Back on the Water

Heading out of Manatee Pocket
Port Salerno, FL
January 31, 2025

 To close out the month of January, we managed a boating day. The weather was good--not excellent, but very nice. 

There was a strong wind from the south which I had to manage. The Bimini on the boat acted at times like a sail especially when the wind gusted.

Jupiter Island Beach
Stuart, FL
January 31, 2025

As for the boat, we had an almost brand new Bayliner D22, hence the square looking bow. The boat is heavier and bigger than the Cobias I typically get. It took a bit of getting used to the boat and I discovered that it does not handle other boat wakes as nicely as the Cobias do. We got a lot more water over the bow and even onto me at the helm than the Cobias. I am going to have to slow the boat more approaching the wakes. The boat has one advantage over the Cobias in that is has ladders in both the bow and stern! It makes unloading at a beach or on a sandbar far easier.

We had a great day. The wind was strong on the ocean beach and we tried to find some shelter beside a small dune. We enjoyed the sun and the warmth. After our time at the beach we motored to the Stuart City Docks and found Lunch at a restaurant in the city. 

We had an enjoyable ride back to the marina and concluded a very successful boat outing.

And now it is February! Stand-by for more fun.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Biking, Boating, and Golf

Chris' First Swing of the Year
Jupiter Dunes Golf Course, Jupiter, FL
January 30, 2025

 Springtime in South Florida is fantastic. We are finally getting back to normal temperatures--afternoons in the high 70s and low 80s. 

Woodpecker
Jupiter Dunes
January 30, 2025

Yesterday, Chris and I golfed. Yup. It was not pretty. But we had fun and it seemed hot in the sun--which it was. The course was in good shape. We worked our way around the course and had a great time. Yea, I lost a few balls in the water and one in trees, but the Lorax was kind to me one time and knocked the ball into the fairway. 

We enjoyed the wildlife on the course including turtles, iguanas, the woodpecker, and a lone Egyptian Goose. 

We also managed to put the little white ball into the hole--which was nice. 

Today, we are headed out onto the ICW for some boating fun. 

We are hoping to have a good time.

And as for biking? Well when we boat or golf, the bike stays in the garage waiting for its next adventure. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Fireplace

Fireplace Insert in the Cabinet
Tequesta, FL
January 29, 2025

 We have a fireplace, well a good imitation fireplace, as of yesterday. 

One of the items we missed from our Elkridge home was the fireplace. We burned through a lot of wood every winter enjoying the crackling sound and the additional heat it provided. Riordin, our dear departed cat, loved to recline in front of the roaring fire. 

OK, so we bought a fireplace insert from Wayfair last week which arrived yesterday. I had measured the space into which we were installing the insert and it seemed that it would fit perfectly. And it did! I needed to use a just bit of muscle to get it properly seated in the space, but all-in-all the process went well and we now have a functioning imitation fireplace which can be used with or without heat. 

Of course, the outside temperature is headed for 80 degrees today and so we will have the A/C on with a roaring imitation fire. That's not weird at all, is it?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Heading Home

Headed Home
Girl Scout Camp Road
Tequesta, FL

 Yesterday was another great winter day in South Florida. Temperatures climbed into the mid-70s and I managed an 18+-mile bike ride. I chose an alternate route to my usual path just to see some place that I had not visited in a while. I took this image as I was about 3 miles from home near the end of my ride. 

I have been very encouraged by how quickly my body is responding to the increase in physical activity over the past relatively inactive two months. While I do not delude myself into thinking that I am back in shape, I know that with continued activity I will increase my stamina and lung capacity. 

Today is supposed to be another beautiful South Florida day. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

5000 miles

From the Loxahatchee River Bridge
Tequesta, FL
January 27, 2025

 I crossed a milestone yesterday during my 17-mile ride. I have logged 5000 miles since I purchased my bike three years ago and decided to ride seriously.

I am not sure whether 5000 miles in 3 years represents serious riding, but I have definitely enjoyed my time in the saddle. Yes, I've had a few mishaps, but fortunately they have all healed, mostly. I have learned that bike tires do not last as long as car tires and we all know that car tires never last long enough. 

Father's Day on the GAP
Southhampton Twp, PA
June 16, 2024

2024 was a good year. Riding the Greater Allegheny Passage (GAP) with Patrick and Jeremy was the highlight of the year, if not my whole riding history. I had never been pushed to ride 60 miles in a day before and followed that with days of 45 or more miles. It was a challenging, fun and beautiful ride through Pennsylvania and Maryland during which we were blessed with good weather.

I also rode 300 miles to raise money for cancer research during October. I fully enjoyed the pressure and the challenge of completing the 300 mile during a month which was shortened by a trip and of course there was not a small amount of weather to consider. 

I have places and trails yet to explore--even right here in Florida. And I continue to enjoy getting out on my bike even riding around my nearly standard route. I have been pleased how quickly I got back into decent riding shape after being away for most of December and January. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - January 27, 2025

 

1. Already, the last Monday of January has arrived. This then is the fourth Monday of 2025 and there are 48 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. Family NFL Report. One family team remains and is playing for its third consecutive Super Bowl championship: the Kansas City Chiefs! The Commanders fell short in valiant effort against the Eagles. The Super Bowl scheduled for February 9th will be the Chiefs vs the Eagles. 

Mango Tree in Bloom
Tequesta, FL
January 26, 2025

3. Spring is arriving in South Florida. As I was cruising the neighborhoods on my bike yesterday, I noticed that the mango trees were in bloom. Now, mind you, mango trees are not the prettiest trees when they bloom, but they bloom prolifically. 

4. It has been a week since the inauguration and I have to say, the newly reinstalled president is living up to his word. Chaos and confusion reigns. Amid the actions, individual human rights are being obliterated. I read in the news the deportees being flown in military aircraft to their destinations are handcuffed and not being given water or allowed to use restroom facilities. That is what the President of Colombia objected to and was soundly thumped by the administration with sanctions and tariffs. We can remain decent people and treat people humanely even when deporting them.

5. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. Wow!

6. Look out--it is likely to be a blood bath in the stock market today. 

7. Today in History. On January 27, 1945, Soviet troops enter Auschwitz, Poland, freeing the survivors of the network of concentration camps—and finally revealing to the world the depth of the horrors perpetrated there.

Auschwitz was really a group of camps, designated I, II, and III. There were also 40 smaller “satellite” camps. It was at Auschwitz II, at Birkenau, established in October 1941, that the SS created a complex, monstrously orchestrated killing ground: 300 prison barracks; four “bathhouses” in which prisoners were gassed; corpse cellars; and cremating ovens. Thousands of prisoners were also used for medical experiments overseen and performed by the camp doctor, Josef Mengele, the “Angel of Death.”

After forcing Colombia to back down, White House claims America is respected again - CNN

‘Nothing will be easy about returning:’ Survivors mark 80th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation - CNN

A shocking Chinese AI advancement called DeepSeek is sending US stocks plunging - CNN

Gaza residents stream home to the north after hostage breakthrough - Reuters

Thirty-seven suspected terrorists arrested in East Africa, says Interpol - Reuters

Putin says he and Trump should meet to discuss Ukraine and energy prices - Reuters

Ukraine says it hit Russian oil refinery in big drone attack - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Back on the Streets

 

Pelican Over the Loxahatchee River Bridge
Tequesta, FL
January 25, 2025

I managed a short 12-mile bike ride yesterday afternoon. The weather warmed enough, into the mid-60s, for me to risk life and limb on the streets. As an aside, the risking part was very real as I nearly got hit by a motorcycle which blew through a 4-way stop--and I was in the pedestrian walk way (which is allowed in Florida) with the right of way. The biker only smiled when I yelled at him to get his attention so that he wouldn't drift into me as I slammed on my brakes. 

I am amazed at how out-of-shape I have become after the Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Years holidays. Too much wine and the snow/ice kept me from exercising. 

As can be seen from the image of the pelican, it was a pleasant day, although the winds got strong at times. 

I believe we are headed into a more seasonal stretch of weather, which means highs in the mid-70s and lows in the low-60s--kind of like today is supposed to be. 

It was six years ago, this week, that Chris and I were vacationing here in Florida and we purchased the condo in which we now reside. I remember the weather wasps bad as this past week has been--that's why we decided to, just for fun, look at some condos. And then we bought one.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Here Comes the Sun, Finally

 It has been a week since the sky was blue and filled with my favorite bright orb, the Sun. 

I had to turn the heat on in our home to keep the temperature at a reasonable level. I am hopeful of switching back to the A/C today or tomorrow. 

By tomorrow our daytime highs will be back into the 70s. Maybe the cold grip is over! Yay. The news had a funny reminder yesterday that it was too cold for sandals, shorts, and short-sleeve shirts. I have to admit--I figured that out on my own. Still haven't donned socks yet, though I am wearing slippers in the house because the floor is colder than normal.

I have not yet happened upon a cold-stunned iguana. I'm not sure I actually want to see one, but I would be very interested if I, by chance, happened upon one. 

I was hoping for a beach day, but the forecasters continue to revise the daily highs downward from the high 70s to the high 60s. 

It is even too cold and rough, because of the wind, for a boating day. 

Maybe, just maybe I can get a bike ride in this afternoon.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A New Capability

 Chris and I have owned our Ford Mustang Mach-e since March. Ford had promised an adapter to allow use of Tesla charging stations. 

The adapter finally arrived last week. It was originally promised for September, but Tesla had some production issues and a whole bunch of adapters delivered in June had to be recalled. We wanted to have the adapter before trying a long range trip. Adding the Tesla chargers to the network of existing chargers for the Mach-e provides greater flexibility and shorter charging times. Tesla charging stations tend to be better maintained than some of the other charging locations. 

But ours arrived and we were anxious to try it out. We had to wait because we had plenty of charge on the battery when the adapter arrived.

Yesterday we determined that the time was right to check out the adapter. We found a large Tesla charging station, with 16 chargers, and drove there to try out the new adapter. 

We were lucky we were at a busy place with many chargers. It took us a while to figure everything out and to use the correct software. I had thought we needed a Tesla account--and I had one ready to go. But no, we were able to use the Ford charging app. Once we figured everything out and changed chargers ,things worked well. 

We are ready now, to move about the country. 

Interesting note--this was only the second time we had used a public charger. We typically only charge at home. The only other time we used a public charger was right after delivery when the car was down to 20 percent charge and our home system had not yet been installed. 

Next up? A rod trip to somewhere warm, like Key West. It was 47 degrees here this morning and I had to turn the heat on in the house. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Cold is Everywhere!

 It is cold. 

Everywhere. 

Even here in South Florida, the past almost four days of rain and cold temperatures have Meade being outside unbearable. 

OK, so I'm whining, I know. I at least am not facing temperatures in the teens with snow, ice, and impossible travel conditions; but I wish it were warmer. 

I have not been able to bike ride since Sunday. It is now Thursday. Tomorrow here in South Florida is supposed to be the coldest day yet--temperatures will possibly dip into the 30s. I may have to wear socks!

Hopefully it will warm up soon. For all of us. 

And then I will complain about the heat!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL