Easter 2024

 Happy Easter!

It is hard to believe that today is the last day of March and Easter.

We have been experiencing fabulous weather. Cool and dry. It has made being outside a wonderful experience.

We said good-bye to Luke and the dogs yesterday. The house was eerily quiet last evening. I think Finnegan enjoyed being an "only dog" again. I read that they arrived safely back in Maryland during the wee hours of the morning. I'm glad they made it back safely.  

May you find peace and comfort this holiday. 

He is Risen!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Blow-out

Crossing the Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
March 29, 2024

I had a no kidding bike tire blow-out during my ride yesterday.

It was, as you might expect, very sudden. I was closing in on 15 miles of my planned 16.5 mile ride when suddenly I hear a pop and felt a rush of air on my leg. Not a good situation. I brought my bike to a stop and confirmed what I suspected, my real tire blew out. 

I was concerned that the blow-out was the result of a fully inflated tire combined with the extra weight I have been training with and the heat of the day. Instead of fixing the tire alongside the road and using my expendable supplies, I called Chris to come rescue me with my truck. I took the additional training weight off the bike. The weight consisted of a ten pound weight in the bike bag over the rear tire and, for the first time, I was riding with a camelback water supply. 

Once home, and after cooling down and attending to some other matters, I began the process of determining the cause of the blow-out. I pumped some air into the tire to determine the source of the leak and it immediately became apparent that I had ridden over something that punctured the tire and tube. I never saw it--it had two blade like puncture marks right in the middle of the tread. I noted that the tire was thin from the riding I have been doing and decided to replace the tire while I had everything apart. 

The whole repair process, including going to the bike store, took about an hour and the bike is ready for todays' ride--if I do one. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Cyber Truck On the Road

Tesla Cyber-Truck
I-95 South of Ft Lauderdale
March 27, 2024
Photo by Lucas

 I spied my first Tesla cyber-truck.

It was on I-95 south of Ft Lauderdale the other day coming back from our air boating excursion. 

OK--while it may have looked neat during its introduction a few years ago, it is very different on the road and not at all like a DeLorean. 

Tesla Cyber-Truck
I-95 South of Ft Lauderdale
March 27, 2024
Photo by Lucas

In fact, it does not look too much like a truck.

It cannot be comfortable inside. At least it does not look comfortable. 

I feel pretty sure that this vehicle will go the way of the Dodo and DeLorean.

I wonder if it was driving in the hands free mode, I know that I was at the time. Luke had a better view of it out his window and so I asked him to take the pictures. 

Well, now I have seen it in person.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Airboating the Everglades

Gator in the 'Glades
Everglades National Park, FL
March 27, 2024

 It sounds like we are sitting atop a large engine as the airboat fires up in preparation to set off. 

Yesterday, Chris, Luke, and I set off to the Everglades for some fun and an airboat ride. Typically, when Chris and I head off to airboat we do not see any gators in the wild. Yesterday, however, we saw six! And I also found out why. Don't go airboating in the Everglades to look for gators in July--it is too hot and they are not active. March and April, it seems, are when they are active. 

The Gator and Luke
Everglades Safari Park, Miami, FL
March 27, 2024

It was the first long trip for Chris's new car and I computed the distances pretty carefully to determine that we could get there and back without needing a charge. Of course, never having done a trip like this before I was unsure whether the distance estimate for the battery was accurate. Turns out it was close. I did lose a few miles range each way on the highway--but, I subsequently determined that I should have switched the car into a more efficient mode which might have solved that issue. Lesson learned! We drove 220 miles and ended with 42 miles range. We started with about 280 miles of expected range. All-in-all great first trip.

I took a short video of the airboat experience and the noise from the twin engines. Thankfully they issued us ear plugs for some protection. According to the app on my iPhone, the airboat engines were producing 102-109 decibels of deafening sound.

Luke and Chris with the Airboat at Speed
Everglades National Park, FL
March 27, 2024

While at the park, Luke came face-to-snout with a gator. It was pretty funny and I enjoyed taking the picture. This was the first time we visited Everglades Safari Park during Spring Break. The place was packed, but they handled the crowds efficiently. I like this location because the boats actually go into the National Park. I recommend buying the tickets on-line. It smoothed the check-in process and I was able to remember my National Park Pass and save $7 on each ticket. 

