The Wandering Disciple

The first collection added to the site is 1987 Donruss baseball. I do not have many cards from the set but to highlight the set is one of my childhood favorites; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt. You can see more from from the collection by visit my 1987 Donruss Baseball Card gallery .

Since my childhood, I have always enjoyed collecting baseball cards. While I no longer buy them in masses like I used to, I still enjoy opening up a pack of cards and seeing what gems are within. I have begun a project of cataloging my large collection of cards using the Ludex: Sports + TCG Card Scanner App. During the process, I decided to also screenshot the card and maintain a digital archive of my collection for you to enjoy as well.   I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane with me as we journey through my card collection from the 80's through today.  You can view my card collection by visiting my Trading Card Collection gallery . 

A short hike through a coastal mangrove forest followed by a climb of the observation tower results in a stunning view of Terra Ceia Bay. The quarter mile Observation Tower Trail is just one of the many trails at Emerson Point Park.  Emerson Point Park is a county park located in Palmetto, Florida. It is located on a peninsula at the tip of Palmetto, surrounded by Terra Cia Bay, Tampa Bay and the Manatee River. The 365-acre preserve protects coastal habitat which provides a great spot to hike and kayak while observing Floridian wildlife.  Taken: January 8, 2011 at Emerson Point Preserve (Palmetto, FL)

Ever wonder what it would feel like to experience the ground shaking earthquakes of San Francisco? Disaster at Universal Studios Florida brought that experience to life using the magic of Hollywood special effects and the latest technology.  Your journey starts learning about how Hollywood creates some of the special effects are created. From there you board a subway train where you become part of the production. Within moments you feel the full effects of a earthquake and the following disasters including a collapse of the station, fire and eventually a flash flood. The ride was closed in 2015 to make way for a new ride based on the Fast and Furious franchise.  Taken: October 25, 2010 at Universal Studios Florida (Orlando, FL)

As you stroll the streets of Hogsmeade Village, the world of the Harry Potter film franchise comes alive right here in Central Florida. The Hogwarts Express drops you off in the heart of the snow covered village where you can shop for your wand at Ollivanders, grab a snack at Honeydukes, fill your stomach at Three Broomsticks and much more.  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Islands of Adventure in 2010. It features rides, shops and restaurants based on the popular Harry Potter book series by JK Rowling. In 2014, the world expanded further into adjacent Universal Studios Florida with the addition of Diagon Alley which was connected to Hogsmeade Village by the Hogwarts Express.  Taken: October 25, 2010 at Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando (Orlando, FL)

The iconic Universal globes spins as it welcomes visitors to Universal Orlando Resort. Here the classic movies of Universal Studios come to life as you ride the movies and get immersed with some of your favorite Hollywood moments.  Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park complex located in the heart of Central Florida. It features two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure), a water park (Volcano Bay), and entertainment complex (City Walk) and seven resort hotels. It continues to grow as another theme park (Epic Universe) is currently under construction.  Taken: October 25, 2010 at City Walk at Universal Orlando (Orlando, FL)

As the water taxi inches towards the dock, Italian music plays on the plaza welcoming you to the Portofino waterfront. Despite the sounds and smells of Italy, you have landed at the Portofino Bay Hotel in the heart of the Universal Orlando Resort.  No detail is spared in transforming the Portofino Bay Hotel from a resort hotel to a destination that makes you feel like you are no longer in Central Florida. From the intricate details in the architecture to the food, shops and entertainment; the resort is closer to the Italian Riviera than it is to the theme park just a short boat ride away.  Taken: October 25, 2010 at Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando (Orlando, FL)

An elevated boardwalk winds through a strand of cypress as you embark on a walk in woods at the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The 2-1/4 mile boardwalk traverses several ecosystems including the largest bald cypress forest in North America. Keep your eyes open along the way to try and spot the hundreds of native wildlife that call the sanctuary home.  The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a 13,450 acre sanctuary that preserves critical habitats near the western edge of the Everglades. It is a gateway site on the Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and is home to some vulnerable species of animals like the Florida Panther and Wood Storks as well as rare plants like the Ghost Orchid.  Taken: October 17, 2010 at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (Naples, FL)

The further you travel down the beach at Stump Pass State Park, the further away from civilization you get. This unspoiled stretch of beach along the Gulf of Mexico is a reminder of what coastal Florida looked long before the condos and hotels that dot the coast now. In fact, if you are willing to walk a little further you might even get a stretch of the beach all to yourself.  Stump Pass State Park is located on the southern tip of Manasota Key in Englewood. It features a 1.3 mile hiking trail that crosses through the coastal habitat where you can see the owls, gopher tortoises and shore birds that call the unspoiled beach home. If you decide to visit the park, be sure to get there early as the small parking lot tends to fill up fast.  Taken: August 10, 2010 at Stump Pass Beach State Park (Englewood, FL)

Take a trip down under without ever leaving the sunshine state with a journey through ZooTampa's Wallaroo Station. Here you can get up close to animals from the outback like these colorful Budgies.  Budgerigars are small colorful seed-eating bird found in the drier areas of Australia. While they are the lone species in their genus, Budgies are closely related to lorikeets. Many people know these birds as parakeets, their name in the pet hobby trade.  Taken: July 18, 2010 at ZooTampa at Lowry Park (Tampa, FL)

As Cuban immigrants flocked to Tampa's Ybor City, they brought some of their culture from Cuba with them to the states. Bolita was a popular numbers game played by the Cubans throughout the region.  Bolita is a lottery style game in which the players bet on a number in hopes of cashing in when it's drawn. The game was illegal in Florida, however thanks to bribes from Ybor's organized crime lords the game continued out in the open of the saloons of Ybor City.  Taken: May 9, 2010 at Tampa Bay History Center (Tampa, FL)

Cruise passengers enjoy a day at the beach during a stop at Cococay in the Bahamas. The island oasis features crystal clear waters, a marine water park, an island straw market and much more fun in the sun.  Cococay is a private island port of call owned by Royal Caribbean International. The cruise ships mix in this stop on Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas cruises to give passengers a break from the hustle and bustle of city ports of call for a laid back beach day.  Taken: April 22, 2010 (Cococay, Bahamas)

Happy Mother's Day out there to all the moms. Thank you for all you do each and every day!  In honor of Mother's Day, today's photo of the day features a popular mother/baby combo from ZooTampa. The orangutan mama's are quite busy at the zoo with several young ones roaming the habitat.   Taken: December 17, 2022 at ZooTampa at Lowry Park (Tampa, FL)

As you stroll the congested aisles of Nassau's renowned Straw Market, you will find hidden treasures for the whole family. From colorful cartoon characters beach towels for the kids to handcrafted bags and Bahamas souvenirs for the adults, the Straw Market has something for everyone.  The open-air market is nestled between the high-end shops of Bay Street and the cruise ships of Prince George's Wharf. It has been a popular stop for the thousands of cruise passengers that pass through the port daily. Opened in the 1940's the Straw Market has given Bahamians a place to sell crafts, souvenirs and more.  Taken: April 21, 2010 (Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas)

Tucked away on the streets of historic Key West sits the birthplace of an icon of the aviation industry. In 1927, the first tickets of Pan American Airways was sold from this cottage in Key West. What started as a small scheduled service mail and passenger carrier would later become one of the biggest airlines in the United States until its dissolution in 1991.  The building is preserved by the National Register of Historic Places. Today it is home of the First Flight Island Restaurant and Brewing Company, a popular spot on the island oasis.  Taken: April 20, 2010 (Key West FL)

The Majesty of the Seas sits at the docks of Key West. The southernmost point of the continental US, Key West was out first port of call during our 2010 Bahamas Cruise on Royal Caribbean.  The Majesty of the Seas was a member of Royal Caribbean's Sovereign-class of ships. Introduced to the fleet in 1992, the Majesty features two swimming pools, a casino, multiple bars and restaurants and the capacity of 2,768 passengers. The ship received a complete refurbishment in 2007. In 2020, Royal Caribbean sold the ship to Greek ferry operator Seajets.  Taken: April 20, 2010 (Key West, FL)

An Avelo Airlines flight taxis to the gate at Southwest Florida International Airport showing off its colorful tail in the Florida sun. The airlines connects Southwest Florida with three destinations; New Haven, Raleigh-Durham and Wilmington DE.  Avelo Airlines is a relatively new low cost carrier servicing the United States. Founded in April 2021 from the former Xtra Airways, Avelo's fleet of 15 Boeing aircraft service 34 destinations. We will be taking our first flight on Avelo in July as we fly from Fort Myers to Wilmington for our Mid-Atlantic vacation.  Taken: May 8, 2023 at Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Myers, FL)

A response vehicle for the Boca Grande Fire Department sits outside the fire station in the heart of the barrier island of Boca Grande, Florida. Station 231 protects the island paradise 24 hours a day/365 days a year.  The Boca Grande Fire Department is a full service fire department provide fire suppression and EMS care for the island. A staff of 1 Fire Chief, 3 Lieutenants, 15 Fire Fighters and 2 Admins protect 6,000 residents across 4.5 square miles of land and an additional 2.5 square miles of water.  Taken: May 7, 2023 at Boca Grande Fire Department (Boca Grande, FL)

A short walk past the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse leads you over the sand dunes and to the beach at Gasparilla Island State Park. Still relatively unspoiled, the beaches here are some of the best on the Gulf coast of Florida.  Located on the tip of Boca Grande, Gasparilla Island State Park features a series of beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. The park preserves miles of coastline, two historic lighthouses and a historical chapel. Part of the Florida State Park system, it is a popular place for residents and tourists alike.  Taken: May 7, 2023 at Gasparilla Island State Park (Boca Grande, FL)

Usually its the baseball players that compete for the game MVP however on Sunday afternoon the hardest working team on the field was the grounds crew. Heavy rain forced an early ending to Saturday night's Mighty Mussels game. But despite the sunny afternoon, the wet field conditions continued into Sunday and put the ground crew to work to get the field playable.  After an almost hour and a half delay, the field was deemed playable and Sunday afternoon's series finale got started.  The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels would end up dropping the game to the Dunedin Blue Jays 8-5.  Unfortunately with the delay, I was not able to get any game photos. However thanks to a pair of rain checks, we will be back in the future for another game.  Taken: May 7, 2023 at Hammond Stadium (Fort Myers, FL)

In the aviation community, special liveries represent paint schemes that are not the primary look for an airline.  They can provide spotters with an adventure to try and see each special livery the airlines have to offer. Special liveries are used to spotlight corporate sponsorships, special events, aviation/airline milestones and even the history of an airlines. This special livery is JetBlue's retro livery.  While JetBlue is a rather new airline when it comes to the history of commercial aviation, this airline pays tribute to the golden era of aviation.  To honor this special livery, I photographed it in black and white to further enhance the retro look.  I believe this is the first black and white photo I have published so I hope you enjoy it.   Taken: May 3, 2023 at Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Myers, FL)

The iconic skyline of Miami Beach rises above the coastline as seen from the top deck of a cruise ship at the Port of Miami. This coastal view is the last thing passengers see before departing for their Caribbean cruise.  The Port of Miami is one of the busiest ports in the world. It is the largest cruise port in the world and is the largest container port in Florida and ninth largest in the US. And for each of the ships passing to and from the Port of Miami, the skyline of Miami Beach is the guiding light welcoming ships into the port and waving good-bye as ships depart.  Taken: April 19, 2010 at Port of Miami (Miami, FL)

Standing at the mouth of the Boca Grande Pass, the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse provides a guiding light for ships transitioning from the Gulf of Mexico into Charlotte Harbor. Since 1890, the lighthouse have navigated ships into the harbor and the nearby Port Boca Grande. Over the years, the need for the lighthouse diminished as a newer lighthouse was installed nearby and the port was eventually closed, but the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse survived demolition by both natural means (hurricanes, coastal erosion) and human means (decay and demo). Today the restored lighthouse is a museum and part of the Gasparilla Island State Park.  Gasparilla Island State Park is a barrier island park featuring several miles of coastline and beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Within the boundaries of the park, both lighthouses are preserved. Visitors can tour the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse as it is one of only six lighthouses in Florida that the public can tour. The taller Gasparilla Island Rear...

  A white-tail deer shows off its ability to blend into it surroundings in a wildlife diorama at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, formerly the South Florida Museum.  The Pine Upland exhibit showcases plants and animals found in the ecosystem that is prevalent in South Florida.  Deer, bobcats, black bear and more can be found on display in the exhibit. The Bishop Museum in Bradenton, Florida is a museum dedicated to the history of Florida Gulf Coast.  It features exhibits that follow the timeline of the region from the Indians to the Spanish Conquistadors to modern day.  The exhibits cover history, nature and even space through the planetarium. It is even home to a manatee rehabilitation program.   Taken: February 14, 2010 at South Florida Museum (Bradenton, FL)

The noble work of law enforcement goes way back to the days of Jesus. In fact, he bible says "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God". While vitally important to the safety and security, the profession is also extremely dangerous. Police officers often risk their life and safety to protect ours. To honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum has a memorial that honors brave heroes who dies in the line of duty. The 2,000 square foot memorial features the name of every American law enforcement officer killed since the inception of the memorial in 1960. Over 10,300 officers are memorialized in the memorial.  The American Police Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Titusville, Florida. It features a collection that takes you inside the life of a law enforcement officer. From police vehicles and technology to artifacts from famous crimes and events, the museum's 11,000 piece collectio...

A construction helmet adorned by the Space Shuttle Columbia pays tribute to the men and women who helped build the space shuttle program for NASA. The workhorse of NASA, the space shuttle provided a way to transport crew and cargo into space. The vision began during the Apollo program and began taking shape in 1968. A prototype "Enterprise" was completed by Rockwell International in 1974. By 1981, the program was ready for the first manned launch with "Columbia". With a total of five space shuttles, the program conducted 135 missions until its final flight in July 2011 with "Atlantis".   This display was part of the history of the space shuttle exhibit found at the US Astronaut Hall of Fame. Located just across the river from the Kennedy Space Center, the museum told the story of the space program and its heroes both in the spacecraft and on the ground. This location is now closed however many of the exhibits have been relocated to Heroes & Lege...