The Wandering Disciple

Today's Photo of the Day pays tribute to the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg which was heavily damaged during the recent wildlife in Gatlinburg. The resort in which we spent a majority of our summer road trip suffered extensive damage during the blaze with reports of over 60 of the building destroyed in a matter of minutes in the fast moving fire. Our thoughts and prayers are with those effected by this disaster. (Photo: June 7, 2016)

This amazing vista was seen during our June visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Chimney Top is a popular attraction in the country's most visited national park. However over the past few days, it has been the site of a massive wild fire which wrecked havoc over the Gatlinburg area, resulting in an inferno that damaged over 100 buildings. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those effected by this natural disaster. (Photo: June 8, 2016)

The Cigar City exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center is a trip back in time to when the Cuban cigar industry dominated the Tampa economy.  Started by cigar manufacturer Vicente Martinez-Ybor, Ybor City became the center of cigar production in region. Today, remnants of the industry as well as the cultural influences can be seen throughout the city and showcased at the Tampa Bay History Center.  (Photo: May 9, 2010)

Cococay in the Bahamas is a tropical retreat owned by Royal Caribbean International.  It is one of two island oasis owned by the cruise line to provide an island getaway during Caribbean cruises.  Unlike other ports of call, these destination provide nothing but relaxation and fun in the sun without the hustle and bustle of the busier ports.  (Photo: April 22, 2010)

Ronald McDonald helped spread some Christmas cheer along the parade route during the 41st annual Venice Holiday Parade.  The annual event kicks off the holiday season on the Suncoast.   Be sure to check back later for more photos from tonight's parade.  (Photo: November 26, 2016)

During the pirate age, a system of rules and punishments helped to maintain conduct within the pirate culture.  To violate the code meant to be marooned from the crew.  If you were marooned, you were abandoned on a desolate island and left to fend for yourself.  This form of punishment was recreated in an exhibit at the Pirates of Nassau Museum in downtown Nassau.  (Photo: April 21, 2010)

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.  I am thankful for your continued support of my photography.  It is this support that is the driving force behind bringing new content for your to enjoy.  Thanks for helping transform the site from a way to share photos with friends and family to a full blown site with almost six million views.

Typhoon and BloatFloater battle for the lead during the OPA World Championships at Englewood Beach Waterfest.  The fast race boats from the Offshore Powerboat Association took to the Gulf of Mexico for a weekend of racing action.  Be sure to check back later for more photos from Sunday's race.  (Photo: November 20, 2016)

A powerboat goes airborne during the Englewood Beach Waterfest on Sunday afternoon along Manastoa Key.  The Offshore Powerboat Associaation made a visit to Englewood for the 2016 World Championships which took place on Saturday and Sunday.  Be sure to check back later for more photos from the races.  (Photo: November 20, 2016)

Englewood, Florida: For the second straight year, the fast racing action of the Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA) descended on Englewood Beach for Englewood Beach Waterfest.  As a result of a cancellation of the Ocean City event, Englewood would be the host of both the OPA National and World Championships. The OPA World Championship was a culmination of two days of action packed races.  The teams earned points during a race on Saturday and a race on Sunday.  The team with the highest points at the end of the weekend went home with a World Championship. Here are the results for the 2016 OPA World Championship: Class 2  1st - 211 Bat Boat Class 3  1st - 302 2nd Ammendment Super Vee  1st - 306 Strictly Business 2nd - 3-V1 Wazzup 3rd - 3-V7 Repeat Offender II Class 4  1st - 441 Saris Racing 2nd - 411 Perdition 3rd - 455 Nick's Creative Marine 4th - 407 GetRubberMulch.com 5th - 466 American Outlaw Class 5 1st - 546 Reinforcer...

The lost city of Atlantis is alive and well at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.  The popular attraction features tons of fun with aquariums, water slides, lagoons and many more exciting things to do.  (Photo: April 21, 2010)

Englewood, Florida:  The thrill of high speed off-shore boat racing is all over town as the Offshore Powerboat Association descending on Englewood Florida for the Englewood Beach Waterfest. Race weekend kicked off with a block party on Dearbon Street on Friday night. The powerful race boats were on display as hundreds of spectators mingled with crews and machines on a beautiful evening.  These machines can be seen in action along the beach on Saturday and Sunday as the OPA hosts the World Championships at Englewood Beach. Click on the photo above to see more photos from the block party .

Sitting high atop Bennet's Hill, the battery of Fort Fincastle protected Nassau Harbour from invading navy's and pirate intruders.  Built by Lord Dunmore in 1793, Fort Fincastle was one of three forts built to defend the island.  (Photo: April 21, 2010)

The colonial era fort just outside Nassau was designed to help defend the island nation from enemy attacks.  Fort Charlotte was built by Lord Dunmore following the American Revolutionary War.  Despite being the first line of defense for the city, Fort Charlotte never saw action and today is a popular tourist attraction in Nassau.  (Photo: April 21, 2010

A patrol car from the Royal Bahamas Police Force patrols downtown Nassau.  The Royal Bahamas Police Force is the national law enforcement agency of the island nation and is responsible for the safety and security of over 700 islands.  (Photo: April 21, 2010)

At the southernmost point of Key West, visitors to the monument are a mere 90 miles from the  island of Cuba.  Thousands of visitors flock to this iconic spot to have their picture taken in the southernmost point of the United States. From here, you are closer to the communist island than the United States mainland. (Photo: April 20, 2010)

The Majesty of the Seas sits off-shore of CocoCay during a Bahama cruise.  The Majesty of the Seas is one of many cruise ships operated by Royal Caribbean International, connection cruisers with ports of call around the globe.  (Photo: April 22, 2010)

Sarasota, Florida: Last night we spent the night camping at Oscar Scherer State Park.  After waking up, we took a drive around the park to evaluate the wildlife scene and it was very quiet so we decided to take the short drive to a personal favorite, Myakka River State Park. The drive out to the park was very eventful.  We saw eagles, kingfishers and much more activites.  The amount of activity we saw on the way into the park further solidified our decision to head to Myakka. The cooler weather has brought the park to life.  The river level has receded and the wading birds were in full force.  In addition, the skies were busy with birds of prey making today a huge success. The alligators have also returned in large numbers with 20+ seen today. Here is a list of what we saw on today's trip: American Alligator Bald Eagle  Belted Kingfisher Black Crowned Night Heron Double Creasted Cormorant Little Blue Heron Gray Squirrel Great Blue Heron G...

A Great Blue Heron and a Double Creasted Cormorant look for food in the Upper Myakka Lake at Myakka River State Park.  The cooler weather has brought the park back to life with birds and wildlife around every bend.  (Photo: November 13, 2016)

Osprey, Florida: After almost a year hiatus from camping, we pulled the gear back out for a weekend camping trip at Oscar Scherer State Park. Since this was the first trip in a while, we stayed close to home to home to make sure we could work the kinks out of our gear and set-up before embarking on longer adventures. Oscar Scherer is a good choice for us because of its close proximity to the house. It makes for a quick and easy weekend trip. This is actually our third camping trip here. While this was not out first camping trip, it felt like it. It has been a little while and our first trying to fit the gear in a car rather than an SUV. I am glad we didn’t bring the dogs because I don’t think we would have had enough room. Despite not having room for the dogs, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra fit more gear than I had expected. We were able to pack all of our regular camping gear and still comfortably seat our family of 3. Since we did not have the dogs, we were assigned a cam...

I would like to thank all the Veterans who have served our country.  I am forever grateful for your selfless service toward ensuring our freedoms and protecting our liberties.  Thank-you.  (Photo: November 3, 2012)

Many people refer to Miami as the New York City of the south and if that analogy is true that would make the Freedom Tower Miami's equivlant to the Statue of Liberty.  Originaly built to house the Miami News, the Freedom Tower is known more for its role in welcoming refugees fleeing Cuban.  The towering building in downtown Miami was the first stop for the Cubans as they sought a new life in the US.  (Photo: April 23, 2010)

A full moon rises over Boca Grande as the sunshine gives way to the moonlight.  (Photo: March 27, 2010)

A reminder to the roots of Florida can be find in the quaint Spanish village at the South Florida Museum.  Here you can follow the footstep of Hernando DeSoto and see what life was like in a Spanish village.  There are many Spanish influences found in the Sarasota/Bradenton region thanks to the DeSoto settlers. (Photo: February 14, 2010)

On the eve of the 2016 presidential election, the Trump campaign makes one final stop in the Sunshine State.  It is only fitting that Donald Trump return to Sarasota for his final Floridian appearance since Sarasota's Robarts Arena is where he announced to the world he was running for president.  So today he returned to the packed crowd of Robarts Arena for one last rally before election day tomorrow.  Pictured here is his campaign jet sitting on the ramp at Rectrix Aviation at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. (Photo: November 7, 2016)

Thousands of messages are forever etched in memorium on Officer Henry Nava Jr's Fort Worth Police Department patrol car.  Officer Nava was killed in the line of duty on December 1, 2005 after being shot while attempting to apprehend a suspect.  The community came together and signed his patrol car with condolences for his family.  Today the car sits on display at the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum in Titusville, Florida.  (Photo: January 24, 2010)

Just days away from election day, vice president candidate Tim Kaine brought the Clinton/Kaine campaign to Sarasota.  The democratic VP nominee spoke to a crowd in downtown Sarasota in advance of Tuesday's presidential election.  Pictured here is Senator Kaine's campaign plane, a Boeing 737-400 chartered from Xtra Airways.  (Photo: November 5, 2016)

Not just names on the wall, these are pioneers of the United States space program.  The inaugural class was inducted in 2001 and consisted of the members of the Mercury Seven crew.  Since then, each year new members are added to the US Astronaut Hall of Fame located on the property of the Kennedy Space Center.  (Photo: January 24, 2010)

The sun sets over Cocoa Beach as the Disney Magic slips out to sea, embarking on its next high seas voyage.  (Photo: January 23, 2010)

Goofy hangs off the stern of the ship as the Disney Magic departs Port Canaveral on a cruise vacation.  On Disney Cruise Line, the magic of Walt Disney World meets the seas in a fun cruise for the whole family.  No details are spared in making the magic, from a life like Goofy hanging of the ship to colorful characters roaming the decks.  The cruise line currently operates a fleet of four ships with two more reported to be in production.  (Photo: January 23, 2010)

Dominating the skyline of Visitor's Complex, the Space Shuttle Explorer gives visitors to Kennedy Space Center and up close look at the work horse of the space program.  Explorer was a full-scale mock-up of the space shuttle and was on display at Kennedy Space Center from 1993-2012 when it was replaced with Space Shuttle Atlantis once it was retired.  Explorer was transferred to the Johnson Space Center where it was renamed Independence and placed on-top of the modified Boeing 747 shuttle transporter.  Today it is the centerpiece of the Independence Plaza.  (Photo: January 23, 2010)