Late Night Saturday

Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
November 15, 2025

 It was a late night. 

I’m not sure why football games that start around 7:30 PM can somehow last until after 11 PM, but last evening’s Texas v Georgia game did just that. I stayed up until the very last snap of the ball to make sure the Dawgs won.

And they did. 

But it was late. 

Chris and I had experienced a full day. I began by riding 17 miles and then there was a lot of cleaning which culminated in an enjoyable Happy Hour around our ethanol-fueled fire pit. 

My Favorite Turkey Decoration
Tequesta, FL
November 16, 2025

The image taken during my morning ride shows the beauty of the day. I especially enjoyed the reflection of the clouds on the flat river water. It was another fantastic South Florida day with mostly sunny skies and the temperature just touching on 81 degrees around noon. Coupled with the low humidity of 68 percent (OK, low for Florida), it was a perfect day.

Today marks the beginning of the Christmas season as we retrieve some of the 13 containers of decorations from the storage room. Since we won’t be in residence here for most of the next two months, we intend to decorate and relish the season. However, I’ve been promised that my favorite turkey will remain on display until after Thanksgiving. If the Christmas holiday creep persists, it might get so that we’ll start decorating right after Independence Day.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

To the Top!

Jupiter Lighthouse
Jupiter, FL
November 14, 2025

 The defining feature of the Jupiter, Florida, skyline is the big, red Jupiter Lighthouse. When we fly into West Palm Beach, very often the flight route takes us past or just south of Jupiter as we begin to head inland to land at PBI. If I am sitting on the correct side of the jet, I look for the lighthouse and know that I am almost home. 

Feeding Time at the Pier
Jupiter, FL
November 14, 2025

It had been years, dare I say decades, since Chris and I last climbed the 105 step circular stairway to the top of Jupiter Lighthouse. Yesterday, we decided to visit the Lighthouse Museum and climb the stairs.

We were successful. 

Along the way, we learned and relearned local history from prehistoric times to the present. The history was fascinating and provided an insight into how hard it was to actually survive in this area before modern conveniences. Fortunately, the Jupiter Inlet and Indian River provided a bounty of food. 

I was reminded that then Lt George G. Meade designed and began construction of the lighthouse. I spent many years working on a military installation that bears his name. 

Toward the Inlet and Out to the Atlantic Ocean
Jupiter, FL
November 14, 2025

The day's weather was perfect. Visibility was almost unlimited and the temperature was moderate. The scene from the top of the lighthouse was spectacular and I spent some time sightseeing the area. Looking down on the Loxahatchee River I could see where the fishing boats were cleaning their catch and many pelicans had gathered to feed on the discards.

I really didn't want to descend the 105 stairs to the base of the lighthouse because I was having such a great time looking out on the area in which we live, but of course we could not stay there forever. Note to self, going down is harder than going up!

But we made it. 

We were awarded our certificates for ascending the lighthouse and then we were off on the short drive home for a delayed lunch.

I highly recommend visiting the lighthouse and museum to not only enjoy the stunning view, but to learn about the history of the area and region. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#jupiterlighthouse #jupiterflorida 

Fantastic Weather and Wine

View of an Idyllic South Florida Day
Tequesta, FL
November 13, 2024

 We have been blessed with fantastic weather since the cold snap. Temperatures have ranged from the high 50s to 80 with clear skies. This is why people come to Florida.

Last evening we went to our favorite watering hole and were shocked! The place was packed. It has been a long while since there were no available tables at Tiki52. That was the situation when we departed after enjoying some adult beverages and a dinner. The Snow Birds have begun to return--right on schedule just like the Swallows of Capistrano. 

We also visited Cooper's Hawk during the day. They have introduced new "light" wines. Less alcohol (9%) and fewer calories per pour (90). They are showcasing a Malbec and a Sauvignon Blanc. I think the idea is definitely good but in my grading scale they get an "A" for effort but a "D-" for execution. The wines are definitely lacking. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tone Deaf

Shifting Sands
Jupiter Island, Tequesta, FL
November 11, 2025

 Although we are now 10 months into Trump's second term, I realized that one of his problems is that he is tone deaf. He routinely does things that make many people think, "Really?"

Take for instance that in the middle of the longest government shutdown in American history he went galavanting across the globe in search of personal fame which might lead to a Nobel Prize instead of staying home and negotiating an end. 

Consider also the Great Gatsby Party he hosted on Halloween while SNAP benefits for over 40 million Americans were expiring. What an optic!

And of course I cannot forget to mention the destruction of the East Wing of the White House, done without coordinating and in fact outright lying to the American people that the structure would not be touched. The White House is not his house, it is, or used to be, the People's House. He is a tenant.

Which brings me to the shutdown itself. His lack of leadership is deafening. As President, it became clear he actually enjoyed the shutdown as it increased his ability to inflict pain on working Americans and attempt to blame it on the Democrats. It is clear that the only reason the shutdown ended was because Democrats saw the pain being inflicted on Americans and determined that the point had been made and that the tone deaf Republicans were not going to get the message over health care. 

There are other examples: 

Failing to fulfill a campaign promise and release the Epstein files. 

Pardons for criminals and cronies. I know every president issues pardons, but then going on 60 Minutes and confessing that he didn't know the guy to whom he issued the pardon? Tone deaf.

Continuing to support the war against immigrants who have not committed any serious crimes. A campaign promise was to get rid of the worst of the worst, not moms and dads trying to make their way. He won the Southern Border but has continued to push beyond the pain point for most Americans. 

Deploying troops into American cities when he could do better by giving the dollars to the local governments for increased police support. 

Denying that affordability is a problem in America. 

Saying that prices are down, when they aren't. Coffee at Costco is still at $7/pound which is up from about $4/pound just a year ago. 

All of these are symptoms of being tone deaf, or just not caring.

Maybe with the Epstein Files release the sands are beginning to shift. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

It was a Gray, Raw Day

 

Sailboat on the ICW
Tequesta, FL
November 11, 2025

Veterans Day 2025 dawned as a gray and raw day. At least, here in South Florida, we did not get any snow, but it was still very unpleasant. OK, it was cold!

It was too cold and windy to attempt a bike ride, so Chris and I stayed around the house. Finn didn't even want to go out for a walk. It was just too cold with the temperatures in the 40s to begin the day. 

Yes, the falling iguana alerts were posted. Iguanas effectively stop moving at somewhere less that 50 degrees and fall from the trees. They can be a serious hazard. 

The wind was so strong and water so rough, even the ICW had whitecaps. I would not have wanted to be boating. It was too cold and rough, But there were intrepid dedicated boaters on the ICW. 

I made a video of the wild Atlantic crashing upon the beaches. Note how the sand has blown to fill the bottom of the stairway across the dunes. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Getting out before the cold

Pelican in the Sunlight
DuBoise Park, Jupiter, FL
November 10, 2025

Veterans Day 2025

 Bathed in bright sunshine, the cold, 43 degree, weather arrived this morning. I felt like I was back in Maryland. At least it will warm to 67 today and we will be enjoying 80s by the end of the week. The joys of South Florida. 

I managed a shortened 14-mile ride yesterday morning. The winds were getting strong and I just wasn't feeling the ride and so I lopped off some of my usual route. 

But for the afternoon, Chris and I decided to walk along the Jupiter Inlet in the sun. The breeze remained strong but the ocean was flat. We enjoyed the birds and the fishes as we strolled along. I was amazed at the speed of the current and we witnessed the Jupiter Marine Police rescuing two kayakers who got caught in the current and were about to be swept out of the inlet and into the ocean. 

It is Veterans Day. To all of my fellow veterans, I wish you all the best and send a thank-you for your service. I am constantly reminded of our oath to "support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic". 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - November 10, 2025

 

Beautiful Day for a Bike Ride
Jupiter, FL
November 9, 2025

1. Welcome to the second Monday of November. The month is effectively half complete and we are staring directly at Veterans Day tomorrow. There are just seven Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. Family NFL Report. Only four of the six family teams were in action this week. By going 2-2 it was one of the best weeks yet for the group. Their collective record remains a bit dismal at 23-32-1, .420. 

Ravens (4-5) thumped Vikings (4-5), 27-19  

Dolphins (3-7) swam past Bills (6-3), 30-13

Cowboys (3-5-1) were idle

Steelers (5-4) were shocked by the Chargers (7-3), 25-10

Commanders (3-7) were swallowed by the Lions (6-3), 22-44

Chiefs (5-4) were idle

3. Woke up yesterday to a beautiful clear day. It was awesome. Temperatures were in the in the 70s and the sky was clear. I rode for over 20 miles to enjoy the day. I was a bit put-off because one of the trails through the woods that I enjoy riding was closed for construction. I only ride this trail occasionally and I really missed riding through the trees on a dirt path. It reminds me of riding the Great Allegheny Passage that Patrick, Jeremy, and I did during 2024. 

4. Wintery weather is coming! Tomorrow morning I am expecting to wake to 40 degree temperatures which will climb to a high of mid-60s. Ugh! It will remind me of my recent visit to Maryland. Too cold to ride my bike. 

5. Apparently the government shutdown is on the cusp of ending. The democrats have folded without gaining the health care coverage for 42 million Americans. I am sad, but hopefully getting the government back at work for Americans will work for more people, somehow. 

6. Today in History. On November 10, 1969, “Sesame Street,” a pioneering TV show that would teach generations of young children the alphabet and how to count, makes its broadcast debut. “Sesame Street,” with its memorable theme song (“Can you tell me how to get/How to get to Sesame Street”), went on to become the most widely viewed children’s program in the world. It has aired in more than 120 countries.

The show was the brainchild of Joan Ganz Cooney, a former documentary producer for public television. Cooney’s goal was to create programming for preschoolers that was both entertaining and educational. She also wanted to use TV as a way to help underprivileged 3- to 5- year-olds prepare for kindergarten. “Sesame Street” was set in a fictional New Yorkneighborhood and included ethnically diverse characters and positive social messages.

US Senate advances bill to end federal shutdown - Reuters

US flight delays, cancellations accelerate as air traffic controller shortages surge - Reuters

Trump administration cannot withhold full funding for food aid, US appeals court rules - Reuters

Enough Democrats caved, paving the way for shutdown to end - CNN

‘Did you vote for Trump?’ Americans traveling abroad are under new scrutiny - CNN

Why Trump is holding back on helping people who can't buy food - MSNBC

The obscure federal employees footing the bill during the shutdown - MSNBC

Football fans face backlash for booing Trump during military enlistment ceremony - FoxNews

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

As the Weekend Continues

Chris with Maverick
Stuart Air Show, Stuart, FL
November 7, 2025

 I woke to a beautiful South Florida morning. The temperature is 73 degrees and the humidity is acceptable. The sky was clear and the moon bright as it was descending in the western sky. 

We have a day planned that includes NFL football and dinner with friends. Chris and I are excited about both. 

I am planning to head out on a ride in a few minutes to enjoy the morning. 

Chris ran into an old friend at the Air Show Friday night. He was a bit stiff about the meet-up, but she had fun getting a picture taken. 

In light of the ongoing airport crisis, Chris and I have made the decision to drive north for Thanksgiving instead of flying, despite having already made reservations. I had predicted that the government shutdown would end by Friday (the 7th), but unfortunately, I was mistaken. The stubborn members of Congress appear more focused on punishing the American people than on negotiating an end to the Trump-led shutdown. 

