The trip to the beach was planned to take advantage of the morning before the other beachgoers arrived. Being Saturday, we actually experienced some crowds at the beach as we were departing about 1PM. 

As we arrived, the beach was principally the domain of those fishing for the bounty of the sea. In chatting with the various fishermen, I learned that they were only catching frustration that morning. No one had caught anything meaningful. It was a very interesting view along the water looking at the poles lined up. I should have taken and image of that same view later because the poles had been replaced with beach umbrellas.

Beach Essentials

I had some time, while sitting on the beach, to compose a beach image of essential items.

Beach trips require a number of things, among them flip flops, beverages, umbrellas and a good view. 

We were well supplied yesterday. 

Tubular Dog at West Palm Art Show

And, since drones are not allowed in the National Wildlife Refuge, there are not corresponding drone images to share. Radio Flyer had to stay in its travel case back at the house. I learned an interesting legal tip about drones in the refuge. It is illegal to even possess a drone in the refuge whether flying it or not. I was smart enough to talk to the ranger BEFORE I took my drone to the refuge. I had read that flying the drone in the refuge was illegal, but I didn't know that even possessing one was illegal as well.

So while I view my drone as an essential beach item, knowing where it is allowed is equally as important.

During the afternoon we headed off to West Palm Beach for an art show. I have to confess that I was impressed by the artists--however, one piece really made me smile. I was this tubular dog who was lifting his leg. 

Another day is on tap and my Spring Break vacation is rapidly coming to an end. I wonder what we will do today?

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

Another Sunny Day

Chris on the Course
April 6, 2018

I have to admit that I am getting used to bright sunny days with temperatures in the 80's. This type of day provides multiple opportunities for enjoyable outdoors activity.

On Dog Beach
South of Carlin Park, Jupiter, Florida
April 6, 2018

Yesterday, for instance, Chris and I played another round of golf. We have found a par 3 course in the area and we can knock out a round in less than two-and-a-half hours. Par 3 courses can be very difficult, they generally have very small greens and require a lot of precision. I had a really good day yesterday, but then when you keep your driven in the bag it is hard to get into too much trouble.

After the golf, then there is the beach. We have been to four different beaches since we have been here. Our favorite, Hobe Sound, is a National Wildlife Refuge and drone flights are not allowed, so Radio Flyer has to stay home. The other beaches we visit are all fair game and Radio Flyer has been proving itself very capable this week. 

I have been enjoying some of the different views the drone provides, like looking at the stairs coming down to the beach from above and to the side. It also provides a good view of how crowded the beach is, or is not!

It is expected to be another sunny and warm day! I wonder what today will bring?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Walking the Beach

Fran and Chris Shelling on Jupiter Island
April 6, 2018

Walking the beach looking for shells is an enjoyable and relaxing experience. The beach yesterday was packed with shells and provided literally hours of enjoyment as we worked out way along it. 

Unlucky Crab in the Shells
Jupiter Beach
April 5, 2018

Shells stretched along the beach for seemingly miles, it was actually 3/4 of a mile. It was a great walk in the bright sun and breezy conditions. 

Walking along the beach and examining the shells there provided an enjoyable morning activity. The winds were too strong to fly Radio Flyer, my drone, but even so the day was filled with shells and discoveries. Some of the discoveries were sobering, such as the crab which had clearly not had a good morning on the beach.

Blowhole at Blowing Rocks
Jupiter Island
April 5, 2018

We walked to an outcropping called Blowing Rocks to see the waves crash onto the shore. It was a beautiful day and the sun, water, rocks, and sea made for some great images. 

Waiting for the waves to crash onto the rocks through the blow hole was frustrating, the strength of the waves did not create a dramatic view, but it was still fun to experience and even more challenging to capture as an image.

Sea, sun, wind, and shells. A day along the beach.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

As the Warm Days Pass

Chris at Jupiter Dunes
April 4, 2018

I notice that my daily blogs are being posted later and later during the day.

It must mean that I am enjoying my time away and sleeping later into the morning, at least until after 7AM, while also enjoying daily activities.

Yesterday, for instance, began on a golf course after a leisurely breakfast. Chris and I suffered through a rainstorm for three holes, but emerged into bright sunshine and enjoyed a quick round on a par 3 course. Chris did great and carried the water in the image above!

Happy Hour on Carlin Park Beach
April 4, 2018

Then there was some wine shopping during the heat of the day, such as it was. The heat actually felt good and it had been a long time since we had actually graced a wine store, or wine stores. There is something great about Florida grocery stores selling wine. The are grocery stores, wine stores, and wine super markets and they all seem to survive. We went to four places and found very different wines and very little overlap. Maryland should take a note.

Happy Hour on Carlin Park Beach
April 4, 2018

I worked on videos from Radio Flyer's flights over Jupiter Island Beach on April 3rd. I put together a video of the second flight. I think I got some nice views. I have been really exploring the birds-eye view and the cool scenes it provides. That is the strength of the drone anyway, getting right above the subject and providing a different point of view. 

The end of the day was enjoying the sun setting behind us as we relaxed on Carlin Park Beach. It was really beautiful and a great way to end the second full day of our Spring Break vacation.

I wonder what is in store for the next couple of days?

-- Bob Doan, writing form Tequesta, Florida

Beach Life

Jupiter Beach
April 3, 2018

Sitting in a chair under an umbrella on Jupiter Island Beach looking out at the blue ocean crashing onto the shore is an enjoyable, relaxing experience that I look forward to every year. This beach is one of the reasons we keep coming to this area.

Birds Eye View of Jupiter Beach
April 3, 2018

The beach is never crowded and has over the years allowed to remain in a more natural state. As we made our small camp at 11 AM yesterday, no one else was on the beach. By the time we left, about 3PM, a few others had arrived, but there was ample room for all activities.

Radio Flyer, my drone, made its first flight over a beach next to the ocean. The winds were near the maximum sustained about 15 mph with gusts to 19 mph. I only received on wind gust warning. In the birds-eye view you can see the umbrellas in the middle of the beach, and it is also clear that almost no other beachgoers were near us, competing for space. 

Life is a beach!

Life on a beach is idyllic. 

Radio Flyer's video of the area and the beach really provide a fun perspective. I took it up to altitude for some scenic shots, but had great fun just flying along the beach. 

During my second flight of the day I sojourned a bit over the ocean, not far, just to see how Radio Flyer handled. I did not notice any difference in handling or flight characteristics. 

Beach days are the best. We are probably taking a break today due to over-exposure to the sun yesterday. We had some suntan lotion failures that we need to address with a day out of the sun.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

The Arrival

Later this morning, at 11:28 AM EST Winter arrives officially. Although the official arrival is today, the presence of the dark season has been with us for some time.

We have seen snow, cold, ice, and of course the ever prevalent darkness.

At least from today forward the daylight will begin ot get stronger and longer. 

Melbourne, Florida

I may even begin to think about preparations to open my pool and plan my Spring Break vacation to somewhere a lot warmer than Maryland!

At least the guys-only Spring Training/Golf outing is mostly planned for mid-March to Sarasota. The summer cruise is also planned for late August. 


All of the planning activities help to thwart the gloom caused by the ever-present darkness. 

But, the summer is coming! 

For me, of course, it cannot arrive quickly enough. But at least knowing that is it coming helps throw off the cold darkness associated with the winter.

Now if I could just keep the snow from arriving.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Back to the Beach

From the Condo Balcony

It is summer. That means that there is almost no where else that I would rather be than the beach.

This weekend it is Ocean City, Maryland. The drive to the beach on a Friday can be exasperating, but surprisingly it was mostly pleasant yesterday. Waze routed me around the worst of the traffic and I made relatively good time.

From the condo, I can hear the waves crashing on the beach. I can see and smell the ocean. And I can walk barefoot to the beach.

Being at the beach recharges me. Chris and I watched a fabulous lightening display last night as thunderstorms passed overhead. From the safety of the condo balcony, we felt the spray of the storm and absorbed the majesty of the light show occurring over the ocean.

I'm glad that we did not have plans to go out.

Weekend day 1 is ahead. And the beach beckons.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Ocean City, MD

Towel Animals

One of the fun things about cruises are the towel animals left in the cabins by the stewards.


During our recent cruise, we received five towel creations to enjoy and I took an image of each one. 

I don't intend to post them all, but just a few of them.

It is funny ho at the end of the day I looked for the towel animal to enjoy.

It is funny the things that we look forward to on cruises. Towel animals. Who would have thought?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Best Images from Vacation

Fishing Boats
Saint Martin

Loggerhead Turtle
Jupiter Island Beach

It is over.

Sadly.

I have to return to the daily grind tomorrow armed with my vacation memories and images to remind me of the fun and relaxing time that I have enjoyed for the past two weeks. 

So I took a few minutes to review many of the images taken during the vacation to find the best four. My favorite is of the fishing boats lined up in Saint Martin. It is a classic Caribbean image.

The loggerhead coming out of the surf along Jupiter Island Beach obviously is one of my favorites. It was such a fantastic event that the memory will stay with me for a long time. 

Castillo San Felipe del Morro
From Oasis of the Seas upon departure
July 6, 2017

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
Jupiter, Florida

The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is a structure that I never grow weary of imaging. I should probably go back through all of the images that i have ever taken and put together a good of the lighthouse from various angles and lighting conditions. 

And of course the image of the Castillo San Felipe del Morro in San Juan as the cruise shop sailed by is a stunning image as well. I enjoyed the brief visit to San Juan and want to return soon to spend a longer time enjoying the sights and learning more about the culture of Puerto Rico.

Ah, the memories. The images provide a key to recall the memories of a great vacation.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Best Vacation, Ever?

Beach on Saint Martin
July 5, 2017

What constitutes the best vacation ever? 

It is probably any vacation that I am currently experiencing. The way I look at it is that a bad day on vacation is better than a good day in the office. Right?

Labadee, Haiti, Beach
July 7, 2017

Well, mostly.

There are many components to great vacations and everybody has different components to creating the perfect one. 

In my case, beach time is an important component of a vacation. That means that a vacation to the mountains, while enjoyable, would not probably make my list as the best vacation ever. I am a bit concerned about an Alaskan cruise as well--pretty, enjoyable, but too cold for quality beach time. And with the way I detest snow, I'm not sure wandering around a glacier during the summer would be personally satisfying.

Hobe Sound National Refuge
Jupiter Island, Florida
July 9, 2017

In contrast, I was in awe of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin on my current vacation because the island is 37 square miles in size and has 37 beaches, as reported by my tour guide. I only visited three of the beaches there and so I definitely need a return trip to visit more of the remaining 34 beaches!

Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, Florida
July 10, 2017

Now, while describing and planning my perfect vacation it should be noted that vineyards and wineries are a close second to beaches. So, for instance, a Tuscan vacation would be very nice as well--it is just lacking a beach to make it the "best ever."

Cocoa Beach, Florida
July 1, 2017

Another component of the "best ever" vacation is, of course, golf. Add golf to any vacation and it immediately moves up in status! Golf and wine--good. Beach, wine, and golf? A difficult trio to combine.

The point of all of this is that I believe everyone needs to know what constitutes their "best ever" vacation and then make appropriate decisions before heading off and spending time and money to "get away."

Happy vacationing and may your vacation be the "best ever!"

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida