The Vacation Isn't Over Yet

Bloody Mary on the Beach

The trip from Florida back to Maryland went without incident. That was significantly different from the canceled flight we experienced during our travel to Florida. 

Mike after Teeing Off at Glenn Dale
April 15, 2017

That normally means that vacation is over and it is back to real life. And I am. There are groceries to buy, an Easter dinner to plan, and mail to rummage through to see if anything of value arrived during our absence.

I enjoyed sitting on the beach; eating lunch and sipping adult drinks. It was fun not to worry about what time I had to wake up, even though I woke up early.

I was able to sneak out this morning and play a round of golf. I did pretty well considering that I had not touched a golf club in two weeks. My vacation is not over yet.

I miss Florida.

I miss walking on the beach every morning.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

As the Vacation Winds Down

Carlin Park, Jupiter Florida
April 13, 2017

The last full day of vacation always a sad time. Yesterday was that day. Today is a travel day and that always brings its own set of stresses. 

Chris and I Looking into the Distance

I remembered to log on and get my seat on the airplane for the return trip home. I sincerely hope that it is less exciting than was the trip to Florida. 

I have been watching the news and I know that the world is a busy place, but being on vacation has allowed me to keep my head in the sand and let the international and domestic issues pass, kind of like having my head in the sand.

Home Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach

And writing of sand, even though the water was again too rough to actually venture too far from shore, the sand on the windblown beach was warm and inviting. We have become big fans of the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach. It was a busy day yesterday, being a nice day and high season, and there were about 12 other people on the 5 miles of beach. That is a good ratio.

Too soon, I will be back into my all too busy life and the relaxing morning walks along the beach and afternoon naps in the sun will be nothing more than a memory.

But today, I will definitely enjoy all of these for at least one last time.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

Palm Trees in the Wind

Palm Tree in the Wind

I was going to title this "A Study of Palm Trees" but I decided that images of two palm trees blowing in the wind did not constitute a study. 

Afternoon on the Intracoastal
Jupiter Island, Florida
April 12, 2017

The Atlantic Ocean has been rough during my entire vacation thus far. Three foot waves crashing onto the beaches and a steady wind that makes the nearly 80 degree temperatures seem cool.

The beauty of one of the beaches that we frequent is that the ocean is on one side and there are calmer beaches on the intracoastal waterway side. We found respite from the wind and waves yesterday on the intracoastal side and had an thoroughly enjoyable afternoon on the beach. It was as if we had out own private beach from which to watch the yachts sail the channel to the sea.

Palm Tree in the Storm

But it was the palm trees in the wind, illuminated by the sun with the dark storm clouds behind them that caught my eye. Standing alone, as palm trees often do, against the worst storms that the weather can throw against them. 

Palm Tree on the Dune

I enjoy palm trees.

What more can I say. I know that I am far enough south when palms begin to appear with increasing regularity and frequency. I know that they potentially can survive northern winters, but they do not grow naturally in the wilds of Maryland. I even found a website that details the correct types of palms to purchase for the varied Maryland climate zones. 

Maybe I will start landscaping with palm trees and sand.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

Playing on the Beach

Chris Searching for Shells
 at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
April 11, 2017

Chris at Carlin Park
April 11, 2017

The waves have been high along the beaches which have hindered our ability to play in the water. 

We have not been able to snorkel, but we have been enjoying the ocean and beaches in other ways. 

Our morning beach walk has been occurring on differing beaches. The waves have been magnificent. The scenery awesome. 

Chris has been having a blast playing with the waves and searching for shells. I ended the video below just before a wave caught up with Chris. It was very funny.

Yesterday we visited three beaches. I have to admit, it looks as if the entire Sargasso Sea is coming ashore. The beaches are still a lot of fun and the sun is still warm.

And, of course, I am not at work!

There are still, countless tomorrow's.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

Critters Along the Beach

Jupiter Island
April 10, 2017
Photo by Chris

Walking along the beach in the morning can be an educational experience.

Pelicans on Patrol

Yesterday the waves were crashing on the beach and red flags were flying. 

We found the beach to full of life. The sea birds were everywhere and there was even a small portuguese man o' war washed up among the sea grasses. 


The waves obviated any idea we had of getting into the water, but the walk along the beach was exciting.

Portuguese Man O' War on the Beach
Photo by Chris

It is too early in the season for turtles, but we did look to see if any had happened onto the beach during the night. There didn't seem to be any.

Of course, the day before we had happened across a small crab along the beach as well. 

The sky above is full of life as well. The pelicans cruise the beach looking for a meal and a family of ospreys aggressively hunt above the shore as well.

I love the beach!

Remember, a bad day at the beach is better than a good day at the office!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

Monday Musings - April 10, 2017

Trapped in the Open

1. It is good to get away from the daily grind of life and change the scenery.

2. Do you ever feel trapped in wide open spaces? I saw a crab on the beach yesterday that I am sure had some of those feelings.

3. Palm trees are the next decorating fad.


4. Congratulations to Sergio Garcia on winning a thrilling Master's tournament yesterday.

5. The craziness in Washington should subside for a couple of weeks, Congress is on Spring Break!

6. The Orioles had a meltdown yesterday and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. They remain atop the American League East, however.

Headlines

7. With a deadline looming, nobody is threatening to shut down the government - The Washington Post

8. Taxes — the great uniter? - The Washington Post

9. Attacks on Christians in Egypt Undercut Sisi’s Promise of Security - The New York Times

Monday's Quote

The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets. - Will Rogers

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

Day 3 is Day 1

Palm Trees
I'm in Florida

Today is essentially the first day of my Spring vacation. It is, however, the third day of my vacation. 

Chris on the Beach

We arrived in Florida last evening, uneventfully. The ride from Orlando seemed longer than normal, but at least we finally overcame the scheduling impact from the storms of Thursday. We heard that some people whose travel plans were disrupted by the weather were not getting out until Sunday. We felt lucky when the plane roared into the sky and Baltimore was in our proverbial "rear-view mirror."


Today was almost idyllic. We have been to the beach twice to enjoy the sun, wind, and waves. We even switched beaches from the ocean side to the intercostal side to be warmer and to be able to get into the water. The ocean surf was rough and yellow flags were flying along the guarded beaches this morning.

The Ocean Between My Knees

It was a great start to my first day in Florida. Alas, however, there was a trip to the local grocery store sandwiched in there. But, I guess we need some food to eat.

I am just enjoying the day, the sun and the warmth!

I am happy that we finally arrived!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

My First Day of Spring Break

Every year, Chris and I plan a get away during Spring Break. For Chris, who works in a school, the week provides a much needed escape from the daily grind.

We we're supposed to be in Florida soaking up sun and walking the sandy beaches. 

Due to many flight cancellations on Thursday evening, we are hoping to get out on a flight today and start our early-Spring vacation a couple days late.

A Warm Beach that I Am Not On
Bahamas from 2016

So what did I do on my first day of Spring Break?

First off, I sojourned to Lowe's to get the supplies to replaced the innards of a noisy toilet.

Then, I finally got my tractor started amid a humorous and frustrating series of mishaps to get it out of the shed and into the garage for the necessary work. In the end, I couldn't push it up the yard and had to work on it in the cold 45 degree temperatures of the day. Who knew that tractors with soft tires could be so hard to push. I almost hooked a tow cable to it and towed it with my truck, but that seemed to be a bit excessive.

But, with a little work and tinkering the tractor started and I mowed, yes, mowed, the lawn. I was freezing mowing the lawn in 45 degree temperatures--but the thoughts of soon being on a warm beach kept me warm (in my mind).

I definitely was not relaxing on a beach for my first day of vacation.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

I'm Not In Florida

I was supposed to wake up this morning in Florida surrounded by palm trees and 80 degree temperatures.

Due to the rough weather along the East Coast yesterday, I am at home superfine through 40 degree temperatures and will not be leaving for Florida until tomorrow!  Ugh!

Travel was catastrophe yesterday. 

First the flight was delayed three hours. OK--no big deal. But then, it was canceled! And we HAD to go to the airport to try to get rescheduled--for Saturday!

Well, it is Spring Break and everyone who can is trying to escape to Florida, it seems.

We met some nice people, especially the couple trying to return home to the West Palm Beach area after living in Australia for the past three years. They were really in a mess because their dog was being delivered to their house today! They needed to be home. I hope they made it.

I hope we make it tomorrow!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Loss of Privacy

Soon, I expect many more ads to start appearing on my computer because Internet privacy has been repealed. 

My service providers are going to begin selling my browsing history to make a buck.

I feel as if my privacy is being invaded. 

It is like people can rummage through my personal mail and then sell lists of whom I receive mail from to advertisers.

It is wrong. 

I'm thinking about a VPN to try to keep at least some privacy. Big corporations do not need to know when I am planning to go on vacation--that becomes a security issue because I plan all of my trips on line. Cruises, get-aways and the like.

Even my car repairs and home repairs are subjects of internet searches. Also, all of my medical doctors now have web services that I use to schedule appointments and renew prescriptions. Do I really need big business to know these types of personal things?

No.

Just like I do not like having my USPS mail examined.

My Take: What happened to the idea of privacy?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD