And the European Holiday is Off and Running

 

Chris Enjoying the Lounge
Miami, FL
May 9, 2024

I have an interesting thought? What counts as Day 1 and what is Day 2? 

ITA Airways Flight 631 at the Gate
Miami, FL
May 9, 2024

Day 1 started at 2:30 PM as we loaded into Fran and Mary's car for the too long trip to Miami International. We enjoyed time in the Turkish Airlines Lounge compliments of American Express and then loaded onto an ITA Airways A350 for the 10 hour flight across the Atlantic to Rome. 

The flight was fantastic. We received a full dinner, complete with Tuscan wine, followed by a morning continental breakfast with coffee. The movie selection left a bit to be desired, but hey, I found two movies to watch and then it was off to sleep in the Premium Economy seats. Chris said I probably have created a monster and she may never want to fly economy coach again. The service was excellent and I have to admit, the Italian cabin crew was very pleasant. ITA Airways is a definite keeper. Well, except for the baggage situation in Rome where it took over an hour for the luggage to get delivered and they never indicated which carousal it would arrive on. After being up for about 20 of the previous 24 hours I was a bit tense. We kept wandering around and Chris finally saw her luggage on the carousel. 

Chris and I Outside the Coliseum
Rome, Italy
 May 10, 2024

But hey, somewhere over the Atlantic, Day 2 began and we subsequently landed in Rome. I mean, Rome, Italy, not Rome, New York. 

I am not a huge fan of the Rome airport--but immigration and customs processing was really smooth. Maybe that is why I noticed how long the wait was for our baggage. For some reason Americans received expedited and automated processing. Way cool. 

The weather today was fantastic and pleasantly warm. We took a train to the main Rome train station, Termini and walked about 15 minutes to our AirBnB. That we managed the train stations without major catastrophes was a miracle. I had considered a taxi, but the taxi was 50 Euros and the train only cost 28 Euros. 

Ruins in a Park Near our AirBnB
Rome, Italy
May 10, 2024

Checkin to the AirBnB was smooth and we took a quick nap before heading out to explore the area. Dinner was, believe it or not, was a great place in Termini, which had a huge variety of foods, wines and of course gelato for dessert.

After dinner, I surprised Chris as we walked to the Coliseum. Yup, it is within walking distance. Not close, but definitely doable. We had explored some parks and looked around. We visited a grocery store for supplies and a bakery for breakfast--but the Coliseum, I knew, was a big thing for her. We have a tour scheduled for tomorrow, but walking down the hill to this mega attraction was really special for both of us. It really made the statement, we are in Rome! 

How much have I read about the Coliseum and how many movies have I watched where it is there? Countless.

I have also confirmed that there are palm trees in Rome!

Day 3 tomorrow is Vatican City and a tour of the Coliseum. We already have a schedule crisis as the company I have the Coliseum tour through called and moved the tour from 3 PM to 1:30 PM! Ugh. We are going to have to race from the Vatican to the Coliseum, however, since we walked over 12,000 steps today, tomorrow is a taxi day. 

We are in Rome--finally. The plan is being executed and changed. Remember, plans are made to be changed! Or is it that no plan survives first contact with the enemy? 

-- Bob Doan, Rome, Italy

Since Jan 2023

Ride Stats
Tequesta, FL
May 8, 2024

I achieved a milestone yesterday. I complete an almost 16-mile and it was the 5th day in a row that I rode my bile. Riding 5 days in a row has not happened since January 2023. In five days this week I rode almost 87 miles--I drove less than that. 

It was a great feeling as I hit the garage at the end of my ride knowing that I had completed something fairly rare, for me. I wish that I could have continued my streak to 6 days, but alas, today I must finalize preparations for our European vacation and bike riding is not in the cards. We will be departing Miami International this evening headed for Rome and almost three weeks of vacation. I like the way the Europeans say it, calling it a holiday. Part of the holiday involves a cruise and I will be going to the gym on our cruise ship to stay in shape for the upcoming GAP ride. 

Leaky Reservoir

I rode with Chris yesterday and she is doing much better. I wish she was riding the GAP with us, but she is concerned that she might not be able to keep up.

Finally in awesome news, I filed a warranty claim for the camelback leaky reservoir and it was approved. A new reservoir is coming! Yay. I will have water on my GAP ride.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Fixing the Fridge

 

Electronic Control Board and Panel Removed
Tequesta, FL
May 7, 2024

What to do?

The door panel on our Whirlpool refrigerator had been turning off intermittently. It was a pain. The fridge continued to cool, but we could not get water or ice when the panel was resetting. 

I decided to do some research and discovered, via YouTube, that replacing the dispenser electronic control board was not a very difficult process. I ordered a new board which came with a panel and it arrived yesterday. 

The whole process took about an hour between watching the video and installing the new board. The biggest problem that I encountered was that the ribbon connector was not long enough to insert a connector beneath it. It took a bit of doing, but I was able to finally get it all installed without breaking the cable. 

It all worked now and I am happy. And it was a lot less expensive than buying a new refrigerator.

Another project complete. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Along the Ride

 

Three Deer in the Yard
Tequesta, FL
May 6, 2024

In preparation for our upcoming European adventure, most of yesterday was devoted to preparations. I managed a 16-mile ride and was surprised to see a small herd of three deer grazing in a yard. I do not often see deer when I ride, but with the summer closing in I expect to see a few more.

I also noted a tortoise along the way. 

It was a nice ride, the winds were relatively mild. Another beautiful South Florida day with plenty of sunshine. Maybe that's why it's called the Sunshine State. 

I have ridden three days in a row for the first time since January, as I look back on my riding log.Today, I am looking forward to riding four days in a row, which I have not accomplished since last August. Of course, I am about to enter a three-week hiatus as we head off to Europe for a long-planned vacation. Do retired people really go on vacation? 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - May 6, 2024

 

1. And it has arrived, the first Monday of May. Yes, the summer is almost upon us! Beware though, there are only 34 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Mustang Mach-E Puddle Light

2. Our new car, the Mustang Mach-E, has something called a puddle light. The car projects a Mustang onto the ground when we come near, but it only seems to happen during periods of darkness. It makes me smile when I see the light as I approach the car.

Lizard on a Palm
Cove Road Park, Port Salerno, FL
May 5, 2024

3. Chris and I did a 12-mile ride yesterday through a state park and to another park where people often put their kayaks into the water. It was a great ride and we saw over 10 tortoises. I had an experience with a lizard. We went eye-to-eye and he wasn't backing down. He made it clear that he owned the palm tree he was clinging upon.

4. In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, we hosted a small gathering of friends last evening. The margaritas were excellent as was the seven-layer dip Chris made. 

5. Is the daily news getting repetitive? 

6. The facts and nothing but the facts. 

What Trump Said: “I even built the embassy. And it’s a beautiful embassy for a lot less money than anybody ever thought possible.”

The Facts: Trump is talking about his decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusaem, which he announced in December 2017. In early 2018, Trump claimed the U.S. would spend only $200,000 to $300,000 on the project. The embassy opened in May 2018, with the U.S. originally spending just under $400,000 on modifications to the site. But just months after the opening, Desbuild Limak, a Maryland-based firm, was awarded a $21.2 million contract from the State Department to design an extension and security enhancements—upgrades that put the embassy's cost more than $20 million over budget. (Time Magazine)

7. Today in History. In a May 6, 1994 ceremony presided over by England’s Queen Elizabeth IIand French President Francois Mitterrand, a rail tunnel under the English Channel is officially opened, connecting Britain and the European mainland for the first time since the Ice Age.

The Channel Tunnel, or “Chunnel,” connects Folkestone, England, with Coquelles, France, 31 miles away. The Chunnel cut travel time between England and France to a swift 35 minutes and eventually between London and Paris to two-and-a-half hours.

As the world’s longest undersea tunnel, the Chunnel runs under water for 23 miles, with an average depth of 150 feet below the seabed. Each day, about 30,000 people, 6,000 cars and 3,500 trucks journey through the Chunnel on passenger, shuttle and freight trains.

Analysis Trump’s criminal trial enters a pivotal week as Democrats deal with protest fallout and Speaker Johnson fights for survival again - CNN

Black voters won a big victory in Louisiana. Some White voters said it violated their ‘personal dignity’ - CNN

Bodies found in Mexico confirmed as those of missing American and Australian tourists - CNN

Sea drone warfare has arrived. The U.S. is floundering. - Reuters

Putin orders tactical nuclear weapon drills to deter the West - Reuters

How the Gaza campus protests differ from the Vietnam war era - Reuters

​​Putin is forging a new Russia: Ultraconservative, militarized and anti-West - The Washington Post

IDF urges civilians to evacuate parts of Rafah; cease-fire talks at impasse - The Washington Post

Boeing’s Big Space Test: Using Starliner to Ferry NASA Astronauts - The Wall Street Journal

The Science Behind Why the World Is Getting Wetter - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Back to the Road

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Riding a Trail
Jupiter, FL
May 4, 2024

I managed a 25.5 mile ride yesterday around Jupiter and Tequesta. It felt good to be back in the saddle and out on the road. I biked with a friend and we had a great time together. I had been concerned that after a week off I might be a bit out of shape, but I pulled it together. 

It was a very nice day for riding. I am a bit unhappy, however, because my camelback water reservoir leaks. I have contacted the manufacturer for advice. I have also tried to replace the O-ring at the point of failure, but have not found the perfect fit, yet.

Gopher Tortoise
Jupiter, FL
May 4, 2024

Along the way we saw some tortoises, which always makes the day great. We also experienced more than one suicidal squirrel. What, you ask, is a suicidal squirrel? It is a stupid animal that decides at the very last moment when there would be no way to avoid the animal to run un front of the bike. Fortunately, so far they have always survived the blind dash, but someday one might not be so lucky.

We managed an average speed of 11.1 mph, which included a couple stops for water and to chat with another biker. 

Looking forward to another couple of rides before we head off on our European holiday later this week.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Out the Hotel Window - Tampa

City View of Tampa
Westshore Palms, FL
April 20, 2024

 Not to be forgotten, but two weeks ago when Chris and I attended the Kenny Chesney Concert in Tampa, I actually did take an image out the hotel window. 

We had a very nice room on the 14th floor--I guess we are moving up in the world. And we had a lovely city view. 

Traffic in and around the city was terribly congested. We later learned that there were three cruise ships in port, the Kenny Chesney Concert, and at least two other large events all happening. Wow!

The view out the window was nice. The only problem was that the balcony door was permanently closed and we could not actually step outside to enjoy the view without a window being in our way. 

We enjoyed the hotel and breakfast. As you might suspect we stayed at an Embassy Suites on Westshore Drive. Easy enough to find. Parking was a bit expensive at $18 per night. Fortunately we only stayed the one night. Parking was very tight as the spaces were definitely not designed for my truck. All of the pickups seemed to have the same problem as the clearance for the parking garage was a bit low. 

The view was, however, one of the best.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Night with the O's

OPACY (Oriole Park at Camden Yards)
Baltimore, MD
May 1, 2024

 Chris and I were blessed to be able to attend an Orioles game, Wednesday night, with many of our family members. I say blessed because it was a truly great experience even though the O's dropped the game to the Yankees.

Pre-game at Pickles
Baltimore, MD
MAy 1, 2024

I had not been to OPACY since the 2022 season. It was good to be back in my favorite ballpark and to see for myself the new, last year, Great Wall of Baltimore. 

We dropped in at Pickles for some pre-game adult beverages. That was something that we almost always did when we had season tickets. It is a good way to transition from fighting horrific traffic to getting in a baseball frame of mind. It is fun to interact with the other fans, even those rooting for the wrong team. 

View from Our Seats in Section 55
OPACY, Baltimore, MD
May 1, 2024

As can be seen from the images, it was an idyllic evening for baseball complete with clear skies, bright sun, moderate temperatures and a lot of fun. 

I was treated to a great pitcher's duel. Although the O's lost 0-2, I enjoyed the game as each at-bat brought a new opportunity to win the game. 

I enjoyed a Boog's BBQ--wow, I forgot how much roast beef they put in a sandwich! I walked the stadium and enjoyed the sights, sounds, and smells of the ballpark. 

It was good to be back, even for a night.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Time Interview--A Must Read

 I read the Time magazine, How Far Trump Would Go,  interview with the former president and presumptive Republican nominee for President and am afraid. 

I am afraid for our republic, our democracy, and our way of life and the world. I am afraid for anyone who is non-white and who does not conform to the narrow, evangelical christian fueled, vision that this man has for America. Actually, it is clear that he has no vision for America other than his self-aggrandizement. 

The opening paragraph of the article lays out the major concerns. It reads as follows:

What emerged in two interviews with Trump, and conversations with more than a dozen of his closest advisers and confidants, were the outlines of an imperial presidency that would reshape America and its role in the world. To carry out a deportation operation designed to remove more than 11 million people from the country, Trump told me, he would be willing to build migrant detention camps and deploy the U.S. military, both at the border and inland. He would let red states monitor women’s pregnancies and prosecute those who violate abortion bans. He would, at his personal discretion, withhold funds appropriated by Congress, according to top advisers. He would be willing to fire a U.S. Attorney who doesn’t carry out his order to prosecute someone, breaking with a tradition of independent law enforcement that dates from America’s founding. He is weighing pardons for every one of his supporters accused of attacking the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, more than 800 of whom have pleaded guilty or been convicted by a jury. He might not come to the aid of an attacked ally in Europe or Asia if he felt that country wasn’t paying enough for its own defense. He would gut the U.S. civil service, deploy the National Guard to American cities as he sees fit, close the White House pandemic-preparedness office, and staff his Administration with acolytes who back his false assertion that the 2020 election was stolen.

Later in the article the impact of a Trump presidency was summed up as follows:

Every election is billed as a national turning point. This time that rings true. To supporters, the prospect of Trump 2.0, unconstrained and backed by a disciplined movement of true believers, offers revolutionary promise. To much of the rest of the nation and the world, it represents an alarming risk. A second Trump term could bring “the end of our democracy,” says presidential historian Douglas Brinkley, “and the birth of a new kind of authoritarian presidential order.”

My bottom line is that everyone needs to read this summary of the interviews and decide for themselves whether they want an imperial presidency or whether the president should be the ultimate servant of the people and leader of the free world.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

The Walk

 

Lily in the Lead
Odenton, MD
April 26, 2024

Happy May Day

Everyday we walk the dogs. There are three of them when we are back in Maryland and they expect a walk every day. Finnegan is the worst--he starts annoying us to get a walk about 9:30, but Nicole's dogs, Lily and Arthur, are right there when we start the walk preparations. 

Lily is an alpha female and she likes to lead. She also must have some bovine DNA in her as she grazes on the grass along the path. 

The dogs walk every day, except when it is raining, and we enjoy walking the path through the wooded area with the tree canopy above us. We especially appreciate how the path changes with the seasons from the brilliant colors of fall, to the bare branches of winter and now bright green leaves. The squirrels are always busy crashing through the leaves along the path and often make for some comic relief. 

Another great day.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD