The Wandering Disciple

Tarpon Springs, Florida: A stroll along the historic sponge docks of Tarpon Springs is a trip back in time.  This coastal city has thrived of the sponging industry for over a hundred years and evidence of this tradition is alive and well up and down Dodecanese Boulevard. Originally founded by farmers and fisherman in 1876 and was named after the Tarpon seen jumping from the waters of the bayou. While this was how the town was founded, this wouldn't be what made the town come alive. Philadelphia banker John Cheyney relocated to Tarpon Springs in the 1880's and opened the town's first sponging operation and from there the legacy of Tarpon Springs began. But the industry and the town would be changed forever in 1905 when Greek business man John Cocoris came to Tarpon Springs and introduced sponge diving and transformed the coastal town into little Greece. The sponging industry became a multi-million dollar industry and Greek immigrants migrated to Tarpon Spring making...

For the past few weeks, the news and social media has been inundated with photos of the fish kills along the Gulf Coast of Florida as a result of Red Tide.  Today I figured we'd roll back the clock a little and remind people of how the Gulf waters should look.  This is the crystal clear waters at Gasparilla Island State Park on the island of Boca Grande.  With several miles of coastline, the beaches here are some of the most natural, pristine beaches in the state.  A short drive over the toll bridge transports you away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland beaches to island time where things are just a lot more relaxed.  (Photo: April 6, 2008)

These train cars are a flashback to an era of travel gone by.  Before airplanes crossed the country, rail was the primary means of luxury travel across the country.  While train travel is not quite as popular, there are still routes for travel and routes for heritage.  One of those heritage routes is the RiverRail Excursion on Seminole-Gulf Railway in Fort Myers.  The scenic journey takes riders on a journey along the Caloosahatchee River in vintage rail cars. (Photo: March 29, 2008)

A tiny starfish clings to the glass on an exhibit at the Florida Aquarium.  Starfish like these live in oceans throughout the world ranging from tidal areas to depths of over 20,000 feet.  There are over 1,500 species of starfish ranging from the small paddle-spined sea star that is no bigger than a half an inch to the sunflower star which can reach 40 inches from arm to arm.  (Photo:  March 15, 2008)

Take a walk on the wild side in the heart of downtown Tampa at Busch Gardens.  Here wildlife meets wild rides for a thrilling day of fun for the entire family.  With over 20 rides and 12,000 animals, there is something to see and do for everyone in your party.  (Photo: March 15, 2008)

A lioness is on the prowl in the Kilimanjaro Safari ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  The lion pride is the highlight of the parks safari ride in which riders board a safari truck for an up-close look at giraffes, hippos, elephants, lions and much more.  At 110 acres in size, the entire Magic Kingdom can fit inside the safari, but instead its home to 34 species of African wildlife.  (Photo: January 6, 2008)

Look around Walt Disney World and you will see the iconic mouse ear everywhere.  On signs, on manhole covers even in food.  But what you may not notice as quickly are the hidden Mickeys located where you least expect it. Some are obvious like this pumpkin here in Living With the Land but others can be quite difficult to find.  So next time you're at Walt Disney World and looking for something to take your mind off the crowds and the heat, try looking for hidden Mickeys, you'll be surprised with where they are.  (Photo: January 5, 2008)