Playoff Game #2

Jax Finishing a Pitch
June 6, 2018

Tonight is playoff game #2 for the GORC Dodgers. Earlier in the week they earned the right to play another game by pulling off a stunning comeback win over the Orioles, 10-9, to earn a spot in the semifinals. 

Me Coaching 3rd and Sending a Runner Home

I was late getting to the game against the Orioles because I had been attending Chris' retirement party. When I arrived, the team was down 8-0 in the third inning. But that is when the boys began to turn it around. The pitching solidified with Jax taking the mound and the bats began getting runs back one-at-a-time. The defense also woke up and one of the game's highlights was a picture-perfect pickle-drill run down of a runner attempting to come home from third base.

Jax had a great night. He pitched 2 innings, struck out 5 and allowed only 1 run. His batting line was similarly impressive. At the plate he was 3-3 with a double and 3 RBIs.

Discussing Strategy with Jack Schaecher at 3rd Base

Post Game Meeting
We Have At Least One More Game

Baseball is a great game, especially when the pitching and the batting come together and create the magic that propels a team deeper into the playoffs. 

Tonight's game is no small task. The team is playing the Cardinals who are 12-1-1 (yes there can be ties in our league). We lost 14-4 the only time we played them, but that was after an almost two-week layoff due to the rains. 

What is on the line? Tonight's winner advances  to the league championship game tomorrow. 

No matter the outcome of tonight's game, it has been a fun season and I can see the baseball improvement in each player on the team. 

Most of all, it has been fun! And baseball should be fun!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Significant Life Event - Retirement

Chris at
Her Retirement party

Yesterday was a day about one of those significant life events.

Chris Speaking at Her Retirement Party

I attended the first of four retirement parties for Chris who is retiring as a special educator after 22 years. It is amazing that she was able to put together a whole multi-decade career while I was doing the Air Force officer thing moving the family across the world.

I was happy for the nice words that were said about her long and fruitful career, but most importantly, I was impressed by the love that her bosses and co-workers showed for her. Some people came to the party who work at other schools or have already retired, just to celebrate Chris and her career.

It was a very nice party and it is great that she is going out on top. I am very excited for her and a bit jealous. But this is not about me, it is about Chris and the long lasting contributions she has made as an educator.

I'm just waiting for someone to stick a microphone in her face and ask her what she is going to do next. I'm afraid it will be something like, "I'm going to Disney World!" Well, that's not far from the truth, she is going on a cruise later this summer.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Cool and Clear

A Beautiful Day for Flying
June 5, 2018

After the rains and gray of the past weeks, the crisp clear skies of the mornings have been enjoyable.

Me and Sara Watching Radio Flyer
June 5, 2018

It was a bit cool this morning as I took the dogs out, but the clear sky after the overnight rains was encouraging.

I was able to get Radio Flyer up yesterday for a short 12 minute flight. IT had been over a week since its last flight mostly due to the bad weather. I was encouraged at the amount of green surrounding our house, despite the loss of many ash trees.

My neighbor, Sara, came over to see Radio Flyer and what I was doing and she seemed very impressed with its ability. I took a picture of us, but for some reason I am almost always looking down at my controls when the image is actually taken. I need to work on that. Yesterday's flight was really intended to check out the wind conditions. I could see the wind blowing the trees and I wanted to get an estimate of whether he winds were above the suggested threshold. Turns out they were not as I never received a high wind warning, good to know.

According to my flight logs, Radio Flyer has 60 flights totaling 8 hours and 44 minutes of flying time. Not too bad! I am looking forward to taking it on my weekend trip to Charlottesville to get some nice images of different territory. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Longer Days of June

As the days draw deeper into the newly minted month of June, I am noticing the longer available daylight. Sadly, just as the temperatures start to get hot, the days begin to shorten after the solstice.

Morning Breaking
June 4, 2018

Last evening, Chris and i were out last 8:45 PM and there remained some available light to brighten the outdoors activities. It is a far cry from the days of winter when darkness descends at 4:30 PM, it seems.

The dawn is breaking clear and true this morning as well. There is not a cloud visible, which is a very rare thing lately. The day should be fantastic, but the forecast provides for afternoon thunderstorms! Too bad have to go to work.

Coach Mike and I with our All Stars
Matthes, Jax, Preston, and Martin

The rains truly have subsided and the ground is beginning to dry. I flushed out the gutter system around our deck last night. It had become clogged. Flushing it is no easy task as I have to lift a couple of boards to remove the collected debris and then get a hose to encourage the remaining lighter collection of leaves and twigs to make their way down the drain to the ground.

Tonight is the GORC Dodgers final practice. The playoffs begin tomorrow and hopefully the team cam make a good run. I hope the thunderstorms do not interfere with practice. The team needs to get ready.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - June 4, 2018

1. It is the first Monday of June and the temperature this morning was 53 degrees. Definitely not pool activity weather.

Jacob and Jax with Finn in the Dugout
May 31, 2018

2. Two of the Orioles  four-game series with the Yankees were rained out during the past couple of days. That is how rainy the weather has been. 

3. The most exciting thing Chris and I did yesterday was try to determine when there would be a break in the torrential rains to dash out for dog food.

Me and Matthew at Third Base
May 31, 2018

4. The arrival of June has brought with it the impending beginning of the summer vacation season.

5. Sometimes definitely non-baseball related things happen in the dugout during GORC Dodgers games. 

6. I have really enjoyed coaching third base during the GORC Dodgers games this season.

7. Due to the weather and my schedule, Radio Flyer has not flown in over a week. I almost got it airborne Saturday afternoon, but didn't quite get it out before the storms arrived.

8. As the dawn breaks this morning, the rains have stopped. I called Noah and advised him to stand down in his ark construction project. Maybe we won't need it after all. 

9. Where are our nation's leaders hiding?


Headlines

New Hampshire Police Charged and Arrested a Man for Criticizing Them on the Internet - The Slate

China increasingly challenges American dominance of science - The Washington Post

Mourning America: What my father, Ronald Reagan, would say today - The Washington Post


Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. 

We'll preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we'll sentence them to take the last step into a thousand years of darkness."

A Time for Choosing Speech

October 24, 1964

Los Angeles , CA

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday Rain-out

Yes, it is Sunday.

Dead and Dying Ash Trees
The Former Canopy Behind My House
June 3, 2018

I was supposed to tee-off this morning with the boys for a Sunday round of golf, but, due to the pervasive rains, we canceled our outing. 

It would have been too wet to enjoy.

So I get to enjoy watching the rain from the warmth and dryness of my living room.

It is very wet outside. I probably won't be able to mow the lawn.

In other news, we received the diagnosis on our dead and dying trees yesterday. The Emerald Ash Borer killed them. It is sad that the beautiful ash trees are going the way go the American Elms. I wish the local government had done a better job advising home owners of treatment options for the trees before the borers arrived, it is possible that I could have saved them. As it is now, it is going to cost a small fortune to have the trees removed. 

And in the "always one-more-thing" department, my automatic pool cleaner expired. It lasted a long time, maybe 15 years, but replacements are not inexpensive. 

Always one more thing!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The All-Star

Jax Walking back to the Mound
GORC All Star Game
June 1, 2018

Last evening the GORC Under 10 Intramural Baseball League held its All-Star game and four Dodgers, including Jackson, made the team. Representing the National League, they competed against boys from American League teams in a generally well played game.

The American League lost 15-9, but that score was not the important part of the game. Watching the best players from each of the teams play together was rewarding for me. The boys are beginning to understand some of the important points of the game. Some really great lays were made int the field, including catching some well hit deep balls--which is partly why the American League lost, they had some deep well hit balls that were caught and that prevented runs from scoring and ended innings with the bases loaded. 

Jax was awesome at the plate. He reached base every time that he was up and was involved in a number of plays in the field. He also pitched a strong inning.

With the All-Star game complete, there is one regular season game remaining for the GORC Dodgers and then onto next week's playoffs.

Summertime is coming!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

June Arrives and Hopes Soar

Happy June.

May is gone. The NHL and NBA are playing their finals. Baseball is getting into mid-season. The Orioles were rained out last night, but there is still a lot, maybe too much, season left to enjoy or suffer through depending upon the team involved.

The Belmont Stakes are next weekend.Maybe there will be another Triple Crown winner! Justify will race for the opportunity.

Summer starts on June 21st. Officially, that is. 

School ends. Graduations are everywhere. Fun stuff and parties are found in almost every neighborhood.

June is starting off with thunderstorms and rain. I still feel as if I have been relocated to Seattle. It rains almost every day.

Hopefully the weather will clear soon and we can get on with the summertime activities.

Well, it is time to get the summer parties planned and rolling along. Soon the local strawberries will be ripening and the cherries will be falling to the ground. Don't forget the fireflies! 


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday Orioles Update

The season is largely over. The Orioles are miserable. They are not the worst team in baseball, but they are the second worst, by one game.

Amazingly, three have been no major changes to the coaching staff. Given the line-up of hitters the team possesses, one would expect the hitting coach to be out the door soon. 

The Orioles are 17-39 .304 and have no where to go but up. They are potentially on track to set a franchise record for losses at and might finish as bad as 51-111. 

The team has the third worst batting average in the American League at .233, which is 15 points lower than the league average. But what really hurts is they'll have the worst on base percentage at .295 which is 23 points below the league average. One of the few brighter spots is that the team sits at the league average for home runs at 64.

Base running situation awareness is also a problem. For instance, last evening, with the team losing 2-0 in the bottom of the ninth, the Orioles got two men on with no outs and Manny Machado coming to the plate. During Machado's at bat, one of the base runners decided, for some obtuse reason, to attempt to steal third and was caught stealing in a run down. Suddenly, the opportunity to win the game with one swing of the bat was gone. After the base running mistake, both Machado and Scoop, the next batter, failed to get a hit and the O's lost 2-0.

The fan base is unhappy and eroding and we hear nothing but crickets from the Orioles front office. I have tickets for tonight's game against the Yankees and I will likely not bother to go. Who wants to see a complete baseball team deliver another crushing blow to my favorite team in our home park. I do expect lots of homers tonight. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Another Dodger Loss

Jax Hoping for Better Fortunes

The GORC Dodgers have once again lost two in a row. Last evening, they lost a close contest 9-8. The team had the lead twice during the game but could not hold it. They had the opportunity to force the opposition into the bottom of the sixth, however, the bats were not as crisp as they had been recently and the team just could not get the needed runs across the plate despite having the bases loaded. 

The season is coming to a rapid close. The team has one more practice and one more regular season game before the playoffs. 

At least the weather has moderated and we are actually playing some of the games. 

Despite the loss, the boys played hard and made some good plays in the field. It was fun to coach a close game and we knew that every run would count. Sadly, they wound up with one more than our guys. But, it was a learning experience. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Next Stop -- Summer

Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning of summer. To celebrate the beginning of the best season, yesterday was an especially cool day, following days in the high 80's and low 90's. 

But, we are poised for the run at summer with the fireflies cued and the smells and sounds of the season ramping up to make an imminent appearance.

The pool is open and I've been in it a couple of times. It was too cold yesterday, but Saturday and Sunday were definitely pool days.

The days of summer are upon us. Baseball is getting deeper into the season and tonight the GORC Dodgers take the field again and hope to reverse the poor play they displayed during their last game.

Summer sports and vacations. The time has finally arrived. School is ending soon and the vacation season will be in full swing. 

Bring on the sun and season!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - May 28, 2018

1. Happy Memorial Day 2018.

Rain Falling 

2. We survived the deluge which by some accounts saw 8.5 inches of rain fall in two hours yesterday. Officially we only received just over an inch of rain although it certainly seemed like a lot more. We will begin the clean-up process today. Thanks to all who wrote/called with concerns.

Enjoying Big Cork Vineyards

3. Chris and I accompanied by two friends spent a wonderful afternoon at Big Cork Vineyards in Rohrersville, MD. We enjoyed music and some nice wines in a beautiful setting.


4. Our prayers and support go out for the people of Ellicott City who yesterday experienced a second devastating flood in less than two years as as a result of the torrential rains.

5. Memorial Day isn't just about honoring veterans, its honoring those who lost their lives. Veterans had the fortune of coming home. For us, that's a reminder of when we come home we still have a responsibility to serve. It's a continuation of service that honors our country and those who fell defending it. - Pete Hegseth

6. It is tough to play baseball after being off for two weeks. The GORC Dodgers lost in a blow-out on Friday night. There are two games remaining in the regular season and then the playoffs begin next week.

7. I am glad that I mowed the lawn yesterday before the rains turned the yard into a soggy mess.


Headlines

U.S. and North Korean Officials Race to Resurrect Trump-Kim Meeting - The New York Times

‘OMG This Is Wrong!’ Retired English Teacher Marks Up a White House Letter and Sends It Back - The New York Times

What happens when a soldier dies - The Washington Post

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"The character of the American people is our country's most precious asset, and, like any asset, it should never be taken for granted."

— Remarks at the annual foundation luncheon of the YMCA of Metro Chicago Illinois,

May 10, 1982

- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Memorial Day Weekend 2018

The Family around the Pool
May 26, 2018

Ready for Memorial Day 2018
Radio Flyer

The family gathered yesterday to celebrate Memorial Day. We gathered early because we found a break in the weather that would support a picnic.

The day was pleasantly hot, with the temperature hitting 91 degrees. It was a perfect unofficial beginning to the summer season. The day was hot, the water in the pool was warm, and the family was mostly gathered for some fun and interaction.

Radio Flyer got to fly and observe the scene.

It had been a week since my drone had flown. Last week it was in Ithaca and I did not take it with me on my trip this past week, although it will likely accompany me in the future.

Enjoy your Memorial Weekend. Remember the sacrifice of our military members of the past and present how have helped to secure our freedom.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Old Cars at the Airport

Schacht Model K Runabout

Schacht Model K Runabout

Airports can be interesting places to explore while waiting for flights. I have found that some airports are committed to improving our sense of history and not always about air travel and the development of the aircraft.

The Cincinnati airport advertises the local museum. One exhibit that displayed as I passed through yesterday contained older automobiles spanning a few decades made by companies in the Cincinnati area. It was very interesting to observe the development of the car. The Model K Runabout has the driver sitting right behind the radiator. While the license plate suggests it is a 1911 auto, the model dates from at least 1910.

Vehicle Dated from 1925

A later example of the auto development was in the wooden vehicle, which was dated 1925. I have to admit, I didn't get as much information on this vehicle. I tried the museum website but could not positively identify the car. 

There were many other exhibits from the museum in the airport and I actually look forward to heading back through the airport sometime to view other displays.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Watch What You Write

I went to dinner last evening. It was a nice beer garden type restaurant and I enjoyed a couple of nice beers while I was there. It was the sign I passed on my way inside that caught my eye, however. 

I guess someone should have thought about what to write to get the message out in a more grammatically correct fashion. 

Sunset Springfield, OH
May 24, 2018

I know that all too often in this blog that I forget to proof what I am writing and I write some really interesting sentences. I also fight the autocorrect feature that all-to-often picks the wrong word for what I am writing. But, that written, if I was posting an important sign in my establishment I hope I would ensure the message was clearly and correctly written.

In addition ot the fun dinner, I was treated to a beautiful sunset out my hotel window which provided an exclamation point to a full and busy day. The clear sky was beautiful and the sinking sun, even behind the Bob Evans from my hotel room, was an enjoyable sight.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Springfield, OH

Out the Hotel Window - Springfield, OH

Springfield, Ohio
May 24, 2018

Another day, another city it seems on this trip. 

It is very different being in a hotel on an interstate than it is being in a plush downtown location. The view out my window is a rugged criss section of middle-America. Even the Bob Evans! The early morning, just before sunrise shot captures the essence of the area. 

Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport
Delta Boarding Area
May 23, 2018

My traveling partners and I ate at a local Bar-be-que place near the hotel last evening. The ribs fell off the bones and it was certainly authentic.

It was much nicer than that chaos associated with boarding the aircraft in Atlanta. I fly Southwest frequently. I can assure you that the line-up in groups concept that Delta uses is vastly inferior to Southwest's. It was total chaos in a very busy airport with stanchions that did not allow enough room for everyone to line up. They really need to take a look at the way they execute the boarding process.

It was a crazy, long day.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Springfield, OH

Stairs

I went for a walk last evening. The idea was to walk to dinner and then back, but due to the drenching rains that started during the walk to dinner, I only walked to and not from the eating establishment.

I walked along a canal/creek for most of the way. At the end of the park was a climb up some stairs to get to the city level. I had intended to take a picture of the canal and part from the higher street level, however, the trees were full with leaves and blocked the good vantage points. Since it was raining, I was not too motivated to find a clear shot of the park below, hoping that I would find one during the return trip.

Since there was no return trip through the park I lost my opportunity and am left with only a memory and this image of the stairs at the end of the park.

I need to remember to be more aggressive in taking the images that I see in my mind when they are happening on the first occasion. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Huntsville, AL

Out the Hotel Window - Huntsville, AL, May 2018

Out the Hotel Window
Huntsville, AL
May 21, 2018

It is good to be back in Huntsville to celebrate the Springtime and graduation season. Yesterday as I was arriving, there was a major graduation event occurring at the Convention Center. There were students and adoring families everywhere and it was an exciting sight to see. 

The view out my window is very exciting. There is a lot happening. I enjoyed watching the parking garage in the distance fill and then empty  yesterday during and after the commencement.

It was good to get to blue skies with white puffy clouds!

The trip was uneventful and I look forward it a good week of work away from home-base. As an important note, since this is a work trip, I did NOT bring Radio Flyer with me, so there will be no drone images to share. 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Huntsville, AL

Monday Musings - May 21, 2019

Looking at Mom and Dad's House from Above
May 19, 2018

1. Hopefully, the rains of the past week are giving way to some nicer weather. It has been a bit oppressive.

2. Driving back form Upstate NY yesterday I was amazed at the speeds some of the drivers were reaching. I am sure a couple of people passed me doing sat least 90-100 mph.

Bird's Eye View
May 19, 2018

3. Chris and I did stop in Pennsylvania to visit Fero Vineyards and Winery in Lewisburg yesterday during out drive back. It was a much needed respite during the trip.

4. It was amazing how the weather got better the further south we drove yesterday. Maybe nicer times are really ahead and the rains have subsided for a while.

5. Isn't it amazing how sometimes victims are victimized twice, the second time by the very people or businesses that are "trying" to help them?

Flea market in Ithaca, NY
May 20, 2018

6. I had this phrase pop into my head yesterday as I was looking at the rain clouds: the pregnant clouds were ripe with rain destined for the earth.

7. I enjoy looking at the earth from above while I am flying Radio Flyer, my drone. I guess I am just a frustrated pilot and the ability to look down on the scene below is exhilarating. I am becoming especially excited about imaging the "Bird's Eye" view. 

8. Chris and I stopped at a flea market on our way out of Ithaca yesterday. It had been quite a while since we had been to one. I believe we will be going to more.



Headlines

Trump Grappling With Risks of Proceeding With North Korea Meeting - The New York Times

Santa Fe High’s Baseball Team Takes the Field, Shadowed by Tragedy - The New York Times

China seems to be winning Trump’s trade war - The Washington Post


Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"Today millions of Americans are asking themselves that same question about the dedicated men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. Like me, they're asking that question with gratitude, with respect and affection in their hearts. Today, I want all those wearing American uniforms around the globe to know: America is grateful to you -- and proud of you, too."

—Statement on Armed Forces Day,

May 16, 1981

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Cayuga Lake Wineries

Sheldrake Point Winery
May 18, 2018

During our short weekend visit to upstate New York, I of course had to visit a couple of my favorite wineries. Our house white wines are from Americana Winery and Sheldrake Point Winery. So I visited both yesterday in the rainy weather that followed me from Maryland.

Chris and I of course have our favorite wines from both, however I was disappointed to find that both were out of the wines that I was seeking.

At Americana our favorite table white is Apparition. It has been immensely popular and I was able to purchase the last four bottles. They are bottling more next week I was told. Yay. I added eight bottles of Riesling to round out the case.

The news was not so good at Sheldrake Point. Our favorite white table wine from there has been Luckystone White. I was informed that this wine is no longer produced and there were no more bottles to purchase. I tasted the Pinot Gris and decided that it was a very nice substitute. And so, I was able to obtain a case to refill the wine cellar.

The image is of Sheldrake Point. I was able to fly Radio Flyer during a break in the oppressive weather. I obtained some nice shots of the lake and the vineyards as well.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

More Rain

Rainy Morning
May 19, 2018

Chris and I drove to upstate New York yesterday to spend the weekend with family. After breaking free of the gloom that has descended upon Baltimore we found sunny skies. It was awesome.

Overnight, however, the rain followed and the gloom and rain of the past week has now enveloped central New York. Ugh.

I had wanted to fly Radio Flyer, but it is raining.

The springtime is in full bloom here. It is like backing up three weeks in time. The trees are green, but the leaves are definitely new.

I need more sunshine and less precipitation.

Turn on summer.

— Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

I Feel as if I have Moved

The rains of the past few days has been pervasive. The gray skies with their constant rain are sucking the energy out of the area and turning traffic into a nightmare. 

From the Seattle Weather blog

I feel as if I have moved to Seattle, where rain is expected daily.

Traffic gets completely slowed with multiple jams during rainy times. It really causes a mess on already too full highways. Too many cars traveling too slowly. It increases a usually 20 minutes trip home from work to 40 or 45 minutes of frustrating driving.

The Forecast for Today and Tomorrow for Elkridge, MD
Can you spell rain?

Aside from the nightmare on the highway, there are the canceled activities. This week the GORC Dodgers have seen both of their games canceled and it is likely that tomorrow's game will similarly be canceled due to poor field conditions, continuing precipitation, and thunderstorms.

In good news, the pool is clearing nicely and is ready to accept activity. All we need now are sun and warmer temperatures to arrive and let the good times begin to roll!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Rain and Loss

I attended the afternoon Orioles game yesterday.

In the rain with a group from work. It was a fun afternoon, except for the fact that the Orioles managed only four hits all day. 

School Busses in the Parking Lot
May 16, 2018

The rain was almost constant, but did not dampen our spirits too much. The Orioles held a 1-0 lead until the 6th inning. After giving up 3 runs to the Phillies during that inning, the game was pretty much over since the bats were mostly silent all day. The final score was 4-1 Phillies.

There were too many strikeouts. The Orioles struck out 13 times. That means they failed to put the ball in play on 48 percent of their 27 outs. During one exciting stretch the Orioles managed to load the bases with one out. They scored zero runs for that effort!

Watching such a game during rainy conditions definitely was a spirit buster.

But it was an afternoon out of the office at the ballpark. I was amazed how many people showed up to the afternoon game. The official attendance was 29,706. I was amazed how many school groups attended the game. The number of busses in the parking lot was amazing.

I guess the Orioles need to schedule more afternoon games to bolster attendance. Of course, winning would help with that as well.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Rainy Again

The thunderstorms from Monday evening were strong enough to cause the GORC Dodgers game to be canceled last evening due to field condition. And it is likely to be a repeat tonight as the storms last evening were every bit as fierce as the ones Monday.


While the rain is causing the plants to grow, it is playing havoc with sports schedules.

I am seeing the afternoon game today, however. It is a 12:05 start! Something very different for the Orioles. It is one of their very few day games during the season, other than Sunday games.

The Orioles are doing much better of late. They are 5-2 on their current, now eight game, home-stand due to last evening's rainout.  That brings them to 5-8 for the month.

I hope the turn around continues. 

I hope the weather is nice this afternoon.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Dinner by the Harbor

Annapolis Harbor, MD
May 14, 2018

Last evening, our friends who live on a sailboat came ashore in Annapolis and Chris and I met them for dinner and conversation.

It was a beautiful evening before the thunderstorms rolled in and covered the land with rain.

Annapolis Harbor looking toward the city
May 14, 2018

We sat and enjoyed some wine and appetizers followed by dinner at a restaurant right on the water where we could enjoy the sights and sounds of Annapolis Harbor. We had a good view of their boat moored not so far away.

We talked about the places our lives had taken them in the months since they last sailed through. 

It is always fun to chat with them and vicariously enjoy their lives. I don't think I could survive on a sailboat. They indicated that it had been four days since they had gotten off the boat. Ugh/ That is a long time. Yet, sitting on the dock beside the water having dinner did not seem to be boring to them. Although they see the water every day, they do not tire of it.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD