Sliding Out of Easter

Easter in a Yard
Tequesta, FL
March 31, 2024

We still have some of our Easter decorations adorning the house. I know, Easter has passed and now it is onto full-fledged Springtime.

The trees in Florida are leafing and the ones that drop their leaves are becoming green. Every year I get people in the community telling me the trees have died and need to be cut down, I have to remind them that these trees are ones that actually lose their leaves during Autumn. 

I am not sure what the next decorating season is going to be? I guess Independence Day. That should be fun, but we have a lot of travel coming before then. The next two months are crazy busy. Maryland at the end of the month, then Italy in May, followed by a return to Maryland in June for the bike trip over the GAP.

Wow! 

I kind of miss Easter already. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

As the Sun Sets

As the Sun Goes Down
Tequesta, FL
March 30, 2024

During the morning as the sun rises and the evening as the sun sets, the colors of the world seem more vibrant. The golden and reddish hues accentuate the landscape and the sky becomes darker with the clouds reflecting the light of the sun to the ground. 

Even standing right outside of my door, looking towards the setting sun the scene is transformed from what I normally experience by the silhouetted and freshly trimmed palm trees which provide their own exclamation point for the scene. Even the reflected sun from the pool house seems more colorful than during the bright portion of the day. 

Last Saturday evening the sky and the sun caught my eye as I stepped outside. It was one of the evenings that I enjoy most about Florida. A late-March relatively cool evening (in the 70s) with low humidity. And the palm trees. It had been a busy and somewhat melancholy day. We had said good-bye to Luke and the dogs after a fun-filled week and the house seemed very empty and quiet. While we were happy that Luke was reunited with his Dad and Julie, there was a sense of emptiness. We have so few visitors that we truly enjoy each of them and miss them when the house returns to normal. Even the dogs were fun to have around, despite their occasional antics and the need to walk them three times a day. 

The end of the day is a time of reflection. Haha, see what I did there?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Dinner Guest

Dinner Guest
Port Salerno, FL
April 1, 2024

Chris and I headed out to Port Salerno last evening for Happy Hour and dinner with friends. It was a beautiful spot right along the water near a marina and the boat traffic kept me entertained for most of the evening. 

We were at a place called Shrimpers Grill and Raw Bar, which was very enjoyable. The weather was fantastic with a nice breeze. 

One of the highlights of the evening for me, however, was a waterbird that just enjoyed hanging out on the concreted deck next to us waiting for scraps--which never came. 

It was a nice evening and a great way to start the second quarter of the year. 

Oh yes, I also did get the taxed done and submitted. Thankfully, it was a bit easier this year than last.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - April 1, 2024

 

1. Welcome to 2CY2024. Today also is the first Monday of April meaning that there are 39 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. Tax Day is 15 days away. I am doing my taxes today!

Found on Facebook

3. It has to be an abomination. I saw a commercial with the self-proclaimed smartest man in the world selling bibles with the Constitution in them. I found the image to the right in a friend's post (thanks Dave) on Facebook. It is so true. And yet, he has a new slogan--Make America Pray Again. Trust me, I am!

4. I hope you are enjoying your Easter Monday!

5. There is a news item below from Reuters about how buyers are not purchasing Tesla's because of Musk. That is true. I have been fascinated by the Tesla since it was introduced, but did not consider buying one when we recently purchased our EV because of Musk. People vote with their wallets and their feet!

6. Today in History. On April 1, 1945, after suffering the loss of 116 planes and damage to three aircraft carriers, 50,000 U.S. combat troops, under the command of Lieutenant General Simon B. Buckner Jr., land on the southwest coast of the Japanese island of Okinawa, 350 miles south of Kyushu, the southern main island of Japan. Determined to seize Okinawa as a base of operations for the army ground and air forces for a later assault on mainland Japan, more than 1,300 ships converged on the island, finally putting ashore 50,000 combat troops.

Anti-Kremlin hackers avenge Navalny's death - CNN

Protesters take to the streets of Jerusalem calling for Netanyahu’s removal - CNN

At least 7 children, ages 12 to 17, were wounded in a shooting in downtown Indianapolis, police say - CNN

Would-be Tesla buyers snub company as Musk's reputation dips - Reuters

Exclusive: Iran alerted Russia to security threat before Moscow attack - Reuters

After bridge collapse, Maryland governor urges Congress to pass funding for rebuild - Reuters

The Newest Home-Buying Puzzle: What to Pay Your Real-Estate Agent - The Wall Street Journal

How Gen Z Is Becoming the Toolbelt Generation - The Wall Street Journal

Wait, does America suddenly have a record number of bees? - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

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