Cold

It happened overnight. The temperature dropped into the 40's for the first time since early Spring. It was a rude greeting to Autumn! I expect the trees to begin changing in earnest and the leaves to begin piling up in my yard. 

It is real! After setting a record the other day at 98 degrees--perhaps Summer is finally over. 

I am not ready for summer to depart!

The departure of summer means that winter--and the dark season is not too far behind. It is already dark more than it is light. 

But the day is busy with cross country and baseball--it should be a nice day to be outside. I will try not to get to sunburned. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Second Season

It is playoff time! Yes, baseball continues. 

And there is a local team actually in the playoffs-- the Washington Nationals. They won their wild card game and last night played the Dodgers in game 1 of the NLDS. For those who wonder about the abbreviation that is National League Division Series. 

OK, the Nationals got blown out 6-0. But they just need to get their feet under themselves. It is a five game series--so they could turn it around. History says that they won't--the team has a miserable record and has lost every post-season series they have been in except the recent Wild Card game that they won. 

It is sad that the Orioles are not anywhere near the playoffs. I was fairly close in my preseason prediction that they would wind 57 games--they won 54. I was hoping for a better performance. 

Baseball is into its October run, however, and there are some great teams chasing to be World Series winners. 

It will be fun to watch.

My prediction? Astros vs Dodgers with the Astros winning the World Series in 6 games. You read it here first.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Last Gasp

Summer does not realize that its run is over. Yesterday saw a new high set in Baltimore. The high temperature yesterday was 95 degrees eclipsing the previous high by 3 degrees. Summer is still here. It was the hottest October day since they began keeping records in 1872.

We enjoyed baseball practice last evening in the heat. While the boys withered a bit while working out, but I enjoy practice in the heat far better than in cold weather. I remember last April when the temperatures were in the 30's--it is hard to concentrate. 

The weather reporters are forecasting that Autumn is on its way. they are saying cod front is on its way and Saturday morning the forecast is for lows in the mid-40's. Now that is cold. 

I suppose that yesterday's temperatures are summer's last gasp. Today is supposed be in the 70's. Over 20 degrees cooler than yesterday's high. It is 77 degrees right now but the cold front is on its way and the temperatures will drop. 

On the weather front--we really could use some rain. But I am sure that will come and then I will complain.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

A-12 on the Deck of the Intrepid
NYC
September 29, 2019

We took a lot of pictures during our two-day visit to NYC. It seemed harsh to share just four of them in yesterday's blog. So, I decided to do another day on the city and focus upon on specific stop.

Jax and Chris in Gemini Capsule Mock-up
Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, NYC
September 29, 2019

Amidst all of the fun of walking around in the man-made canyons beneath the towering buildings, there were a lot of fun things to see and experience. We had a very busy schedule and there was almost no downtime. 


Today, I am going to focus on the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. I had never been to the museum before, but I will not miss it again. It is definitely on the stop for every visit to the Big Apple with people who have never been there before. First, the view from the ship of the skyline is stunning! But even more important, the aircraft carrier and its history is presented in spectacular form and the ability to wander around the carrier is a second-to-none experience. the museum represents probably the best nexus for sea, air, and space that I have ever experienced. 

Me and Jax
Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
September 29, 2019

Regulus Cruise Missile
Cold War Nuclear Relic
USS Growler
Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, NYC
September 29, 2019

The exhibits are in great shape and they are, most importantly, accessible. It is east to get close--but do not touch. There are many hands-on exhibits for the young people in your life. 

The tour of the submarine and the the space shuttle Enterprise hangar are highlights--but there are highlights around the entire complex. The museum is truly a gem in the heart of the city. 

It is a must see.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Conquering NYC

At Night from the Empire State Building
September 29, 2019

Reflection of the new World Trade Center 1
on another building
September 30, 2019

It was a whirlwind trop to the Big Apple for Chris, Jax, and me. 

We left Sunday morning and returned last evening. It was a trip to celebrate his promotion from 5th grade and into middle school. We could not have picked a better weekend for the visit and making use of a school holiday made it an even better trip. The weather was generally fantastic with only a few raindrops falling onto us as we disembarked from the oat which brought us back to shore from visiting the Statue of Liberty. 

The trip included a visit to the Intrepid Air and Space Museum, the obligatory visit to Times Square and dinner there followed by a nighttime visit to the Empire State Building--which was awesome. I had never seen the city from there at night. 

Chris and Jax at the Shuttle Enterprise
Intrepid Air and Space Museum
September 29, 2019

Statue of Liberty
September 30, 2019

Yesterday was a fast paced day. We began by going to Rockefeller Center and visiting some of the shops. We missed the Today Show by a few minutes. From there, after retrieving the car, we headed off to the World Trade Center Memorial and from there the Statue of Liberty. There is so much to do in NYC, a short overnight just does not seem to do it justice. 

But we had fun and squeezed in a much as we could. We drove this time and it was not too bad. I even did pretty good in the NYC traffic. It is not all that much worse the Baltimore traffic.

And now, we return to our regularly scheduled week.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Unsatisfying Result

It was a doubleheader Saturday and the GORC Cooperstown 12U headed to La Plata to play the Senators. 

Lunch Between the Games
La Plata, MD
September 28, 2019

It was a long drive. But everyone arrived ready to play the games. The day started cool due to the heavy overcast, which was great--but, we began the first game in a drenching rainstorm, which while keeping the dust down on the field also seemed to quench the intensity of our bats. The games ended under a burning sun. We managed only three runs over the two games. The final results were losses: 14-1 and 14-2. The mercy rule kicked in for both games. 

We made some good plays in the field, but the Senators bats were very hot and they were able to find holes in our infield and outfield all day. 

It was a learning experience!

We will be better for it next time. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Crashing through the Weekend

Me with Jeremy, Nicole and Patrick
Elkridge, MD
September 26, 2019

We have so much stuff planned this weekend that two days were not enough in which to complete everything and so I stole a day from the workweek and added Monday to make this a three-day weekend!

We are going to be "crazy" busy. 

We have already been busy starting with my birthday on Thursday, followed by Happy Hour with friends last evening. 

Today the GORC Cooperstown Wildcats play a double header in La Plata! At least we get two games because it is over an hour drive with no traffic. That will eat up most of Saturday. But it will be a baseball Saturday--what could be bad about that?

Tomorrow, bright and early probably before dawn, Chris and I head out for NYC with Jax for an overnight. I am taking a day off on Monday so that we can explore NYC and then return at our leisure. 

By the time the weekend is complete, I may be looking forward to getting back to work to get some rest. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Birthday

Thanks to all who provided greetings for my birthday. It is overwhelming to get greetings form so many people. I remember that in the olden days we would rush to the mail box for greetings and now we go to Facebook. 

I cannot believe that I am another year older--I hope I have the mental capacity to remember my new age when asked--whatever it is.

I have been asked about retirement and I think the end of the daily work rodeo is forming out on the horizon. It is still in the distance, but I have begun to get ready for the day when I no longer report to work promptly at 0700--but not yet. 

What will life after retirement look like? 

I am still looking for that answer. 

Prostate Cancer Awareness Ribbon

From seeing my retired friends, I know that there is life after retirement, but I am not too sure what it is at this point. 

But this birthday reminds me that the year past was a traumatic year. I went through 44 prostate cancer treatments starting right after my last birthday and have been recovering marvelously since then. September is, after all,  prostate cancer awareness month.  Chris and I bought a condo in Florida--but did not go on a cruise, although we recently went to Hawaii. But most importantly, we have spent time with family. 

A wise man once told me that after I retire and leave the organization where I work that people will quickly forget what I did there, but my family will never forget the times we spent together and the times we spent apart. 

I have had both times with and apart from my family.  Last evening was special because I was able to gather with my whole family--minus one, to celebrate.

Let the next year begin.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

Craziness in D.C.

The back and forth summer of jockeying by the President and the Congress has continues into autumn and the wheels are threatening to come off the country. My minds is reeling from all of the activity. 

Wow it has been a wild week! Or is that a month? Possibly a wild year? Maybe two-and-a-half wild years?

Accusations. Charges. Counter-claims. Whistle-blowers. Indignation. Ukraine? Elections.

And then there is the impeachment probe being initiated in the House. More dysfunction at work. 

Is anyone governing the country? Managing foreign policy? Ensuring Domestic tranquility? 

Who is in charge at The White House? 

Will there be another government shutdown as early as Tuesday? 

Is anyone in charge anymore?

Have our leaders lost sight of their primary mission?


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Autumn Arriving

Autumn Evening
Elkridge, MD
September 24, 2019

Last evening the weather changed and I felt Autumn in the air. The temperatures were below 80 and the humidity finally dropped. Chris and I sat outside under a cyan sky sipping the white wine of summer past and enjoying the moderate temperatures. Although we were afflicted by hordes of gnats.

Sitting outside as the twilight fell, I noticed that autumn colors were beginning to make their way into the trees. The dry weather has meant that many leaves are already falling and are  covering my yard. But, we recently had the yard aerated and over-seeded  meaning we are watering right now trying to get grass germinated and growing before the warm weather departs. 

What we do to try and enjoy good lawns, so that we can mow them. With Autumn arriving, the end of the lawn care season is in sight, just as the pool season has likewise ended. 

It is time to begin to make ready for the dark season. We retrieved the Halloween decorations from the attic last evening to begin to make ready for the season of goblins and ghouls! October is getting close! Soon there will be frost on the pumpkins. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

October Baseball

Major league baseball teams dream of playing October games because that means they are in the playoffs with a chance to play and win the World Series. 

The Orioles will not be playing in October this year. They are 51-106 .325 with five games remaining. They have bested the record of the 2018 Orioles who only won 47 games--but to say that there is improvement is searching for positives among the thorns. Last night they lost a 15 inning game 11-10 by virtue of a walk-off homer to the Blue Jays. They have two more games in Toronto and then it is off to Boston for the final three games of the season.

Practice 
GORC  Cooperstown 2020 Wildcats 12U
September 23, 2019

As for meaningful October games. the GORC  Cooperstown 2020 Wildcats 12U team will be playing the entire month. Yes, it is Fall Ball and while the normal autumn sports are being played, there will still be baseball to fill the void left by the Orioles departure. 

The team has played two games already, both losses--but close losses: 5-2, 8-6. There is a doubleheader on Saturday in La Plata against the Southern Maryland Senators that promises to be interesting. The Senators are one of the best teams in the area and it should be a true test for the team. And the baseball season continues even as the Orioles lick their wounds and try to figure out how not to lose 100 games or more next season. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 23, 2019

1. Summer slipped away and Autumn began while I was sleeping. The leaves falling on my yard are now properly aligned to the season.

2. Returning home after being away has been a bit of a whirlwind with parties and football. And now it is back to our regularly scheduled life.

Finn and Riordin Sleeping
Elkridge, MD
September 22, 2019

3. Buddies sleeping together in a sunbeam who had been reunited after a week apart. They were cute laying there stroking the same pose. 

4. Family NFL report: 

    Ravens lost to Chiefs 28-33
    Steelers lost to 49ers 20-24
    Cowboys defeated the Dolphins 31-6
    Redskins meet the Bears tonight

Spider in the Bushes
Black and Yellow Garden Spider
Odenton, MD
September 22, 2019

5. There was this huge spider. It was in a bush outside of Nicole's house and it made for a great image. It did not seem to mind the attention it received. 

6. It is amazing how quickly Chris and I can unpack--we had everything unpacked and the first load in the wash and were out the door for a birthday party just an hour-and-a-half after arriving home on Saturday.

7. With the ending of September on Monday next week, the progression towards winter will begin unabated. At least we are still playing baseball until November. 

8. Today in History. On September 23, 1875, Billy the Kid is arrested for the first time after stealing a basket of laundry. He later broke out of jail and roamed the American West, eventually earning a reputation as an outlaw and murderer and a rap sheet that allegedly included 21 murders.

The exact details of Billy the Kid’s birth are unknown, other than his name, William Henry McCarty. He was probably born sometime between 1859 and 1861, in Indiana or New York. As a child, he had no relationship with his father and moved around with his family, living in Indiana, Kansas, Colorado and Silver City, New Mexico. His mother died in 1874 and Billy the Kid—who went by a variety of names throughout his life, including Kid Antrim and William Bonney—turned to crime soon afterward.

Headlines

Hong Kong Police Posed as Protesters, Launching a Bloody CrackdownHong Kong Police Posed as Protesters, -New York Times

36 Hours in Albuquerque - The New York Times

Iran resists sanctions, U.S. is 'desperate,' Rouhani says - Reuters

Five civilians killed in air strikes by Saudi-led coalition in Yemen: TV - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

All my life I've seen that when people have freedom and a vision, when they have the courage and the opportunity to work hard, and when people believe in the power of faith and hope, they can accomplish great things.
  -- Remarks at a Question-and-Answer Session at St. Agatha High School in Detroit, Michigan, October 10, 1984


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Home at Last

The view out my back door window is familiar. 

Wailea Beach Sunset, Maui
September 19, 2019

It is good to be home at the completion of the trip and I am ready to get back into the things of my life--including work, baseball, and household chores.

But the memories of the trip are fresh and even though the trip home was long and seemingly endless, I feel pretty good as this morning dawns and am ready to face the challenges that the early autumn is presenting. 

Lighting the Tiki Torches
Wailea Beach, Maui
September 19, 2019

Speaking of which, Autumn begins tomorrow morning at 3:50 AM EDT. 

The trip home was much longer than it needed to be, but that is the way we were routed. Sometimes I wish that Southwest would play well with others and I could have changed airlines in Denver and arrived home about three hours sooner than we did. As it was, we arriver at the airport promptly at 4:20 PM after leaving Maui the night before at 8 PM. Even by subtracting the six hour time change, that is still almost 14.3 hours of travel! And after being up all day, it made for a very long travel experience.

But we are back!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Most of the Way Home

Post-conference Reception
Wailea, Maui
September 20, 2019

I watched the sun rise this morning, but I was bleary-eyed because I had just landed in Denver. Those of us who traverse time zones while traveling know that it can be somewhat disorienting to take off from one place at 8PM at night and wake to the rising sun some five hours later in a different time zone. It seems like the Zombie Apocalypse  has arrived. 

Wailea, Maui Beach
September 16, 2019

Yesterday I enjoyed Maui and today I'm stuck with an incredibly long Denver layover waiting to get back to Baltimore. 

The departure from Maui was smooth and we were treated to a great end of conference party to send us off on our way. We left the reception, loaded luggage in the rental and headed for the airport. 

Arrival at Denver from Maui, Boeing 777
September 21. 2019

I will miss sitting with Chris on our balcony enjoying the rising sun and looking over the small beach that we would see from our room. We enjoyed the waves crashing on the beach and the sounds of the birds as the awakened for the day. 

We enjoyed the open air lobby of the hotel and restaurants, although the air did become very heavy at times. Chris tested her camera skills on the beach Friday by taking some spectacular images of the waves crashing on the rocks. 

I may be able to use some of them in the blog later.

For now, we are waiting--waiting, and waiting. Soon, though, we will be winging our way home and Maui will be memories and images.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver International Airport, Denver, CO

Atop the Mountain

From about 9000' Elevation
Haleakala, Hawaii
September 19, 2019

Mountains are sacred to the Hawaiians. Today I was honored to venture to the top of Haleakala, an extinct volcano, for a tour and discussions. While there I was able to pay my respects to the Hawaiian peoples. From Wikipedia I learned, early Hawaiians applied the name Haleakalā ("house of the sun") to the general mountain. Haleakalā is also the name of a peak on the southwestern edge of Kaupō Gap. In Hawaiian folklore, the depression (crater) at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him capture the sun and force it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day.

Haleakala Crater
Maui, Hawaii
September 19, 2019

The journey up the mountain was long and the road wound around many hairpin turns going from sea level to 10,000 feet. I witnessed the changes of ecosystems along the way from the lush tropical trees and plants at the base, through the farmlands and pastures, through deciduous forests, and then pine forests, and finally scrub tundra before giving way to the barren landscape of the summit and the crater. It was very stark there, but I was not on a pleasure trip, I was there for business and could not spend much time viewing the scenery--such as it was. 

It was another beautiful Maui day. Tomorrow? Travel begins again as we journey home.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Palm Tree at Night

Palm Tree at Night
Wailea, Maui
September 18, 2019

Chris and I walked along the ocean front last evening and found a place to sit and look out into the blackness. The surf was pounding the shore with a regular rhythmic sound and the stars were shining brightly above us. We confirmed the location of Jupiter with the assistance of an app on my cell phone. 

As we were laying there, on the bench looking at the stars, I decided, with the encouragement from Chris, to take an image of the palm tree stretching up into the night sky. There were stars in the sky and ti was a memorable scene. There was maybe too much ground light. 

I turned on the flash to get a better picture, but the lack of light meant the scene was recorded in a grainy fashion, but the palm tree towered above us as we marveled at the night sky.

And so the scene was captured.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Wailea, Maui 

Maui on my Mind

Beach Near our Hotel
Wailea, Maui
September 14, 2019

Maui is quite a place. It is paradise and it is a working place. 

Over the past few days, Chris and I have walked the beaches and checked out the natural wildlife. 

Snail
Wailea, Maui
September 14, 2019

The local beach is beautiful. It is surrounded by rocks and has red sand. In the morning, it is a joy to behold in the dawn's light. Like the first morning that we were here. That written, I have been on the road a week now, having left last Wednesday, I think I am ready to go home. But, we have a few more days and then a long trip back to Maryland. 

Maui is beautiful. We had a fantastic welcome reception for the conference this evening. The sky was beautiful and the sunset was stunning.


-- Bob Doan, Writing from Wailea, Maui

A Day in the Sun

Chris on the Edge of the Infinity Pool
Wailea, Maui
September 16, 2019 

So I have determined that we are on the arid side of Maui--it has not rained since we have been here and there a large areas where the grasses are brown from lack of rain. I guess that is good for the tourists. The clouds hang over the mountains every day and look very ominous--but there is no rain in Wailea. 

Looking to the Ocean
Wailea, Maui
September 16, 2019

It has been hot--some of the hottest days of the summer they tell me. And the trade winds have calmed down. Meaning--it is not just hot, it is really hot!!

There is a nice swimming beach not far from the room that we enjoy walking on to get in touch with the ocean. But even so, the pools are very nice, such as the infinity pool I took a picture of Chris enjoying yesterday. 

The weather is great in the morning and early afternoon and again after the sun goes down. We tried to get a sunset image yesterday--but it didn't work out. We still have a few more days to get another sunset shot. I have taken a few on the trip and will put them together as I can when I get back.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Wailea, Maui

Monday Musings - September 16, 2019

1. It is now the third Monday of September. The month is slipping away precipitously. 

2. Amazingly, the Orioles won a series by beating the Tigers two our of three games. The Orioles are 49-100, .329 with 13 games remaining. Hopefully, they will find a way to keep loses below 108. 

Turtle at Turtle Town, Maui
September 15, 2019

3. Family Football results:
     Ravens defeat Cardinals 23-17
     Cowboys defeat Redskins 31-21
     Steelers lose to Seahawks 26-28

4. I love snorkeling where there are some awesome pictures to be taken. This turtle was imaged yesterday morning off the Maui coast.

5. Flying isn't hard as long as the landings are smooth.

6. Getting away is good, except all of the work I am missing is just piling up at work.

7. Today in History: On September 16, 1932, in his cell at Yerwada Jail near Bombay, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi begins a hunger strike in protest of the British government’s decision to separate India’s electoral system by caste.

A leader in the Indian campaign for home rule, Gandhi worked all his life to spread his own brand of passive resistance across India and the world. By 1920, his concept of Satyagraha (or “insistence upon truth”) had made Gandhi an enormously influential figure for millions of followers. Jailed by the British government from 1922-24, he withdrew from political action for a time during the 1920s but in 1930 returned with a new civil disobedience campaign. This landed Gandhi in prison again, but only briefly, as the British made concessions to his demands and invited him to represent the Indian National Congress Party at a round-table conference in London.

Headlines

Saudi Oil Attack Photos Implicate Iran, U.S. Says; Trump Hints at Military Action - The New York Times

What Chinese Students Abroad Really Think About Hong Kong - The New York Times

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma files for bankruptcy - Reuters

China's slowdown deepens; industrial output growth falls to 17-1/2 year low - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week



There's an account of two of America's greatest postwar statesmen traveling to Hungary soon after the war. Budapest lay devastated by weeks of street fighting, but there was rejoicing in the city. The Soviet occupiers had allowed a free election, and the anti-Communists had won a clear majority. Cheering Hungarians thronged the streets, blocking the way to the American mission. Recalled one of the diplomats: "There was an enormous crowd celebrating the victory under the American flag.'' He said, "It made me very humble to see how much these people looked to the United States as the protector of their freedom.'' And recalled the other: "Here was the hope of the world -- the American flag.''

Remarks at the Annual Leadership Conference of the American Legion - February 29, 1988

-- Bob Doan writing from Wailea, Maui

Out the Hotel Window - Maui, Hawaii

Break of Dawn Out the Hotel Window
Wailea, Maui
September 14, 2019

Palm Tree
Wailea, Maui
September 14, 2019

The scene out my hotel window is beautiful, but not so photogenic. It is Hawaii, and therefor, beautiful. I had to wait until yesterday morning to take an image. There is a small beach just barely visible from the hotel room. Chris and I walked the beach as soon as it was light out and I was able to shoot the morning sun beginning to light the the sky and drive the darkness away. Chris and I continue to get up very early due to the time change that we have experienced. 

I also got this really great shot of a palm tree with the moon and the sunrise sky. 

It was very nice to be on the beach just before dawn to get the colors of the sky. 

Today, we will be heading off for a snorkeling trip. That should be fun. I even remembered my GoPro camera! 

-- Bob Doan, writing from Wailea, Maui

Maui on my Mind

Out the Hawaiian Airlines Window
on Approach to Maui
September 13, 2019

I arrived in Maui last evening for the second part of my 10 day business trip. I worked a full day and did not arrive at the hotel until about 8 PM. It was a long day and I would like to say that I took some great pictures, but I didn't. 

Tiki Torches
Maui, Hawaii
September 13, 2019

I suffered through some terrible traffic yesterday morning in Honolulu! Worse than Baltimore. One night cycled four times before I was able to get through it. It made me late for the first meeting of the day and shortened the discussion, but no permanent damage was one. 

The torches which were lighted at the hotel were a nice touch. As Chris and I arrived last evening, it was a bit late to do any exploring.

Tomorrow, we explore and learn of the beauty and secrets of this island paradise.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Maui

Waikiki

Sunset and Sailboat
Waikiki, Hawaii
September 12, 2019

As the Colors Fade
Waikiki, Beach, Hawaii
September 12, 2019

On two successive nights I have had the opportunity to view Waikiki as the sun set. On both nights it was stunning. the view, the colors in the sky, and the people. 

Last evening the colors were stunning and rapidly changing. In about a 15 minute span, the colors turned from orange to magenta. The water turned purple in the weaning light of day as night began to fall. 

I took the second shot from my table in a restaurant where I stopped for dinner. I was mesmerized by the colors and how quickly they would change.

Autumn is settling in already despite the increased temperatures of late.

-- Bob Doan, Waikiki Beach, Hawaii 

Out the Hotel Window - Waikiki

Out the Hotel Window - Waikiki
September 11, 2019

The beach calls and I am in a hotel with a beach view. Of course, my room does not have a beach view, I have a city view--but I am in Hawaii.

Out the Window Near the Elevator
September 11, 2019

The traveling during the day was fine, but long. Getting to the hotel in afternoon traffic was like trying to navigate the Baltimore beltway at rush hour. But the sky is beautiful, as are the mountains. The scene is just, well, Hawaii.

I took an image from the windows near the elevators and I could see the ocean. It is not too far off and I fact I walked the beach last evening, just because. It was a nice walk after dinner. The beach was still very much alive after sunset--surfers were catching waves and the catamaran sunset cruises were moving ashore to discharge their passengers. It was a great scene and I am happy to be here.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Waikiki Beach, Hawaii