The Wandering Disciple

Two White Tail Deer groom each other at Myakka River State Park in eastern Sarasota County. Deer are plentiful in the park and can be easily seen from the main road the crosses through the park. (Photo: November 30, 2013)

Sarasota, Florida: With over 37,00 acres of wilderness, Myakka River State Park is one for the oldest and largest state parks in Florida. The park is a popular spot for hiking, biking, wildlife watching and of course camping. Myakka River State Park features 90 sites on four categories; cabins, tent/RV, RV only and tent only. The sites are situated among four regions of the park. The cabins are on Cabin Lane, Sites 1 through 26 are in Big Flats Campground, Sites 27 through 48 are in Old Prairie Campground and Sites 49 through 90 are in Palmetto Ridge Campground.  In addition to these camping choices, Myakka River also features primitive camps and youth camps. All campsites feature electric and water while some also have a sewer hook-up. There are bathhouses located throughout the campground loops which contain restrooms, showers and laundry facilities. For entertainment, Myakka River features several miles of hiking trails with numerous opportunities to view wildlife. Th...

A black marble statue of a Tampa Police Officer pays tribute to the officers who lost their lives protecting the citizens of Tampa.  Since 1895, thirty-one offices paid the extreme sacrifice as were killed in the line of duty.  Today a memorial stands outside police headquarters to honor these brave officers.  (Photo: July 27, 2013)

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from Donten Photography. Today's Thanksgiving theme photo of the day as an Osceola Turkey at Babcock Wilderness Adventure. (Photo: October 25, 2013)

Cigar factories like the one depicted here at the Y’bor City Museum were once the heart of the thriving Cuban district in Tampa. Close proximity to the shipping lanes combined with a rail line were decisive factors in Vicente Martinez Ybor moving his cigar business from Key West to Tampa. With the factory came, the workers and eventually a Cuban culture that still thrives in Y’bor City to this day. (Photo: July 11, 2013)

The calm waters off Emerson Point are a great place to go kayaking and look for native wildlife. A shaded mangrove tunnel at the kayak launch quickly gives way to the bay where you can see manatees and dolphins as well as all types of shore birds. (Photo: July 10, 2013)

A seaside village overrun by Pirates sets the tone for the Pirate Cove Adventure Golf in Lake Buena Vista. The course here outside the Disney property features two 18-hole miniature golf courses ranging in difficulty. (Photo: July 9, 2013)