The Wandering Disciple

At one time, the locomotive was the workhorse of the nation. Connecting coast to coast with a steady stream of trains to carry goods from farm to city and passengers from one state to another. While the world has found other ways to commute, trains remain a major player in interstate commerce. This CSX train was spotted just outside Lakeland, Florida where the rails are still a major player in the region’s commerce. (Photo: April 26, 2020)

Back in ancient civilizations, history was memorialized in cave carvings and other types of hieroglyphics. Today we have many different ways to document history. But we still have modern hieroglyphics all around town in the forms of street art and murals. Like this one here on a brick wall in Fort Meade that shows what life was like in early Fort Meade circa 1895. (Photo: April 26, 2020)

One of my favorite things is to just pick a road and get lost. Take a turn off the highway and onto the backroads to explore the small towns that make up the state. Sometimes you take a wrong turn and end up finding cool things, like this retired US Air Force F-84F Thunderstreak located in the Veteran’s Park in Wauchula, Florida. (Photo: April 26, 2020)

Miles from the hustle and bustle of coastal Florida, Arcadia lies along the backroads that cross the heart of the Sunshine State. History is around every corner in this little town, with a central historic district over 3,400 acres in size. This large historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has over 200 historic structures within the district. (Photo: April 26, 2020)

The Tampa Bay Rays sport their Sunday blues for a home game against Toronto in 2016. But this season, the Sunday blues takes a new meaning as Major League Baseball has yet to take to the field for a game due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The season was put on hold during spring training and has yet to resume almost one month into the regular season. (Photo: September 4, 2016)

Dare to be great! That is the message that the Hendry County Sheriff's Office is trying to spread as part of their crime prevention division. The message is proudly displayed on their Sheriff's Explorer pick-up truck sitting outside headquarters. One catchy mission statement with two important causes. The Dare program, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, was created in 1983 and is the primary education mission to prevent drug abuse and violent crimes. It is combined with the department's gang education program, Great or Drug Abuse Resistance Education. (Photo: April 19, 2020)

As this American Airlines flight takes to the skies, its paint scheme flashes us back to the 1980's when AirCal flew the California skies. AirCal started in 1967 and operated until it merged with American Airlines in 1987. American Airlines keeps the history alive through the heritage livery, a collection of aircraft that still sport the colors of the brand prior to merger with American Airlines. These include airlines like TWA, PSA, Piedmont, America West, US Air and more. (Photo: April 19, 2020)

A swallow-tailed kite flies high over Fort Myers, a sign that warm weather is here to stay in the sunshine state. The swallow-tail kite migrates to Florida in February-March for breeding and then return to South America in August. They are distinguished by their large forked tail as they soar above looking for food. (Photo: April 21, 2020)

When the double red flags are flying over the beaches, its a sign to stay out of the water because the beaches are closed due to unsafe conditions. Like those at Manasota Beach during Hurricane Hermine when the Gulf of Mexico was churned with hurricane sized waves. (Photo: September 1, 2006)

A full moon rises over downtown St Petersburg following a Tampa Bay Rays game. While the stadium may be quiet due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the moon continues to rise as a reminder that everything will be alright. (Photo: August 19, 2016)

Rays minor leaguer Juan Carlos Arias has his eyes fixed on home plate as the pitcher delivers during a Fall Instructional League game in Sarasota, Florida. The ballparks in Florida and Arizona are typically busy with baseball all year long as the clubs groom minor league players into potential big league stars. (Photo: August 19, 2016)

Rescue Boat 3 of the Sarasota County Fire Department responds to a boat fire on Sarasota Bay. The crew of Station 3 on St Armand's Circle provides the department with marine operations by staffing the rescue boat. They, along with neighboring fire department marine assets help to protect the Gulf coast of Sarasota County. (Photo: August 11, 2016)

A Redhead duck plays in the water in an exhibit at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa's Channelside district. Your visit to the Florida Aquarium follows the pathway of water from an underground spring all the way out to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way you get to see the diverse ecosystems as well as the animals that live in those ecosystems, like this duck found in the wetlands portion of the aquarium. (Photo: August 8, 2016)