And in college football news, congrats go to the Georgia Bulldogs for being the biggest dawgs on the block by decimating Mississippi State yesterday 41-21. The game was not as close as the score suggests. After Mississippi State scored on their opening drive, Georgia ran off 38 unanswered points until finally allowing two gratuitous touchdowns. 

Let's see how the family NFL football teams fare today. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Stuart Air Show 2025

 Bring out the oooohs and the awwws, the Stuart Air Show 2025 Opening Night edition had everything. 

Stuart Airshow 2025
Stuart, FL
November 7, 2025

Chris and I spent the evening enjoying the opening night of the Stuart Air Show. I am told that it is the last airshow of the season and it certainly likes to go out with a bang. 

The flying was incredible. The airshow after dark was especially exciting followed by the fireworks grand finale which was a spectacle to be witnessed. 

The only downside was the lack of military participation this year due to the government shutdown. But the show went on and it was grand, although I was excited about seeing the F-35 demonstration team in action, but alas, that did not happen. And there were no military aircraft on display. The organizers did a great job filling the gaps and making everything seem seamless. I stopped in at the Air Force recruiting tent, which was staffed by contractors, and enjoyed reminiscing about old times when I served as a recruiting squadron commander.  

Sunset at the Stuart Airshow
Stuart, FL
November 7, 2025

Chris and I secured reserved seating for this year's event. It was definitely worth the extra expense to have reserved seats. Parking was plentiful and free. Getting out of the lot after the show was slow, but that is almost always the case.

On the negative side, the show organizers do not allow people to bring in water or food, in addition to a number of other items. The food/water was an issue because the vendor selling food and water did not have enough help; the lines were very long. And the prices are out of sight. I paid $55 for two burgers and fries, a bottle of water, and an iced tea. Oh yea, and the fries were cold and limp and the burgers were, well not hot. At least the beer was only $6.

One other negative, the restroom facilities were inadequate for the crowd and they need lights in the area after dark. People had to use their cells to navigate in the restroom area.

The flying demonstrations were awe inspiring. I never grow tired of seeing the MiG-17 demo given how many years of my Air Force career were dedicated to monitoring Soviet aircraft. I probably devoted too much time in the video to this really old fighter jet. But, since our own Air Force was conspicuously absent, at least I got a military fighter fix for the evening. 

We loved the show and the fireworks grand finale is second to none. We are already planning on being in attendance next year!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#stuartairshow #stuartairshow2025 #airshow

It Happened the other Night

Moon over Jupiter
Jupiter, FL
November 5, 2025

by Francis Baranson

 I am still reviewing some of the images I took on Wednesday evening. It was a clear night with a bright moon. It was one of those evenings that just demands to be captured on image.  

Chris and I were out with friends celebrating two other friends who had traveled in for a wedding. We were along the Jupiter Inlet enjoying a fantastic South Florida evening. As the sun set, earlier now than during the summer, the moon was rising. The food and drink were definitely secondary to the scene that was presented before us.

Jupiter Lighthouse
Jupiter, FL
November 5, 2025

I took more than a few images of the moon rising and the glow of the lights due to the earlier darkness. My friend Francis sent me the one that leads off the article.

We had a great evening at a local restaurant and enjoyed $1 oysters on the last day of the off-season. The price of oysters will increase to an unspecified level to celebrate the return of the Snow Birds. Yes, prices go up here during the winter and will not head down again until May. 

I focused some of my imaging activities upon the lighthouse. I love that historical lighthouse. I spotted it from the airplane as we were making our approach into Palm Beach International on Tuesday. It sits strategically along the inlet as a big red tower. 

Tonight Chris and I are headed to the annual Stuart Airshow. I believe there will be an F-35 demo team in addition to many other flying events. I expect less military participation given the government shutdown. Last year the show was fantastic and I purchased second row reserved seats for this year's event. I am hoping to publish a video of the opening night's activities. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL