Monday Musings - April 10, 2023

 

1. Welcome to Easter Monday 2023. It is the second Monday of April and there are 37 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Creatively Hidden Easter Eggs
Glenelg, MD
April 9, 2023

2. Chris and I celebrated Easter and enjoyed multiple egg hunts and meals. Brunch was highlighted by many children racing across a vast yard to snatch as many easter eggs as possibly. Most of the eggs were hidden in plain sight, but even so required some manual dexterity to retrieve. The weather, although cold in the morning, was made enjoyable by the crystal blue skies and warm sun! 

3. The colder weather of Maryland makes wardrobe choices a bit tougher than the normal tee-shirt, sandals, and shorts that I normally wear back home in Tequesta.

4. The Orioles are off to a slow start for the season. They are 4-5, having dropped series to division rivals Boston and New York while winning the series from Texas. They have to do better against the division teams. 

Flamingo
Flamingo Gardens, Davie, FL
February 27, 2023

5. Chris and I will be enjoying Maryland for another week! I am enjoying the Springtime, but the cold is disheartening! There is a lot of junior varsity high school baseball in our future, however.

6. Fun Fact. Flamingoes are only pink because of chemicals called carotenoids in the algae and fish (which also eat the algae) they eat; their feathers are grayish-white when they're born. (Parade Fun Facts)

7. Today in History. On April 10, 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is founded in New York City by philanthropist and diplomat Henry Bergh, 54.

In 1863, Bergh had been appointed by President Abraham Lincoln to a diplomatic post at the Russian court of Czar Alexander II. It was there that he was horrified to witness work horses beaten by their peasant drivers. En route back to America, a June 1865 visit to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in London awakened his determination to secure a charter not only to incorporate the ASPCA but to exercise the power to arrest and prosecute violators of the law.

Offices are half-empty. That could be a risk for banks - CNN

Highly classified Pentagon documents were leaked online, leaving US officials rattled - CNN

Fox News reaches settlement with Venezuelan businessman in election defamation case - CNN

Ukraine says Russian forces using 'scorched earth' tactics in battle for Bakhmut - Reuters

China ends Taiwan drills after practising blockades, precision strikes - Reuters

China hands lengthy jail terms to two lawyers in rights crackdown - Reuters

Auditors Didn’t Flag Risks Building Up in Banks - The Wall Street Journal

Tennessee’s Political Divisions Deepen Between State and Its Cities - The Wall Street Journal

Research with exotic viruses risks a deadly outbreak, scientists warn - The Washington Post

‘Not going to be bullied’: Why Ron DeSantis went after Trump, then retreated - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Happy Easter 2023

 

Springtime Blooms
Odenton, MD
April 8, 2023

Good morning.

Happy Easter!

May the blessings of the risen Christ be with each of you.

May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear.

And may Christ, Our Risen Savior, always be there by your side to bless you most abundantly and be your loving guide.

— Author Unknown

Enjoy the day and if you are able to celebrate with family, take a moment to appreciate the opportunity. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Colors of Spring

Mini Daffodils by the Walk
Odenton, MD
April 7, 2023

 

Bluebird at the Feeder
Odenton. MD
April 7, 2023

I have been enjoying the colors of Spring. The redbud trees are in bloom along the roadways and blossoms cover many of the trees. The forsythia are a ball of yellow on the landscape. The daffodils are everywhere, although their time is almost past as the tulips are arriving more and more daily. 

There are also many animals about. I have seen deer still in their darker winter coats, birds of many varieties, squirrels by the dozens, and I have heard the peepers at night singing the song of Spring.

It is fun to see the world wake from the dark days and burst into the light. 

Here is hoping you have a blessed and happy Easter.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Springtime

Young Leaves Off the Back Deck
Odenton, MD
April 6, 2023

Sitting at the high school JV baseball team doubleheader yesterday it became clear that Chris and I had been transported from eternal summer into the middle of springtime. 

I became aware of the springtime explosion almost as soon as we got off the plane, but as the day went on I became more sensitive to the light-green new leaves and the bright flowers dotting the landscape everywhere.

Probable Apple Blossoms
Crofton, MD
April 6, 2023

We had noticed new leaves sprouting on the trees in Florida, but so many trees there do not lose their leaves that the new growth tends to blend into the old. Not so here in Maryland where the entire scene is composed of new leaves struggling to grow and mature.

Sitting at the games yesterday, we were under a blooming apple tree. I took this image looking straight up from the chair in which I was sitting behind the screen at home plate. 

Last evening I stood on the deck at Nicole's home and looked at the expanse of new leaves on the trees against the dark rain clouds. It was a sight to enjoy. Springtime against the backdrop of a storm. We actually experienced a real rainstorm driving after  the game yesterday. South Florida is in severe drought conditions and the area is seven inches (or more) below normal rainfall for the year. We have been enjoying the rain-free weather, but need rain.

It is nice, however, to be in Maryland to enjoy the Spring.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

80s in Maryland

Arundel High JV Baseball Team
Crofton, MD
April 6, 2023

 Chris and I landed in Maryland just a few hours ago and we are already at a junior varsity baseball doubleheader enjoying 80 degree temperatures. 

The Orioles canceled their home opener due to the threat of thunderstorms, but the skies at 2 PM were partly cloudy. 

We had an early morning flight from West Palm Beach which went smoothly. The plane was packed. 

Of course this is a holiday weekend and we are back in Maryland for Easter. 

Sitting here, I am amazed at the number of kids on the team that I have had the honor to coach with my son-in-law Mike in the past. They are so big now and still using the fundamentals of the game we taught them. Wow! 

- Bob Doan, Crofton, MD

What Happened Yesterday?

 

Some call yesterday an historic day. Sadly, I guess it was because of what happened in New York City involving a former president. 

I have always looked up to most former presidents, of course there was a guy named Nixon who departed under a huge cloud. 

My point here is that a lot more happened in the world other than a former president begin indicted. 

From the Atlantic, here is a recap of some big other stories of yesterday:

Of course, a lot of other things did happen in the world today. Finland officially joined NATO, a hugely important geopolitical development. Wisconsin, long described as a “laboratory of democracy,” is holding an election that could alter the country’s future. A freight train sits as a derailed wreck in Montana. And in Florida, the state rapidly emerging as our own laboratory of authoritarianism, it’s a new day where people can walk around carrying concealed weapons without a permit—a policy that polling suggests most Floridians oppose but that is apparently wildly popular with the “own the libs” demographic.

“The era of nonalignment in our history has come to an end—a new era begins,” Finland’s president Sauli Niinistö said. (Letters from an American)

Of course, I am especially interested in the Florida item.  I guess I will never know who is packing heat. 

And I welcome Finland into NATO! That, friends, is huge!

So quite a bit happened yesterday. We were just a bit myopically focused upon a courthouse in NYC.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Universal Orlando Resort - A Review

Chris, Luke, and I in Harry Potter Land
Universal Orlando Resort
April 3, 2023

 It was a very full day. Chris and I departed home at 7:30 AM and returned home just after 9 PM. In between was four hours driving with the rest of the time spent at Universal Orlando Resort. 

Let's begin with the cost. We bought a two-park one day pass for $209 per person. We knew we would be visiting both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. We made the transition on the Hogwarts Express--definitely worth the ride, but not the posted 75 minute wait. To miss the wait, we also bought the two park Express passes at $314.99. Total admission cost for the one day jaunt for two people: $1116.12 (with tax).

First Observation. The resort is incredibly expensive and that jaundiced my objectiveness even before we arrived. I paid less for a 7-day cruise in November than one day at Universal. 

Second Observation: Driving to the resort is relatively simple. It is right off Interstate 4 and there are large parking garages close to the resort. I was not happy that after paying over $1K to visit the resort for the day that they gouged me for $30 to park my truck. Ugh! Really? With the price of admission being astronomical, parking should be included. 

Street Sight
Universal Orlando Resort
April 3, 2023

Third Observation: It took 45 minutes from parking the truck to finally get through security and the admission process and actually be inside Islands of Adventure. This meant navigating the crushing crowds on City Walk and getting scanned and admitted. The actual admission process is cumbersome, even with passes on the phone because there are so many people who are unfamiliar with the process.

When we finally met up with family, who proceeded us to the resort, we began to have some fun. We went first to the Jurassic Park area and our first ride was the VelociCoaster. Even with the express pass we had a very long wait and it was almost 90 minutes from arriving at the resort's gates until we were actually on our first ride of the day. 

As the day progressed, things got better. I was told, but unable to confirm, that the park was a maximum capacity while we were there. It was clear that they were unprepared for the crush of people and the crowds were evident all day. 

Fourth Observation. Use the mobile app to order lunch. It took about 90 minutes to get burgers and eat them because we did not use the mobile app. The automatic Coke dispensing machines are a joke. They were not dispensing drinks reliably and I saw many people put their daily paid cups in the dispenser only to be turned away. I found that beer was a much better choice. Overall food prices are not bad. The burger platter was $15.49 and beer was $9.50. Coke was $4.49 per glass or they had a plan for an all day drink package--which seemed a bit pricey to me. 

So let's talk coasters. I love coasters and I got to sit in the front seat on two of the best. We did not get to experience Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure due to long lines and it does not accept the Express Pass. But here is my ranking of the four coasters that I experienced:

1. Hulk - old, yes, but smooth and like flying a jet fighter (P.S. I did fly a jet fighter trainer, once) (I was in a front seat)

2. Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket - really cool vertical start and music to enjoy while riding (I was in a front seat)

Men In Black Alien Attack
Universal Orlando Resort
April 3, 2023

3. VelociCoaster - Fun, but not smooth and the turns are rough although the maneuvers are creative.

4. Revenge of the Mummy - Nice special effects, but I always think a coaster in the dark removes the fun of seeing the world spin around.

Other rides as I remember them:

Dudly Do-Right's RipSaw Falls - A classic log ride with a scenario that has outlived its time. A great ride to enjoy getting wet, but the story is dated.

Jurassic Park River Adventure - Great ride, you will get wet. It seemed that parts of the ride were not fully operational when we were on it. 

Men In Black Alien Attack - A great fun ride to play "shoot the outer-space aliens." I won the car with 75,000 points. Sorry Luke!

The Simpsons Ride - Not worth the time. They paid too much for this ride. The story is not compelling and the 3D graphics are cheesy.

The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman - nice ride, good 3D graphics, great story and put together pretty well. Enjoyable.

Hogwarts Express - already mentioned. 

Harry Potter The Forbidden Journey - great ride but somewhat intense. Great story and graphics.

We probably did a couple more, but these were the memorable rides. When you divide it out, I paid about $45 per ride. 

We departed the park about 6:30 PM to allow us to get home at a reasonable hour.

It was a fun day filled with thrills and the joy of being with family. Some of the rides were memorable, BUT the overall park experience needs improvement. Given the amount of money being collected, I expected a first class experience--I do not feel as though I received that. 

Fifth Observation - The Express Pass is a requirement! That written, the pass is expensive and in a perfect world I would do away with express passes and increase the capacity of the rides. I felt bad walking in front of families with kids who could not afford an extra $300/per person and had stood in line for 75 or 80 minutes for a 90-second ride, while I stood in line for maybe 10 - 20 minutes at the most.  As the day went on we actually almost walked onto some rides, for the same 90-second experience. 

Bob's Recommendation - Visit but only after fully understanding the cost! Universal Orlando Resort is overpriced; offering mediocre service in every venue. Some of the new rides are first class, but looking around, many of the others require maintenance and the warts are showing. The day I visited, the park seemed to be over capacity.

Important note--this was not my first visit to Universal Orlando Resort. I remember the days before Harry Potter when one of the marquee rides was the Jaws boat ride and there was a dueling rollercoaster, both now gone. Express passes were not a requirement in those days. I believe express passes are a result of running the parks above capacity.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Note: I updated the ride list and amount per ride because I had forgotten one. April 4

Monday Musings - April 3, 2023

 

1. Welcome to April. The first Monday of the month has arrived. Spring is arriving in the north. There are 38 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. My two favorite NCAAM Basketball Final Four teams were eliminated: FAU and Miami. FAU lost on a shot where time expired while the ball was in the air--there is no coming back from that.

Crowd at The Square Grouper
Jupiter, FL
April 2, 2023

3. It was an enjoyable Sunday of golf and relaxation capped by a cruise on the Loxahatchee River and Intracoastal Waterway. We boarded the PonTiki for an hour cruise and were able to see some of our favorite spots from the water. One of those, The Square Grouper, was very crowded as we sailed past. I guess they were all out celebrating Palm Sunday.

4. Today we are off to Universal Studios - Orlando. I am not really sure what to expect as it has been over 10 years since we last visited there to deposit large sums of money into the pockets of the studio.

5. After blowing the game on Saturday with a dropped game ending fly out, the Orioles have managed to go from first to worst in the AL East. Ugh!

6. Today in History. On April 3, 1860, the first Pony Express mail, traveling by horse and rider relay teams, simultaneously leaves St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California. Ten days later, on April 13, the westbound rider and mail packet completed the approximately 1,800-mile journey and arrived in Sacramento, beating the eastbound packet’s arrival in St. Joseph by two days and setting a new standard for speedy mail delivery. Although ultimately short-lived and unprofitable, the Pony Express captivated America’s imagination and helped win federal aid for a more economical overland postal system. It also contributed to the economy of the towns on its route and served the mail-service needs of the American West in the days before the telegraph or an efficient transcontinental railroad.

Authorities detain a woman in connection with explosion that killed a prominent military blogger and injured dozens of others - CNN

America faces yet another grave national drama - CNN

Why this is one of the worst times to buy a car in decades - CNN

Ukraine says its forces fight on in Bakhmut despite Russian claim to have taken it - Reuters

Oil surges as OPEC+ surprise output cuts shake markets - Reuters

Trump to fly to New York for court surrender amid tight security - Reuters

McDonald’s Temporarily Shuts U.S. Offices as Chain Prepares for Layoffs - The Wall Street Journal

Scared to Bike in the City? Here’s the Gear You Need to Stay Safe—Plus 10 Smart Tips from Skilled Cyclists - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Car Show

Interesting Fiat
Tequesta, FL
April 1, 2023

 I missed the Palm Beach International Boat Show, intentionally. I did not want to be tempted beyond my ability to resist dumping huge amount of money into the black hole called boat ownership.

Yesterday, however, Chris and I were not afraid to attend a local car show. It was held in a neighborhood near us and featured about 30 classic cars along with a couple of interesting weird autos. For instance, the orange vehicle pictures here, I am not sure how well the canopy would hold up at road speed. But it definitely makes for good shade. I like the orange color. 

GTOs in a Row
Tequesta, FL
April 1. 2023

The muscle cars were kings of the show and there were a few of them to enjoy. The GTOs reigned. I was surprised that there were no Dodge Challengers on display and only one Barracuda. There was also a line of Corvettes, but I am not as much a fan of those cars.

It was a fun diversion on a Saturday afternoon. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Welcome April

 I am looking forward to April, and it has arrived. No that is not an April Fools Joke--it is true. After hiding our in Florida for most of the Winter, we are ready to venture north to enjoy Spring, Easter, and most importantly family and friends. 

While our travel does not begin until next week, the fun begins today with the arrival of Jeremy and his family for a few days of fun and sun. Chris and I will be making our first visit to Universal Orlando as Florida residents on Monday. I am not a huge amusement park fan because I would rather spend the exorbitant amount of money that the parks drain from my wallet on other adventures, such as a cruises. Seriously, what I am paying for one day at Universal is more than the cost of our entire 7-night cruise last November. Of course that was before excursions, the drink package, and internet--but still, food isn't included at Universal!

Next week we fly off to Maryland for almost two weeks to celebrate Easter and visit family and friends. We are very much looking forward to the adventure as it is the precursor to a longer visit during May into June which will allow us time to visit wineries and enjoy Maryland during the late Springtime. 

As an aside, Chris and I managed a 12-mile bike ride in the wind yesterday. I found it enjoyable, but the final leg home was directly into a wind of about 15-20 mph. The good news is that my newly-tuned bike was perfectly set-up and the ride gave me exactly 302 miles for the month of March! It is the second month where I managed to cross the 300 mile threshold. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL