The Wandering Disciple

Brightly colored blooms and intricate character topiaries dominate the scenery of Epcot during the annual Epcot International Florida & Garden Festival. The event transforms the park into colorful displays featuring over 100 Disney topiaries. (Photo: March 27, 2007)

Sarasota, Florida: The battle for roster spots heat up as spring training nears conclusion and Friday afternoon’s game between the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers was no different. Headlining this contest was a pair of pitchers battling for the fifth spot in the rotation as Brian Matusz battled for a spot in the Orioles rotation while Duane Below found himself in a similar situation in the Tigers rotation. As for the game itself, another exciting spring game with the Tigers edging the Orioles by two thanks to a ninth inning rally. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. With runners on first and second, Miguel Cabrera came through with an RBI double to right that scored both runners. Cabrera later scored on a ground ball by Delmon Young as the Tigers took an early 3-0 lead. The Orioles got a run back in the bottom of the second as Detroit’s starter Below worked himself into a bases loaded jam. Below walked three straight batters to load the bases a...

The Black Diamond Jet Team flies high over the crowd during the 2012 Florida International Air Show. The Lakeland based team is one of few civilian jet demonstration teams. The team consists of five L-39 Albatros and two Russian Mig-17. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

The F/A-18 Hornet does a touch and go during a performance at the 2012 Florida International Air Show at the Charlotte County Airport. The F/A-18 Hornet is a multi-role fighter jet used by the US Navy. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

Team RV performs at the 2012 Florida International Air Show. With twelve aircraft on their team, Team RV is the largest performing air show act. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

The runway at Charlotte County Airport was set ablaze on Sunday afternoon during an air and land speed showdown took place the 2012 Florida International Airshow. Gary Ward took to the skies in his MX2 aircraft to race Jerry McCart in the Wicked Willy Jet Car. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

Punta Gorda, Florida: The skies over Charlotte County came alive this weekend with the sights and sounds of the 32nd annual Florida International Air Show at the Charlotte County Airport. The show featured aerial acts that spanned several generations from World War II era to modern day fighters as well as acrobatic planes. This year’s event was headlined by two jet performance teams; The Navy’s Blue Angels and the Black Diamond civilian jet team. The third headline act was the largest air show team; Team RV. But that was just the beginning; there were many more aerial and static displays to entertain the crowd. Over 50,000 people packed to the event each day to enjoy the show. All of the guests were treated to a spectacular show with the proceeded benefiting local charities.  We decided to attend Sunday’s show. Mother Nature made us a little worried on Saturday as it looked like Sunday might be a wash-out. But miraculously, the rain cleared just prior to the start o...