My Take: White House Sideshow

Upon returning from vacation, I was saddened to learn that the circus sideshow that has become the White House continues unabated.

The continuing news about the Russia investigation and entanglements is making the entire American system the laughing stock of the world. 

The bigger problem is that the focus upon the disclosures and allegations is distracting us and the news media from the real news happening around the world. 

We: the news media, people, and government of the United States, have become so inwardly focused that we are ineffectively dealing with activities around the world. When damage control becomes the main diplomatic activity of the day, then we have become totally reactionary and are not setting policy and pushing programs and focusing the direction of the world.

The inward focus means that the United States has effectively abrogated its world leadership and allowing other countries are setting the direction and respond to international issues while the U.S. deals with its internal crisis.  

We need to set policy, not be totally in the respond mode to other's actions.

My Take: The Sideshow that has become the White House needs to end and the business of governing must begin.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Road Home

On I-95 near Waverly, Georgia
July 13, 2017

Vacations end. It is a sad and indisputable fact.

It has been two weeks since Chris and I took the road for our cruise vacation. We are now on the way home and passed through Waverly, Georgia, an hour or so ago.

We got up early this morning and hit I-95 about 5AM for the 16 hour sojourn back to Elkridge.

I drove the first shift and it was only after we changed drivers did I get the opportunity to document the day with an image from the highway.

Yesterday it rained on our last day in Florida meaning that we neither played golf or hit the beach. It was a good relaxing day prior to the marathon drive home.

I have a lot of memories. I am fully relaxed and recharged and I admit that I do not need to go back to work in order to get over my vacation. I have been on vacations where getting back to work was a welcome relief from the hectic schedule.

It is sad that the time off is nearly complete. But, getting back home will be nice.

-- Bob Doan, writing from South Carolina on I-95

Loggerhead Encounter

Loggerhead Turtle Emerging form the Surf
Jupiter Island, Florida
July 11, 2017

A once in a lifetime encounter on a deserted beach occurred yesterday evening. 

Chris and I along with Francis and Mary were at the Jupiter Island beach enjoying an end of the day happy hour when, about 25 yards from us, a loggerhead turtle crawled out of the surf and began to move up the beach to lay eggs. It was about 6PM in the evening and these things just do not happen at that time of day.

Loggerhead Turtle headed Back to the Ocean
Jupiter Island, Florida
July 11, 2017

I was in shock when I looked up the beach to the north and saw the turtle emerging from the sea. At first I thought it was a large piece of debris, but when I realized that it was a turtle, I let everyone in the group know. 

Loggerheads, and other turtles, typically come ashore under the cover of darkness to lay their eggs. An article by the Sea Turtle Conservancy describes routine behaviors. The turtle we saw last night was intent on digging a nest and laying eggs during broad daylight. 

Fortunately the beach was deserted, except for the four of us who remained silent and with only very limited movement until the turtle had completed laying her eggs and began the trek back to the ocean. It was only at that point that we approached her to take some closer images, but we never touched her or obstructed her path to the sea. During her entire time on land in the sun I was concerned that the turtle would overheat.

Safely Back to the Water
Loggerhead Turtle - Jupiter Island Beach
July 11, 2017

The movie above shows the event as best that I could record it. There is no video of the actual egg laying because we maintained a respectful distance from the turtle until she was finished. 

We have been on the beach at night and seen turtles come out of the surf and we have watched them lay eggs, but to experience the entire event from start to finish is something that just does not happen during daylight hours. 

The turtle last evening was intent on her mission. Three fishermen walked by at the surf line while she was laying, but the turtle was undeterred from her mission. 

Throughout the event, we were in awe of the scene being played out before us. We had been on the beach when nest eruptions occur during the daylight hours and many small loggerheads begin their race to the ocean, but to see a magnificent turtle emerge from the surf during daytime was a sight to behold and I am very happy that I was able to record it.

-- Bob Doan, writing form Tequesta, Florida

The Best Vacation, Ever?

Beach on Saint Martin
July 5, 2017

What constitutes the best vacation ever? 

It is probably any vacation that I am currently experiencing. The way I look at it is that a bad day on vacation is better than a good day in the office. Right?

Labadee, Haiti, Beach
July 7, 2017

Well, mostly.

There are many components to great vacations and everybody has different components to creating the perfect one. 

In my case, beach time is an important component of a vacation. That means that a vacation to the mountains, while enjoyable, would not probably make my list as the best vacation ever. I am a bit concerned about an Alaskan cruise as well--pretty, enjoyable, but too cold for quality beach time. And with the way I detest snow, I'm not sure wandering around a glacier during the summer would be personally satisfying.

