A Shortened Boat Day

Heading out of the Marina
Tequesta, FL
September 4, 2024

 Chris and I made it out onto the water in a boat yesterday. We departed the marina about 9:45 AM for a day of motoring on the ICW. I had grandiose plans to motor to Lake Worth and maybe on to Peanut Island, I still want to see President Kennedy's bunker, then back to Season 52 for lunch and a sandbar stop for some relaxation. Low tide was about 2 PM which is why the sandbar stop was in the afternoon. 

The weather and unforeseen circumstances dictated otherwise. 

Chris in the Bow
Jupiter, FL
September 4, 2025

When we arrived at the marina, our chosen water vehicle was not there. We were told it was out being fueled. Granted, we arrived about 10 minutes early. Shortly, the boat motored up the ICW and to the docks. The report was not good. We were being given a boat with only 8.9 gallons of fuel because the fueling station had not been not open. My plan for the day would use about 10 gallons. BUT, since we were heading south, we were encouraged to stop at another marina to fuel-up.

So we motored off and headed south on the ICW for the marina to add fuel. It was an adventure! But, it also took precious time out of our day. We arrived at the marina and we had to wait over 15 minutes for the fuel person to arrive. And then the boat only took 32 gallons. Yes, despite the fuel gauge reading, the tank was actually over half full when we arrived at the fuel stop. I was told this boat should have taken about 100 gallons. Even after fueling, the gauge never registered the additional fuel. Now, granted, this is a new boat. I mean really new! I don't know how many hours it had on it, but it is likely that this was the first fill up since being placed into service. 

Jupiter Lighthouse from the ICW
Heading Back
Jupiter, FL
September 4, 2025

Although the fueling stop was pleasant and we were on our way, in addition to the loss of time it gave time for the clouds and storms to begin to form. That actually was a good thing as I decided not to head further south to Peanut Island where the storms were forming. My thought about small boats and storms is that even though I am a competent small boat captain, the best way to ride out a storm is to not get into a storm in the first place. So we truncated the day.

Heading under the US-1 Drawbridge
Jupiter, FL
September 4, 2025

It was 11:15 AM by this point and although we were near Season 52, they did not open until 11:30. We decided to cancel lunch and motor our way back to Tequesta from where we were in Palm Beach Gardens. While the distance was not all that great, the ICW is mostly restricted to minimum wake speeds--which in our boat is about 6 mph. We were 7 or 8 miles from the marina--so about an hour. There is one fun stretch where the speed limit is 30 mph--but it is far too short.

Seeing the developing storms, we headed back. I subsequently canceled the sandbar stop as well, sadly. We had brought chairs and an umbrella to enjoy time on the sandbar. We made it to the marina before the rains came. 

We had an enjoyable, but short boat day. Better safe than sorry. I do enjoy boating on weekdays. Look at the images--there are no other boats in the pictures. We did pass a few other boats along the way, but it is very different on a weekend. On a weekend, sometimes it is possible to walk across the ICW on boats, not literally, it only just seems that way. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Thursday is just another day

Morning Weather Radar
September 4, 2025

 I took a day off from biking yesterday and walked nearly 1.5 miles with Chris and Finn. 

It is good to mix things up a bit. 

Today is a boat day, if the weather holds. Chris, Finn, and I are headed out on the water to explore and enjoy. Hopefully, we will tie up somewhere for lunch and then early afternoon back at the house before Happy Hour. 

I am taking out a different boat than I have before.  

Checking the weather, all of the storm systems are over the ocean and tracking eastward, but the afternoon storms start building about 3 PM.

Anchors aweigh!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It went by that Fast

Brightline
Tequesta, FL
September 2, 2025

 I had to stop and wait for a Brightline train to pass through the crossing yesterday as I was starting my ride. 

It has been a while since I stood right at the crossing bar to watch a moderately high speed train pass. 

Wow! It was fast. 

I think from start to finish, even waiting for the crossing arms, I waited only about a minute. 

I would up riding 22 miles and the Brightline was not even a good water stop. It was fun to watch, however. 

Watching the train cruise past, however, was a highlight of the day. Well, until Chris and I went to dinner with friends for the evening. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Has it really been 50 years?

 Chris and I celebrated Labor Day by going to the movies. 

We chose the 50th Anniversary Jaws as our movie to watch. 

Yes, we have watched Jaws on streaming multiple times and have the entire script fairly well memorized, but that did not deter us from heading off to the theater to see the movie on the big screen. 

We were excited by the opening monologue from Steven Spielberg which explained that the movie had been reprocessed into 4K or better viewing. I had hoped that they might include some scenes cut from the original, but apparently they did not.

It was great to see Jaws on the big screen again and with the full vibrant sound. We both thoroughly enjoyed the experience and highly recommend it for any others out there who enjoy watching Jaws on the small screen. Think of all the people who have only ever been exposed to Jaws on a TV-size screen--they will be in awe as they watch Bruce (the shark) terrorize the island community of Amity.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - Labor Day 2025

1. Welcome September--it is the first Monday of there ninth month of the year. Whew! We made it this far. There are 17 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday of September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements in the United States. Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor. "Labor Day" was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, which organized the first parade in New York City. Wikipedia

House under construction
Tequesta, FL
August 31, 2025

3. I find it very interesting to monitor the progress of houses being constructed along my bike routes. There are multiple houses being constructed. All of them are being constructed on lots where existing homes were razed. Watching the process from demolition to completion is fascinating and I am also amazed at how long it takes to get to completion and occupancy. This is not a quick process.

4. I managed a 19-mile ride yesterday. It got a bit warm towards the end, but despite my ride, I still closed out August with less than 100 miles ridden. It was one of my worst months since I've been keeping records. The most significant thing about the ride, however, was that I passed 6,000 miles ridden since buying my bike during February 2022.

5. The biggest threat to our Republic may be residing in the White House. International ineptitude coupled with domestic ineffectiveness all he has to show for his efforts. The president is more concerned about retribution than he is actually accomplishing something positive for the American people. His disdain for renewable energy sources is one area where his actions are increasing costs for American families. Tariffs are another. The downward spiral may be happening too fast to correct.

6. Today in History. On September 1, 1972, in what’s billed as the “Match of the Century,” American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer defeats Russian Boris Spassky during the World Chess Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland.

In the world’s most publicized title match ever played, Fischer, a 29-year-old Brooklynite, became the first American to win the competition since its inception in 1866. The victory also marked the first time a non-Russian had won the event in 24 years.

Fischer, who started playing chess professionally at age 8, won the U.S. Open Championship when he was 14 (he would go on to win it seven more times) and became the world’s youngest international grandmaster at age 15.

Fischer’s skills and age—and demanding, arrogant attitude—made him a pop culture phenomenon. He became the subject of books and movies and even inspired a song, “The Ballad of Bobby Fischer.”

Earthquake in Afghanistan kills 800, injures 2,800 - Reuters

China's Xi pushes a new global order, flanked by leaders of Russia and India - Reuters

Israel sends tanks deeper into Gaza City, more families flee - Reuters

In Mexican border town, thousands of jobs lost due to Trump tariffs - Reuters

Tracking Trump’s retaliation against a wide swath of critics and perceived political enemies - CNN

Trump's Cabinet meeting profanity highlighted a harsh truth about his Putin failures - MSNBC

Trump administration threatens states with odd demands for sex ed censorship - MSNBC

One meal a day, no bathing for days: Inside the 'humanitarian crisis' at an ICE field office - MSNBC

Trump makes bold declaration about DC amid his federal policing intervention - FoxNews

Trump wraps up week announcing that billions in foreign aid is canceled - FoxNews

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Another Repair Completed

Controller Board
Tequesta, FL
August 30, 2025

It is Alive!
Tequesta, FL
August 30, 2025

 One of the reasons that Chris and I drove the truck to Maryland for our recent visit was to retrieve the NordicTrack S22i Exercise Bike that we gave to one of our children. As I wrote before, the bike had fallen out of their exercise routine and was not functioning.

I determined that the controller board needed replacing and felt that I could effect the repair and so, we loaded the bike into the bed of the truck and hauled it to Florida where it has sat, mostly disassembled, until yesterday. The controller board arrived Friday and I had been anxious to install it.

The process turned out to be more complicated than expected and I had to overcome a tool problem, but am happy to report the operation was a success and the patient survived. I am in the process of getting my account reestablished. 

I felt good about getting the job done and should be up and running today for exercise during rough weather conditions--like thunderstorms. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It is Finnegan's World

Finnegan on the Bed
Tequesta, FL
August 28, 2025

 Finn is a small-ish, 6 lbs, Yorkie who apparently owns the world. 

I accompanied him on his morning walk today, because I didn't feel like riding my bike. He has two routes: short and long. The short is just under half-a-mile while the long is about a mile-and-a-half. More often than not, when I accompanied Chris and Finn he chooses the long walk. But not today. 

Today we did the shorter walk which includes a stop at the local Ace Hardware. Finn has a lot of friends working at Ace and they always give him a grand greeting. There are usually treats involved and he races around the store off-leash. His antics provide amusement for the day. 

After a while, he is ready to head home and crash on the couch for a well deserved nap. 

Ah, it is a dog's life after all. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Back in the Saddle Ride

Loxahatchee River Bridge
Tequesta, FL
August 29, 2025

 I was back in my bike saddle this morning for an 18-mile ride around Tequesta. I usually take it easy after a weeklong layoff, but I was feeling good and did my usual ride without the recent 1.4 mile add-on that I have been doing to get over 19 miles. 

I made my usual quick stop on the Loxahatchee River Bridge in Tequesta for a quick image to record the conditions of the day. The temperature was 78 degrees when the ride began and 1h19m later, when my ride was complete, it was 81 degrees. I bested my usual time by 5 minutes--that is how good I felt and I spent 38 percent of the time in my peak cardio zone! 

I did not see my usual tortoises nor frequently sighted Sandhill Cranes. But I did enjoy seeing the changes in the short week since I last rode. 

Soon I will be ready for the remainder of the day and a trip to Costco!

-- 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