After the airboat experience, we wandered around the preserve and looked a gators and crocodiles, yes they have crocs! We enjoyed a beautiful day in the mid-80s with partly cloudy skies and cooling breezes. It was perfect. And there were no mosquitoes or other biting insects to spoil our outing. 

It is a bit of a drive from Tequesta, almost exactly two-hours each way, but definitely worth the experience. 

I noted that the cars in the parking lot were mostly out of state. I think there was only one other car with Florida plates. 

Florida in the Springtime--what could be better?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Back to the Water

Setting Out on a Sunny Day
Tequesta, FL
March 26, 2024

 It was a boating day, albeit short.

The winds were stiff and the water a choppy when we departed the dock about 1 PM and so we turned an expected long boating day into a short tour. It did not even make the "three-hour tour" of Gilligan's Island fame.

We had fun showing Luke around and especially passing under the US 1 bridge construction. The project seems to be on time as the first road beams were installed from the south abutment before the end of March which is right on schedule. 

The wind was definitely strong and there was a chop. We decided against some beach time, opting instead to return home and enjoy the remainder afternoon. 

I do note that the post-boating docking went very well in a stiff wind and current. The dockhand indicated that we did the best of anyone all day.

Did I say, I had fun? I almost always enjoy myself when we are on the water. I also enjoy going to beaches that are inaccessible from land. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Driving Miss Daisy

 It was the stuff of movies. 

Chris and Luke on the Paddle Board
Jupiter Island, FL
March 25, 2024

Learning to use a paddle board is not an easy task. It is much like riding a bike, I believe. It takes some time and coordination to learn and then it almost becomes second nature. I, at least, hope that is true. 

Yesterday the task was learn to use a paddle board. 

Luke Standing on a Paddle Board
Jupiter Island, FL
March 25, 2024

We had fun. It took quite a while to get the paddle board inflated and even then, I didn't inflate it quite enough. Close--but an expert told me it needed even more air. I thought my pressure gauge was incorrect, but he said he thought his was incorrect the first time as well, but the boards really need to be very stiff.

We had fun and I have another paddle board that we will inflate and get out in the near future. Yes, I did make it out on the board, I was not brave enough to try standing, but that will come, I think. 

Luke did manage to stand on another paddle board. A really nice paddler boarder stopped and gave us some important tips.  

Chris did not want to try the board on her own and Luke took her for a ride, kind of like Driving Miss Daisy. She enjoyed the experience.

Closing out the day we raced back to the beach after dinner to see the space launch. There were a lot of clouds, but we did get to see it as it climbed out and the second stage ignited over the ocean. It happened as dusk was falling and the sight of the SLV heading off into space was, as always, magnificent. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - March 25, 2024

 

1. This is the fourth and final Monday of March. The year is approaching 1/4 complete and there are just 40 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Paddleboard in the Garage
Tequesta, FL
March 24, 2024

2. We were going to try a paddleboard yesterday, but the weather changed. We were given two paddleboards, some inflation required, and were going to go with Luke to try one out on the intracoastal. Alas, by the time I got it inflated, a storm came through with rain and wind, we even had the beach bag and drink bag loaded in the truck. So the paddle board is inflated in the garage waiting to today! We only inflated one--my compressor is suited for a bike tire but not a large paddle board and so it took a long time to inflate.

3. Yesterday, I spent the morning driving to and from an airport and a cruise port. I started the morning, well before dawn, driving friends to Palm Beach International (PBI) so they could head to Maryland for Spring Break with their granddaughters. A few hours after returning from PBI, I drove to Port Everglades in Ft Lauderdale to deliver Jeremy and Julie for their cruise. I really enjoyed both trips and I am happy to help out because when Chris and I travel we almost never have to pay to leave a vehicle or for an  Uber/Lyft. 

4. I almost missed that yesterday was Palm Sunday and this is Holy Week culminating next Sunday with Easter.

5. It is Spring Break in the north. The Florida kids are back to school tomorrow. Enjoy the sun!

6. Today in History. Four years after the United States won its independence from Great Britain, 55 state delegates, including George Washington, James Madison and Benjamin Franklin, convene in Philadelphia to compose a new U.S. constitution on May 25, 1787.

The Articles of Confederation, ratified several months before the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781, provided for a loose confederation of U.S. states, which were sovereign in most of their affairs. On paper, Congress—the central authority—had the power to govern foreign affairs, conduct war, and regulate currency, but in practice these powers were sharply limited because Congress was given no authority to enforce its requests to the states for money or troops. By 1786, it was apparent that the Union would soon break up if the Articles of Confederation were not amended or replaced. Five states met in Annapolis, Maryland, to discuss the issue, and all the states were invited to send delegates to a new constitutional convention to be held in Philadelphia.

 Fire extinguished on Carnival Freedom cruise ship after witnesses reported possible lightning strike - CNN

FAA says future United projects ‘may be delayed’ due to increased oversight - CNN

Military draft bill creates rift in Israeli government - Reuters

Google, Apple breakups on the agenda as regulators target tech - Reuters

America's lithium laws fail to keep pace with rapid development - Reuters

Oil rises as heightened geopolitical risks exacerbate supply concerns - Reuters

Repeated Raids in Gaza Raise Prospect of Endless War - The Wall Street Journal

Weakened House GOP majority reckons with Johnson’s leadership - The Washington Post

What’s the best way to put on a duvet cover?  - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Attack of the Biting Midges

 It was likely the worst beach experience that I have ever, and that includes a lot of beach experiences, had. 

It was a sad ending to a great day. 

View of the Atlantic
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
March 23, 2024

We began the day with a trip to the Elliott Museum in Stuart, FL, to see the King Tut replicas, the antique car collection and the baseball memorabilia. We also learned about the Ashley Gang who were early 1900s South Florida moonshiners and, during prohibition, rum-runners.

King Lucas
Elliott Museum, Stuart, FL
March 23, 2024

Then lunch at a small cafe with a view of the Atlantic.

For the late-afternoon, Chris and I along with Jeremy and Luke, headed off to the beach to enjoy the day which had cleared and was bright and sunny. What we did not consider, as we headed out, was that a significant rainstorm passed through the Jupiter/Tequesta area while we were in Stuart. That meant the area became a breeding ground for biting midges, also known as "no-see-ums." And we started scratching almost as soon as we settled onto the beach. It took us some time to realize that all of us were scratching and then Jeremy actually saw the no-see-ums on his shirt which helped us all understand that we were under attack. 

I thought we had bug spray in the beach bag, but alas it had been removed. After a while longer hoping the assault would cease, we decided to head home. We brushed each other off a well as possible at the car to preclude the bugs from finding a new home. Once we arrived at the house we visited the community pool to help get the bugs off our clothes and out of our hair. Then it was showers for all!

I am hopeful of never experiencing another biting midges attack again.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

They Arrived

 It was a busy evening. 

Jeremy and Teddy
Tequesta, FL
March 22, 2024

Jeremy and Luke along with Teddy and Gloria arrived about 4:45 PM and the electricians arrived about 6 PM to install the circuit for the charger. 

And so the evening began and continued until after 11 PM. 

There was a trip, during a vicious thunderstorm to the airport to retrieve Julie, but I stayed home and helped the electricians finish up with the circuit installation. Fortunately they had departed by the time Chris, Jeremy, and Julie got home from the airport. The installation project was more complex than I imagined, but the electricians worked hard for over four hours and completed the project shortly after 10 PM.

The car charged swiftly overnight and is now at 90 percent--which is, as I have been reading, the optimal charge, unless departing on a long trip. 

It was a fun, busy, and late evening.

Our boating plans for today changed due to expected rain, high winds and rough seas. Now we will likely be headed to the Elliott Museum in Stuart to revisit the King Tut exhibit and enjoy the remainder of the treasures there including the antique vehicles.

Note: I have a Keeshond in the house again! Well, only for a week.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Can You Believe It?

 It is Friday, again!

My Electrical Panel
Tequesta, FL
March 18, 2024

The end of the week just kind of sneaked up on me and suddenly everything I had been putting off is suddenly due. 

I know, what could I possibly have to get done by the weekend? Well, I have to completely reconfigure my garage to support the installation of the car charger, for one. At least there is space in my electrical box and apparently sufficient service to the condo to support the 40 amp car charger. 

And, I am behind in getting reservations for the sights we want to see on our upcoming European cruise and vacation. The cruise is locked in, but I need to get other sights reserved in both Rome and Venice since we are doing additional days there. I hope we can get our clothes cleaned somewhere. 

The electricians will be here about 5:30 pm so I have some time. But, Jeremy, Julie (later arriving at PBI), Luke and two dogs should also be arriving about that time as well. It might be a real circus around here. 

Happy Friday to all and may your end of week Happy Hour be especially enjoyable.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL