The Wandering Disciple

Sarasota, Florida: Today we decided to go kayaking on the south end of Siesta Key. We launched from the kayak launch at Turtle Beach and paddled south towards the Jim Neville Marine Preserve, with a beach stop along the way. This paddling trip was rated as one of the top 10 in our area and we were really looking forward to trying it. Our journey began at the Turtle Beach ramp. Unlike the mass of vendors we experienced last week at South Lido, the crowd here at Turtle Beach wasn't bad. We unloaded the kayaks and began our trip. The ramp leads you through a large channel with condos and homes on each side before you reach the bay. From there we headed southwest and made a stop at the beach. The beach was amazing. When we pulled our kayaks ashore, there were only a handful of people on this stretch of beach. Years ago, this was the Midnight Pass which separated Siesta Key from Casey Key. But over time, the pass closed and the county made no attempt at dredging th...

A brown pelican flies along the surf at Brohard Beach in Venice.  The beach is a great place to watch shorebirds come the surf looking for their next meals.  (Photo: April 14, 2013)

A pair of Great Horned Owls sits in their nest at Stump Pass State Park on the south end of Manasota Key. As the babies sat in the nest, mother was not far away watching from a nearby tree. The owls are a popular resident of the coastal park (Photo: March 5, 2013)

The Tree of Life is the centerpiece of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. But it is not actually a tree, it is an oil rig structure that has been designed to look like a tree. It is home to the “It’s Tough to be a Bug” 4-D show. (Photo: February 11, 2013)

The wildest ride in the wilderness passes over a bridge in the western town of Tumbleweed. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is one of the three Disney mountains that are fan favorites at the Magic Kingdom Park. (Photo: February 11, 2013)

A helicopter from the Department of Homeland Security lands at the American Heroes Air Show.  The AS-350 photographed here is used primarily for city operations and is one of the many aviation resources available for the Customs and Border Protection.  (Photo: January 19, 2013)

The marsh landscape dominates the horizon at Ten Thousands Islands National Wildlife Refuge in South Florida. (Photo: December 9, 2012)

Like soldiers in formation, the headstones at the Sarasota National Cemetery pays tribute to those who paid the sacrifice while serving their country. Today as we celebrate Memorial Day, take a moment to pay your respect to those men and woman who paid ultimate sacrifice while protecting our freedoms. (Photo: August 25, 2014)

Sarasota, Florida: Our exploration of local waters continued as we ventured out to South Lido Park.  South Lido Park is known for having spectacular mangrove trails and is listed as a top ten kayak trail in the Suncoast. Its popularity was evident from arrival as cars were parked several blocks away.  We unloaded the kayaks and then fought to find a parking space.  Its a shame the amount of vendors at the park.  Parking is already limited and much of the parking lot is filled with vendors and their trailers full of kayaks. We launched our kayaks and began to explore the park.  The park features a kayak trail which encounters several mangrove tunnels.  Unfortunately, I did not bring a map, so we just decided to wing it.  The water was easy to navigate, but we did end up going against traffic through one of the tunnels. The water here is very calm and shallow, making it a great place for beginners and family.  I was extremely happy as it he...

A baby gator keeps warm on a log at Fakahatchee Strand State Park. Because gators are cold blooded, they lay in the sun to help regulate their body temperature in the cooler months. (Photo: December 9, 2012)

A blockhouse at Collier-Seminole Park is a look back at the early days of Indian inhabited Florida. Houses like these were used to help fend off attacks by Seminole Indians (Photo: December 9, 2012)

Port Charlotte, Florida: The Stone Crabs watched an early lead slip away but used a big sixth inning to defeat the Tampa Yankees on Saturday night at Charlotte Sports Park. The Stone Crabs took an early lead in the second inning. Marty Gantt doubled to left to lead off the inning. He moved to third following a single by Mike Marjama. Gantt then scored on a ground ball by Maxx Tissenbaum to give the Stone Crabs a 1-0 lead. Tampa battled back to take the lead an inning later. They led off the inning with back to back singles by Vicente Conde and Derek Toadvine. Mark Payton tied the game with an RBI single to score Conde. Toadvine later score the go ahead run on a sac fly by Tyler Wade to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead. The Stone Crabs trailed until the sixth inning when they sent ten hitters to the plate in a six run frame. Tissenbaum, Braxton Lee, Juniel Querecuto, Kean Wong, and Jake Bauers all collected RBI’s to put the Stone Crabs in front to stay 7-1. Click on the photo above...

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 482nd Fighter Wing sits on display at Homestead Air Reserve Base. The base is home to a squadron of reservist F-16’s. (Photo: November 3, 2012)

Air Force Two, the official plane of the Vice President, lands at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport during a visit by Vice President Biden. The title “Air Force Two” is given to any airplane carrying the vice president. (Photo: October 30, 2012)

Thousands of Lego sculptures are located everywhere you turn at the Legoland Florida theme park. The building blocks are used to create sculptures, decorate rides and even create cities on display at the park. (Photo: October 27, 2012)

Port Charlotte, Florida: After being pretty much non-existent on Monday night, the Stone Crabs offense was on fire Tuesday night as they crushed the Jupiter Hammerheads 11-3 at Charlotte Sports Park. The offense combined for 18 hits on the night and every hitter in the lineup reached base at least once. The scoring started in the first inning with the Hammerheads getting on the board with a pair of runs. JT Riddle and Austin Dean led off the inning with back to back singles. A walk to Brian Anderson would load the bases with no outs. Felix Munoz and Avery Romero would each drive in a run to give the Hammerheads a 2-0 lead. The Stone Crabs countered in the bottom of the first. Marty Gantt singled and Kean Wong doubled to lead off the inning and put two runners in scoring position. Gantt scored on a ground out by Willy Adames for the first run of the frame. Granden Goetzman drove home Wong to tie the game. Juniel Querecuto followed with a single to put another runner on the base p...

A NASCAR race car speeds down the straightaway at Walt Disney World Speedway. The Richard Petty Driving Experience gives the everyday race fan an opportunity to get behind the wheel of a race car and experience what it is like to be a race car driver. (Photo: September 29, 2012)

One of the newest addition to the Magic Kingdom, Beast’s Castle towers over the Fantasyland expansion. (Photo: September 29, 2012)

A wild hibiscus grows in the brush at Fort Desoto Park. The park is a great place to observe wild animals as well as the flora and fauna that provides their home. (Photo: April 7, 2012)

The skies over the Gulf of Mexico provide another picture perfect sunset. The west coast of Florida is known for its spectacular sunsets in which no two are alike. (Photo: July 12, 2012)

A stunt actor falls from a rooftop during Lights, Motors Action at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The action packed show give the audience a behind the scenes look at how action films are made. (Photo: January 28, 2012)

Bambi greets visitors to Epcot during the International Flower Festival. Scenes from famous Disney animated films are recreated in topiaries throughout the park during the annual festival. (Photo: January 7, 2012)

A red-shouldered hawk looks over the fence as it waits for prey to cross its path. Hawks can be found patiently sitting on fences, tree branches, power lines await an opportunity to strike for dinner. (Photo: December 10, 2012)

Aeromed lands in Englewood to transport a patient to a local trauma center. When seconds count, helicopter services like Aeromed help rapidly transport a victim to the hospital within the golden hour, increase the odds of survival. (Photo: December 22, 2012)

A sand sculptures sits on the white powdery sands of Siesta Key. These sculptures were part of a reality show called Sand Wars that appeared on the Travel Channel. (Photo: December 19, 2011)

The view from the top of the St Augustine is well worth the climb. At 165 feet tall, the lighthouse provides a stunning view of historic St Augustine as well as the Atlantic coast. (Photo: November 13, 2011)

A soldier patrols the grounds of Castillo de San Marcos.  The fort has been occupied by four separate nations (Spanish, English, American and Confederate) during its over 300 year history.  Built in 1672, it is the oldest masonry fort in United States.  (Photo:November 12. 2011)

A pirate flag for Calico Jack hangs on display at the Pirates and Treasures Museum in St Augustine.  Flags like these commonly referred to as a "Jolly Roger" were used to identify pirate vessels.  While the most common style was the black and white skull and crossbones, there were many variations of the flag depending on the pirate it represented.  The one pictured here belonged to Calico Jack, a pirate who was active until his execution in 1720.  Jolly Rogers such as this one are on display at the Pirates and Treasures Museum on the bayfront in St Augustine.  (Photo: November 12, 2011)

A Little Blue Heron stands motionless along the water at Fort Mose State Park just outside downtown Saint Augustine.  These wading birds can be found long the banks of Florida waterways searching for their next meal.  (Photo: November 12, 2011)

The towers of Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine tower over downtown St Augustine.  Built in 1793, the cathedral was a cornerstone to the catholic faith in St Augustine.  With over 450 years of service, it is known as America's First Parish.  (Photo: November 11, 2011)

The sun paints a colorful sky as it rises over Anastasia State Park in St Augustine. Surrounded by water on east and west, the Florida peninsula provide spectacular sunrises on the Atlantic coast and sunsets on the Gulf coast. (Photo: November 12, 2011)

The sun sets over Charlotte Sports Park on another great night of Florida State League baseball. Charlotte Sports Park is famous for its sunsets, providing a great backdrop for a nice night of baseball action. (Photo: August 20, 2011)

A nose cone of a C-5 Galaxy towers into the sky at MacDill Air Force Base. The C-5 Galaxy is among the military aircraft US Air Force and third largest military aircraft in the world. (Photo: November 6, 2011)

An elevated board walk meanders through the woods and swamps of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. The park features a board walk that meanders through distinct habitats in the 3,400 acre preserve. (Photo: October 23, 2011)

The advancements in technology is the heart of the Carousel of Progress. Originally designed by Walt Disney for the World’s Fair, it is the longest running stage show in history. (Photo: October 2, 2011)