The Wandering Disciple

Orioles minor leaguer Brayan Hernandez slides safely into home during a Saturday morning Florida Complex League game. During the offseason, minor league baseball restructured resulting in the loss of a few levels of the minor league ladder to streamline the path to the majors. One of the changes was the in the Rookie level in which the Gulf Coast League was renamed the Florida Complex League and a few teams like the Orioles are fielding two teams in the FCL to help train their younger players that may have been assigned to one of the abandoned leagues like the short-season affiliates. (Photo: August 28, 2021)

Frank Tolentino catches a fly ball in front of the FLY SRQ billboard at Ed Smith Stadium. Ed Smith Stadium is the spring training home of the Baltimore Orioles and the offers direct flight to Baltimore making for easy flights from Orioles fans to visit Birdland South. (Photo: August 28, 2021)

When you look around the spring training home of the Orioles, you will find hints of Baltimore all over. From the food at the concession stands to some of the iconic orange bird signage. But look closely at the small details and you find even more Baltimore nostalgia. The seats at the renovated stadium are from Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The seats were removed during a project at Camden Yards and then refurbished and installed at the Orioles southern nest. (Photo: August 28, 2021)

We just became members to the Edison Ford Winter Estate, unlocking a world of exploration not just into the lives of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford but to historic sites nationwide. For those that have followed the site since the beginning, you have probably noticed that I enjoy learning about history. By becoming members to this great historical site, we also have access to hundreds of historical sites, museums and botanical gardens nationwide through the memberships reciprocal privileges.  So if you are into learning about history like me head out to your local museum and become a member today, not only are you helping them preserve history but you are unlocking doors of exploration for yourself. (Photo: June 26, 2011)

As you travel throughout the country, I am sure you've seen a water tower or two. While they may stand tall to welcome you into the community, these large metal structures are much more than just an elevated billboard. Using hydrostatic pressure as its force, these towers help ensure that communities have water pressure even during a power outage. Each foot of elevation of the tower provides almost a half pound of pressure per square inch. So in turn, the tower can help keep water flowing to sinks, showers and even fire hydrants should the pumps fail or in communities that don't have pumping stations for pressure. (Photo: April 26, 2020)

Zolfo Springs welcomes you, that is the welcome message shown on a handmade sign as you enter the small town along US-17 in rural Florida. Founded in 1904, the town was once located along the Florida Cracker Trail, a cattle route that connected the two coasts of the Sunshine State. As the industry changed, so did the means of transportation and Zolfo Springs became a stop along the Florida Southern Railroad, a rail line that connected Bartow with Punta Gorda. Now the railroad is no longer providing passenger traffic, travelers through the region now arrive via US-17, a modern day highway connecting small towns across Central Florida. (Photo: April 26, 2020)

For decades, the courthouse was the centerpiece of the community. Towering over town in elegant fashion they became the focal point of not only the legal world but everyday life. As time passed, many of these buildings were lost to progress, but there are still many history courthouses that have survives the wrecking ball like this one here in Arcadia. The historic red brick building was built in 1912 and today is protected by the National Register of Historic Places. (Photo: April 26, 2020)