The Wandering Disciple

Sarasota, Florida: Along the banks of the Myakka River lies one of Florida’s oldest state parks. Myakka River State Park is home to many unique ecosystems which provide home to thousands of plant and wildlife species. The land of the park was once the ranch of Bertha Palmer. Palmer was a pioneer settler of the region and one of the biggest landowners in Florida. Following her death, the land was awarded to the State of Florida and in 1934 became one of Florida’s first state parks. The early development of the park was contributed to the Civilian Conservation Corps. They helped to construct many of the park’s building in cabins during the great depression. Today Myakka River State Park has grown to over 58 square miles. It features plenty of outdoor activities the whole family can enjoy. From hiking, biking, watching wildlife, kayaking, camping or just kicking back and enjoying the great outdoors, it’s all here for you to take advantage of. The park features of 38 miles of hiki...

Sarasota, Florida: Part history museum, part nature preserve; the Crowley Museum and Nature Center have been transporting visitors back in time for over 30 years. Here you can take a glimpse into early pioneer life or take a hike deep into natural Florida. Founded in 1974 by William Jasper Crowley, the Crowley Museum and Nature Center is a 190 acre preserve that combines a pioneer village and museum with trails and wildlife. As you enter the property and head to the visitor’s center, you are right in the middle of the pioneer area. It is here you will find the museum which houses exhibits from the Crowley family and the area of Old Miakka. The are is also home to the Pioneer Cabin, Sugar Cane Mill, blacksmith shop and the Tatum House. All buildings have been relocated here and then restored to their original state and furnished with pioneer era furnishings to help tell the story of early pioneer life. From the village you can embark on a hike out to the Tatum Sawgrass Marsh at th...

Tampa, Florida: Jungala is located within the jungles of the Congo. Here guests can come face to face with wild animals and wild rides. This four acre attraction opened in 2008 and is home to the tiger and orangutan exhibit Jungala is themed as a play area for older kids, featuring a three story play structure with rope bridges and up close looks at animal exhibits located within the play structure. The area features two rides, the Jungle Fliers and Wild Surge. Jungle Fliers is a zip line ride that takes guests on a birds eye view of Jungala. Wild Surge is a launching tower that shoots riders out of a waterfall canyon. Jungala is also home to the tigers and orangutans. The animal exhibits have are designed to make the guest feel like part of the attraction. There are air conditioned pavilions to sit and observe along with trails that pop up inside the attraction giving the feel that you are with the animals. You can even play tug of war with a tiger. There are a few shops an...

Sarasota, Florida: The Reds minor league squad took on a squad from the Twins for a fall exhibition game under sunny skies at Ed Smith Stadium for the final game of the fall instructional league. The Fall Instructional League follows the completion of the regular league season and consists of highly regarded prospects in the lower levels of minor league baseball. The players compete in a series of games and workouts to help refine their game and advance their careers. Just like minor league spring training and extended spring training, the purpose of the instructional league is to enhance a player’s game. No stats or scores are officially recorded; the focus is strictly on player development and not competition. Click on the photo above for pictures from the Reds/Twin gallery.

Tampa, Florida: The Tampa Museum of Science and Industry, more commonly known as MOSI is a hands-on science museum located near the University of South Florida in Tampa. The museum is home to hundreds of exhibits and Florida’s only IMAX dome theater. MOSI is the largest science museum in the Southeast United States and the fifth largest in the United States. The history of a science museum dates back to 1962 when Hillsborough County created a youth science museum in Sulfur Springs called the Museum of Science and Natural History. The museum continued to grow and in1967 it was renamed the Hillsborough County Museum. As the museum continued to grow and develop, it quickly outgrew its location and needed a new home. So in 1976, the county approved funding to construct a new museum. A site was selected in North Tampa and construction began on the new state of the art facility. The construction was completed in 1980, the new Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) opened to the public in 198...

Sarasota, Florida: The Sarasota Reds were swept by the Dunedin Blue Jays following a 3-0 loss on Sunday afternoon to wrap up the 2008 season. Dunedin wasted no time taking the lead, striking for a run in the top of the first. Brad Wilkerson doubled to right to lead off the inning. Wilkerson scored on a double by Anthony Hatch to take a 1-0 lead. The Blue Jays added to their lead in the sixth inning. David Corrente doubled to left to lead off the inning. Luis Sanchez reached on an error followed by a walk to Wilkerson to load the bases. Marcos Cabral drew a bases loaded walk to push across the first run of the inning. A second run came on a wild pitch by Terrell Young to give the Blue Jays a 3-0 win. Click on the photo above to view the Reds/Blue Jays gallery.

Sarasota, Florida: The Sarasota Reds suffered a 7-1 loss to the Dunedin Blue Jays on Saturday night at Ed Smith Stadium. Dunedin jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Brad Wilkerson went deep with a solo home run to lead off the game. Then the rain came and the tarp was pulled with the Jays leading 1-0 in the first. Play resumed after a 25 minute delay and the Blue Jays offense continued right where they left off. In the top of the third Wilkerson led off the inning with a double to center. He later scored on a double by David Cooper to increase the lead to 2-0. The Reds pushed across their only run in the bottom of the third. The inning got started with single by Jake Long, Jose Castro and Carson Kainer to load the bases. Yonder Alonso plated a run with a single to right. But the Reds left the bases load as they cut the lead in half 2-1. The Blue Jays got a solo run in the fourth and another in the firth to help extend the lead. Then in the sixth they pushed acros...