Hobe Sound National Refuge
Jupiter Island, Florida
July 9, 2017

In contrast, I was in awe of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin on my current vacation because the island is 37 square miles in size and has 37 beaches, as reported by my tour guide. I only visited three of the beaches there and so I definitely need a return trip to visit more of the remaining 34 beaches!

Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, Florida
July 10, 2017

Now, while describing and planning my perfect vacation it should be noted that vineyards and wineries are a close second to beaches. So, for instance, a Tuscan vacation would be very nice as well--it is just lacking a beach to make it the "best ever."

Cocoa Beach, Florida
July 1, 2017

Another component of the "best ever" vacation is, of course, golf. Add golf to any vacation and it immediately moves up in status! Golf and wine--good. Beach, wine, and golf? A difficult trio to combine.

The point of all of this is that I believe everyone needs to know what constitutes their "best ever" vacation and then make appropriate decisions before heading off and spending time and money to "get away."

Happy vacationing and may your vacation be the "best ever!"

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

Monday Musings - July 10, 2017

Breakfast on the Balcony
Looking at the Ocean
Oasis of the Seas
July 4, 2017

1. I wonder if I will ever tire of looking at the ocean and watching the sun rise and set? I don't think so.

Crab
San Juan, Puerto Rico
July 6, 2017

2. It is fun to watch the animals along a beach. We found a very interesting crab in San Juan.

3. It was hard to say goodbye to the Oasis of the Seas which served as our home for a week of travel and sights.

4. I noticed that the more I want to be someplace, the longer it takes to get there. I guess this is a corollary to the adage that a watched pot never boils.

5. This joke is an oldie, but it seems to be very true these days. How can you tell when a politician is lying? Their lips are moving. 

6. I came to a realization the other day that the difference between real and fake news is perspective.

7. The internet is blurring the lines between fact and fiction. I ran across an interesting 2016 New York Times piece about, How the Internet is Loosening Our Grip on the Truth. 

Headlines

Coal no longer fuels America. But the legacy — and the myth — remain. - The Washington Post

The Islamic State Is Not Dead Yet - The New York Times

Republicans Take a Hatchet to Health Care - The New York Times

Quote for the Week

"Today the world looks to America for leadership. They look to what they call our miracle economy for an answer to how they may give their people a better life. And they look to our courage and might to protect them from the forces of tyranny, brutality, and injustice." Ronald Reagan Remarks to Marine Corps Basic Training Graduates in Parris Island, South Carolina, June 4, 1986

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

As the Cruise Ends

Chasing Down a Freighter
July 8, 2017
Atlantic Ocean off the Coast of Florida

We experienced a sea day yesterday on our way back to Port Canaveral. I enjoy sea days because it forces me to explore the ship and try things that I might not otherwise experience. Sometimes, I get excited about watching the ship track down and overtake a freighter. Life can be that relaxing during a sea day.

Cats
Oasis of the Seas
July 8, 2017

Yesterday, for example, I attended the ship's performance of Cats. Yes, the former Broadway musical written during the early 1980's that I have failed to appreciate. The performance did eat up two-and-a-half hours and was actually very good. Perhaps it was because I understood the story this time. Even so, it got a bit long and it seems to end abruptly. Chris and I did get our picture taken with Old Deuteronomy during the intermission.

Cats on Oasis of the Seas

We also attended the comedy show during the night which provided a good send off with some humor specifically directed at life aboard a cruise ship.

Alas, our time aboard the Oasis of the Seas is nearly over. I am sitting in port waiting for breakfast and debarkation. I watched the ship arrive at the quay under the cover of darkness and have been watching the sun rise. It has bee beautiful to experience, but I admit, I much prefer the sunrise and the sunset at sea.

Chris trying a new drink of the day

Chris and I with Our Waitstaff
Iwayan from Bali
Vicky from India

But as the day dawns the activity begins to ramp up it is time to begin the process of departing. The good-byes have already begun as we enjoyed a meal with our wait staff for the last time. they were fun and it is always amazing how we develop a bond with the team and that makes the good-byes sad. 

The memories are great and the images that I have captured help us to remember the fun and good times of escaping life for a week to sail away!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Oasis of the Seas tied up in Port Canaveral, Florida

A Day in Haiti

Beach Cabanas on Labadee, Haiti
July 7, 2017

The title is a bit misleading. We did spend a day in Haiti, but it was not the real Haiti, it was the specially constructed playground for Royal Caribbean ships on a small isolated peninsula named Labadee. 

Beach Chairs and Activities
Labadee, Haiti
Oasis of the Seas in the Background
July 7, 2017

Our ship arrived at about 9:30AM for a day of fun in the sun. The weather was perfect. The beaches were manicured. The activities were planned and executed to direct money into the cruise line's coffers.  

It was, for all practical purposes, a sea day on land.

Palm Tree
Labadee, Haiti
Zip Line in Background

I admit, I thoroughly enjoyed being ashore and having about seven beaches to choose from. I enjoyed having lunch catered and drinks provided, but if I had any expectation of visiting Haiti, which is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and one of the poorest countries in the world, I was sadly mistaken.

Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the day. The water was magnificent, the activities stimulating, and the shade under the trees was cool.

Chris on the Beach

I found the prices for some of the attractions to be a bit inflated, for instance although  advertised as the longest overwater zip-line in the world it was $119 for about a 45 second event. The beach cabanas were almost $500, and the beach beds, seen in the background of the palm trees photo, were almost $200. Fortunately, the chairs that we spent the day in were included.

Sadly, however, the day ended and we are now headed back to port to end our cruise. It is hard to believe that almost a week ago we boarded the ship and headed out into the Atlantic to visit places that we had only dreamed about.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Oasis of the Seas in the Atlantic Ocean

San Juan in Five Hours

Castillo San Felipe del Morro
San Juan, PR
July 6, 2017

One of the hardest aspects of visiting new places via cruise ship is the often incredibly short amount of time allotted to a shore day. 

The Capitol of Puerto Rico

Yesterday was a prime example. We arrived in San Juan about 7AM and had to be back on the ship by 1:30PM. By the time we got off the ship it was almost 8AM and we were in the line to board by 1PM. Five hours to explore San Juan is not nearly enough. We met more than one person who told us that a minimum of one week is requires to visit San Juan and Puerto Rico just to get oriented.  I believe them.

Castillo San Felipe del Morro
From Oasis of the Seas upon departure
July 6, 2017

The ship docked near Old Town San Juan and since the shops and sights don't open until closed to 10AM we took a two-hour bus tour to get a general overview of the city. 

Me by Cannon Balls
Castillo San Cristóbal 

We saw same of the great sights and at the end of two hours were deposited in front of one of the forts that makes up the defense of the Old City. I love forts. We walked from Castillo San Felipe del Morro, which guards the harbors by being strategically places on the hill above the entrance, into the Old City for a shopping break and wound up at the other fort, Castillo San Cristobal, to end our visit to San Juan and Puerto Rico.

Chris about to Lose her Hat
Castillo San Cristóbal
Oasis of the Seas lurking in the background

It was much too fast!

But it was a great morning. We also purchased some trinkets and made good on a hot sauce promise for family. 

There is so much more to see, but I really enjoyed the forts and was amazed to learn that during the high period of the fortifications about 2,000 troops would have been garrisoned. The first were each constructed for about 800 troops and the remainder would have been housed in town. There were some ferocious battles fought over San Juan between the Spanish and the British and the Dutch. 

It was a great and fast day. Being back on the ship by 1:30PM meant we had a long afternoon to enjoy the memories made during the morning.

Today, we are onto Labadee, Haiti for some relaxing, I hope, beach time.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Oasis of the Seas headed for Haiti

Sint Maarten/Saint Martin

Oyster Bay, St Maarten

One 37 square mile island with two very different faces and, I am told, 37 beaches. Sint Maarten/Saint Martin is Dutch and French both as the same time, but separate. 

We spent a fun and busy day exploring the island, both sides, visiting both capital cities, Philipsburg and Marigot, as well as a couple of beaches. 

The highlight of the day was standing on Maho Beach and watching the airplanes land nearly on top of us. The planes are landing at Princess Juliana Airport and the approach end of the runway is only a few yards from the beach. 

It was a beautiful day. We visited another beach, where we needed to ensure we went the correct direction. One direction along the beach was a normal public beach, the other was clothing optional. We went to the normal beach and had a very enjoyable, albeit too brief, time.

Lunch in Marigot, the capital of the French part of the island was a fun experience at Chez Coco. The food was good and the exchange rate was favorable. Euros are the currency of the French side, while dollars and guilders as well as euros are used on the Dutch side. 

Oasis of the Seas
St Maarten
July 5, 2017

The afternoon was spent driving around and going to Maho beach to watch the airplanes arrive. We made a brief stop on Philipsburg and then it was back to the ship, which ended our adventure for the day.

I have visited a few islands in or ringing the Caribbean and St Maarten/Saint Martin is definitely one that I would like to revisit and spend more time exploring.

-- Bob Doan, writing aboard Oasis of the Seas as it docks in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Holiday at Sea

4th of July
Oasis of the Seas

Balloon Drop

Chris and I spent 4th of July at sea aboard the Oasis of the Seas. That meant that it was a different kind of celebration, but no less exciting. 

There were no fireworks. Apparently ships at sea are not allowed pyrotechnics for entertainment purposes unless sailing for the Disney Line. 

But, as it turned out, the celebration was every bit as exciting and it was an whole day experience.

There were flags and special drinks and much revelry.  A special balloon drop shortly after 10 PM wound up simulating the noise from fireworks.

All-in-all it was great fun.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Oasis of the Seas docked in St Maarten

Independence Day 2017

Happy 4th!

It is my favorite summertime celebration. It is a time to celebrate the struggle and freedom that we, as 
Americans, enjoy on a daily basis. These are the same freedoms that others would attempt to deny us because they do not understand how fundamentally important these freedoms are and how strongly we will defend them.

Thomas Jefferson

I read a great article in the Washington Post yesterday about Thomas Jefferson's last public letter. The letter was written on June 24, 1826, just a few weeks before Jefferson died on July 4th, the 50th anniversary of the signing the Declaration of Independence. 

Jefferson had been invited to a celebration in Washington D.C. to honor Independence Day and the signing.

Roger Chew Weightman, the mayor of Washington, had big plans for a Fourth of July celebration. He sent invitations to the three surviving signers of the Declaration — Jefferson; John Adams, who was 90; and Charles Carroll of Maryland, 88 — along with former presidents James Madison and James Monroe.

Jefferson's health prevented him from attending and he wrote a letter. Jefferson's letter expressing his thanks for being invited and regrets for being unable to attend contain some profound words which are applicable to our own Independence Celebration today.

Jefferson wrote:

Having to decline the invitation makes being sick even harder to bear, he continued. He longed to meet once more “with the small band, the remnant of that host of worthies, who joined with us on that day, in the bold and doubtful election we were to make for our country, between submission or the sword.” It’s good to know that “our fellow citizens, after half a century of experience and prosperity, continue to approve the choice we made.”

“all eyes are opened, or opening to the rights of man. the general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth that the mass of mankind has not been born, with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately by the grace of god. these are grounds of hope for others. for ourselves let the annual return of this day, for ever refresh our recollections of these rights and an undiminished devotion to them.”

Let us always remember the vision that the Founding Fathers had for our great nation. Despite the occasional detours along the road of freedom, let us be vigilant and also quick to defend that vision.

Happy 4th. May independence be always in your heart.

-- Bob Doan, writing from The Oasis of the Seas somewhere in the Caribbean Sea

Monday Musings - July 3, 2017

People on the Canaveral Beach
July 2, 2017

1. Happy Independence Day! Enjoy the Fourth. 

Carnaval Cruise Ships Departing Port Canaveral
July 2, 2017

2. Sitting on the balcony of a cruise ship looking at the placid waters of the Caribbean without any land in sight; the ultimate way to spend a vacation.

3. I was amazed at how many people were at the beach yesterday as the ship departed Port Canaveral.

4. I was ready for a front row seat for the Space-X Falcon 9 launch, but it was scrubbed with 9 seconds to go. The ultimate downer.

Waiting in Our Cabin
July 2, 2017

5. There was something nice about being greeted in our cruise ship cabin with a filled bottle of sparkling wine and a bottle of red wine. It made sitting on the balcony yesterday as we pulled out of port that much better.

6. Getting ready for the holiday, The New York Times taste tested hot dogs to find the best. Find the results here.

Headlines

7. Independent Press Is Under Siege as Freedom Rings - The New York Times

Excerpt:

You’re old enough to know that you can’t always have a feel-good birthday. And let’s face it: This Fourth of July just isn’t going to be one of them.

How could it be when one of the pillars of our 241-year-old republic — the First Amendment — is under near-daily assault from the highest levels of the government?

8. Therapy animals are everywhere. Proof that they help is not. - The Washington Post

Quote for the Week

"Our country's greatest asset is not our vast expanse of land and not our abundant resources or our temperate climate. Instead, what will serve America most in the years ahead, our most precious possession, is the genius of our people."

