The Wandering Disciple

Sarasota, Florida: World War II aviation history made a stop on the Suncoast this weekend as the Commemorative Air Force stopped by with their Airpower History Tour. The tour consists of four aircraft the PT-17 Stearman, Stearman Speedmail, C-45 Expeditor and B-29 Superfortress. The PT-17 Stearman was manufactured by Boeing and used as a trainer for the US Army Air Corps and the US Navy. The Stearman entered service in 1935 and was produced until 1945. It was the primary training aircraft for the aviators during World War II. The limited model Stearman Speedmail was produced by Stearman to provide luxury transports and deliver mail. The Speedmail on display was owned by the Richfield Oil Company to advertise the Jimmie Allen Flying Club.  The C-45 Expediter is a military transport plane built by Beechcraft to transport military staff. On display is the “Bucket of Bolts” a C-45 in the British Royal Air Force. The highlight of the tour is the “Fifi”, the last remaining...

The lower Manhattan skyline covered in a layer of summer haze as seen from the top of the Empire State Building.  In addition to providing a bird's eye view of NYC, on a clear day you can see over 80 miles encompassing five states from the observation deck.  (Photo: August 26, 2005)

Meteorologist Al Roker poses for photos at Madame Tussauds in New York City.  The weatherman from the Today Show on NBC is just one of about a hundreds celebrities who have been recreated in wax form and on display at the museum.  (Photo: August 26, 2005)

The Serengeti Express pulls into the Nairobi Train Station at Busch Gardens. The Serengeti Express provides rail service through the park’s Serengeti Plain, home to giraffes, rhinos, zebras and much more. The loop also services the Congo and Stanleyville area of the park. (Photo: July 24, 2005)

Guest hold on for a wild ride on the Swamp Thing roller coaster at Cypress Gardens.  Swamp Thing was one of four roller coasters at the former central Florida theme park.  Cypress Gardens closed in 2009.  It was redesigned and reopened as Legoland Florida in 2011.  This coaster is now the Flying School in the  Lego City portion of the park.  (Photo of the Day: July 4, 2005)

A colorful painting depicting Delta Air Lines service from New York City to the world adorns a building in Midtown Manhattan.  (Photo: June 18, 2005)

Take a wild ride with Aerosmith on the Rock 'N' Roller Coaster.  Jump aboard the stretch limo and go zero to sixty in less then three seconds on the roller coaster that features three inversions choreographed to Aerosmith music.  (Photo: April 9, 2005)

Arizona One flies high over Orlando International Airport as it departs the airport. Arizona One is one of several special edition aircraft flown by Southwest Airlines. (Photo: February 15, 2014)

A colorful jester statue welcomes guests to the pool area at Port Orleans French Quarter. The resort recreates the Mardi Gras atmosphere of New Orleans French Quarter in the heart of Walt Disney World. (Photo: April 9, 2005)

Nahtazu! Pass through these gates at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and you will quickly see that it is not a zoo. It is a whole lot more. The 500 acre Animal Kingdom park is home to many species of animals, thrilling rides and entertaining shows. (Photo: April 9, 2005)

The Stave Church in the Norway Pavilion is one of many Nordic landmarks recreated at Walt Disney World's Epcot World Showcase.  Norway joins ten other countries in the World Showcase, a cultural journey around the world with authentic foods, clothing and attractions.  (Photo: February 26, 2005)

The evil Ursula lights up the parade route in SpectroMagic at the Magic Kingdom.  SpectroMagic brought the Disney movies to life in a parade featuring thousands of lights.  SpectroMagic appeared nightly at the Magic Kingdom from 2001 to 2010.  (Photo: February 26, 2005)

A stilt walker entertains the crowd at Busch Gardens Tampa.  Know for its wild rides and wild animals, Busch Gardens also has a great entertainment schedule featuring singing, dancing and much more in several exciting shows.  (Photo: January 2, 2005)

A B-52 Stratofortress is the centerpiece of the B-52 Park at Orlando International Airport. The B-52 spotlights the airports history as McCoy Air Force Base. (Photo: February 14, 2014)

The boys of summer are back as spring training kicks off throughout Florida and Arizona.  Pitchers and catchers are already in camp and position players are due in camp soon to get ready for the 2014 season.  (Photo: February 22, 2009)

The lighthouse and harbor welcome guests to Sea World Orlando. Opened in 1973, Sea World Orlando is home to exciting aquatic shows featuring Shamu, Clyde and Seymore and many more. The 200 acre park is also home to 11 thrilling rides. (Photo: August 28, 2004)

A lorikeet sits on the fence at Busch Gardens in Tampa. The lorikeet exhibit allows visitors to interact with the colorful lorikeets and feed them.  (Photo: June 27, 2004)

In honor of President Abraham Lincoln's birthday, today's photo of the day is of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. Built in 1922, the memorial on the National Mall pays tribute to the nation's sixteenth president. (Photo: February 16, 2009)

Laido Dittmar performs his juggling act during Circus Sarasota’s performance of Wonderstruck. Performing since he was six years old, Dittmar has traveled the world to show off his juggling skills. (Photo: February 8, 2014)

Caroline Williams circles the ring in the Red, White and Blue during a patriotic performance at Circus Sarasota. Williams performs several quick change routines while riding horseback for her opening act in the circus. Circus Sarasota runs through February 23. (Photo: February 8, 2014)

Chucko the Clown entertains the crowd at Circus Sarasota. Chucko and many more great acts can be seen through the month of Febuary during Circus Sarasota's 2014 show "Wonderstruck". (Photo: February 8, 2014)

Sarasota, Florida: The circus comes to town under the big top as Circus Sarasota opens for its 2014 season with a performance called Wonderstruck. Wonderstruck features performers from all over the globe to provide a wonderful performance ranging from comedy to high flying aerial acrobatics. Circus Sarasota founder Pedro Reis has searched the world for the top circus acts to make Wonderstruck the best show yet. This year's show is hosted by Ty McFarlan and features the following performers and acts: Caroline Williams - horseback quick change  Laido Dittmar - juggling  Dolly Jacobs and Rafael Palacios - aerial aerobatics  Tony and Janette Alexis - classic clowns  Erik Niemen - tightrope  Deng Lin and Miao Changwei - hand balancing  Luciano Anastasini - dog act  Cornel Tell - crossbow sharp shooting  Jan Navrátil - foot juggling  Chuck Sidlow - Chucko the Clown  The Flying Cortes - trapeze  Wonderstruck runs thr...

The EC-130 aircraft of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard sit on the ramp at Harrisburg International Airport. Harrisburg International Airport is home to the 193rd Special Operations Wing which has operated at the airport since 1964. (Photo: May 1, 2004)

The twin smoke stacks of the Hershey Chocolate Factory greet travelers passing though Chocolate Town USA. The smoke stacks, cocoa bushes and the rich smell of chocolate in the air are signs that you are in Hershey, Pennsylvania the home of the Hershey's Chocolate Company. (Photo: May 1, 2004)

The first US Airways Airbus to be rebranded in American Airlines colors makes a stop at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.  US Air and American merged last year to create the new American Airlines.  N700UW, an Airbus A319 was the first of the 345 US Airways planes to receive the new colors.  (Photo: February 5, 2014)

The Ford Trimotor owned by the Experimental Aircraft Association performs a flight over Sarasota Bay during a recent visit to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. The Fort Trimotor was produced by Ford Motor Company from 1925 through 1933 and 199 of them were placed into service. Today only 18 remain in existence and only 8 of them are still airworthy. This one owned by the EAA was built in 1929 and travels the country providing flights in the classic aircraft. (Photo: February 3, 2014)

“Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God” is the the inscription on the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Here lies the remains of three unidentified soldiers guarded by Sentinels of the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment. (Photo: April 29, 2004)

Located just off the National Mall in Washington DC, the US Bureau of Printing and Engraving is responsible for much of the nation’s printing needs, including money. The Bureau of Printing and Engraving is the main function is printing US dollar bills but also serves as the largest producer of government documents as well. Tours of the bureau to see the process in actions are available daily. (Photo: April 29, 2004)

Once the heart of the New York City Police Department, today the old NYPD headquarters in Little Italy is now high-end luxury apartments. Opened in 1909, the building functioned at the headquarters of the police department through 1973 when the it was relocated. The building remained vacant until 1983 when the city agreed to plans from a developer to transform the building into luxury apartments. (Photo: April 26, 2004)

A large cannon protects Fort James from invaders at the Jamestown Settlement. Located along the James River in Virginia Jamestown Settlement, the Jamestown Settlement tells the history of the Powhatan tribe and the English settlers. (Photo: April 24, 2004)