As the Clouds Clear

From the 4th Tee Box
Timbers at Troy
September 15, 2018

Finally, for at least a day, the rains stopped and the world began to dry out.

Plugged Golf Ball
Timbers at Troy 11th Hole
September 15, 2018

The drier conditions were a welcome relief and allowed me to get a few projects accomplished around the house. 

But first, I was able to get in a respectable round of golf at Timbers at Troy with the guys. It was good to stroll out onto the course just before 7 AM with a club in my hand and hit my first drive down the middle of the fairway. 

Although the day was generally gray, the sun broke out of the clouds later in the round. The course was very soft and it was cart path only, which slowed our pace of play. The soft course also meant that there was almost no roll out after the shot and most balls rested near their point of impact. I had more than one shot that plugged into the soft course. The greens were very slow which hampered putting a bit.

Newly Transplanted Crepe Myrtle

After the round of golf and as the day dried out even more, I was able to get more than a few projects accomplished around the house, including removing a dead shrub, installing a new outdoor security light, removing the electricity wires from a dead ash tree which will likely be felled this week, transplanting a crepe myrtle, and mowing the lawn. 

Of course the pool received some needed attention as well. I am hopeful of closing the pool next weekend and being done with the maintenance for the year. Summer is winding down and the falling leaves are becoming a nuisance.

It was a full and busy day. The only thing I wished I had done was get Radio Flyer up for a flight, but there just wasn't time. I though about it as Chris and I were relaxing on the deck at the end of the day with a glass of wine, but it was better just to sit and talk and plan for today.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

When Fiction Becomes Fact

This is an image of an Apple
Are you sure?
How do you know?

Just because I stay something is not true, does not not make it not true. Likewise, just because I say something is true does not make it so.

I am afraid.

As a nation we are struggling to understand the difference between real and imagined. Forces in our society have blurred the lines by decrying that free media are purveyors of falsehoods.

The idea of "Fake News" is not new. It has been around for a while, but in today's context it is threatening to rip the fabric of society apart. 

The free press has done a good job, in the past, of policing itself and pointing out exaggerations and inaccurate reporting given the opportunity to do so. I remember the downfall of Brian Williams, the former NBC News Anchor who lied about some of his experiences during the Iraq war. He was swiftly removed because he no longer represented the highest journalistic standards.

Now we have a split media that reports fake news with a megaphone, by passing on the rants of politicians pitted against the media which struggles to provide balanced reporting. Are those who accurately report the words of senior politicians and leaders reporting fake news or are they accurately reporting what is said and therefore fake news has become fact?

To what end?

The end game is not pretty.


I have been appalled about the recent discussion concerning how many Americans died during the Puerto Rico hurricanes. No matter what the answer truly is, in my view too many Americans died and it was because of an inefficient and poorly planned hurricane response. Focusing on the number and labelling dissenters as providing fake news is a deft way to change the true point of the discussion from why did so many Americans die to how many Americans died and then we forget the real point of the question.

Context and competition is needed. Rather than decrying what is reported as fake news, the correct way is to provide documented facts. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hurricane's Path - Florence Arrives

Finally it is Friday. After a long week.

It has rained every day this week. Chris and I got out for a walk yesterday during a brief break in the clouds and even felt enjoyed the feeling of sun on our faces. It was so nice that I condsidered flying Radio Flyer over the neighborhood.

Hurricane Florence

And then the gray and rain returned.

The week has been pretty much of a wash out. 

I am not complaining, however, because Hurricane Florence is not aiming at the Baltimore area directly. In fact, according to projections, the Baltimore-D.C. region will be spared as the hurricane and its tropical remnants actually spin around the area.

The news for the past few days has been focused on the hurricane and that has been a relief from the nonsense that usually comes from Washington. Even so, I was appalled at the discussion yesterday about how many people were lost when the hurricanes hit Puerto Rico last year. The debate over the death toll cannot hide the inescapable fact the the Federal Government did not prepare effectively to help the island and has not done enough to speed the recovery.

A much different response will be seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, I am sure. This is a significant hurricane and there will be many opportunities to debate the adequacy of the government's response. 

But, to focus on the present, my prayers are for those directly in the path.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday and the Orioles

I tried to watch the Orioles game last evening. I had tickets to the game against the Orland Athletics, but decided not to drive into the city to watch the team get squashed. 

The Orioles play mostly playoff bound teams for the rest of the season. 

I tuned into the game during the second inning and the score was 0-0 with the Orioles looking competitive against the playoff bound Athletics. 

And then the third inning arrived. It was a third inning that never wanted to end for either team. After the top half of the inning, I found a movie to watch.

It was another frustrating game, for Orioles fans, with the final score having the team in the loss column again and by a shutout, 10-0. All of the scoring occurred during the top half of the third inning which saw the Athletics score 10 runs. The starting nine for the Athletics all scored before the Orioles recorded even one out. In all, 15 Athletics went to the plate during the Athletics at-bat. 

Did I mention that the Orioles managed only one hit during the game? In all they sent 28 men to the plate during the ENTIRE game. The Athletics sent 15 during just the top of the third inning alone.

And that was the tale of the game. As the camera panned the empty stadium, a place where I have personally experienced so much enjoyment, I saw that many of the Orioles faithful, like myself, are already looking forward to next season. The announced attendance was over 10,480, but most of those were season ticket holders, like myself that stayed home hoping for the team's fortunes to change during the offseason. 

The Orioles now sport a league worst record of 41-104, .283. Seventeen games remain until the season mercifully ends. Eleven of those games are against playoff bound teams! Six of the games are against rivals with losing records. I remain hopeful that the Orioles finish with only 115 losses, but I am becoming less hopeful. They need to go 6-11 .353 for the rest of the season and I cannot find 6 wins during the next 17 games. 

Statistics say the Orioles will go 5-12, .294, but looking at the teams they are playing, I fear it is more likely they will end the season in total collapse with by finishing 3-14, .176, and ending the season with a dismal 44-118, .272 record which will secure 7th place on the all time list of worst seasons in modern MLB history just behind the 2003 Detroit Tigers who were 43-116, .265. 


It was sad not to get the playoff ticket offering from the team this year. I am not expecting one next year at this point either. 

There are only two more Thursdays in September, meaning I will write an Orioles update only twice more this season--if I decided to actually write one at all. 

Dismal. I remember the season started with a win. And it has been a disaster from there.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Allure of the Seas - A Review

Allure of the Seas in Cozumel
August 29, 2018

Allure of the Seas is one of the largest ships afloat.  The Oasis class ranks fifth among the longest ships in the world (as a class) after some really large container ship and tankers. There are four ships in the Oasis class: Oasis, Allure, Harmony, and Symphony of the Seas.

Allure of the Seas in Casa Maya
August 31, 2018

We sailed on Oasis of the Seas last year and were excited about cruising on her sister ship, Allure of the Seas. It is a big ship that provides personalized amenities. Despite the number of passengers, we never felt crowded except when first boarding and then again at debarkation.

Allure of the Seas from a Beach in Casa Maya
August 31, 2018

The ship is a grand ship and we always felt comfortable. It is easy to navigate, well if you know fore from aft and port from starboard. There are effectively 16 decks that are easy to access. There are really 18 decks, but the top two are reserved for suites. The expensive suites.

Carousel on Allure of the Seas

The ship is full of entertainment possibilities and of course pool/deckside lounging. The adult area is fantastic and during our cruise we never had any problems finding deck chairs to lounge in, despite the size of the ship. The ship sports a Promenade Deck complete with shopping, food, and lounge opportunities. It has a large theater and we enjoyed a full production of Mama Mia, which was spectacular. There is a Boardwalk complete with carousel and also a Central Park with trees and walk ways. It is a diverse and exciting ship. In a seven night cruise I felt as if I was just earning the ship as the cruise ended.

My favorite spots on the ship were Vintages Wine Bar, the balcony of my stateroom, a deck chair in the Solarium, and singing in the piano bar with my family.

Allure of the Seas with Patrick and Tina in Roatan
August 30, 2018

The ratings:

Ratings note: I rated the boarding and debarkation process at Port Everglades under the Royal Caribbean blog I wrote yesterday.

Cabin and Cabin Service: A

  Chris and I had a balcony. I love balconies. It provides a window on the world. The cabin was clean, quiet, and comfortable.

Entertainment: A

  The shows and entertainment options were varied and provided a full range of opportunities. I most enjoyed Mama Mia, the Comedy Show, and the Texas Tenors.

Central Park on Deck 8 Looking Aft
Allure of the Seas
August 26, 2018

Dining in the Main Dining Hall: C

  The dining was good and solid. The food was well prepared and the servers were efficient and took special care of the boys. The major area for improvement: wine service at the table. The servers did not know the wines and as there were seven adults, it often got confusing when the servers could not remember who ordered which wine and even which red wine they had on the platter. On one occasion, I was served a white wine when I had ordered a red.

Embarkation and debarkation in ports: A

  A smooth operation. We never stood in a long line and towels and water were available in convenient locations either on the quay or in the ship.

Looking onto the Promenade Deck
Allure of the Seas
August 31, 2018

Shopping: B

  I don't go on a cruise to shop, but there were opportunities and the shopping on the Promenade Deck is available. There were generally lines in the one store in which I considered buying a souvenir item, and hence, I did not purchase anything.

Guest Services: A

 They were efficient even with long lines at the usual spots in the cruise. We had one small issue and they took care of it completely and without issue.

Sports Opportunities: A

  Everything is available. A running track, basketball, flow riders, and the fames zip line. I did not get to play miniature golf, although I had a club in my had at one point.

With the Grandsons on the Boardwalk
Allure of the Seas
Port Everglades
August 26, 2018

Ship Maintenance: A

  The ship appears as grand as it is and was well maintained. No areas were closed off for maintenance during the cruise. Even in the busiest places around the pools, the decks were clear and continuously maintained. 

Sailing Characteristics: A

  It is a big ship and it sails smooth. I noticed some gentle rocking only during high winds while in the dining rooms. The ship docks smoothly and I slept through the entire process at the end of the cruise in Port Everglades. 

The Crew: A

 All of the crew were fantastic. Our Cabin steward, our dining hall servers led the group, but every interaction we had with a crew member was professional and most all of them provided a time of day appropriate greeting. 

Allure of the Seas overall: A

  It is a great ship and crew. I highly recommend sailing on the ship and experiencing a BIG ship. It turns out to be much smaller than you believe. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Royal Caribbean Cruise Scorecard - A Review

It has been over a week since Chris's Retirement Cruise was completed and think it is time to do some critical reviews of the cruise and ports of call. I need to get these thoughts out for other travelers and to record what I remember about the various portions of the cruise.

The comments below relate to my experiences sailing with Royal Caribbean on Allure of the Seas from August 26 - September 2, 2018. the ship departed and returned to Port Everglades, Florida, near Ft Lauderdale.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

Pre-Cruise Support - A

 Calling the cruise line is recommended if there are changes or when looking for pricing improvements. The agents on the phone are knowledgeable and helpful. Sometimes the process takes a long time, but in the end they worked to help us get the best deal. This was a complicated trip given that there were four cabins and family units involved. And there were changes. The agents handled the changes and were able to keep the cruise on track for everyone. I was a bit sad that given we were reserving four cabins that we were not offered an upgrade.

Boarding Process in Ft Lauderdale - A

  It was smooth and efficient. I think it took less than 20 minutes from when the taxi dropped us off with our luggage until we were on the ship and ready to cruise. The process was smooth and efficient. It really helped that we had completed all of our required paperwork beforehand. The addition of the picture submission during the pre-arrival registration process made the boarding process smoother.

Royal Caribbean Web Page 

Royal Caribbean Web Site - C

  The site is complex and not user friendly. It was easy to get lost in the site and not complete the proper forms. That written, the site is comprehensive and contains nearly everything to ensure a successful cruise. There are some things that the site does not make clear enough, especially the need to make reservations for shows on the Oasis-class ships. While there is no cost, the need for reservations for some activities needs to be clearer.

Smartphone App

Royal Caribbean Smartphone App - C

  The app has so much promise, but it just doesn't get the job done. I did not purchase wifi for the cruise, but the app was supposed to work despite that. It did have some basic functionality, but it did not display my daily activity and reservations and the ships activities differed from those actually provided.

Debarkation in Ft Lauderdale - F

  On September 2, 2018, this was a disaster. I am sure that there must have been a problem with the computers that Customs was using, but our projected departure time was delayed from 8:45 AM until 10:30 AM. The real problem was the lack of transparency in understanding the problem. The boards just continues to move the projected debarkation times back without explanation. I assess that Royal Caribbean may need to separate domestic from foreign travelers because once we actually got out of the lines and into the baggage and customs app it took only a few minutes to clear and be outside ready to head off to the airport. There apparently was a problem processing international returnees. Mind you, everyone got on the ship in Ft Lauderdale. How hard can it be?

Will I Sail with Royal Caribbean Again?

 Definitely! Overall the experience was great. I have sailed on three other cruise lines and from four other ports so I do have a small basis for comparison.

Upcoming:

I will review the ship and each port of call during the next few days.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 10, 2018

1. It is the second Monday of September, already. What happened to August?

Friends Sharing a Milkshake
at Zinburger, Columbia
September 7, 2018

2. I am not sure that I am ready for the 50 degree temperatures that have arrived in the region. I had to put on a pair of jeans yesterday and a long sleeved shirt to stay warm.

3. What do friends do when they go out for Happy Hour? Well, they share a milkshake, of course. What did you think they do?

4. Isn't it scary when a former President makes a statement about the situation in the country and the sitting President thinks it is about him? I was reminded of the Carly Simon song, You're So Vain.

Firefighters struggle to contain backfire in the
Pollard Flat area of California in the
Shasta Trinity National Forest
 on September 6, 2018.
Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images

5. I wish there was a way to send some of our rain to California to quench the fires. It rained here all day yesterday and we do not need the rain like California.

6. The Orioles have the dubious distinction of being the first MLB team to reach 100 losses this season (41-102, .287). The team is on track to lose 115 games but the good news is that they can lose no more than 121 games with only 19 games left on the schedule. Mercifully, the season will be over soon. We are already planing our Spring Training trip.

7. For the first NFL weekend the results for the family favorites are:

      Ravens -    W (1-0) 47-3 over Bills
      Redskins - W (1-0) 24-6 over Cardinals
      Cowboys -  L (0-1) 8-16 to Panthers
      Steelers -  T (0-0-1) 21-21 with Browns

8. September is prostate cancer awareness month. By some reports 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates that for 2018 that 164,690 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and that 29,430 men will die from the disease. Why doesn't the NFL wear light blue during September for prostate cancer awareness month? They wear pink during October for breast cancer awareness month. Step up for Blue!

9. On this Day in History. On this day in 1897, a 25-year-old London taxi driver named George Smith becomes the first person ever arrested for drunk driving after slamming his cab into a building. Smith later pled guilty and was fined 25 shillings.

Headlines

China Is Detaining Muslims in Vast Numbers. The Goal: ‘Transformation.’ - The New York Times

How the Anonymous Op-Ed Came to Be - The New York Times

No long-range missiles, North Korea military parade features floats and flowers - Reuters

Titans vs. Dolphins Longest Game in NFL History After 2 Weather Delays - Bleacher Report

Interstate 5 remains 'unsafe' for travel as Delta Fire rages in northern California - USA Today

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

We have no territorial ambitions. We occupy no countries. We build no walls to lock people in. Americans build the future. And our vision of a better life for farmers, merchants, and working people, from  the Americas to Asia, begins with a simple premise: The future is best decided by ballots, not bullets. 
  -- State of the Union address, January 25, 1984


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Summer Turned Off

It happened this weekend.

Recovered Pool
September 8, 2018

Just as I returned the pool to swimmable conditions after the algae attack, summer ended.

Yesterday was cool and rainy. Last evening, sitting around the fire pit I could see fog coming off the pool surface because the pool was much warmer than the air.

Dawn in Elkridge
September 9, 2018

This morning, the rain continues and the temperature is 57 degrees! 

Summer has ended. The 90s of last week have broken and autumn, which is officially less than two weeks away, is already making its presence felt.

I long for the sunrises of my recent vacation. Clear skies with clouds to reflect the morning rays. Instead there is nothing but gray! The sunrise out my window was almost invisible with the dark of morning giving way to the gray overcast. The image is a color image, by the way, there are just no colors to show as they are absorbed by the pervasive grayness.

Sunrise from Port Everglades
September 2, 2018

Unlike last weekend when I was arriving in port after a week sailing the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, the scene is very gray. There is no golf. There is no fall youth baseball. There are few outdoor activities. I have to wear a coat and jeans. 

It is a fitting start to the NFL season. 

Autumn is arriving, too soon!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Bring on the Towels

Towel Animal
Allure of the Seas
August 27, 2018

One of the things that both Chris and I look forward to when away on a cruise is the creativity of our cabin stewards with respect to the towel animals they create for our enjoyment.

Towel Animal
Allure of the Seas
August 29, 2018

On the big ships we have travelled, generally, the towel animals appear on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th days. We have been on other ships where they appear more frequently, but on the bigger ships we have been told that the number of extra towels that get used for animals is a significant drain on the supply.

This year we were surprised by the final of the three towel animals, it was a bat. We have never seen a bat in previous cruises. We thought the bat was very creative and cute. Almost cute enough to take home, but we didn't.

Towel Bat
Allure of the Seas
August, 31, 2018

It is funny the things that we begin to look forward to as cruises progress. Some people are all about the formal nights, or lobster feast, but I enjoy the towel animals and relaxing on the deck by the hot tub. Last year I visited a hot tub on three occasions--all on our cruise. This year's cruise saw me in the hot tub twice, and those will likely be my only forays into a hot tub for the year.

The towel animals provide some comic relief and also remind us of the pets we have left in the care of others while we are cruising the high seas. They provide a connection to the familiarity of home while we are away on a much appreciated vacation.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

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