Fontaine des Quatre Parties du Monde

This world-famous monument/fountain is located in the south entrance to the Luxembourg Gardens in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. It was designed and sculpted by Jena-Baptise Carpeaux. The women in the fountain represent the four parts of the world and were initially criticized as "thin, unhealthy women with wasted flanks... furrowed thighs... twisting around in a bizarre circle without any grace." Ten years later, after Carpeaux's death, it was heralded as a masterpiece. 

The best part for me about strolling past these statues and through the Luxembourg Gardens is recalling Ernest Hemingway's musings on wandering through the gardens with his young son when Paris was the burgeoning writer's hometown and he was so poor he'd have to hunt for pigeons in the gardens with a slingshot between paychecks.

This photograph was captured with a Nikon D90.

Oxford Exchange Rainbow

The attention to detail is what really makes Tampa's Oxford Exchange shine! Case in point: this is the patterned marble tile that greets you when you arrive. I don't think the architects and designers planned the prism rainbows but I wouldn't put it past them!

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7 (the predecessor to the excellent a6300).

The Shop at the End of the Tunnel

The greatest thing about the Illuminations fireworks and laser light show at Epcot each night is that it gives you about 20 minutes of complete alone time wandering around the countries of Epcot when everybody else is looking the other way.

Solitude in the Disney Parks is a rarity... unless you know where to look for it. Once you start looking, you'll find it everywhere. The whole point to Disney is to relax and enjoy yourself. Most people lose sight of that on the drive down I-95. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Sunset at Sea

We were treated to an amazing sunset on our recent cruise to the Bahamas! It was a full moon as well, which I think explains the drastic color shift from the black water to the nearly daylight-blue sky. Either way, it made for a very relaxing wait for dinner as we were sipping champaign and enjoying the sunset. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Flags on Sullivan's Island

Sullivan's Island, just outside of Charleston, is one of my favorite places in the world. In this photograph, you can see the fire station, the light house and even Fort Sumter if you know where to look. I love the American flags blowing proudly in the wind.

This photograph was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone. 

Bike Day on Beech Mountain

We spent last weekend on Beech Mountain. At 5506', Beech Mountain is the highest town east of the Rockies. The views, weather and wildlife were spectacular, as always. The resort is officially open for the summer now through labor day with mountain biking, hiking, disc golf and the famous 5506' Skybar mountaintop pub & brewery. 

If you live on the East Coast and want to visit this summer, check out our mountain rental, which is located in the heart of the ski village. To learn more, visit Slopeside on Facebook and at SlopesideNC.com. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

School Robes Available Here

Diagon Alley at Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter is so awesome! I just wish you could go into even more of the stores. Just look at all of the possibilities — I'd pay good money for an invisibility cloak!

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7 and edited in Adobe Lightroom.

Cogsworth

I like that Disney placed the always-serious Cogsworth topiary in front of a wine bar at Epcot's France World Showcase. It certainly seems to have done the trick, too. He looks extremely happy and perhaps a little too relaxed for the butler who is responsible for keeping everything running to the Beast's liking back home at the castle. I guess even a magically-cursed talking clock needs to go out on the town for a little rest and relaxation from time-to-time. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7 and edited in Adobe Lightroom.

Memorial Day

Remember when you're grilling out in the backyard or relaxing at the pool today what Memorial Day is all about. Freedom is not free. It was paid for in the lives of others who fought for our right to enjoy it.

This photo is dedicated to those who paid for our freedom and to our active service members. Like these Coast Guardsmen on RB-M (Response Boat Medium) 45743 who escorted our cruise ship on the way out of Charleston Harbor last week. If anybody has a friend on RB-M 45743 who might like a copy of this photo, ask them to reach out to me!

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7 and edited in Adobe Lightroom. 

Crew

I embraced my inner "Social Network" and tried my hand at a little tilt-shift crew shot. It was a beautiful afternoon and the sun was just starting to go down. You can see the reflection of the famed "Beer Can" building in the water behind the boat.