These artifacts stand as a reminder to a dark tome in world history. A time when a political zealot could persecute people just cause they weren't like him. Millions of Jewish believers suffered mistreatment and death at the hands of Adolf Hitler the Nazis simply because of their beliefs. Today these artifacts provide remembrance of the fallen and motivation to not let that happen again. This display called War, Persecution, Ghettos, and Camps is one of the many exhibits that can be seen at the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida. Here you can follow the Jewish story from before the way, during and after through artifacts and personal accounts. (Photo: July 3, 2016)

A rustic cabin in the middle of a historical park represents the pioneer life in early Central Florida. The Yates House, built in the 1890's in the Taylor Creek area of Central Florida is an example of pioneer ingenuity. Bud Yates and his bride Polly converted a shed into a homestead to raise cattle and hunt for game. The small cabin had no kitchen originally as they used an outside cook stand to prepare meals. It wasn't until Bud died in 1923 that the son's added on to the cabin to add a kitchen. The Yates Home was relocated to the Fort Christmas Historical Park and sits with other period homes representing life in early Central Florida. (Photo: July 3, 2016)

An anhinga fights to swallow its catch as the sun begins to set at Airport Lakes Park in Orlando. This park along the approach path to Orlando International Airport is a great place to watch wildlife...and airplanes. It is one of my favorite places to spot from as breaks in aviation leads to time to enjoy the wildlife and natural beauty of this urban oasis. Anhinga, alligators, various species of ducks and much more can be found in and around the freshwater lake. It is a short hike from the parking lot to the pier but it separates you from the noise of the city and transplants you into the tranquility of the lake. (Photo: July 3, 2016)

Spread love, not hate. A simple slogan which became so evident following the Pulse Nightclub massacre in 2016 in which a gunman killed 49 and wounded 53 in a hate rage. In the days after the shooting, the site of the shooting became a memorial to those who were lost in the tragedy and a reminder to the world to spread love, not hate. (Photo: July 3, 2016)

As you leave the big cities and take a ride through the small towns that make up the USA, you will see a water tower towering over the small town skyline. Some can be rather plain while others can be pretty colorful or have slogans on them and other just tell you where you are at. These towers become part of the town's identity, welcoming you to Smalltown USA like this one in Lake Alfred, Florida. (Photo: July 3, 2016)

Long before planes connected cities across the country, trains were the way to travel across the country. A vast network of rails connected through towns big and small to transport passengers to their destination. While the needs of the transportation industry has changed and most of the rail lines have been re-purposed, there are still remnants of the impact of the railroad industry still visible nationwide. Like this train depot in Bowling Green, Florida. Built in 1911, it served passengers as the gateway to the rail line that ran from Fort Myers to Bartow. Today the train station has been re-purposed as an event center but still stands as a reminder to when train travel ruled the country. (Photo: July 3, 2016)

This open field along Paynes Creek is proof of a fort that once protected central Florida. Tensions remained following the Second Seminole War prompting officials to build a series of forts to help protect the land. On a spot of high land along a creek in a little town called Bowling Green, Fort Chokonikla was built in 1849. Fort Chokonikla was the first in the chain of forts to protect the settlers from the Seminole Indians. The fort did not remain in operation long due to an illness that forced the fort to be abandoned. An empty field is all that remains today of the fort and the adjoining trading post. But the site and the legacy of the settlement can be seen at the Paynes Creek Historic State Park. (Photo: July 3, 2016)

Be glad you aren't this guy's dentist. With a mouth over over 50 sharp teeth, the Indian Gharial can be an intimidating crocodile. But don't worry, they are not a man eater. In fact, the gharial is known as the fish-eating crocodile for its diet rich in fish. This Indian Gharial is from the exhibit at ZooTampa. (Photo: June 26, 2016)

A pair of sand tiger sharks patrol the depths of the Shark Lagoon at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in downtown Gatlinburg. Shark Lagoon is the centerpiece of the aquarium featuring over 8,500 animals from 75 different species. Some of the more popular residents of Shark Lagoon are the Sand Tiger Sharks, Green Sea Turtle, Sawfish and much more. There are three ways to view these aquatic animals; an over head view from the second level, an underwater journey through the 340 foot tunnel or a glass bottom boat adventure. (Photo: June 9. 2016)

Tackling the whitewater rapids of the Pigeon River onboard a Smoky Mountains Outdoors rafting adventure was one of the highlights of our 2016 vacation. The Pigeon River is controlled by release of water from the Walters Power Plant upstream resulting in rapids ranging as high as Class IV. Smoky Mountains Outdoors provides two options to explore the river, the upper river with more whitewater or the more family friendly lower river excursion. (Photo: June 9, 2016)

The comfortable living room of a villa at the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort provides a home away from home for our family's vacation to the Smokies. With a living room, dining room, kitchen, multiple bedrooms and a porch overlooking the woods, it provides a great way for a family to getaway into the mountains with the comforts of home. A hybrid between a hotel room and a cabin, it is a great option if you want the feel of a resort with the comforts of home. (Photo: June 7, 2016)

After a busy day of thrills at Dollywood or an adventurous day exploring the Smoky Mountains, the colorful fountain of the DreamMore Resort welcomes you home to you home away from home. The DreamMore Resort is Dolly Parton's signature hotel next to Dollywood and Splash Country at the base of the Smoky Mountains. Featuring great amenities and comfortable accommodations, it is the perfect companion for your trip to Pigeon Forge. (Photo: June 7, 2016)

Hop aboard the fire engine to help Chief Ember and Volunteer Station 7 to save the town from Crazy Charlie Cherribaum and his Gas Station and Fireworks Emporium. That is the story behind the FireChaser Express family coast at Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge. This wild adventure takes volunteer firefighters on a 2 minute coaster ride featuring launches and even a portion of backwards track. The coaster opened in 2014 and is one of the featured attractions in the Wilderness Pass portion of the park. (Photo: June 6, 2016)

The west prong of the Little Pigeon River slowly flows along the Chimney Tops Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Little Pigeon River flows almost 30 miles from its source deep in the Smoky Mountains to it meets the French Broad River near Sevierville. The river features 3 prongs and the west prong is the more popular as it flows along popular hiking trails in the park as well as the towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. (Photo: June 8, 2016)

A bridge spanning the Oconaluftee Islands Park is your gateway to a recreational oasis with fun for the entire family. From taking a walk along the river, tubing in the cool water or doing a little trout fishing, Oconaluftee Islands Park is a great place to spend a summer day in Cherokee. Begining in the Beech Prong Flats in the Smoky Mountains, the Oconaluftee River flows south some thirty miles before reaching the Tuckasegee River near Bryson City. (Photo: June 6, 2020)

One of the seven natural wonders of Georgia, the Tallulah Gorge is an impressive canyon in north Georgia. Stretching for two miles in length and featuring cliffs that are 1,000 feet tall, the gorge was created by the Tallulah River cutting through the dome. The flow of water starts at Tallulah Lake and then drops to the canyon floor through a series of six waterfalls, the largest being the 96 foot Hurricane Falls. Once it reaches the canyon floor, the river continues to move south before joining several other rivers on their journey to the Atlantic Ocean. You can catch a glimpse of this natural wonder from an overlook at the rim of the gorge or if you want a closer look you can hike to the floor of the canyon for an up close look. (Photo: June 6, 2016)

Southern comfort food in a classic setting is what's on the menu at Mary Mac's Tea Room in Atlanta.  For over 75 years, locals and visitors alike have flocked for the southern cooking served here.  In fact in 2011, the Georgia House of Representatives passed Resolution 477 naming Mary Mac's Tea Room "Atlanta's Dining Room".  (Photo: June 5, 2016)