Out the Hotel Window - Charlottesville, VA, during August

Charlottesville, VA Hotel Window

I was in Charlottesville, VA, the other night. I stayed in a different hotel than my normal Charlottesville stomping grounds.

It was a rainy afternoon ending to the day and the month of July as I looked out on the uninspiring scene out my hotel window.

I had driven much of the way in my convertible with the top down--but then I saw a ferocious rainstorm ahead. Fortunately, I stopped before the rain met me and raised the top.

I enjoyed the drive to Charlottesville as I discovered two previously unvisited wineries and many others that I need to stop and experience. There always seems to be something to see and do along the side of US 29 on the way to Charlottesville. ALthough the driving time is about two and a half hours--the drive always takes me longer.  And that is a good thing!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

August? Already?

Fireworks over the Castle in the Magic Kingdom during July

Even though it is now the 2nd of August, I am still reeling with the realization that July is over.

When I went to bed the other night it was July, but when I woke up is was August!

I think I missed something somewhere--what happened to July?  Could it be so quickly over? I was really enjoying July. Hot temperatures, Florida beaches--what's not to like?

It seems like just yesterday we were enjoying the 4th of July with barbecue and fireworks. It is almost like being a kid at an amusement park who is so fully engaged in the rides and the fun that it is a total shock when things begin to close down at the end of the day. Oh, yeah, I did that at the Magic Kingdom, too--during July.

I actually enjoyed two spectacular fireworks displays during the month!

Despite the month passing with nothing more than a whimper, I'd really like a July do over!

I wonder what August has in store? 

I am already complaining about the cool overnight temperatures--more like late-August than the beginning. And there is September--lurking on the horizon!

--  Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Virginia Wine Trail - Pearmund Cellars

Pearmund Cellars

Traveling through Northern Virginia yesterday on my way to Charlottesville, I had the opportunity to visit two wineries and vineyards that I had driven by but not stopped at during my previous travels through the area.

The first was Pearmund Cellars in Broad Run, Virginia. They say of themselves: "Pearmund Cellars is located in the beautiful foothills of eastern Fauquier County, VA, conveniently close to Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. Our 7500-square-foot geothermal winery and 25-acre vineyard produces Chardonnay, Viognier, Riesling, Late Harvest Vidal, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Ameritage, and other award-winning Virginia wines."

I did note that they were recently recognized by Virginia Wine Lover magazine as the best winery in Virginia for 2013 as reported on their web site.

The tasting room is located a short drive off Highway 29 and is well marked. Follow the signs! There are a couple turns where without the excellent signage it would be easy to end up in the driveway of a private residence. The tasting room is large and offers good access to the pouring bar for larger groups. They also offer an assortment of light sandwich fare and cheese plates for those who just want to buy a glass or a bottle and stop to enjoy themselves for a while.

I found the wines to be very representative of Virginia wines. Most of the juice for their wines is sourced from vineyards throughout the central Virginia region, with only the Chardonnay being estate grown. They have an arrangement with a growers in Washington State to produce some wines sourced from there. Of special note, I enjoyed the 2012 Petit Manseng and the 2010 Merlot. The merlot is very light, as compared to most merlots, but has some very nice characteristics. The Collaboration, a wine made entirely using juice form Washington State is also very drinkable and I enjoyed it. The selection of wines offered should find something to appeal to nearly every wine drinker.

RECOMMENDATION: The tasting fee is $10, but it is well worth the time and money to experience the very nice quality wines offered at Pearmund Cellars.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Charlottesville, VA

Winning, Losing, or Playing

General George S. Patton

It is reported that General George S. Patton, a flamboyant and effective World War II U.S. general,  once said, "Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn't give a hoot and hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost nor ever lose a war."

Vince Lombardi, the legendary NFL football coach for whom the Super Bowl Trophy in named, remarked that “Winning is not everything – but making the effort to win is.”

I've considered these thoughts in my racquetball exploits and in other areas of my life. I keep the Vince Lombardi speech about winning in a frame on the wall of my office--why? Because I need to know that making the effort is the important thing. 

Vince Lombardi on Time Magazine

More and more though, I have come to realize that I need to be smart and pick my battles. Some battles are not important enough to expend a lot of emotional energy "tilting at windmills." I have found that playing cards translates well into life by providing experience in trying to make the best of a bad situation and knowing how to translate a losing hand into a draw or even a win.It is the part of winning that makes me smart enough to know when I have a losing position and determining how to get the best possible outcome for the cards which have been dealt. 

Winning is great, losing sucks--but being on the field with the opportunity to play the game is even best. Before I can either win or lose, I need to be on the field to play the game. Remembering that playing is primary and winning or losing is an outcome helps me keep things in perspective.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Out the Condo Window - Jupiter, Florida

From our Bella Vista on the Park Condo

OK, this entry may be a bit late, given that I am already home and vacation is ended. But, I wanted to continue my look at life out of the window. The condo in Florida provided many more windows to choose from than a hotel room does--and so I chose this view because it contains water! A water view!

The water is a large pond (or is it a small lake) at the complex in which we stay while in Florida. Over the years I have watched the life surging around the pond, but this year I was disappointed to find the the friendly (or not so friendly) ducks and geese that used to live along the banks have been relocated. I like the thought of relocation better than the other option.

From this vantage point, which is really on the balcony, which if it were on the other side of the building would have an "ocean" view, I can see the heavy concrete tiles which form the hurricane resistant roof and I can remember looking down into the parking lot at our vehicle Cleo that in previous years would have been parked under a now removed palm tree.

Life goes on, I guess. Storms move through and it has been three years since we last stayed at this condo. I found many things have not changed--although I wish they would have changed. The condo internet connection is still DSL and it retains it charming Japanese decor including a kimono on the framed on the wall in one bedroom as well as a sign urging people to remove their shoes when the enter. Removing shoes is not a problem for me--I dislike wearing shoes anyway, preferring bare feet even during the winter season.

Most importantly in this image though are the palm trees. I love palm trees and want to plant one in Maryland. I noticed, during my last visit to Ocean City, MD, that one hotel had significantly large palm trees outside their beach entrance and I have surmised that the trees can survive if planted and not retained in pots. I think it would be awesome to line my drive with palms so I can have a perpetual Florida state of mind.

Through my pictures, and the as yet work in progress photo book, my vacation will live on. Soon though, it will be just a memory rather than something I did last week.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - July 29, 2013

1. Get over it! Just because vacation is over doesn't mean that summer has ended. There is still al to of time to do a lot of fun, outdoors activities and enjoy the best season of the year.

2. It takes a lot of work to get things back in order around a house after a three week absence.

3. Being greeted by a mountain of mail is not the best way to end a vacation.

4. There is something unsettling about returning to work after a lengthy absence. It should be fun and interesting today.

5. I cannot believe that July is almost complete. Wow, time passes quickly when I'm having fun.

6. Interesting piece of trivia: on this date in 1981, Prince Charles married Lady Diana. And now, their son has a son.

7. Even better than the previous entry--on this date in 1958 NASA was created.

8. Is it good to be home? That is a tough one. Is it better to be on vacation in someplace that I love knowing that I have a home to return to, or is it better to be at home with the memories of a great vacation?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Vacation Reflections 2013

Lobster Hiding at Carlin Park the Day After Lobster Mini-Season

Arriving home last evening about 7PM was thankfully uneventful. The house was in great shape, thanks to our family watching it and Makayla was there to greet us, having been returned from spending three weeks with her cousin Chewbacca a few hours earlier. I missed my dog and it was good to see her.

The trip from Florida, nominally a 15 hour drive too 17 hour due to heavy traffic between Richmond, VA, and home. My traffic alert in the car was going off every few minutes to advise me of a new accident or traffic jam. It was torturous to see our arrival time slip from 5PM, to 5:30PM and so on until we finally arrived home when we did. I have got to figure a better way to drive from Richmond to avoid all of the continual traffic nonsense--or plan to drive through during the wee hours or late hours of the day as we do when departing.

Snook

As they say, it is over, but at least the memories remain (and almost 900 pictures that Chris and I took). I love digital imagery--shoot until you get it right!

Sand Castle 

The new vehicle performed perfectly on the highway. I especially appreciated the internet connection for traffic updates and the detour/rerouting that the navigation system offers. We used that on a couple of occasions yesterday--but then at one point we needed a detour while on the detour. We finally decided to just slog it out on I-95.

One of the most memorable things I did during the vacation was build a sand castle with Ethan, Jax, and Chris. I have not engaged in sand castle building in a number of years, and I have grown a bit rusty. But our creation was significant. I was sad that I did not return to that beach the next day to see how the wind and waves had returned it to sandy beach.

We have already mostly decided that we will likely not return to Jupiter next year. but will instead venture off to some other location--maybe not even a beach.

But, that is for another day to decide.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

On the Road Home

Somewhere on I-95 in North Carolina

We departed promptly at 0200 this morning and had exited Florida before dawn. Coming up on noon we are slogging through North Carolina in moderate to heavy traffic.

The rain yesterday morning and evening did not dampen our final beach visit, but I did liken the drops to the tears of the Seminole's as they were pursued and subsequently lost their lands.

We dined with our friends at the Juno Beach Fish House, our last supper in Florida.

We are hoping to be home for a late happy hour.



--Bob Doan, writing from I-95 somewhere in North Carolina

Bird of the Day -- Juvenile Reddish Egret Finding Breakfast

Juvenile Reddish Egret

There is something fascinating about watching animals hunt--especially when they are successful and I have a camera there to record it. I tracked this bird for quite a few minutes as it moved from tidal pool to tidal pool as it stalked dinner. And then, success! It came quickly, but probably not quickly enough for the small fish which was invited to be breakfast.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL

Endings turing into Beginnings

The Flattest Atlantic Ocean of the Vacation

IT is here. My three plus week vacation is at an end. This morning will be my last sojourn to my favorite Florida beach for quite some time. There is some sadness when vacations draw to a close--but it isn't over yet!

Right. I still have a fifteen hour drive ahead of me to return to Maryland. That drive will begin during the wee hours of the morning and culminate, hopefully, with a triumphant return into the my driveway sometime during the late afternoon tomorrow. 

I have not missed much about being away, except for my dog, Makayla. Someday, I would like to bring her on vacation with me--but I will need to find a dog friendly place to rent. I have appreciated all of the help back home that those who could not join us here in Florida have done to keep things running, especially the struggles with the hot weather and the pool! Thanks guys for staying on top of that. I hope the cats got fed.

Sand Castle Creation

Today will be filled with beach followed by packing and car loading in preparation for departure. I fear we have accumulated more stuff than there is room for in the vehicle.

Yesterday's snorkeling was fabulous, as was the day before. Unfortunately it was the lobster mini season and there were a lot of other people in the water which drove many of the fish away, I think. I did run across two large barracuda and finally found one of the nurse sharks that I had been seeking. Actually, Nicole found it as we were cruising along the outer edges of the rocks. It was very well hidden. Why no pictures? I forgot to charge the battery on my underwater camera.

We even enjoyed a group effort sand castle building experience. With the help of Chris and I, Ethan and Jax created a fabulous sand castle on the beach. It was even reinforced with shells to repel attacking ghost crabs. We will look for the remains of the castle when we visit the beach today. 

 Last Happy Hour on the Beach with Nicole

Even so, during the late evening, we enjoyed our final Happy Hour together with Nicole, Mike, Ethan, and Jax on the beach. It was an idyllic evening with light winds, the flattest ocean of the entire vacation, and relaxed fun. The only reason we left the beach was because the parking lot closes promptly at sunset. 

The memories are fantastic. The sights have been grand. What more could I ask for, really? If I was on vacation every day it would not be a vacation, right?  OK--it might be called retirement!  Mmmmm, there is a thought.

Nah. It will be here soon enough and I need to do more preparation to make retirement as much fun as possible.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Jupiter, FL