Ronald Reagan

Remarks at the Presentation Ceremony for the National Medals of Science and Technology, June 25, 1987

-- Bob Doan, writing from aboard The Oasis of the Seas somewhere in the Caribbean Sea

Enjoying the Heat and the Beach

Chris in Cocoa Beach
July 1, 2017

Rediscovering Summer was a great experience yesterday. 

Chris Striding to Her Ball

The temperatures were hot, the sun was shining and there was even an afternoon thunderstorm to raise the humidity and make the summertime stickiness return.

Yes, I am a bit crazy about the heat and sun. But I truly love it. I enjoy the heat so much that Chris and I played a round of golf during the heat of the afternoon. It was fantastic because there were no other crazy people on the course.

The morning was filled with time on the beach getting reacquainted with the Atlantic Ocean and the wildlife. 

At the Beach

It was a busy interlude vacation day where we began the process of decompressing from the frenetic pace of life and began to get our "Island Time" approach to life.

Along the Indian River
July 1, 2017

Hopefully it will be a good day. 

To end the day yesterday, we celebrated sunset along the banks of the Indian River with a great meal and a beautiful scene.

Vacations can be great. We just need to open our eyes and absorb the scenery.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Melbourne, Florida

Out the Hotel Window - Melbourne, Florida

Out my Hotel Window
Near Melbourne, Florida
June 30, 2017

Vacation night one was in a hotel near Melbourne, Florida.

At the end of a marathon 13-and-a-half hour drive its was a great relief to find our hotel to be easily accessed and clean.

As Evening Falls
Out my Hotel Window
June 30, 2017

As usual, I peered out the hotel window with my camera in hand to image what I could see. It was an empty, well almost empty parking lot. And trash bins! How exciting is that? I don't even see any palm trees in the image. 

But I am in Florida, again! It is warm and humid.

And there are palm trees, I have seen them and toughed them.

Later in the evening, the sky was lit like fire coming through the clouds and I was able to obtain a better image from my hotel window.

The image is not one of my better, but the fiery scene was spectacular.

Who knows what today will hold?

-- Bob Doan, writing from near Melbourne, Florida

Road Trip Blues

It seems that I am destined to never have a truck with an unblemished windshield.

I had replaced the windshield in the Sonoma a few years ago and almost immediately caught a rock that grew into a huge crack that remained until the truck was towed away two weeks ago.

This morning, during the second hour of the current road trip my Ram caught a rock on the windshield. I took a picture of it. Ugh.

I'm reminded of the statement, "and that's why we can have nice things."

I think I can get the divot filled if it will hold until we get back.

Well it's a jungle on the highway.

-- Bob Doan, writing from somewhere in North Carolina near mile marker 152

Ready, Set, Wait

Sometimes it seems that I get prepared to accomplish or enjoy something and then I have to wait for it!

It happens all of the time.

I am prepared for a big event and something makes me wait!

Vacations can be like that. An incredible amount of preparation goes into the lead-up to the main event, but then it becomes a waiting game.

Sometimes we do need to just wait for it--but wouldn't it be nice if we could just get started?

The Fourth of July Weekend, is upon us, but wait--it isn't a weekend this year. The 4th is on a Tuesday and so there really isn't a weekend.

I wonder how many people are going to take Monday off to create a four day weekend instead of waiting for the actual holiday? The smarter move might be to take Wednesday off and create a weekend in the mid-week.

But, no matter, we just need to wait for it.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Who Turned off Summer

Looking Over Baltimore on a Hot Sultry Evening

Last week I celebrated the solstice and the arrival of the best season of the year. 

This morning it was 53 degrees when I woke up and went outside to do my pool maintenance before struggling off to work.

Who turned off summer?

I need the 90's and the sultry humidity! I want to see the humidity and heat hanging in the air.

I know the heat will return soon enough and people will be complaining, but it is almost July and I expect to be enveloped by a blanket of hot, humid air when I step out of the air conditioned buildings that i work and live in. How did we survive before air conditioning?

I remember lying in bed on hot summer nights as the air hung damp in my room, unmoving, and I longed for a breeze. It was similar to when I moved into the the six story dormitories in Coral Gables, Florida, and found they didn't have air conditioning. But I got used to it. 

Since then, I guess, I have become an air conditioned creature. But, I still long for the hot air and the smells of the summer.

Soon enough, I am sure.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Gardening

Planting flowers and doing yard work is rewarding. I complain about it while I am doing it, but I love the results.

Saturday, Mom, Dad, Chris, and I spent the day sprucing up the house. Mom and Dad really appreciated the help and work.

It was a long day, but worth it in the end. Mom and Dad were right there all the way.

I think gardening lowers blood pressure. Lol.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Danby, NY