From Atop the Space Needle

Space Needle
Seattle, WA
August 26, 2023

 It's historic--built during 1961.

And tall--605 feet in the air.

And cool. 

And the view from the top is breathtaking--really!

Chris and I visited Seattle proper yesterday and enjoyed two of the biggest attractions there: the Chihuly Glass Museum and Garden and of course the towering Space Needle. 

Chris and I at the Top
Space Needle, Seattle, WA
August 26, 2023

As the image to the right shows, it was a beautiful day for wandering around the city. 

Once we arrived at the top of the saucer, we had a great time accustoming to the view, which provided far more downward vision that, for instance, being atop the Empire State Building. I have to admit, it took a while to feel comfortable. And then there are the glass panels in the floor on the second level which allow for viewing straight down below as that floor actually moves, slowly, around the central core. 

I ultimately discovered that I really enjoyed being so high and in the open. I king of remember feeling similar standing atop the Eiffel Tower--but that was a few decades ago.

Straight Down through the Floor
Space Needle, Seattle, WA
August 26, 2023

The Space Needle caters to adults with the inclusion of bars at the top make the experience more enjoyable and, perhaps, to help calm the nerves of some of the guests. 

I fully enjoyed an IPA while viewing life outside of and down below the needle. 

I must confess that as we departed the upper floor for the lower which revolves, I did have some trepidation about stepping onto the see through glass floor. Fortunately, there are also panels which do not provide the "see through" experience. 

After a few minutes I was able to both walk onto the glass flooring and look down! I do not think I am yet ready for the glass bridge at the West Rim of the Grand Canyon!

What a glorious day and so much fun. The only negative was the line we waited in at the bottom even though we had timed entry admission. The entry process could and should be managed better. I actually overheard attendants say that they would not turn away anyone arriving in the wrong time slot because the line was so long. That discussion seemed to accept the fact that the process is poorly managed and it occurred after a patron pointed out that there were people in line over an hour early for their timed entries while those with current timed entries were still a long way from the entry. 

-- Bob Doan, Kent, Washington

Going up the Mountain

At the Sunset Turnoff
Mt Rainier National Park
August 25, 2023

 We enjoyed a mountain top experience. 

We set our sights on Mt Rainier yesterday and checked another national park off the list. Although the day started rainy, and we departed Kent, WA, under stormy skies, by the time we arrived at the mountain the day was breaking into full sunshine. I am glad that I can read a weather radar. 

Looking Down the Valley
Mt Rainier National Park
August 25, 2023

We had a great time exploring the national park. There was so much natural beauty to see that we ended the day on overload. Well, that's not true--we reveled in every new vista. And images--we took so many images and yesterday was only day one of our almost two-week trip. 

But then who is complaining? Certainly not me. If every day of our trip is as inspiring and beautiful as yesterday, well, then we will have enjoyed the perfect vacation. Wait--is it still a vacation when we are retired? What would we be vacationing from? Hmmmm.

Tree Snot
Mt Rainier National Park
August 25, 2023

And in the funny item of the day, I discovered tree snot! Yup. 

What, you ask, is tree snot? I am not sure. It was just hanging there on a tree branch. Fortunately, it was not dripping.

From the Today I Learned (TIL) department. The tallest trees in the forest are Douglas fir. The same trees that many people decorate for Christmas. And not only that, I also learned that the only trees that grow taller are the giant sequoias. Really cool! And they are tall!

-- Bob Doan, Kent, WA

Chasing the Sunset

Chasing the Sunset
AS 517 Over the US
August 24, 2024

 Chris and I took an afternoon/evening flight from Ft Lauderdale to Seattle last evening. 

It was a scheduled over 6-hour flight that thankfully lasted only about 5h30m and it was on Alaska Airlines--with whom I have flown before. The flight was great and I have to say that the passengers on Alaska Airlines seem to have a better understanding of the rules and methodology for loading and unloading an aircraft than those on Southwest. Things went smoothly. 

Sunset Over America
AS 517
August 24, 2023

It was a great flight and for the last part of the trip we were chasing the sunset. The scene outside the aircraft was changing colors and beauty. I had to capture some of the scenes. It has been quite a while since I have enjoyed watching a sunset from an aircraft.

And not for the not so good part. SeaTac, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a mess! Especially trying to retrieve luggage and get a rental car. I have never, and I mean never, been confronted with so much chaos and inefficiency. The actual rental car pick-up was good, once we got there--but still a confusing process with poorly designed instructions. It worked out because I got upgraded for free when I stopped at the kiosk for help.

And so the adventure begins!

-- Bob Doan, Kent, WA

Riordin Update

 Amazingly, the cat who once came back after being lost for six days, came back once again.

Riordin in the Pelican Room
Tequesta, FL
August 13, 2023

Riordin spent the night at the St Francis Animal Clinic. The vet called yesterday and told us that he had recovered from the massive asthma attack and was eating and drinking and doing the functions that eating and drinking cause. He was perky and ready to come home.

I was in shock. But he was great yesterday after we arrived home with him. He ate like he was starving--which he was and he drank lots of water to rehydrate. He is on a new steroid treatment and we no longer have to give him the albuterol treatments in the torture chamber. I call it a torture chamber but in reality he actually has adopted it as one of his favorite places to hang-out and sleep.

It was nice to have my cat back at a near normal level. I am worried, however, because during the night he began to have some difficulty breathing again, but that has settled and we will see how he does after his morning dose of steroids. 

It is good to have Riordin back home!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Long Road

 

Riordin
Tequesta, FL
August 22, 2023

Welcome to Hump Day!

Oh wait, that's right, I'm retired and I don't really celebrate hump days any more. Sadly. I always kind of enjoyed helping coworkers over the hump of the week. 

My mid-week is going to be filled with preparations for travel. The reservations have been made and we even selected the food we wanted on the plane. It has been a while since I flew on Alaska Airlines and they allow food to be ordered and paid for in advance. Since it is a six-hour flight right through the dinner hour, we need food. 

I will also be determining the future of Riordin. He spent the night in the animal hospital and is not doing well. They are trying a "Hail Mary" treatment for his asthma to bring him around, but I was told the chances were slim. He lost about 15 percent of his body weight while we were in New York last week and has stopped eating and drinking.

It could be a sad day by the time it ends. 

But, when I looked into his eyes yesterday before deciding upon the treatment option, I saw he still had fight in them. 

Regardless, tomorrow will begin a new adventure!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Getting Back

 

Getting back into the swing of life after being away takes time and effort. 

After the unpacking and the wash are done, then there is time for life to resume.

In our case it also means packing for the next adventure. We leave Thursday for Seattle and an Alaskan cruise. Turns out the weather will be very different between Seattle and the Alaskan coastal cities. 

Hopefully, we will have a great time. We have been planning this trip since Christmas--and it is finally upon us!

Yay!

I wonder what important thing I will forget?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - August 21, 2023

 

1. Wow, it is Monday all over again. It is the third Monday of August and there are only 18 Mondays remaining in the year. 

AL East Standings
Games through August 20, 2023

2. How about them Os? A great west coast road trip just ended which saw them go 6-3 culminating with a stunning sweep of the As. The Orioles are now 30 games above .500. They are playing solid baseball as a team and are hopefully preparing to close out the season. It will be a fight the remainder of the way as Tampa remains just 3 games behind. I do notice that the Yankees have apparently stopped playing baseball. 

Jeremy, Me, Mike
Elm Tree Golf Course, Cortland, NY
August 19, 2023

3. It was fun to be back on the golf course Saturday with my favorite golfing buddies Jeremy and Mike. We haven't been playing together much the past couple years and being together, even on different teams, was fun.

4. I find it amazing that North Korea attacks the water every time they want to protest something that the U.S. is doing in the region. 

5. Chris and I had a fantastic travel experience during our most recent journey. Both flights were early departing and arriving. Additionally, we had no ground delays and the return flight to PBI yesterday was pleasantly no full so that we had a seat between us. It was a big change from our previous flights which were delayed and over-full. 

6. Is anyone else concerned that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution may play a huge role in the upcoming presidential elections? 

7. Today in History. August 21, 1959. The modern United States receives its crowning star when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs a proclamation admitting (Native spelling: Hawai‘i) into the Union as the 50th state. The president also issued an order for an American flag featuring 50 stars arranged in staggered rows: five six-star rows and four five-star rows. The new flag became official July 4, 1960.

The first known settlers of the Hawaiian Islands were Polynesian voyagers who arrived sometime in the eighth century. In the early 18th century, American traders came to Hawaii to exploit the islands’ sandalwood, which was much valued in China at the time. In the 1830s, the sugar industry was introduced to Hawaii and by the mid 19th century had become well established. American missionaries and planters occupied the islands and brought about massive changes in Hawaiian political, cultural, economic and religious life. In 1840, a constitutional monarchy was established, stripping the Hawaiian monarch of much of his authority.

Hilary moves through Southwest with 'historic amount of rainfall'  - CNN

Trump’s expected Georgia surrender and debate no-show shatter campaign conventionality - CNN

Electric cars are breaking sales records, but here’s why they’re not replacing gas cars anytime soon - CNN

Russia says F-16s will escalate Ukraine war - Reuters

North Korea's Kim directs cruise missile test as South Korea, US begin drills - Reuters

Iranian delegation arrives in Moscow to discuss ground forces cooperation -TASS - Reuters

Rates in China Cut Again, but by Less Than Expected - The Wall Street Journal

Florida Teachers Are on Edge Over History and Gender-Identity Policies - The Wall Street Journal

How Ukraine is exploiting Biden’s cluster bomb gamble - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

8th Annual

Chris at the Hole we Sponsor
Elm Tree Golf Course, Cortland, NY
August 19, 2023

 Yesterday, Chris and I played in the 8th Annual Troy Whittemore Classic golf tournament. The tournament is conducted in memory of my nephew, Troy Whittemore, who was taken from us at age 23 by cancer and the proceeds are used to fund a scholarship awarded to high school seniors usually from Ithaca High School.

The Sponsor Sign
8th Annual Troy Whittemore Classic

Chris and I had a good time at the tournament and it was a solid way to end a very emotional week in Ithaca remembering Chris's sister Jodie, with a memorial service on Friday and the tournament on Saturday.

We sponsor a hole at the tournament. This was the first year that Chris actually played. The family had two teams in the tournament with 5 first time players between the two teams of 4. Needless to say, but we did not win or even come close. I was lucky enough to land a drive on a par 3 green on one of the contests. Only 5 players of the 92 in the tournament actually landed their ball on that green--so I was pretty excited to be in the 50-50 par 3 raffle--but did not win the over $300 prize.

We are safely back home in Florida enjoying the warmth. It was cool to cold in Central New York!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Ski Slope

Greek Peak
Cortland, NY
August 17, 2023

 The Maryland part of our family arrived yesterday and we gathered at a house near the major ski area in the region: Greek Peak. I must say, I prefer ski slopes in the summer because there is no snow and less crowds. Of course, I don't ski and therefore I really do not appreciate ski slopes and mountains. But they are beautiful in the summer. 

The location is a bit remote. It is a 15 minute drive to the nearest significant village with services, like gas and groceries. The scenery is great to look at and it is quiet, although it rained last evening and everything is very wet this morning so I am not sitting outside enjoying the dawn. But at least it is not raining. We will be golfing tomorrow in the annual tournament for our nephew, Troy. Today is a memorial service for Chris's sister, Jodie. I wish were were gathering for more celebratory reasons.

-- Bob Doan, Cortland, NY

Enjoying the Natural Beauty

Taughannock Falls
Ulysses, NY
August 16, 2023

 Ithaca has a slogan:

Ithaca is Gorges!

And it is! There are numerous gorges with waterfalls in the immediate area and they are fun to explore. 

Yesterday we managed to visit one of the the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi: Taughannock Falls. The water makes an impressive 215 foot drop to the pool below nestled deep within a gorge. It is one of the signature waterfalls of the region. It may not be as spectacular as some of the waterfalls along the Columbia River near Portland, Oregon, but Taughannock is definitely in the league of awe-inspiring waterfalls. 

Sailboat on Cayuga Lake
Ithaca, NY
August 16, 2023

And of course there are the lakes, the Finger Lakes, to enjoy in the area. We are closest to Cayuga Lake, the second largest of the Finger Lakes. Ithaca sits at the southern end of the lake and the beautiful summer days have been making me dream of boating. Last evening we were are dinner and had a view of the lake and the boats. I enjoyed watching the lake activity while I was also reveling in the pleasant weather which allowed us to dine outside. 

The day was the last relaxed day as activity ramps to a fever pitch today and through Sunday when Chris and I make our return to Florida. I am glad that we were able to enjoy the scenery and local natural beauty. 

-- Bob Doan, Ithaca, NY