The Wandering Disciple

Located on the north side of the Department of Commerce building just a few blocks from the White House is the White House Visitor's Center. The museum operated by the National Parks Service provides a glimpse inside life inside the White House. For years, it was as close as you could get to being inside the White House without being part of a group tour. That changed a few years ago when the President opened up the White House to individual self-guided tours which can be arranged through your congressional representative. (Photo: February 13, 2009)

A US Marine Corp Sikorsky VH-3 Sea King flies over the National Zoo on a flight towards the White House in Washington DC. The VH-3 is one of two helicopters flown by the Marines as part of the Presidential Airlift group. The Presidential helos are characterized by their white top. When the President is on board, the helicopter officially becomes Marine One. (Photo: February 13, 2009)

Philadelphia isn’t the only place in the country where you can see the Liberty Bell. Nestled in the busy courtyard of Washington DC’s Union Station is the Liberty Bell’s distant cousin, the Freedom Bell. Cast by the order of the American Legion, the Freedom Bell is a 2.1 scale replica of the Liberty Bell that was completed for the nation’s Bicentennial Celebration in 1976. It travelled the country on the American Freedom Train before finding a final resting place at Union Station. (Photo: February 14, 2009)

Some times it is the little things that make your home away from home feel like home.  Like coming in from a long day exploring the city only to find your stuffed friends waiting for you on the bed.  It is little gestures like this that help bring a smile to the face of the younger travelers in your party.  (Photo: February 13, 2009)

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: For decades Dolly Parton has entertained millions with her music. From growing up in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennesse through stardom in Nashville, there hasn’t been a country star more recognizable as Dolly Parton. Her legacy and career are idolized through a theme park in the Foothills of the Smoky Mountains called Dollywood. This vision of Dollywood really took off in 1986 when Dolly bought into Silver Dollar City Tennesse, a small theme park in Pigeon Forge. At the time the park had been open since 1961 as several different parks ranging from a Civil War park (Rebel Railroad) through Silver Dollar City and even a stint under ownership of Cleveland Browns owner Art Model. Under Dolly’s leadership, the park doubled in size and became the biggest ticketed attraction in Tennessee, entertaining over 3 million visitors each season. In addition to attractions dedicated to Dolly’s life and career, the park is packed with thrills around every corner. ...

The tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay region are a stunning site from the windows of an airplane.  In my opinion, there isn't a better view than the one seen when you are flying across the country.  This view was on a flight from Tampa to Washington DC on a heritage US Airways, now American Airlines Airbus A319.  (Photo: February 13, 2009)

They rocky shoreline of Caspersen Beach at the southern tip of the island of Venice makes for a perfect place to watch the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico.  The road on the island ends at Caspersen Beach, leaving beachwalkers miles of shoreline to explore with plenty of shells and shark teeth along the sand.  (Photo: February 1, 2009)

A wild iguana clings to a tree at Gasparilla Island State Park on the tiny island of Boca Grande.  The non-native reptiles were introduced by a resident in the 1970's when they released a trio of iguanas on the island.  By 2006, the population swelled to over 10,000 due to the iguana not having any natural predators on the island.  Today, an effort to control the species has reduced the number of iguanas on the island.  (Photo: January 25, 2009)

A suspension bridge spans across the Hillsborough River at Hillsborough River State Park.  The bridge connects the main section of the park with the Wetlands Trail.  The park features over 7 miles of hiking trails following the river.  (Photo: January 24, 2009)

The Birdwalk at Myakka River State Park is a popular spot for park visitors to sit and watch the wildlife along the Myakka River.  Extending out into the grasslands surrounding the river, the birdwalk give a closer view of the action without disturbing the delicate ecosystem below.  (Photo: January 11, 2009)

Union troops march through the Myakka prairie as they look to advance on Confederate troops further down the trail during a Civil War reenactment at the Crowley Nature Center in eastern Sarasota County.  Each year, the Crowley Nature Center hosted the Heritage Festival featured Civil War skirmish, cowboy encounters and living history interpreters demonstrating pioneer living. (Photo: January 10, 2009)

An Asian Elephant throws dirt on his back trying to keep cool in the hot Florida sun at Busch Gardens Tampa.  Since elephants can't put on sunscreen to protect them from the sun, they throw dirt on their back to help keep the sun off and try and stay cool.  (Photo: August 24, 2008)

A colony of penguins play in the arctic habitat at the Penguin Encounter at Sea World Orlando. This old encounter featured a moving beltway that took visitors through the habitat. The Penguin Encounter was replaced with the new and improved Empire of the Penguin ride and habitat in 2013. (Photo: July 5, 2008)

Flashback to eight years ago when Busch Gardens expanded and opened a new section of the park named Jungala. Jungala was built as a home for the tigers and orangutans with new features that allowed visitor to get closer to the animals than ever before. It features a three story rope bridge structure and two family rides to entertain everyone in the family. (Photo: April 13, 2008)

Like a scene from a postcard, the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico meet the crystals sands of the beach at Gasparilla Island State Park. (Photo: April 6, 2008)

Locomotive #580 of the Seminole Gulf Railway sits at the depot in Fort Myers. The #580 is a EMD GP9 locamotive used to pull cars along the routes of the Seminole Gulf Railway which stretch from Arcadia to Naples. (Photo: March 29, 2008)

A owl keeps a close eye on visitors to the Florida Aquarium.  The aquarium take visitors on a journey through the path of water from underground springs to the open oceans and introduces visitors to the animals and sea life that call these waters home.  (Photo: March 15, 2008)

We were in Tampa on Saturday and like our usual trips to Tampa, I squeezed in a little plansepotting time before we left.  After lunch, I pulled up FlightAware to see that a DHL cargo plane was enroute to Tampa International Airport and we were going to be in time to see it land.  However, they changed the entry system at the short-term garage and there was a delay at the gate.  By the time we made it onto the garage, the DHL jet had landed.  But below is a look at what we did see in the thirty minutes or so we got to watch before the storms set in.  Boeing 737-700 - N966WN McDonnell Douglas MD-83 - N807WA Embraer 170 - N656RW Boeing 737-700 - N252WN Boeing 757-200 - N666DN McDonnell Douglas - N949DL Airbus A320 - N660AW McDonnell Douglas MD-83 - N9405T Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-900 - N905XJ Boeing 717-200 - N956AT Boeing 737-300 - N612SW McDonnell Douglas MD-88 - N987DL Airbus A319 -...

A rhino patrols the grounds of the Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens.  A ride on the Serengeti Express train takes you out to the safari where you can watch rhinos, zebra, giraffes and much more roam the grasslands.  (Photo:

The snow covered peaks of Expedition Everest rise over Animal Kingdom Park.  Expedition Everest is a thrilling coaster that takes you through the mountain where you will come face to face with a Yet.  (Photo: January 6, 2008)

As soon as you pull up to the parking lot or get off the WDW transportation at Epcot, you are greeting by Spaceship Earth. This 18-story geodesic sphere features over 11,000 Alucobond tiles covering exterior. But this isn't just an engineering marvel, it is also home to a ride that takes you through the history of communication, from Neanderthals through to the communication age. (Photo: January 5, 2008)

The horses of Cinderella's Golden Carousel are the centerpiece of Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. One of the park's original rides, the 90-horse carousel takes riders around scenes from Cinderella while the organ plays the Disney classics. (Photo: January 5, 2008)

The antebellum mansions of Louisiana have been transplanted to Central Florida at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. From the bayous to the plantations, all aspects of Louisiana living have been recreated at the resort. (Photo: January 4, 2008)