Along the Intracoastal (ICW)

Honey Fitz former Presidential Yacht
Jupiter, FL
February 13, 2024

 During our boat trip on Tuesday, we spied many interesting things along the ICW on our way south to Jupiter and return. 

One of them was the Honey Fitz, the former Presidential Yacht. It had moved from its previous location in Tequesta into the Jupiter inlet and was docked outside of the Pelican Club. The Pelican Club is where President Biden had his fundraising lunch about two weeks ago. Because the location was not published in advance and we could not gather outside the club to see and wish him well. 

Sea Bean coming out of the Barn
Port Salerno, FL
February 13, 2024

During our journey, Chris and I were able to point out many of the important sights along the way. The Jupiter Lighthouse, of course, was one. But we also traversed the US-1 bridge construction area which is a bit congested.

 

Beach Road Drawbridge
Jupiter, FL
February 13, 2024

They were able to see how a boat comes out of the barn at the marina and is set in the water and prepared for us. I just think it is so cool to see my boat being transported to the water and readied. 

We were also able to show them the drawbridges along the way. During our trip we passed under three drawbridges, one of them actually was opening as we transited. Of course the US-1 bridge construction will be the fourth drawbridge once it is completed. We also showed them the rail drawbridge along side of Alternate A1A. 

It was not just a lunch cruise. And with the manatee and dolphin sightings along with numerous ospreys, there was plenty of wildlife observed as well. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#boating #freedomboatclubsouthfl #intracoastalwaterway #honeyfitz

Abrupt End for the Stairs

 

Seaglass Condos
Jupiter Island, FL
February 12, 2024

It seems that even in buildings where the starting price for condos is about $6M, there can be interesting construction issues. 

Take, for instance, these stairs. The building is supposed to have beach access. And it sorta does, except they ended the stairs about 5 feet above the beach and then had to close the access. There are two sets of stairs from the building to the beach, and both are like this. 

It is an abrupt ending. 

Blowing Rocks
Jupiter Island, FL
January 2, 2022

Now, I know what happened. When the stairs were being constructed there was actually sand at the base of the stairs. But, since then the ocean has reclaimed the beach sand and the stairs no longer reach the beach. Clearly the contractor building the stairs was not familiar with beach conditions. The stars need to be build down into the sand to account for beach erosion.

The bigger problem is that the people living in the building do not have easy beach access right now. And the building is strategically positioned right near Blowing Rocks--which is beautiful. 

Note to self: Mind the Step!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#blowingrocks #jupiterisland #seglassjupiterisland #dangerousstairs

Going to Lunch on the Water

Sue in the Bow
Intracoastal Waterway, Stuart, FL
February 13, 2024

 Yesterday was a more normal South Florida February day. Fortunately, I had reserved a boat and the plan for the day was to motor on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) from Port Salerno south through to Jupiter, passing under three drawbridges, and have lunch the Dive Bar in Jupiter. The idea was to show off South Florida's ICW to visitors from Maryland. 

It was a good plan, well mostly. I did not factor the time required to motor all the way to Jupiter, given that about half the trip is at low speed with minimum wake which in Sea Bean is about 6 mph. I had hoped to get in some beach time on the way back, but we had to have the boat back at 3:30 PM and we pulled into the dock precisely at 3:15, which was the time I was aiming for when we departed the restaurant in Jupiter. So, there was no beach time, sadly. 

Sea Bean Tied Up
Dive Bar, Jupiter, FL
February 13, 2024

The a five hour roundtrip was my longest boating outing.

We departed the dock with five persons and one dog. Fortunately we returned with the same compliment. 

Along the way we spied a dolphin feeding in the shallows of the ICW and as we approached the Jupiter inlet we saw 10 manatees. That was very exciting. Unfortunately, there was not a picture that could be taken. On the return trip we saw an additional 2 or 3 manatees. I had to be very careful around the manatees and both avoided them and traveled very slowly. 

Bringing the boat into a relatively narrow channel with other traffic and tying up at an unfamiliar dock was a new experience.

Yesterday was one of the best weather days we have had in a few weeks and we were lucky to be out on the water enjoying the sun and relative warmth. 

It was another great day and Sea Bean was a perfect vessel.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#freedomboatclubsouthfl #boating #intracoastalwaterway

What Did You Do on Super Bowl Sunday?

Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 11, 2024

 What an interesting question to ask? 

I had a great Super Bowl Sunday. We hosted friends for the big game in the evening, but during the day . . . 

During the day we headed off to the beach for some sun, wind, cool air, sand, rough surf, and local birds! There is always sand!

Chris and I along with two friends enjoyed a couple hours on the beach staring at the rough waves crashing on the beach and the crazy surfers who were trying to conquer them. 

There were only a few surfers and they quickly decided that the waves were too irregular to surf. 

I put my feet into the water, but even though the official temperature was 78 degrees, it felt much colder. The air temperature was just over 80 degrees, but with the wind it felt cold. We spent a few hours on the beach enjoying the day before heading back to the house to prepare for our blow-out Super Bowl party.

The video shows the waves and the some seagull activities in the wind.

And the Kansas City Chiefs managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat for a great overtime ending to the big game. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#carlinparkbeach #jupiterfl #beach

Monday Musings - February 12, 2024

 

Sarcophagi Replicas from King Tut's Tomb
Elliott Museum, Stuart, FL
February 10, 2024

1. It is the second Monday of February. The Super Bowl was last evening. Football season is over. There are 46 Mondays remaining in 2024.

2. Important safety tip. Do not forget that Valentines Day is two days away! 

3. King Tut is still about. We went to the Elliott Museum in Stuart, FL, on Saturday and found not only recreations of the relics from King Tut's Tomb, but a great automobile museum as well. Definitely a return trip is in the works. 

4. I believe small earthquake may have occurred in the vicinity of Simi Valley, CA. It was attributed to Ronald Reagan rolling over in his grave as Trump's words about Putin were spoken. “Trump bragged that he’d encourage Russia to ‘do whatever the hell they want’ to our NATO allies if they didn’t spend enough on defense,” “Trump bragged that he’d encourage Russia to ‘do whatever the hell they want’ to our NATO allies if they didn’t spend enough on defense,” (Politico)

4. Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs for their repeat as Super Bowl Champions! It was a great ending to the game.

5. The Party of Lincoln and Reagan has lost its focus and has become a personality cult.

6. Did someone mention that the MLB pitchers and catchers begin reporting to Spring Training on Wednesday, February 14th? Baseball is back!!!

7. Today in History. On February 12, 2002, former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic goes on trial at The Hague, Netherlands, on charges of genocide and war crimes in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo. Milosevic served as his own attorney for much of the prolonged trial, which ended without a verdict when the so-called “Butcher of the Balkans” was found dead at age 64 from an apparent heart attack in his prison cell on March 11, 2006.

Yugoslavia, consisting of Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia, became a federal republic, headed by Communist leader Marshal Tito, on January 31, 1946. Tito died in May 1980 and Yugoslavia, along with communism, crumbled over the next decade.

Trump says he would encourage Russia to attack Nato allies who pay too little - The Guardian

Israel frees two hostages, Gaza officials say airstrikes kill 67 - Reuters

US Senate forges ahead on Ukraine, Israel aid as 'Putin is watching' - Reuters

Trump's shocking NATO remark causes alarm in Europe - CNN

Zelensky’s Military Shake-Up Ties Him to Battlefield Performance - The Wall Street Journal

These Families Are Shutting Down the Bank of Mom and Dad - - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Don't cut the Corner

Sea Bean Tied Up (Blue boat)
Stuart, FL
February 9, 2024

 Friday, while not a perfect Florida day was good enough for us to pile into a boat and head off on an adventure! George and Sue are visiting and Chris and I thought it would be fun to motor to Stuart, tie-up and wander around the town for the day. 

And that is what we did! 

Looking Down Osceola Street
Stuart, FL
February 9, 2024

We boarded our trusty vessel at the Freedom Boat Club marina in Port Salerno and headed off to Stuart. It is a short, about 30 minute or so, ride and even though the day was overcast and the St Lucie River was slightly choppy, it was a good ride. We successfully tied up at the city docks and walked onshore looking for adventure.

We enjoyed the day and the city. We have been there many times before, but there is something really different arriving by boat. For one thing, parking is a lot easier. We did keep an eye on the weather, however. After lunch at the Boat House, sitting on the deck overlooking the river and the docks, we decided that the wind was beginning to kick up the waves and we should probably head back to the marina. It was a good decision. While we had planned a stop at a beach, due to the cool temperatures and wind, we decided that it would not be enjoyable to be on the beach. Fortunately, we all had coats and were able to keep warm.

Tow Boat working to help Beached Boat
St Lucie River, FL
February 9, 2024

On our return trip though, we spied a boating nightmare. Apparently, a boater unfamiliar with the waters and who did not check the charts decided to cut across the turn from the St Lucie Inlet into the St Lucie River. That is an area where there is a large sandbar and it is very close to the marked channel. It was clear that the tow boat was having a problem getting the beached boat off the sandbar. Anyway, it was not a good day for the boater. We felt bad for them, it probably ruined an otherwise good day.

Note to self--don't cut the turn unless you are sure of the waters' depth.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

@freedomboatclubsouthfl #freedomboatclubsouthfl

It is a National Crisis, or . . .

 

. . . well maybe the border really isn't a national crisis after all. Maybe it is only an election issue.

Wow!

How many Americans were misled into believing the border crisis was a national security issue of the utmost importance, only to find that, no, wait--just kidding!

The Republicans have been making an issue of the open border nearly every day imploring the administration to do something to fix the situation. And when, in a bipartisan moment of sanity a bill is proposed that accomplishes many of the goals in a rational and measured manner, suddenly there is no border crisis--it is an election issue. President Biden made it clear:

“If the bill fails, I’m going to be absolutely sure about something: The American people are going to be aware of why it failed. … Every day between now and November the American people are going to know the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends.” (The Washington Post)

I am not sure what defines a national security crisis, but they do not tend to evaporate with the wind. 

This is but another example of the MAGA Republicans doing everything they can to tear down the country rather than build it up. They speak enticing words during the night that stir many to action, but their follow-through pales when exposed to the light of day. Their true intention is to destroy and recreate the U.S. in their own exclusive and more authoritarian image. Dissent and counter opinions based upon fact are not allowed. 

There is no doubt that we, as a country, need to get control of the border. Even democrats agree and were ready to support the bipartisan bill, which also provided aid to Ukraine and Israel. 

Shame on the Republicans for not securing the border when they had a chance to do something for country instead of the cult into which they have been indoctrinated!

And shame on the Republicans for not supporting our allies Ukraine and Israel!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Rough Day at the Beach

 

Sea Foam
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 8, 2024

We ventured to the beach yesterday. While that does not seem to be an out of the ordinary occurrence, it was not a perfect beach afternoon.

Sign at the Beach Entrance
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 8, 2024

The weather was a bit raw, temperatures in the low 70s with a stiff wind, some rain, and 4-6 foot swells with a strong rip current. It was not the kind of day that even surfers were enjoying. There were a few brave crazies out in the surf, but the waves were inconsistent and we did not see many good rides. 

Swimming was not advised and the red flags were flying. 

The sign at the beach entrance did not give a water temperature, but it felt colder than 70 degrees when I tested the waters with my foot. 

The most fun that I had during my beach visit was taking an image of the sea foam. Yup, really. 

OK, maybe I really enjoyed taking a nap on the beach while I was dodging raindrops. Yes, a few clouds passed over and decided to share their moisture with us.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#floridabeach #carlinpark 

Tequesta in the Afternoon

Sunday afternoon, Chris and I managed an afternoon bike ride the other day after the rains passed. We decided on a short ride of 5 miles that turned into over 8 miles before we were finished. We toured Tequesta in Martin County, near us. 

It was a very easy ride and we managed to go up and down nearly every side street looking at the wild spaces and the houses. There were many streets that we had never before visited and of course some that are regular streets upon which we ride. 

I was fairly amazed that we turned the ride into an 8 mile jaunt just by riding nearly every side street. We passed on one because it was only a 100 feet long and there is a gated community that denied us access to the other side streets that we passed on. 

I had some fun during the ride recording our activity using my RayBan Smart Glasses. I am pretty happy with the result. I added music to the video to mask our relatively mundane conversation. I mean, who really wants to hear about dinner prep?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Capt Finn the Six-Pound Captain

Capt Finn Monitoring Shore Activities

Finnegan (Finn), our six-pound Yorkie, acts like he is the captain of the vessel when he sails with us. He performs many of the duties the captain does, well, except for manning the helm! He is far too short to reach the wheel!

Finn Keeping Watch

One of his favorite activities is standing in the bow directing the activities of the boat and searching the water for obstacles. I admit, the other day he failed to recognize a manatee in the water, fortunately the human captain saw the large mammal and gave it a wide berth. It is likely that he is not aware of what a manatee actually is because Capt Finn never goes into the water.

Capt Finn with the Passengers 

Captain Finn keeps a close eye on shore activities. He monitors the crew and passengers as well as keeping a close eye upon the vessel to ensure it remains safely anchored or tied up. He does enjoy a bit of free time checking out the items on shore or at the waters edge, but he definitely does not like to get his feet wet!

Underway, Capt Finn busies himself conversing with the passengers and ensuring they are comfortable while also checking out the safety equipment. In the image to the right he is performing a life vest demonstration for the crew and passengers.

Capt Finn doing a Life Vest Demo

The passengers appreciate his calm demeanor on the vessel. He exudes an air of confidence that provides a sense of calm to all those aboard. Capt Finn is a dog, however, and he loves to get his nose into the wind and sample all of the smells lingering in the atmosphere.

Capt Finn loves to explore the boat and check out all of the equipment aboard. He is very mindful of personal belongings and does not bother the passengers's possessions.  

Capt Finn taking a nap

Other boaters wave and smile at Capt Finn when he is surveying the water from the bow of the boat. He is a humorous sight, a small six-pound dog standing at the bow acting like he is in charge of the activity. It is exhausting for Capt Finn, being everything to everyone, and nap time soon arrives and he hands his duties off to one of the humans aboard so the he can catch a nap to the gentle motion of the boat.

-- Bob & Chris Doan, Tequesta, FL

#freedomboatclub #freedomboatclubsouthfl

@freedomboatclubsouthfl