The Wandering Disciple

Brightly colored blooms and intricate character topiaries dominate the scenery of Epcot during the annual Epcot International Florida & Garden Festival. The event transforms the park into colorful displays featuring over 100 Disney topiaries. (Photo: March 27, 2007)

Sarasota, Florida: The battle for roster spots heat up as spring training nears conclusion and Friday afternoon’s game between the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers was no different. Headlining this contest was a pair of pitchers battling for the fifth spot in the rotation as Brian Matusz battled for a spot in the Orioles rotation while Duane Below found himself in a similar situation in the Tigers rotation. As for the game itself, another exciting spring game with the Tigers edging the Orioles by two thanks to a ninth inning rally. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. With runners on first and second, Miguel Cabrera came through with an RBI double to right that scored both runners. Cabrera later scored on a ground ball by Delmon Young as the Tigers took an early 3-0 lead. The Orioles got a run back in the bottom of the second as Detroit’s starter Below worked himself into a bases loaded jam. Below walked three straight batters to load the bases a...

The Black Diamond Jet Team flies high over the crowd during the 2012 Florida International Air Show. The Lakeland based team is one of few civilian jet demonstration teams. The team consists of five L-39 Albatros and two Russian Mig-17. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

The F/A-18 Hornet does a touch and go during a performance at the 2012 Florida International Air Show at the Charlotte County Airport. The F/A-18 Hornet is a multi-role fighter jet used by the US Navy. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

Team RV performs at the 2012 Florida International Air Show. With twelve aircraft on their team, Team RV is the largest performing air show act. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

The runway at Charlotte County Airport was set ablaze on Sunday afternoon during an air and land speed showdown took place the 2012 Florida International Airshow. Gary Ward took to the skies in his MX2 aircraft to race Jerry McCart in the Wicked Willy Jet Car. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

Punta Gorda, Florida: The skies over Charlotte County came alive this weekend with the sights and sounds of the 32nd annual Florida International Air Show at the Charlotte County Airport. The show featured aerial acts that spanned several generations from World War II era to modern day fighters as well as acrobatic planes. This year’s event was headlined by two jet performance teams; The Navy’s Blue Angels and the Black Diamond civilian jet team. The third headline act was the largest air show team; Team RV. But that was just the beginning; there were many more aerial and static displays to entertain the crowd. Over 50,000 people packed to the event each day to enjoy the show. All of the guests were treated to a spectacular show with the proceeded benefiting local charities.  We decided to attend Sunday’s show. Mother Nature made us a little worried on Saturday as it looked like Sunday might be a wash-out. But miraculously, the rain cleared just prior to the start o...

A four-story can of Play-Doh is just one of the many oversized childhood relics that adorn Disney's Pop Century Resort. Pop Century pays tribute to many of the pop icons of the decades from the 50's through the 90's. (Photo: March 28, 2007)

Sarasota, Florida: The Baltimore Orioles edged the Boston Red Sox 6-5 in a spring training exhibition game on Friday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium. The Orioles jumped out to an early two run lead in the first inning when Adam Jones delivered a two-run homer to give the O's a 2-0 lead.  Then in the top of the second, the Red Sox countered with two runs of their own. Jason Repko singled home a run with a line drive to second. Then Lars Anderson later scored on a passed ball to tie the game 2-2. The Orioles regained the lead in the third on a home run by Nike Markakis. The two run shot gave the Orioles a 4-2 lead. The Orioles added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth when Robert Andino doubled home Mark Reynolds to extend the lead to 5-2. Both clubs exchanged runs in the sixth inning. It was Tony Thomas scoring on an RBI single by Mauro Gomez in the top of the inning. Then in the bottom half, Andino drove home his second run of the night with an RBI single to ...

A young lion stalks in the brush waiting for the perfect opportunity to pounce on its siblings. The playful lions are part of the Edge of Africa exhibit at Busch Gardens in Tampa. The walking trail features lions, meerkat, hyenas, hippos and lemurs as well as views of the wildlife on the Serengeti Plain. (Photo: March 10, 2007)

Sarasota, Florida: Minor league spring training continues as the Rays A-ball teams traveled to Twin Lakes Park to face the Orioles. In the Advanced-A game, the Charlotte Stone Crabs faced the Frederick Keys. In the Class-A game it was the Bowling Green Hot Rods against the Delmarva Shorebirds. We are entering the midpoint of the spring training slate and players are getting closer to opening day ready. The trickle down effect is beginning to occur as players are being sent down from big league camp. With in the next week or so, the rosters will begin to shape up and start looking closer to the opening day roster. Click here for photos from the Stone Crabs/Keys game . Click here for photos from the Hot Rods/Shorebirds game.

Jellyfish glow a bright purple under the lights of the jellyfish tank at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa's Channelside District. The Florida Aquarium features over 20,000 different aquatic animals and plants. (Photo: January 28, 2007)

The American Victory sits docked at the port of Tampa in tribute to the Merchant Marine vessels of World War II. The SS American Victory served as a cargo vessel in the Pacific during World War II. It was turned into a museum ship in Tampa. (Photo: January 28, 2007)

An Orangutan climbs on its play structure at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. The orangutan is just one of the 1,700 animals on exhibit at the zoo. (Photo: January 21, 2007)

A bright red lorikeet sits in the foliage of the Lory Landing at Busch Gardens Tampa. The free flight aviary allows guests to feed and interact with the lorikeets. (Photo: December 31, 2006)

Port Charlotte, Florida: Minor league spring training continues under the sunny skies of Florida as the Bowling Green Hot Rods hosted the Delmarva Shorebirds today at Charlotte Sports Complex. This match-up featured some of the younger players in the Rays and Orioles organization getting playing time as they prepare for the 2012 season. The game also featured several Major League Rays pitcher getting time on the mound as the big league club was on the road. Instruction is the main focus of minor league spring training games so no scores or official stats are recorded.  Click on the photo above to view my Hot Rods/Shorebirds spring training photo gallery .

The bright blue waters of the Bahamas greet you as your cruise ship enters Prince George Wharf in Nassau. Nassau is a popular cruise port with several ships visiting each day. In addition to being a tourist destination, Nassau is also the home to the Bahamian Parliament. (Photo: October 27, 2006)

Mountain peaks rise above the ocean as the Navigator of the Seas pulls into St Maarten. St Maarten is the smallest island to be divided between two nations with half the island French and the other half Dutch. This photo was taken as the ship was entering into the Dutch capital of Philipsburg. (Photo: October 25, 2005)

A view of Charlotte Amalie's bayfront as seen from the Paradise Point Tram. Charlotte Amalie is a major port of call for Eastern Caribbean cruise itineraries. Here the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas and the Carnival Triumph can be seen docked at the West Indian Company port. (Photo: November 24, 2006)

Sarasota, Florida: Minor league spring training games kicked off today with the Charlotte Stone Crabs traveling to Sarasota to face the Frederick Keys. This marks the first game of a three week schedule of exhibition games as the players prepare for the upcoming season. The games are for training purposes only and no score or official stats are maintained. The rosters will change throughout the spring season as players move around in advance to opening day. Click on the photo above to view my Stone Crabs/Keys spring training gallery .

Colorful homes and historic structures dot the coast of San Juan. San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico. Established in 1509, the city is separated into two main sections; Old San Juan and New San Juan. Old San Juan was the original fortified city, protected by three forts. (Photo: October 23, 2006)

Is it possible to play golf with no land in sight? Well of course it is when you aboard the Navigator of the Seas. Navigator Dunes is a nine hole miniature golf course on the sports deck of the ship. The course provides sweeping views of the great blue ocean and is a great place to have fun while the cruise ship is at sea. (Photo: October 22, 2006)

Just off the coast of downtown Miami lies one of the most wealthiest areas in the country, Fisher Island. The private island accessible only by ferry or private boat is home to many celebrities. Orpah Winfrey, Julia Roberts, Jim Carrey and Andre Agassi are just a few of the many notable people who have lived on the island at one point. (Photo: October 21, 2006)

Mickey Mouse entertains guests at the Magic Kingdom park during the Little One's Party. For select days during the year, the Magic Kingdom opened an hour early for guests under the age of 5 so they could enjoy Fantasyland with all their favorite Disney characters. The Disney characters spent the hour playing games and riding rides with the kids, an interaction that would be impossible during regular park hours. (Photo: August 20, 2006)

Sarasota, Florida: Bright sunny skies greeted spectators as they filled Ed Smith Stadium for a spring training exhibition game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves. They were treated to a great contest as the Orioles dueled to a 2-1 win over the Braves. Both clubs pitching staff dueled through a scoreless game until the top of the seventh inning. That’s when the Braves outfielder Eric Hinske struck a solo home run to right to break the scoreless tie. The Orioles didn’t waste time in tying the game as their struck for a run of their own in the home half of the seventh inning. Jai Miller lined a pitch straight up the middle, allowing Joe Mahoney to score and tie the game 1-1. The Orioles prospects came through to help the big club in the eighth inning. They wasted no time in putting a runner in scoring position as Caleb Joseph double to left to lead off the inning. Manny Machado followed with a single to left to put runners on the corners with no outs. The ...

A symbol of luxury, the Grand Floridian Resort stands tall along the banks of the Seven Seas Lagoon at Walt Disney World. The Victorian style resort is the crown jewel of the resort hotels at Walt Disney World. (Photo: August 20, 2006)

Brewers One departs Sarasota-Bradenton International on a sunny morning. Brewers One is one of several special edition Boeing 717 aircraft operated by AirTran to symbolize major corporate sponsorships. (Photo: March 6, 2012)

Along the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon lies one of Walt Disney World's original resort hotels. The Polynesian Resort was opened in 1971 and uses a combination of longhouses surrounding a central Great Ceremonial House to created a Polynesian village right in the heart of Walt Disney World. (Photo: August 19, 2006)

Every night, Epcot's World Showcase lagoon comes alive with the sights and sounds of Illuminations. The nightly show has been dazzling spectators since its inception in 1999. The show incorporates fireworks, laser lights, water fountains, a fire barge and an illuminate Earth globe to tell the story. (Photo: August 18, 2006)

Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade has been entertaining guests at Disney's Animal Kingdom every afternoon since 2001. The fifteen minute parade features all of your favorite Disney characters dancing and performing in an African festival style parade. (Photo: August 18, 2006)