Out the Hotel Window - Las Vegas

 

Out the hotel window
Las Vegas, NV
October 29, 2024

I have to admit, the hotel we are staying in is not my favorite, but the view out the window is stunning. Both Chris and I enjoy having the curtains open to see the mountain out past the houses. There is also a golf course in our view. A par 3 hole tees off near us. 

Today we are off to the Grand Canyon. The weather is going to be cold, in the 40s. That should make it a pleasant experience. We are dressed for the cold. It has been cold and windy in Vegas also. I haven’t worn socks this many days in a row in a long time. 

Our fun getaway ends tomorrow with a day of travel. Ugh. But there is adventure ahead today. It is not yet sunrise here as it is just before 6 AM as I write this. The day is still young as the bus charges forward. 

— Bob Doan, somewhere near Boulder City, NV

Arriving Las Vegas

 

Looking towards the Grand Canyon 
October 28, 2024

Chris and I rolled into Las Vegas yesterday while it was still morning after getting up at 3 AM to get to the airport for our flight. We were allowed to check in early at our hotel. Yay. That was great and after a nap we were ready to hit the strip. 

The Venetian

Las Vegas, NV

October 28,2024

We walked down the strip from the Fountain bleu to the Bellagio. Of course it took a few hours and a stop for dinner. We wanted to see the Bellagio fountains, but the shows were canceled due to the high gusty winds. Of course we did not learn that until arriving for the show. Along the way we lost a few dollars in a slot machine just because we could. I was amazed at the architecture of the Venetian and I had forgotten how expansive was Caesar’s Palace. I enjoyed walking through the Flamingo to get to the monorail.

It was a busy first day and we were exhausted upon arriving back at our hotel. We recorded over 8 miles of walking over the course of the day. Wow, no wonder my feet hurt. 

— Bob Doan, Las Vegas, NV

Travel Day Again

 

Out the Window
Somewhere over the Gulf of Mexico
October 28, 2024

And we are traveling again. Chris and I are headed to Vegas and the Grand Canyon. I am flying Spirit airlines for the first time. It isn’t so bad, but I forgot how tight the Airbus A320’s are. I bump my head everywhere. And I’m not tall.

We are looking forward to the short trip. God willing we will be home on Friday.

It should be a good break from watching and reading election news.  Sometimes I wonder what else is happening in the world. 

I enjoyed driving the Mach-e to the airport at 4 AM. There was no traffic and I kept it on hands free driving most of the way. It was fun, but I still don’t trust it.

— Bob Doan, somewhere over the US

Vote, please

Kayaks on the Loxahatchee
Tequesta, FL
October 26, 2024

 Many of us are burned out with the election and cannot wait until it is over. 

But, we still need to do our part--VOTE. 

This election cycle has been going on, it seems, forever. We are in the home stretch and finally, We the People get to make the decision on our future. 

There have been many sensational revelations during the past few weeks. Yet, many Americans still seem to be clinging to the idea that they were better off four years ago. 

That is bunk!

We were in the middle of the pandemic, which was made worse by the denials of the then president. Stores were empty of critical supplies, the world was grinding down. Because of Trump's head-in-the-sand approach it is estimated that 600,000 Americans died needlessly. 

Oh but, inflation was under control. Right--until it wasn't because of Trump's disastrous decisions. Biden takes the heat for it, just like Trump takes credit for the fantastic economy that Obama presented him with. Trump's job was not to screw it up--and he failed. But like so much in Trump's career he has managed to foist his failure onto others. 

So many are looking backwards hoping for the good old days, but here again Trump is hoping to take credit Biden's success restoring the economy without a recession. The economy is great. Anyone who believes prices are going to go back to 2020 is living in a fantasy land. In fact, the tariffs are going to make prices jump. 

Also, has anyone else noted that Trump is a terrible judge of character? So many people he hired calling them the best ever and great suddenly became terrible people and stupid when they departed from service to Trump. And there are a lot. I'm have not heard of anyone departing service to Harris or Biden that way. 

I believe the difference is clear--

Chaos or Sanity

Retribution or Governing

Looking Behind or Moving Forward

I voted for Harris/Walz -- Because our future depends on it

Cancer Society 300-mile Challenge Update:

I rode 6.76 miles yesterday. The ride was short because I rode into a rainstorm and decided to go home rather than get soaked. I have ridden 326.8 miles and fully met the 300-mile goal.

Programming Note: Monday Musings will not be published tomorrow because Chris and I will be traveling

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

From the Ocean

Looking at the Shore
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
October 24, 2024

 The other evening, as Chris and I along with friends were celebrating Happy Hour, I had the opportunity to look back at the shore while standing ankle deep in the rough surf. The sun was dipping below the dunes, the trees and one lone palm tree was illuminated. It was a scene to remember. The sandy shore, the palm, and the bright sun. We have not enjoyed a lot of bright sun lately. 

I was happy to capture the image and remember the scene. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Beach Day

 

Chris in the bow as we were just underway
Manatee Pocket, FL
October 24, 2024

It was a two beach day!

Making up for the evening we were driven off two beaches by rainstorms, yesterday we visited two of our favorite beaches. One in the morning and one for Happy Hour. 

Finn Supervising Loading Operations
Peck Lake, FL
October 24, 2024

Chris and I began the day heading out of Manatee Pocket near Port Salerno into the intracoastal destined for our favorite usually deserted beach on the northern portion of Jupiter Island, across from Peck Lake. Along the way we saw a couple of new wrecks, likely from the hurricane. One wreck had sunk right at its mooring, I suspect the bilge pumps failed. Another wreck was just off the channel that connects Manatee Pocket with the St Lucie River and the intracoastal. Salvage operations were underway as we returned at the end of our planned activity. 

The ocean was rough, but the beach was all ours. Finn enjoyed checking out the debris from the storm that was strewn along the beach. There was a strong North wind that made securing the boat a challenge, but Chris and I worked through it and finally got the stern anchor set in the correct position. We were very relaxed on the beach and remained until just after noon when we headed back to the marina so we could get home in time to have lunch and prepare for our beach Happy Hour. 

Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, FL
October 24, 2024

We met friends on the Carlin Park Beach for Happy Hour. We realized that in less than a month our beach Happy Hours will be shorter as the loss of DST means that we have less daylight.

We were treated to live music and a wedding while we were at the beach. I am getting used to the weddings and at least they did not make us move. The evening began to settle and we left the beach shortly after the ceremony concluded. There were a few surfers attempting to ride the waves, but they were mostly very short rides.

It was a great day of enjoying late October in Florida.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Enjoy the Beauty

North Fork Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
October 23, 2024

 I took the adjoining image while stopped on the Tequesta Bridge over the N Fork of the Loxahatchee River. It was one of those scenes that only infrequently happens with puffy clouds and a nearly smooth river surface. I stopped my bike ride to enjoy it. It was a great day for a ride and I added over 18 miles to my total for the month. 

I had some time to think during my ride yesterday. I continue to be amazed at how many people still support Trump even after he is clearly exhibiting signs of old age, bordering on dementia, far worse than ever exhibited by Biden--and yet most felt that was disqualifying for the job. I am very concerned that should Trump get elected he will not finish his term and we will have the most inexperienced president ever in the form of JD Vance. The republican ticket is a potential disaster for America and people don't get it. There is no plan. Everyone wants a plan from Harris, and she has provided it but many refuse to accept it. She has posted it on the Kamala Harris website. 

I guess I had too much alone time. 

The difference is clear to me: chaos or sanity.

Cancer Society 300-mile Challenge Update:

I biked 18.11 miles yesterday. I have exceeded the 300-mile challenge by riding 320.4 miles.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Something is Out of Place

Boats above the Building

 Chris and I joined friends at one of our favorite watering holes for Happy Hour last evening. It was $2 Tuesday and that makes it a celebration. 

As we parked the car, however, we noticed boats that just seemed a bit out of place. Tiki52, the restaurant of choice for the evening, shares a waterfront with a marina. We usually park near the building where the boats are not visible on their storage racks, but last evening we noticed them for the first time. It just seemed strange having boats in their spaces above the building. 

We have become used to the multi-tiered storage system, it is similar to ones we have seen used in big cities to park cars. With the boats there is a large special built tractor which takes the boats from the storage space and then moves it either onto stands for maintenance or places the boat into the water. We see this system in use at Pirates Cove Marina where we often motor from when we reserve a boat for the day. 

We just had never seen the boats seemingly atop a building. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Excitement and Frustration

 

Yesterday was filled both exciting and  frustrating activities. 

Me Taking a Victory Lap
Tequesta, FL
October 21, 2024

In the excitement category, I completed 300 miles for the American Cancer Society October Challenge! My friends and family raised $430 to fight cancer. Thank you to all who participated by donating. I have enjoyed having a biking goal. Although I achieved the 300-mile goal, I will continue to bike until Chris and I head off on a short vacation during the last week of the month. I expect that by the time October 2024 concludes that I will set a new personal record for the number of miles biked during a month. 

In another example of excitement, Chris and I voted yesterday. It was the first day of early in-person voting in Florida. I was happy to vote and make my thoughts known on a wide variety of candidates and issues. It was a complex and very long ballot.

Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, FL
October 21, 2024

Finally, and now comes the frustration, Chris and I decided to head off to the beach to celebrate Happy Hour. The weather, from our Condo, looked windy but nice. We did not see the multiple rainstorms over the ocean until we arrived at the first of the two beaches we visited. Arriving about 4 PM, we set up on Carlin Park Beach to enjoy watching some brave surfers in the extremely rough, red flag rough, surf. The waves did not appear to be to be suitable for surfing--but there were a few brave souls attempting to enjoy their sport of choice.

We had been at the beach about 10 or so minutes when the rainstorm to the right in the image descended upon us. We expeditiously broke camp and headed to the car. Not to be thwarted from our desire for a beach happy hour, we headed to our favorite local Jupiter Island beach just south of Blowing Rocks. The weather to the looked better in that area. We arrived there about 4:30 PM and got set up. We enjoyed being on that beach for about 15 minutes, and almost a glass of wine, before a more severe storm appeared and drove us from the beach.

We arrived home at almost precisely 5 PM, soaked to the bone and covered with wet sand. The weather at home, of course, was sunny and pleasant.

The excitement and the frustration. 

Cancer Society 300-mile Challenge Update:

I rode 12.72 miles yesterday. I have competed the 300-mile challenge by logging a total of 301.93 miles during the month of October 2024. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings Addendum for October 21, 2024

 

Somehow I forgot the morning family NFL Report and so here it is:

1.  Family NFL Report. Family teams went 3-1 with the Cowboys on a BYE and the Ravens playing tonight.

Cowboys (3-3) were on a BYE

Steelers (5-2) pummeled Jets (2-5), 37-15  

Ravens (4-2) play tonight against Buccaneers (4-2)

Commanders (5-2) obliterated Panthers (1-6), 40-7

Dolphins (2-4) were landed by Colts (4-3), 10-16 

Chiefs (6-0) got past 49ers (3-4), 28-18

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL