Across the Dunes

Looking Across the Dunes 
Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
Hobe Sound, FL
May 8, 2026

 I enjoyed a very nice almost 23-mile ride yesterday that took me north to the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge located on Jupiter Island. October last year was the last time I rode to the beach at the wildlife refuge.

Route to Hobe Sound
May 8, 2026

The route north is tough as the first seven miles are along US 1. Traffic can be very disconcerting because about four of the mile are right on the side of the road on a too small bike lane. And the other part of the first portion of the trip is that it is mostly an uphill ride. Once off US 1, the ride becomes much more enjoyable and the southbound portion of the route is on Jupiter Island along the ocean or the ICW and among the high-end homes and of course, the Jupiter Island Club golf course, upon which I will never swing a club. My route takes me along a couple of the fairways and, infrequently, I actually see people playing the course.

During the Jupiter Island portion of the ride I usually encounter other bikers. Yesterday, they were all headed north while I was riding south. The northern end of the ride is the Wildlife Refuge and in addition to the beauty of the beach and the ocean, there are primitive rest facilities. 

I realized, this morning as I was writing, that I did not take as many images during the ride as I had planned. I had attempted to image the lighthouse while riding with my RayBan Meta AI Glasses, but I must have turned my head too soon and got a nice image of an automobile fender, but no lighthouse. Darn. 

As an aside, I have already ridden more miles this month than I did last month. Not traveling and having great weather allows me to get out more.. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Thursday Happy Hour on the Beach

Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, FL
May 7, 2026

 After the heat of the day; the temperature soared to 90, we had a great idea to enjoy Happy Hour on the beach. The day was clear and the breeze coming off the ocean was strong but cooling. The stated water temperature of the ocean is already 77 degrees. It was, then, a perfect afternoon for enjoying the beach. Yes, as can be seen in the image, there was sargassum on the beach, but not enough to matter. 

Osprey Hunting
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
May 7, 2026

We arrived to the nearly deserted beach about 4:30 pm. The lifeguards were still on duty and I was pleased to see the green flag flying--meaning that the rip current warnings had ended. There were not many boats on the water, even though the ocean was relatively calm. That surprised me, but being low tide, I know there have been issues getting in and out of the Jupiter Inlet due to the shifting sandbars and shoals. Probably best not to transit during low tide.

Looking at our Umbrellas
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
May 7, 2026

While enjoying Happy Hour, we were treated to an osprey hunting for dinner. The majestic bird made a few dives into the waves, but came up empty. We also spied a manatee a bit offshore. It seemed to be transiting the area, heading north probably to enter the Jupiter Inlet and then into the ICW.

With the water being so warm, I actually walked out into the surf for a bit. I don't normally go into the water, but being as calm as it was, I enjoyed being offshore, well until a rouge wave came over me and got salt water into my wine glass. After that happened, I dumped the rest of my wine into the ocean and headed to shore for a refill. Salt water diluted wine tastes awful! Yes, I tasted it.

It was a great ending to Friday-eve: beach, sand, sun, waves, and friends.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Travel Planning

Boat on North Fork Loxahatchee
Tequesta, FL
May 5, 2026

Yesterday was a beautiful morning, perfect for a bike ride. I managed to get out on the streets and enjoy the day. It was great to ride for the second consecutive day! The image is from Tuesday when I spotted a boat motoring up the North Fork of the Loxahatchee.

I am spending a lot of time travel planning. Chris and I are traveling a lot and finalizing plans for even more adventures. Travel planning can be complicated. I'm finding that travel options, lodging options, and then activities while traveling can begin to fill binders of information. Of course the binders today are online, but that doesn't make the process easier. Information sandwiched among hundreds of other pieces of info in a computer folder can be frustrating to recall and find. Sometimes it seems easier to print the information and keep it in piles/physical folders. 

As the plans for one trip are finalized there are more to plan. I just, finally, I think, finished planning our late-July cruise, but funny enough I still have not completely planned our June trip to Vegas! Ugh. And then there is a trip to NOVA happening during early-September, followed by an as yet undetermined cruise in the late-September/Early October timeframe, a possible New Years cruise and, oh yes, and a possible Ireland cruise during June 2027. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sliding through the Week

Celebratory Margarita
Tequesta, FL
May 5, 2026

Happy Hump Day

 We enjoyed a subdued Cinco de Mayo celebration. Chris and I wound up at home with a pitcher of margaritas and festive music provided by Alexa. We walked over to the Mexican Restaurant last evening, but it was overflowing with people waiting for a table and we walked back home and settled for a Southwestern-style pasta recipe, oh yea, and the margaritas. And just to clarify, knowing it was only the two of us, I only made a half-pitcher of margaritas. 

Out on the Street
Tequesta, FL
May 5, 2026

I managed a nearly 18 mile bike ride yesterday. It was good to be on the street. The morning was beautiful, although I was riding just after a passing rain shower. Although the day heated up, it remained cool and nice for most of my ride. 

In the I should have known it would happen that way department:

Now that I gained access to over-the-air television channels, Comcast and Scripps settled their contract dispute yesterday. The strange news is that Comcast sent me an email advising me that because of the loss of channel access during the dispute, I am getting a credit on my next cable bill! Yay! It's not much, but it is the thought that counts. And it happened without being asked!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Open or Closed?

A billboard in Tehran, Iran,
 appears to show the sewn lips of President Donald Trump
 covered in a ribbon shaped to represent
the Strait of Hormuz.Vahid Salemi / AP

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

The Sun came out yesterday afternoon. Finally. After almost three days of gray and rain, the sky turned blue for a few moments and the Sun shone. 

Finn was happy the sun came out. He does not like going outside when it rains, but he is a trooper and does his business even in the rain. 

I was happy last evening that I could watch the NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas via my digital over-the-air antenna! Comcast and Scripps are still wallowing around like two hippos in a small pond. I am seriously looking at dumping my Xfinity cable now that I have figured out how to get local channels. 

The big news of the day yesterday was that two US flagged ships were escorted through the Strait of Hormuz! I can't tell if it was a success or an abject failure. Two ships is far short of the total number, in the hundreds, that must transit the Strait daily to restore the critical flow of oil and other items to a starving world. Time will tell. 

So the question this morning is, Is the Strait of Hormuz open or closed to international shipping? 

Inquiring minds want to know. 

Apparently it is mostly closed unless escorted by a heavy US Navy footprint. 

Who says hostilities are terminated? 

The U.S. used attack helicopters to blow up the small boats and intercept the drones, according to Adm. Brad Cooper. He said in a call Monday that U.S. Navy ships were protecting U.S. commercial vessels transiting the strait, as part of President Donald Trump’s new mission to guide stranded vessels through the critical waterway. (NBC News)

Based upon the above, the War Powers Resolution should be enforced to bring this quagmire to a conclusion.

As for the image above? While we cannot stop the vitriol being spewed by the president, apparently the Iranians have found a way.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - May 4, 2026

 

May the 4th Be With You!

Moon this Morning
Tequesta, FL
May 4, 2026

1. Welcome May! Today in the first Monday of the month. There are 34 Mondays remaining in the year.

2. Comcast/Xfinity has been in a contract dispute with Scripps Broadcasting regarding the renewal to carry their channels. As Comcast puts it, Scripps is being unreasonable. As I see it, they both better get their acts together because consumers are going to find ways to mitigate the damage. In my case, I just bought and deployed an over-the-air digital antenna. I can now receive my favorite local channels at no extra cost to me. Maybe, I no longer need Xfinity cable?

3. The weather turned rainy. While that is a good thing because South Florida needs rain, it puts a damper on outdoors activities. 

4. The Orioles continue their slide to the bottom of the division. They were swept by the Yankees over the weekend to start May at a terrible 0-3. They have slid to 8 games out of first in the division and are on a 4 game losing streak. Ugh.

5. As I took Finn outdoors this morning, I looked to the sky and actually saw the Moon. I was surprised because at the same time I was feeling the splatter of raindrops on my head and shoulders. I could not resist taking an image of the Moon shining through the light clouds. 

6. And now to Iran. The navy is going to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran claims to have struck a US Naval Vessel and the US denies the claim. Is there any ground truth in this conflict? My questions is, if we have won the war, why is the Strait still closed and why has Iran not capitulated. Those would constitute normal conditions for a victory. 

7. Today in History. On May 4, 1970, in Kent, Ohio, 28 National Guardsmen fire their weapons at a group of anti-war demonstrators on the Kent State University campus, killing four students and wounding nine. The tragedy was a watershed moment for a nation divided by the conflict in Vietnam, and further galvanized the anti-war movement.

Two days earlier, on May 2, National Guard troops were called to Kent to suppress students rioting in protest of the Vietnam War and the U.S. invasion of Cambodia. The next day, scattered protests were dispersed by tear gas, and on May 4 class resumed at Kent State University. By noon that day, despite a ban on rallies, some 2,000 people had assembled on the campus. National Guard troops arrived and ordered the crowd to disperse, fired tear gas, and advanced against the students with bayonets fixed on their rifles. Some of the protesters, refusing to yield, responded by throwing rocks and verbally taunting the troops.

Tehran issues warning after Trump offers US help to ships - Reuters

Iran says it turns back US warship from Strait of Hormuz, US official denies missile strike - Reuters

Lebanon's most senior Shi'ite politician says no to negotiations with Israel until war stops - Reuters

Sweden arrests Chinese captain of suspected Russia-linked vessel - Reuters

A rattled Kremlin is tightening security around Putin, European intel suggests - CNN

Trump and GOP push for aggressive voter roll purges up until Election Day, testing precedent - CNN

Inside Spirit Airlines’ failed ‘Hail Mary’ to the Trump administration - CNN

Putin will host a scaled-back parade in Red Square this year, amid mounting pressures and threats - CNN

Oil Jumps as Iran Resists Trump’s Offer to Help Ships Through Strait of Hormuz - The New York Times

Rudy Giuliani Is in ‘Critical Condition’ in Florida Hospital - The New York Times

Hegseth again showed America why he shouldn’t be defense secretary  — and he did it on live TV - MS Now

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Tortoise Living Dangerously

Tortoise by the Space Force Station
Tequesta, FL
May 2, 2026

 I got out for a ride yesterday. I wasn't feeling great and so I only rode just over 14 miles. I have been not riding as regularly as I should due to the traveling that Chris and I have been doing. Last month was my lowest month, in terms of miles ridden, since December 2024. Looking back; between the weather and travel I have really been slacking off. I am not even riding my Nordic S22i to keep in shape. I need to do better. 

Tortoise Living Dangerously
Tequesta, FL
MAy 2, 2026

While biking yesterday, I happened upon a tortoise that seemed intent on living dangerously. It, apparently, was planning to cross the street and had already cleared the sidewalk. I was able to get a good image of the tortoise with the Space Force tracking station in the background. I hope it made it across and back because its burrow is on the other side of the sidewalk.

This morning, as there are multiple rain showers in the area. I likely will not be out on the streets. I will power up the S22i and pedal for a while in some distant land.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

I Love my EV

Our Mustang Mach-e
Tequesta, FL
October 17, 2025

 Soaring gas prices due to the unauthorized war with Iran are making us love our Ford Mustang Mach-e even more.

Chris and I have owned our Mach-e for over two years and with gas rising above $4.19/gallon here we are effectively laughing all the way to the bank. I did some comparisons and discovered that our rough average of 4 miles/kWh is equivalent to 134 mpg. 

We still have our Ram 1500 truck, but it only moves every couple weeks to keep the tires round and the fluids from settling too much. We use it as our road vehicle because of its comfort on long trips, although we have been rethinking that approach. 

I fail to understand why alternate/renewable energy sources have been demonized by the administration. Given the increase in AI processing centers and their incredible need for energy, alternate energy sources can be rapidly deployed to fill the gap. They have to be better than the resurgence of nuclear power. And get this, renewables do not depend on the Strait of Hormuz!

By the way, the Iran war continues--a blockade is an act of war, despite the misinformation from the White House. Hostilities with Iran continue and the President has busted the 60-day requirement to terminate operations against Iran as required by the 1973 War Powers Resolution. Stand-by for even higher gas prices.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

P.S. Thanks today's idea, Mark!

Out the Airplane Window and onto the Highway

Out the Airplane Window
BWI-PBI
April 30, 2026

 Happy May Day

Flying used to be fun.

I remember my first flight. I was in high school and I flew from Rome, NY, to Ithaca, NY, in a turboprop aircraft on Allegheny Airlines. I had gone to Griffiss AFB, in Rome, NY, for a series of tests which ultimately resulted in being awarded a four-year AFROTC scholarship. My parents drove me to the air force base, I believe it was a Thursday afternoon, and I flew back to Ithaca on a Saturday afternoon. I had never flown, yet I knew I wanted too be a pilot in the Air Force. My first flight, after the testing, confirmed my desire to slip "the surly bonds of Earth." 

Flying can still be exciting, but more and more it has become a series of mundane patience tests and wasteful waiting. I wrote of my most recent flight yesterday, but read that perhaps Southwest has also noted that they have extinguished the fun of flying through some of their new policies. Their approach to solving one problem is a bit draconian, but maybe it will smooth the boarding and deplaning issues. Southwest will be strictly enforcing the carry-on size limits and requiring payment for oversized baggage that is checked at the gate.

I also read about people on late-arriving flight who, because they were seated in the back of the airplane, took 30 minutes to deplane and almost missed their connecting flight by 2 minutes. The gate attendant knew they were coming, but did not hold the gate open. Someone with a brain, apparently, created a phantom mechanical issue which forced the gate to reopen and the party was able to board. 

Lamborghini on the Road
West Palm Beach, FL
April 30, 2026

The fun of flying is gone. It's a business and don't forget it!

Southwest used to be fun to fly. No more.

I did get a great image of the clouds yesterday. That was the view out the window for most of the flight.

Once we were out of the airport terminal and on the road, Chris and I spied a really hot Lamborghini. It was hard to miss in the vibrant green color. The car brightened our day.

The good news is that we are going to be home for almost a month before hitting the airways again. I hope our next experience is better. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Travel Thursday Reflections

Flight Route WN2328
April 30, 2026

 Chris and I were up early this morning, 5:15 AM, to catch a 6:15 AM Uber to the airport for our 8:20 AM flight to West Palm Beach and home. Like most nights before a trip, we did not sleep very well even though we had enjoyed a marvelous evening with Patrick, Jen and Beck. 

The Uber was on time, which was very nice. It was about 50 degrees when we got into the car for the ride to the airport. 

BWI was a mess, well, I should say Southwest at BWI was a mess. It took us over 30 minutes to get our bags checked and processed. Lots of people were flying. The counter was understaffed. Proceeding to the concourse, the TSA-pre line was longer than the non-TSA-pre line, but moved fairly quickly due to some apparently newly deployed equipment that processes people faster. 

Although we enjoyed an on-time take-off, the Southwest boarding process has become very slow because there is not enough overhead space now that the airline charges for bags and more people are trying to carry their bags onto the plane. It really slows both boarding and deplaning.  

Storm off the Carolina Coast
April 30, 2026

It was not until late in the flight, as the low clouds broke and I noticed we were flying over Lake Okeechobee that I began to understand why we we going to be late landing--the course was radically different. The normal route is nearly due south, coasting out over South Carolina and flying direct to PBI over the ocean until just before landing. Today, however, we flew almost to Tampa before crossing to the east coast of Florida.

Self, I asked, why would we do that? The flight had some mild chop at times, but was not a severely bumpy ride. So, I checked a weather map and saw a huge very mean-looking storm right over the usual flight track. Aha! That's why we are going to be late landing. It was interesting that although we were coming in from the west, we flew to the south of PBI, I saw the field out the window, and out over the ocean to land heading west--which added more than a few minutes. The new approach from the east actually flys to the north of PBI to avoid Mar-a-Lago necessitating a slight roll out during final approach to the field. I am sure the people living under the new flight route are not happy!

I noted that as Chris and I departed the jet, we were in row 11, that the time was already about 11:25 AM and the jet was supposed to take off for a return trip to Baltimore at 11:40 AM. That was not going to happen. I looked it up, they did not take-off until 1:22 PM--an almost 2 hour delay. I am very happy we took the first flight of the day. It is going to be a long day of flying for a lot of people.

But, we are home, warm, and happy!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Last Day of the Trip

 

Lucas and Patrick Around the Fire Pit
Glen Burnie, MD
April 26, 2026

Tomorrow is another travel day as Chris and I return to the more consistently warm weather of South Florida. It will be an early day with a much too early flight, but we should arrive home before noon!

But before we travel, we have one day remaining in cold and rainy Baltimore.

I miss blue skies of just two days ago, but it appears that today is going to be overcast, cold, and, of course, rainy.

Tonight we are spending time again with Patrick, Jen, and Beck. Beck is a true bundle of unbridled energy and excitement. I spent time on Sunday chasing him around the dining table. We ended the Sunday evening around the fire pit, but I do not anticipate repeating that experience due to the expected afternoon rainfall.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD 

A Beautiful Afternoon

 

Enjoying a Great Game
Ferndale, MD
April 27, 2026

I was beginning to think that I had done a terrible job packing for our current visit to Maryland. I brought three pairs of shorts, but only one pair of jeans. Until yesterday, I had worn shorts on three days and jeans on two days with the prospect of wearing jeans for a third consecutive day. Yesterday started cold, with temperatures in the 40s, but warmed enough to allow a change from jeans to shorts. 

Chris and I immensely enjoyed the warm afternoon. We attended an Arundel High baseball game against North County, even though Jax was not scheduled to pitch. It was the perfect way to enjoy the blue skies and bright sun of the late-April afternoon. 

The game was well played. Arundel won 3-1, the game it was mostly a pitchers duel. Arundel had many hits but could not get a run across the plate until the 5th inning. They then proceeded to score in the next two innings as well. In terms of errors there was only one in the game; committed by the North County, and between both teams in the 7-inning game there were 8 walks and 9 strikeouts, very evenly distributed with Arundel pitchers claiming the extra strikeout. 

And that's the way it was. I do enjoy having a front row seat to the game. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - April 27, 2026

 1. The final Monday of April has arrived. By the end of the week the year will be one-third complete. Time does fly. There are 35 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Northern Water Snakes and a Duck
Marley Creek, Glen Burnie, MD
April 26, 2026

2. While visiting with family yesterday, we took a walk to Marley Creek. It was very cool, with the temperature only in the 50s, but we enjoyed the walk. While at the still empty marina, we saw Northern Water Snakes sunning themselves on the piles of rocks along the shore. It was quite a sight and I was fascinated that the duck seemed unconcerned. 

3. The Orioles had a bad series against the Boston Red Sox; losing 2 of 3 games. Hopefully, they can begin to find a winning formula soon. They are 5 games out of first place and 2 games below .500. The season is still young and they have more than enough games remaining against the division leaders to take the division. 

4. Regarding the activity outside of the White House Correspondents' Banquet that occurred on Saturday night, political violence is unacceptable! Period. 

5. Conspiracy Theories. I have been confronted with some interesting conspiracy theories lately and I have to admit the lack of transparency on the part of the administration leads me to begin to wonder if maybe, just maybe, there is a puppet-master pulling the strings somewhere. I am not saying I believe any of what follows.

a. Did the U.S. actually recover the F-15 WSO shot down over Iran? If so, why has the name of this very respected colonel not been released? For that matter, why has the name of the earlier recovered pilot not been released? See the Racket News discussion for more. 

b. Was the gunman outside of the White house Correspondents' Dinner Saturday night part of a false flag operation designed to get approval for Trump to build  the overpriced ballroom on the spot where East Wing used to stand? (See MS Now article for more)

c. Was the assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, PA, during the 2024 campaign staged? If not, why was the body of the shooter cremated before it was throughly examined by the appropriate authorities. A good discussion is at CNN. 

6. Today in History. On April 27, 4977 B.C., the universe is created, according to German mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler, considered a founder of modern science. Kepler is best known for his theories explaining the motion of planets.

Kepler was born on December 27, 1571, in Weil der Stadt, Germany. As a university student, he studied the Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus’ theories of planetary ordering. Copernicus (1473-1543) believed that the sun, not the earth, was the center of the solar system, a theory that contradicted the prevailing view of the era that the sun revolved around the earth.

How Trump is moving to control US elections, one state at a time - Reuters

Trump calls suspect in press dinner attack 'pretty sick guy' whose views alarmed relatives  - Reuters

Pakistan still seeks to bridge US, Iran gaps despite failure of face-to-face talks - Reuters

Renewables in vogue as Iran war drives up Europe power prices - Reuters

CNN Investigates ‘I don’t expect forgiveness,’ the suspect allegedly wrote in a note he sent his family outlining his intention to target admin officials - CNN

The U.S. Helped Start the War. The Rest of the World Is Feeling the Effects. - The New York Times

U.S. Mint Buys Drug Cartel Gold and Sells It as ‘American’ - The New York Times

Supreme Court Reviews Police Use of Cell Location Data to Find Criminals - The New York Times

Iran offers to reopen Strait of Hormuz if U.S. lifts its blockade and the war ends, officials say - MS Now

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Where the Wild Geese Eat

 

Geese at the Collection Pond
Odenton, MD
April 25, 2026

A pair of geese have claimed the collection pond across the yard. It is a relatively safe place as it is surrounded by a fence which keeps some of the predators at bay. The pair are a bit skittish and do not allow us to get even to the fence before honking and moving away into the water. Geese claim the pond nearly every year. Some years two families of geese find a way to co-exist and I remember one year there were something like 11 goslings and 4 parents coming daily to the pond. 

Gray Treefrog on the Grill
Odenton, MD
April 25, 2026

Watching the variety of wildlife around the collection pond is fun. We were counting turtles earlier in the month and have seen woodchucks and ducks in addition to the geese. I expect to see foxes and deer soon. Earlier in the year we heard the peepers singing to celebrate the arrival of Spring.

I am not sure where this pair is going to nest. They don't usually nest at the pond, but rather come to the pond with after the goslings hatch and teach them to swim while also finding different foods to eat. 

I was surprised by a small Gray Treefrog sleeping between the knobs on the grill, which is on the deck over a story above the ground. I guess it got confused while looking for a tree to enjoy. It was so small that at first I thought it to be dirt or a leaf, but no, it was a treefrog. I left it alone and I'm guessing it departed as the rains began later during the day. 

So where do the wild geese eat? Well you know that: they eat anywhere they want.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Senior Night at the Ballfield

Homemade Fathead of Jax Held by Nicole
Odenton, MD
April 24, 2026

 It was Senior Night for the Arundel High School Baseball Team last evening. The festivities were conducted before the game against archrival Crofton. 

Senior night was the primary reason Chris and I made the trip north after being here for Easter at the beginning of the month. We do not like to miss important moments in the lives of our family members even though we live in Florida. It was a promise we made to them when we moved south. 

Tuxedo Cats Watching
Odenton, MD
April 24, 2026

During the days leading up to the festivities last night, we participated in planning and execution some ideas for the evening. One idea was a homemade Fathead--which came out really well. There were also flowers for the moms of the 12 seniors on the team.

All of his Maryland relatives, and us as well, showed-up to honor Jax at the pre-game festivities. It was good to see the show of support for Jax, who announced last week that he would be attending the University of South Florida in their engineering program this Fall. So he is going to be a USF Bull!

The Family in Attendance
Odenton, MD
April 24, 2026

Sadly, the baseball game was not as exciting as the pre-game Senior Night festivities. Jax was ineligible to pitch, having hurled 96 pitches during Wednesday night's six-inning outing for a win, but he still was very involved in the game in the dugout. As the game dragged on; rain began and then some lightening which caused a mandatory 30-minute timeout. Chris and I departed during the top of the 5th inning as the rain began, but before the lightening, and were not present at the field for the unsatisfying ending. We monitored the game on GameChanger. 

I guess last evening was our own version of Friday Night Lights! (and rain!)

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Walking under the Canopy

Under the Canopy
Odenton, MD
April 23, 2026

 One of the things Chris and I enjoy while visiting Maryland is walking under the canopy of leaves along the old Strawberry Lake Way. I have documented the changes as the trees hanging over this stretch of old repurposed highway reflect the passing of the seasons. 

Yesterday's walk was special. The change in the canopy since we last walked there earlier this month is truly amazing. The leaves are now nearly fully mature. They still sport the bright green of new leaves and have not yet darkened, but they provide the most wonderful shade. With Finnegan leading the way, we enjoyed the walk under the trees where the squirrels also played.

Admittedly, without driving we do not enjoy such a beautiful scene on our walks in Florida. There are places with a similar type of feel that I sometimes visit on my bike rides although my favorite park, Limestone Creek Natural Area in Jupiter, has been closed the past few times I have attempted to access the path. It is scheduled to remain closed until late-September. 

We will continue to enjoy our walks under the deepening canopy during our visit. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Flying to a Game

Bay Bridge
Aloft over South River, MD
April 22, 2026

 We experienced a long travel day yesterday, mostly because I had booked a 3 PM flight out of Palm Beach International which did not arrive in Baltimore until almost 6 PM.  And then we attended a high school baseball game that went until after 9 PM.

10 Minutes before Pushback
PBI, FL
April 22, 2026

Our Southwest flight was fine, with the exception that it was delayed and Southwest did not provide timely advice as to the delay. It turned out to be 39 minutes delayed minutes delayed and even 10 minutes before the scheduled door close time, the sign in the airport still showed "on-time". That meant a lot of needless standing around near the gate. Anyone who knows Southwest procedures knows that by 10 minutes before pushback we should already have boarded the jet.

The flight itself was great. It was a smooth ride and I again secured the larger legroom seats which are more comfortable. I was able to get a nice image of the Bay Bridge as we were approaching BWI.

Jax on the Mound
Joe Cannon Stadium, Hanover, MD
April 22, 2026

The excitement for the evening, however, was attending the Arundel High School baseball game against Old Mill. We arrived at the beginning of the second inning with Old Mill leading 2-0. I guess we were good luck because Arundel met the moment by scored 2 runs in the top of the second inning and going on to win a hard fought game, which was tied 4-4 at the end of 6 innings, by a score of 7-4. Jax pitched 6 strong innings to earn the win. He threw 96 pitches allowing 4 hits, 4 runs, 2 earned runs, walking 2 and striking out 6.

It was a busy travel day that began in Florida and ended in Maryland! 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Enjoying the ICW

Chris and Mary on the Beach
Along the ICW, Tequesta, FL
April 21, 2026

Earth Day 

Although it was Tiki Tuesday, we decided to head to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) for Happy Hour. The wind seemed too strong to visit an ocean beach and the more protected areas along the ICW seemed the perfect place to enjoy Happy Hour. 

Bird Along the Beach
ICW, Tequesta, FL
April 21, 2026

On weekends, the beaches along the ICW are crammed full of people and watercraft. Last evening, however, we had the area almost to ourselves. The ICW is convenient because parking is right beside the beach area.

The ICW was calm and there were fish jumping everywhere it seemed. We were visited by a wading bird that walked right in front of us seemingly unconcerned that we were within about 10 feet of where it was hunting. 

It was a relaxing and enjoyable time. I even went into the water, it was almost warm and not unpleasant at all. 

Earth Day Fact: 

One million plastic bottles are purchased every minute worldwide, while up to five trillion plastic bags are used a year  (Earth Day Fact Sheets)

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

COA/HOA Exposition in Palm Beach

Condo & HOA Expo
West Palm Beach, FL
April 21, 2026

 I went to an exposition this morning mostly to attend a State-mandated training class for HOA Board members. It was the first Expo/convention I had attended in a few years. I have to admit, it was very different from the ones I attended while working as a federal civilian. 

Condo & HOA Expo
West Palm Beach, FL
April 21, 2026

I missed the high tech stuff I used to deal with and especially the displays of cutting edge technology with which I used to examine for practical applications.

But, this was for HOA/COA related products and services. Nothing really too high tech here. Roofs, windows, pest control, security, taxes, lawyers and the like. There were a lot of people.

I sat through a four-hour very technical and legal presentation which almost changed me from a board member to a bored member. The seminar began at 0800, sharp! I had to be on the road by 7 AM to drive, secure parking and get checked in. 

I learned a lot. The lawyer/instructor was instrumental in getting Florida's condo laws changed/updated after the 2021 Condo collapse the killed 98 people. Understanding the chain of events leading up to that was incredibly instructive. 

Now the hard part--applying all of the ideas and ensuring that our COA is in full compliance. Ugh. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - April 20, 2026

 1. Monday has arrived again; right on schedule! Wow, it never seems to miss showing-up as expected. Today is the next-to-last Monday of April. May flowers are right around the proverbial corner. Additionally, the year is slipping away and there remain only 36 Mondays to enjoy during 2026. 

McLaren Spider Sports Car
Jupiter, FL
April 29, 2026

2. While Chris and I were headed out shopping yesterday, we came across a car that we see only infrequently, a McLaren. I thought I took a good image of it as we were stopped for the light at Indiantown Road, but the UV film I added to the windshield seems to impart a honeycomb pattern to parts of the image. When I come across vehicles on the highway with retail prices in excess of $200K, I wonder if I have enough insurance. 

3. We have another travel week ahead with a return trip to Maryland beginning Wednesday. Hopefully, it will be warmer than the most recent visit. Upon returning home, we likely will not be traveling again until late-May. 

4. The Orioles had a rough week. They fell from a tie for first in the division, to third place and now three games out of first. The season is young. Hopefully they will begin winning again soon. 

5. Aside from our own inconsistent leadership trying to end the Iran War, the U.S. is experiencing what I believe is the downside of leadership decapitation. Apparently, there is a problem with who is in charge in Iran. The Foreign Ministry seems to be making agreements that the IRGC is ignoring. The closed-open-partially closed-is it open-closed nature of the Strait of Hormuz demonstrates why leadership decapitation is not usually a good plan because it leaves no one possessing actual authority with whom to negotiate.

6. Today in History. On April 20, 1999, two teenage gunmen kill 13 people in a shooting spree at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, south of Denver. At approximately 11:19 a.m., Dylan Klebold, 17, and Eric Harris, 18, dressed in trench coats, began shooting students outside the school before moving inside to continue their rampage. By 11:35 a.m., Klebold and Harris had killed 12 fellow students and a teacher and wounded another 23 people. Shortly after noon, the two teens turned their guns on themselves and died by suicide.

The crime prompted a national debate on gun control and school safety, as well as a major investigation to determine what motivated the teen gunmen. In the days immediately following the shootings, it was speculated that Klebold and Harris purposely chose jocks, minorities and Christians as their victims.

World awaits fate of ceasefire after US seizes Iranian ship - Reuters

Iran's president stresses importance of diplomacy while noting distrust of US - Reuters

Oil prices rise 6% on fears of US-Iran ceasefire collapse - Reuters

Eight children killed at home in Louisiana domestic violence - Reuters

Strong earthquake hits off Japan’s coast, tsunami warning issued - CNN

A US citizen said she was illegally held by ICE. Surveillance video, the DHS and a million-dollar lawsuit say otherwise - CNN

FBI chief Kash Patel threatens to sue The Atlantic over report on heavy drinking - MS Now

U.S. Military Strikes a Boat in the Caribbean, Killing 3 - The New York Times

This Is One of the Most Successful Federal Programs of the Last Century. The Trump Administration Wants to Kill It. - The New York Times

oil-prices-rise-markets-fall-us-iran-ftse-100-gas-strait-of-hormuz - The Guardian

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL