Bringing it Home

Heading Home Along Old Dixie Highway
Tequesta, FL
January 19, 2024

 I headed out on my bike yesterday for a ride. Sadly, the weather had other ideas and about 3 miles into the ride, I was greeted by rain. I don't mind a mist, or a light rain, but when I can see my shirt getting wet, or in this case a fleece since it was cold, and drops forming on my glasses it is time to head home.

That is what I did. 

I knew when I departed that the skies looks threatening, but often here in South Florida they look mean but there is no rain. Well, I got fooled yesterday. It was very cool and apparently the rain needed to fall from the sky onto my ride. 

I was trying to get a ride in before the activity of the day got happening, but I only made a total of 6.7 miles and 33 minutes. At least I got a ride in, it was just too short. 

In other news, the 3D printer is still not functional. I was able to level the table, finally, but then upon further inspection I noticed that extruder had a broken lever. So I ordered a new extruder which should be here today. It was made from plastic anyway and so I am a bit excited about installing the metal extruder that will be arriving as it should be more durable. 

Today is colder than yesterday, but for the first day in a row there is not rain in the forecast. Yay. I even witnessed a beautiful sunrise to celebrate the start of the day although the skies remain mostly overcast.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Dreary Day Project

 Some days are just, dreary. 

Ender-3 V2 3D Printer
Tequesta, FL
January 18, 2024

That was yesterday--well, until the end of the day. As evening fell the skies cleared and the stars came out. Sadly, it cleared too late for us to see the space launch. That would have been exciting. 

I didn't ride my bike yesterday because it always looked as if it were going to rain. 

I spent most of the day trying to resurrect a 3D printer I was given. I made a lot of progress, but the inability to level to level the table was a show-stopper. I will be going to Ace Hardware today to get a couple items that will enable me to level the table and then, hopefully, fire up the printer and make things. I spent a lot of time cleaning and adjusting the printer. At one point I thought I had leveled the table, but with one of the adjusting wheels missing I was only deluding myself.

By the end of today, however, I hopefully will have a fully functional battle station, err printer. 

Chris is not amused that the printer is on the kitchen counter. I probably can only keep it there through today and then I need to find a more permanent place to set it up. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Riding the Tequesta Circuit

 

Chris in the Lead
Turtle Creek, Tequesta, FL
January 17, 2024

Despite the afternoon rain and early morning cold, I have managed 30 miles on my bike during the past two days. On Tuesday, I completed my standard 16 mile circuit around Tequesta. Yesterday, even though it was cold, Chris and I rode the reverse routs and made it over 14 miles. I took a few miles off because of the high winds and cold. 

Chris and I were appropriately dressed for yesterday's cold, 60 degree temperatures. It would like to say it was refreshing, but no, it was just cold!

We have solved the communication problem by riding with our cells connected on a call. It means that we are in constant communication and can tell each other abut safety issues--such as a vehicle passing or whether it is clear around a blind corner. When I ride alone, I listen to music. My new Smart Glasses mean that I do not have to have AirPods in my ear--which is good because with AirPods only one can be in place leaving the other ear open for traffic sounds. 

I managed to put together a short video from my Tuesday ride. I finally was able to successfully employ my Smart Glasses and get the videos. They are very easy to use. The first part of the video is a fun intersection in the Country Club road area. There might be a Stop Sign--oops! But I cleared the traffic. The second part of the video is crossing the SE County Line Road Bridge. It came out really cool! I was amazed at how smooth everything appears. I guess my head works as a good gyroscope to stabilize the camera in the glasses. 

I have been enjoying the rides. Today may be a washout. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Weather and the Beach

Jupiter Island Beach
Jupiter island, FL
January 16, 2024

With afternoon storms forecast, yesterday was a day for morning outdoors activity--and I took advantage of the opportunity by completing a 16+ mile ride around Tequesta. It felt good to be getting my legs under me again, although I could tell they are still getting back into riding shape after the over one month hiatus. 

Along the Dune
Jupiter Island, FL
January 16, 2024

Chris and I later headed off to the beach for a walk and to enjoy some time together in our favorite environment. As we crossed the top of the stairs over the dune, we were greeted with a beautiful blue sky and multicolored ocean scene across a wide beach. I confess, it has been some time since we visited this beach, we have been going to Carlin Park--but, I was unprepared for what we saw. While everything looks idyllic, in truth an incredible amount of sand (beach) has been washed into the ocean. I took an image from the base of the dune--as near as I can estimate about 10 feet of sand has been carried off and the beach which last year went from halfway up the dune and sloped to the ocean is now gone and has a slight slope from the base of the dune to the ocean.

Further down the beach, where the new Seaglass condo building has been constructed, the stairs from the building to the beach no longer actually make it to the beach. They end about 5 feet above the beach. The beach erosion is significant. To make it worse, I am pretty sure all of the sand has ended up just off shore and destroyed the fragile ecosystem. It is a lot of sand!

The beach was, however, very enjoyable in the wind  80 degree temperatures. I highly recommend it for everyone fighting snow and cold!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Over the Bridge with the Smart Glasses

View from Bridge over SE County Line Road
Martin County
January 15, 2024

 Chris and I made it out for our second ride of the year yesterday. We increased our mileage to over 15 miles now that we are getting back into the groove. I received Ray Ban Smart Glasses for Christmas and have been experimenting with them while on the rides. 

There is one bridge that I cross on nearly every ride. It is on SE County Line Road in Martin County. Chris and I ride this bridge and depending upon the particular route we choose we can cross it in either direction, but usually it is on the homeward leg of a long ride. There is a significant hill across the bridge which is the biggest hill on our rides. I like crossing this bridge because it is in a wild area and very open. I have not, until yesterday, taken an image off the bridge because it has a narrow wood sidewalk and is not a good place to stop and sightsee. 

Apple Map of the SE Country Line Road Bridge
Martin County
January 15, 2024

I decided to use my Smart Glasses yesterday to get an image as I was riding across the span. It worked. I took an image while riding on my bike all without crashing. On the satellite image to the left, I took the image from just before the middle of the bridge while riding from left to right.

I had tried taking a couple videos yesterday as well, but due to operator error they did not complete. I held the button too long. 

I am hopeful of getting becoming proficient at the Smart Glasses. I did maintain communication with Chris throughout the ride yesterday using the feature that connects to my phone!

The joys of technology. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - January 15, 2024

 

1. Welcome to the third Monday of January 2024! There are just 50 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. The football playoffs are underway. Four family teams made the playoffs: Ravens, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Steelers. Through today two teams have played and one will play today. The Ravens, with the best record in the NFL this year, drew a first week bye. Through this morning the family teams are 1-1 and the Steelers play tonight.

Finnegan
Tequesta, FL
January 14, 2024

3. Finnegan was sick earlier this week. I think he got some "people" food which did not agree with him. But yesterday he was fully recovered and posed in a chair for me. What a great image!

4. Well, the Dallas Cowboys failed to win a playoff game again this season. There is something critically wrong with the team and I believe it may be the head coach. I am guessing there will be a major shake-up in the Cowboys organization very soon. The owner did not look very happy sitting in his box at the game. Congrats to the Green Bay Packers who actually played a solid football game. The packers even added some drama by allowing the Cowboys to have the slimmest possibility of making it a game, until there wasn't.

5. The first test of the election season is upon us. Iowa has been in the news far too long and I will be happy to have the caucuses behind us beginning tomorrow. I'm not sure it matters too much; one candidate has been getting unreasonable press coverage due to his multiple indictments and court appearances. His presence is stifling on the national stage. 

Today in History. On January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. is born in Atlanta, Georgia, the son of a Baptist minister. King received a doctorate degree in theology and in 1955 helped organize the first major protest of the African American civil rights movement: the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott. Influenced by Mohandas Gandhi, he advocated civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance to segregation in the South. The peaceful protests he led throughout the American South were often met with violence, but King and his followers persisted, and the movement gained momentum.

A powerful orator, King appealed to Christian and American ideals and won growing support from the federal government and Northern whites. In 1963, Bayard Rustin and A. Philip Randolph led the massive March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom; the event’s grand finale was King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Two hundred and fifty thousand people gathered outside the Lincoln Memorial to hear the stirring speech. 

Trump attacks Haley, begs supporters to brave Iowa weather Show all - CNN

Brutal winter storm to bring below freezing temperatures to 79% of US - CNN

US jet shoots down missile fired at Navy destroyer from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen - CNN

Israel pounds targets across Gaza, awaits Hamas word on three hostages-- ReutersChina's military and government acquire Nvidia chips despite US ban - Reuters'Don't forget Ukraine,' UN urges in aid funding appeal - Reuters

‘Peacock Game’: The NFL’s Digital Buttfumble - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

First of the Year

 

North Fork Loxahatchee River Bridge
Tequesta, FL
January 13, 2024

Chris and I managed our first bike rides of the year yesterday. I was good to get the bikes out of the garage, top off the tires, and hit the pavement. There was more wind than we had expected and so we shortened our ride to about 10 miles--that was wise especially considering that it had been almost 4 weeks since we were last in the saddle. 

It was a beautiful morning for a ride, despite the wind. We knew from the weather report that rain was moving into the area for the afternoon and we needed to get out earlier than later. 

We also knew that we expected to become couch potatoes during the afternoon and evening while watching the NFL Wildcard Playoff Games. Our shortened ride worked out great as we toured around Tequesta and updated ourselves on the status of activities in our community. It looked to be a good morning for boating--but, well, we did not reserve a boat and we had other activities to accomplish. 

We are still trying to bet back into our groove after being gone. 

Hopefully, the weather will allow me a ride today before I fall onto the sofa for more football magic. I am 2-0 so far in predicting winners, although secretly I was hoping that Miami would win over Kansas City just to shock the Chiefs back into reality. But alas, the Dolphins frosted over and never made much of a game out of the contest. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Beach Afternoon

Carlin Park
Jupiter, Florida
January 12, 2024

 If this is January in South Florida, then we might be on the beach for Happy Hour.

Yesterday, after a morning of rain, the temperatures soared into the 80s and the skies cleared for the sun to peak out. That was all of the encouragement that we needed to head to the beach for Happy Hour. 

Chris and the Balloon

Carlin Park, Jupiter, Florida

January 12, 2024

The beach was only sparsely populated with other beach goers and there were even a few surfers trying to catch the gentle waves. It made for a perfect afternoon, sitting and waiting for sunset while listening to the waves lapping at the sand and watching the surfers try to catch a wave.

Chris did her good deed for the day by capturing a wayward balloon which could have been dangerous to the turtles or other sea creatures. We popped the balloon and ensured that all of the pieces were transported off the beach and into a trash receptacle. And as for sea creatures, we spied a manatee heading south along the coast right in front of us.

It was the colors of the sky and ocean that made the day special. After weeks of not being on the beach, our return was dramatic as we enjoyed the sunset behind us which cast colors into the eastern sky. With sunset occurring so early, we are able to stay and enjoy the show and still head home for dinner.

Looking West Across the Sand from the Atlantic Ocean

Carlin Park, Jupiter, Florida

January 12, 2024

But it was the sunset, after all, which reminded me of why I love coming to the beach. It was a beautiful display and provided the perfect exclamation point for the day. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Back in the Storage Facility

Headed to the Storage Room
Tequesta, FL
January 10, 2024

 One of the problems we discovered with downsizing and moving into a condo is storage or, more correctly, lack of storage. 

We rent a storage room because we cannot not fit all of our treasures into the condo. Included in those treasures are 12 containers, plus one artificial tree, of Christmas decorations. With some creative packing, I can get Christmas into the truck for a single trip. But, I have to be a bit careful that none of the containers have loose covers.

Train Infused Traffic Snarl on a Rainy Day
Jupiter, FL
January 11, 2024

Chris and I successfully returned all of the Christmas decorations to the storage facility and we were lucky that we chose to do it on a day when the weather was good, because the next day it was rainy and cold. The increase in train traffic in the area, because of the Brightline, snarls traffic throughout the day making the short trip even tougher at times. But, we missed the rain and most of the traffic snarl by getting right on the project of taking down Christmas and not waiting. 

Yesterday was rainy and cold. Today will be warmer, but just as rainy as yesterday. Fortunately, our projects are complete and we can enjoy the day. I still have not had the opportunity to ride my bike this year--and it does not look as if today will be the day due to the less than optimal weather. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Happy Hour--Outside

Chris at Happy Hour
Lenora's, Tequesta, FL
January 10, 2024

 I wore shorts, sandals, and a short-sleeve shirt to Happy Hour at a local restaurant last evening. We sat outside on the veranda and I was very comfortable.

It felt great to be back in the warm humidity of South Florida and enjoying a cool January day outside. I had spent most of the day packing Christmas decorations and transporting them to our storage room. It did not help that I forgot the key on one trip and had to go back for it. Notice the bottle is empty. 

I received a great new toy for Christmas upon returning home: Smart Glasses! I am learning them and enjoying playing with them. I took a video of the Brightline train yesterday while we were sitting at the light. It came out really nice, but trains can be boring to look at and so I won't add it here. 

We enjoyed Happy Hour; then headed back to the house for one more glass of wine with friends and then some food. What a great evening. 

Today will be filled with more packing and then onto the garage for some serious reorganization. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL