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

Monday Musings - July 17, 2017

Palm Trees Before the Storm
Tequesta, Florida

1. It is hard to believe that more than half of July is complete! Summer is running away. 

2. The Orioles at the mid-season turn have become a major disappointment. They surrendered 27 runs in three games while scoring 11, but 8 of the 11 were in one game. The team lacks pitching and batting! Changes must be made!

3. Sitting around the pool on a hot, Sunday afternoon is not the same as being in the pool.

4. Getting back into the swing of life is hard after being away for two glorious weeks.

I'd Rather be Golfing
Compass Pointe
July 15, 2017

5. Is it easier to watch kids or dogs while their parents/owners are away?

6. With the Orioles collapsing, did I mention that the NFL resumes in a few short weeks? Unfortunately, the Ravens do not look to be contenders either.

7. Three boys and three dogs equals chaos.

Headlines

Behind Bucks County Killings, a Young Life Skidding Off the Rails - The New York Times

Exodus From a Historic Puerto Rican Town, With No End in Sight - The New York Times

The country’s flood insurance program is sinking. Rescuing it won’t be easy. - The Washington Post

Trump is killing the Republican Party - The Washington Post

Quote for the Week

"You know, someone wisely said that a hero isn't really braver than anyone else; he's just brave 5 minutes longer than anyone else." Ronald Reagan Remarks to Marine Corps Basic Training Graduates in Parris Island, South Carolina, June 4, 1986 -- 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

Hot, Sultry Golf Saturday

Compass Pointe East Course Hole 1
July 15, 2017

I made it to Compass Pointe golf course this morning and enjoyed a round in the near 100 percent humidity. The dew on the grass was heavy at 7AM and the greens were slow, but we had a great time smacking the small white ball around the course.

Compass Pointe North Course Hole 8
Rainstorm

At one point we also enjoyed a passing rainstorm that cooled the temperatures but helped to keep the humidity at near 100 percent. 

On the longest hole of the day, which was the 17 hole we played, the rain drenched us and soured my spirits for a while. The hole is a long par 5 at 585 yards from the white tees. Hitting from the wet fairways was not a lot of fun, but I got to use my rain gear. 

When the sun returned, the humidity returned to 100 percent.

I didn't play very well, but it was fun being out on the course.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: White House Sideshow

Upon returning from vacation, I was saddened to learn that the circus sideshow that has become the White House continues unabated.

The continuing news about the Russia investigation and entanglements is making the entire American system the laughing stock of the world. 

The bigger problem is that the focus upon the disclosures and allegations is distracting us and the news media from the real news happening around the world. 

We: the news media, people, and government of the United States, have become so inwardly focused that we are ineffectively dealing with activities around the world. When damage control becomes the main diplomatic activity of the day, then we have become totally reactionary and are not setting policy and pushing programs and focusing the direction of the world.

The inward focus means that the United States has effectively abrogated its world leadership and allowing other countries are setting the direction and respond to international issues while the U.S. deals with its internal crisis.  

We need to set policy, not be totally in the respond mode to other's actions.

My Take: The Sideshow that has become the White House needs to end and the business of governing must begin.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Road Home

On I-95 near Waverly, Georgia
July 13, 2017

Vacations end. It is a sad and indisputable fact.

It has been two weeks since Chris and I took the road for our cruise vacation. We are now on the way home and passed through Waverly, Georgia, an hour or so ago.

We got up early this morning and hit I-95 about 5AM for the 16 hour sojourn back to Elkridge.

I drove the first shift and it was only after we changed drivers did I get the opportunity to document the day with an image from the highway.

Yesterday it rained on our last day in Florida meaning that we neither played golf or hit the beach. It was a good relaxing day prior to the marathon drive home.

I have a lot of memories. I am fully relaxed and recharged and I admit that I do not need to go back to work in order to get over my vacation. I have been on vacations where getting back to work was a welcome relief from the hectic schedule.

It is sad that the time off is nearly complete. But, getting back home will be nice.

-- Bob Doan, writing from South Carolina on I-95

Loggerhead Encounter

Loggerhead Turtle Emerging form the Surf
Jupiter Island, Florida
July 11, 2017

A once in a lifetime encounter on a deserted beach occurred yesterday evening. 

Chris and I along with Francis and Mary were at the Jupiter Island beach enjoying an end of the day happy hour when, about 25 yards from us, a loggerhead turtle crawled out of the surf and began to move up the beach to lay eggs. It was about 6PM in the evening and these things just do not happen at that time of day.

Loggerhead Turtle headed Back to the Ocean
Jupiter Island, Florida
July 11, 2017

I was in shock when I looked up the beach to the north and saw the turtle emerging from the sea. At first I thought it was a large piece of debris, but when I realized that it was a turtle, I let everyone in the group know. 

Loggerheads, and other turtles, typically come ashore under the cover of darkness to lay their eggs. An article by the Sea Turtle Conservancy describes routine behaviors. The turtle we saw last night was intent on digging a nest and laying eggs during broad daylight. 

Fortunately the beach was deserted, except for the four of us who remained silent and with only very limited movement until the turtle had completed laying her eggs and began the trek back to the ocean. It was only at that point that we approached her to take some closer images, but we never touched her or obstructed her path to the sea. During her entire time on land in the sun I was concerned that the turtle would overheat.

Safely Back to the Water
Loggerhead Turtle - Jupiter Island Beach
July 11, 2017

The movie above shows the event as best that I could record it. There is no video of the actual egg laying because we maintained a respectful distance from the turtle until she was finished. 

We have been on the beach at night and seen turtles come out of the surf and we have watched them lay eggs, but to experience the entire event from start to finish is something that just does not happen during daylight hours. 

The turtle last evening was intent on her mission. Three fishermen walked by at the surf line while she was laying, but the turtle was undeterred from her mission. 

Throughout the event, we were in awe of the scene being played out before us. We had been on the beach when nest eruptions occur during the daylight hours and many small loggerheads begin their race to the ocean, but to see a magnificent turtle emerge from the surf during daytime was a sight to behold and I am very happy that I was able to record it.

-- Bob Doan, writing form Tequesta, Florida

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

Monday Musings - July 10, 2017

Breakfast on the Balcony
Looking at the Ocean
Oasis of the Seas
July 4, 2017

1. I wonder if I will ever tire of looking at the ocean and watching the sun rise and set? I don't think so.

Crab
San Juan, Puerto Rico
July 6, 2017

2. It is fun to watch the animals along a beach. We found a very interesting crab in San Juan.

3. It was hard to say goodbye to the Oasis of the Seas which served as our home for a week of travel and sights.

4. I noticed that the more I want to be someplace, the longer it takes to get there. I guess this is a corollary to the adage that a watched pot never boils.

5. This joke is an oldie, but it seems to be very true these days. How can you tell when a politician is lying? Their lips are moving. 

6. I came to a realization the other day that the difference between real and fake news is perspective.

7. The internet is blurring the lines between fact and fiction. I ran across an interesting 2016 New York Times piece about, How the Internet is Loosening Our Grip on the Truth. 

Headlines

Coal no longer fuels America. But the legacy — and the myth — remain. - The Washington Post

The Islamic State Is Not Dead Yet - The New York Times

Republicans Take a Hatchet to Health Care - The New York Times

Quote for the Week

"Today the world looks to America for leadership. They look to what they call our miracle economy for an answer to how they may give their people a better life. And they look to our courage and might to protect them from the forces of tyranny, brutality, and injustice." Ronald Reagan Remarks to Marine Corps Basic Training Graduates in Parris Island, South Carolina, June 4, 1986

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

As the Cruise Ends

Chasing Down a Freighter
July 8, 2017
Atlantic Ocean off the Coast of Florida

We experienced a sea day yesterday on our way back to Port Canaveral. I enjoy sea days because it forces me to explore the ship and try things that I might not otherwise experience. Sometimes, I get excited about watching the ship track down and overtake a freighter. Life can be that relaxing during a sea day.

Cats
Oasis of the Seas
July 8, 2017

Yesterday, for example, I attended the ship's performance of Cats. Yes, the former Broadway musical written during the early 1980's that I have failed to appreciate. The performance did eat up two-and-a-half hours and was actually very good. Perhaps it was because I understood the story this time. Even so, it got a bit long and it seems to end abruptly. Chris and I did get our picture taken with Old Deuteronomy during the intermission.

Cats on Oasis of the Seas

We also attended the comedy show during the night which provided a good send off with some humor specifically directed at life aboard a cruise ship.

Alas, our time aboard the Oasis of the Seas is nearly over. I am sitting in port waiting for breakfast and debarkation. I watched the ship arrive at the quay under the cover of darkness and have been watching the sun rise. It has bee beautiful to experience, but I admit, I much prefer the sunrise and the sunset at sea.

Chris trying a new drink of the day

Chris and I with Our Waitstaff
Iwayan from Bali
Vicky from India

But as the day dawns the activity begins to ramp up it is time to begin the process of departing. The good-byes have already begun as we enjoyed a meal with our wait staff for the last time. they were fun and it is always amazing how we develop a bond with the team and that makes the good-byes sad. 

The memories are great and the images that I have captured help us to remember the fun and good times of escaping life for a week to sail away!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Oasis of the Seas tied up in Port Canaveral, Florida