Sights from the Road

Sandy Point State Park on August 25, 2013

Driving home from Ocean City on Sunday early afternoon, I was able to enjoy the sights along the highway because I was not driving. I was sitting in the back seat of a bright orange (Crush) Jeep with no doors and the top down being blasted from every direction by the wind. 

It was an experience. I enjoy convertibles, but the driver is protected form the direct force of the wind by the windshield. Not so in the back seat of a Jeep. 

As we traveled, I enjoyed the scenery, mostly because I usually drive and cannot really enjoy the sights while keeping a watchful eye on the road. This is especially true for crossing the Bay Bridge--which is a white knuckling experience for many people. 

Jer's Jeep after one run through the Obstacle Course

On Sunday, I was able to examine Sandy Point State Park from the relative safety of the back seat. IT was a busy day at the part with what appeared to be hundreds of people enjoying one of the last days of summer (or was it one of the first real days of summer). 

I was able to take in the scene, the people, the bridge, the boats. I even took a quick image on my cell phone camera to remind me of the relative freedom of being blasted by the wind in the back seat. I noted that it was much cooler on the bridge over the water than it had been on the hard surface of the ground. Very cool--almost cold.

The trip changed my perspective, for the better. I longed to be on the beach--but I was also anxious to be home and crossing the bridge meant that home was just a few minutes away at the conclusion of the over two hour trip from Ocean City. 

As the weekend was coming to a close, I knew that I had had fun and experienced something that I long to do again. Next yeah.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Boys, Mud, and Jeeps

I attended my first ever Ocean City Jeep Week and discovered something that I never even imagined, riding off road in a Jeep through obstacles and mud is a lot of fun. Especially getting stuck in the mud and getting pulled out so that trying it again to get it right becomes a personal vendetta. 

I was an observer at most of the activity--as I didn't have a Jeep of my own to attempt to break, but that was OK, maybe next year I will have one of my own to take into the obstacles and trails--just for fun. I did witness one Jeep which sadly punched a hole in its transmission pay and had to be towed off--it was a sobering reminder of what can happen when we play just a bit too hard. But, the overwhelming majority of the Jeeps came off the field with only a smattering of mud to show for their efforts.

Cory, Jeremy, and Patrick with their Jeeps

This Jeep weekend was near and in Ocean City, MD and used venues in Berlin and the Pocomoke Fairgrounds for the events I attended. 

My observation is simply--get a Jeep, be brave and just add mud!  Thin mud is better than thick mud which can cake on the tires and throw off the wheel balancing. 

The Jeep show showcased hundreds of different Jeeps from WW2 Willis decked out survivors to the newest JK's and all of the models with mods in between and was truly a sight to behold on Saturday morning. I just never knew how passionate people could be about Jeeps--and not just guys, but gals and even whole families. 

Best in Class

What really impressed me was the camaraderie among and between the Jeepers--everyone was helpful and thoughtful. People loved talking about their Jeeps and the modifications they did to them. There were very few "out of the showroom" Jeeps on display--most had modifications and some were truly impressive.

From the image of the Best in Class for Military Jeeps, you can almost get a sense of the rows and rows of competitors for different classes at the show in Berlin. It was a huge field full of Jeeps and their owners ready for the day. And, it was over by noon so that those who desired could participate in the obstacle course.

American made fun--Jeep.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings -- August 26, 2013

Jeep Washdown after the Obstacle Course

1. The last week of August has started. It seemed to arrive very quickly.

2. Where do Jeeps go after they have been playing on an obstacle course? The showers of course.

Enjoying the Orioles game in Ocean City

3. Where do the guys driving the Jeeps go after they have been playing on the obstacle course? Hooters on the Ocean City Boardwalk of course to watch the Orioles game.

4. For anyone who has ever driven across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, a totally new and somewhat breath taking approach is to ride across in a Jeep with the doors off in the outside land so that you can look straight down at the bay--if you dare!

5. Football season is trying to get underway. Good luck--Baseball is still the King of summer!

6. Looking at the moon the other evening, I was reminded how strong the light from the sun must be to reflect so brightly and allow me to see in the night.

7. Some people say that returning home is the best part of a vacation--I'm beginning to believe that finding a new place to call home may be better.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Moon Over the Atlantic

I stood in the Ocean City sand last evening as the moon was rising over the ocean. It was very dark except for the Moon's light reflecting off the rough surf.

The surf was black and rough as it crashed onto the beach. The scene was stark, no colors but the cold moonlight casting its eery glow across the water.

I have seen paintings like this, but only occasionally do I pause to actually stand and watch the Moon as it shifts higher into the sky over the ocean.

I thought of sailing by the stars and moon light and I was also reminded of camping when the moon's glow was so useful.

Last night I was just able to stand and enjoy the scene as the rising tide began to lap against my feet. The sand was cold, unlike the daytime when the sun makes the sand too hot to enjoy. The are was cool I sensed that the approaching autumn has begun taking possession if the evenings.

It was hard to break away and return to the warmth of the condo, but it was late and I was getting cold. And it as time to leave the darkness and return to the light.

--Bob Doan, writing from Ocean City, MD

Escape to the Beach

What could be better than a weekend away on the beach in Ocean City surrounded by Jeep owners doing crazy things.

Sun, sand, waves. Did I say sun? Maybe that bright fiery orb in the sky is trying to make up for its recent reticence to shine now that August is almost over.

I'll take it. On the beach just after dawn as the day begins.

I wonder what the day will bring? I guess I just need to fund out and go forth into the sun.

And get warm, finally.

--Bob Doan, writing from Ocean City, MD

Wishing away the Cloudy Days

Clouds over the Atlantic

Having just come through a series of cloudy days, I sometimes wonder what they are good for? Cloudy, gray, gloomy days. They are just there and hang around almost defying me to do something creative.

Yesterday, for instance, the weathermen indicated that the afternoon would be filled with rain and possible thunderstorms. I drove my truck to work coming out in the evening to discover bright clear skies that laughed at me for not driving my convertible. I prepared for gloom but was pleased to be bathed in clear skies. 

Some days, though, I can lay on a beach just looking at the clouds and imagining that I am somewhere else.

Of course listening to the waves crash onto the beach is never a bad thing in my mind, and so watching clouds while on the beach is not a true test of how to spend a gloomy day--but it is one approach.

I often go to the movies on cloudy afternoons. What better way to get out of the gray gloom than going into a dark room with a hundred or some of my new best friends to watch a movie? Planned properly, the gray afternoon melts away into darkness while I am being entertained.

And so does the day, it seems.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Darkness Falls but not my Spirits

Makayla

I noticed it last evening as Chris, Makayla and I headed out for an evening walk.

I confirmed it this morning as I walked Makayla before heading off to work. 

Darkness is falling earlier and staying later, ugh. I almost need to use the flashlight to clean up after Makayla. 

The darkness is beginning to take its toll on the available sunlight. August has been a bust in terms of weather with rain, cool, and gloom being the usual fare of the day; and now the darkness is gathering in preparation for the final assault upon summer.

Why am I projecting ahead? Because autumn arrives exactly one month from today.  Schools go back into session next week and because vacation is over many people erroneously believe that summer has ended.

It has not.

Summer is still with us. We need to celebrate despite the gathering darkness that causes gloom. Summer is with us for 31 more days.

Labor Day is coming.

September is coming.

I'm thinking about splitting my time between the Northern and the Southern Hemisphere so that I can enjoy perpetual spring and summer!

So despite the darkness, there is still plenty of summer to celebrate.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

On the Water

I love being on the water in a small boat.

There is something exhilarating about being on the waves looking back at the shore and the people and houses on the shore.

It is fun to look at the expensive houses arrayed along the water ways with their pools within steps of the water and significant boat houses to hold their expensive water craft.  I sometimes feel like a voyeur looking into their lives from the water.

But beyond the bounds of the water ways and onto the open ocean--that is the real thrill. Crossing the boundary from coastal water into ocean where the waves are real and the bottom drops out of sight fascinates me still, even though I have dove down and explored wrecks along the bottom, from above there is no trace of the complex bottom and sea life below.

Much has been written and movies have been made about life on the water and heading out onto the sea in small ships or boats and I am sure I cannot add anything significant to the body of work, except to note, I get it.

I love the clean smell of salt air and the coolness of the waves as they break over the bow and splash me. I am not a fan of being bruised by the boat as it slaps my backside repeatedly, but that kind of goes with the experience.

I am reminded of the John Masefield poem titled Sea Fever:

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,

And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters -- Review

I am a sucker for some genres of fantasy adventure movies, especially those involving Greek gods. As a result, I had to see the newest installment of the Percy Jackson series.

I took my Mom with me--who is a very critical movie watcher. She liked it, like many non-movie critics, while the seasoned critics do not like this film.

I found the plot to be engaging with the usual twists and turns of relationships between adolescents. The movie does rely heavily upon the storyline from the previous movie for background, however; it is easy for a first timer to get involved in the plot without understanding everything else that has happened in the first movie with respect to Percy Jackson learning that he is the son of Poseidon and all that entails. 

I felt that Logan Lerman did a good job reprising his role as Percy Jackson, but the show stealer was Jake Abel who portrayed a very evil and troubled former friend, Luke. The story revolves around a quest to recover the fleece and its magical healing powers. The quest has its share of monsters and troubles along the way. But it moves along quickly and the action scenes are not so long that I lost interest in the movie. 

Here is the real important aspect of the film though. When it ended, I was left wanting more! I did not want the adventure or the action to end. That is the sign of a good movie. In terms of the watch checking quotient--I did not check my watch at all during the movie and so it received a perfect score of zero.

RECOMMENDATION: See this movie. This film is suitable for the under 13 crowd. No bad language, no sex, it does have mild violence and scary monsters.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - August 19, 2013

1. The best part about being in a hospital is leaving.

2. Movies are a great way to spend a sleepy Saturday afternoon.

3. There is far more entertainment at wineries than just the wine.

4. Why has our news media become so sensationally oriented and one sided--are we losing our perspective as a society?

5. Movie critics just don't get it--they see too many movies.

6. There are 39 games left in the baseball season and it is time for the Orioles to make a move.

7. Opening Day seems like such a long time ago.

8. On this date during 1871 Orville Wright was born. Where would air travel be without him?

9. I like the Orioles Bird--he makes me smile whenever I see him.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD