Stave Church

The Stave Church in Epcot's Norway Pavilion is an example of the earliest Christian churches in Northern Europe, built from timber rather than brick. The church is the centerpiece of the traditional Norwegian countryside village. At least it used to be. Norway has recently been expanded and renovated as Frozen sisters Anna and Elsa have moved into town. This controversial move may prove to be the future of the World Showcases or it may simply be an opportunity to expose more people to the Norway Pavilion who may have otherwise skipped past it on their way to more recognizable countries. Either way, I'm looking forward to checking out the expansion and I'm certain my three-year-old daughter will say they made the right decision. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Leaving Shem Creek

We had a great week last week in Charleston and are happy to be back in Charlotte, ready for the Fourth of July celebrations. Thanks to everybody in Charleston who helped make our beach trip a perfect getaway as always!

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

Paradise Island Lighthouse

We've almost made it through Shark Week and paradise — or at least Paradise Island — is in sight. This little, run-down lighthouse perched at the far end of the island belies the glamor and splendor that lies beyond. 

Seen in the background is the incomparable Atlantis Resort and Casino. This really is an island fit for a Bond villain — or hero. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Safe Harbor

I think this would be a pretty tremendous way to spend the day in and around Charleston. If anybody out there has a giant sailboat or yacht and needs some great aerial photographs of it, let me know!

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

Alone

The Civil War started when a shot exploded above that little fortified island in the middle of this photograph. That island is Fort Sumter. You can see Charleston in the background and James Island to the left. 

Fort Sumter is a neat place to visit (you can only arrive by boat) but from a distance, once everybody has gone home for the day, it always strikes me as incredibly lonely. Especially on a stormy night like this. If any place in the world is haunted, Fort Sumter must make the top 10 list.  

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Carnival Whale Tail

I love the design of the signature fins on top of the Carnival Cruise ships. It's pretty cool to be able to instantly recognize that detail from a distance and know exactly which ship you're looking at. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Tony Bourdain's Fish Shack & The Dolphin

We were watching Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown on Netflix the other night. He was in our favorite city, Charleston. Within a second of seeing Tony having an alfresco meal with his buddies by a tin red-roofed shack, I instantly knew where he was. Here's a photo to prove it. That little building is where Tony had an "impromptu" meal. Good thing the crew was there to catch it all. Not caught in the episode was the dolphin swimming in front of the shack looking for handouts.

Anybody from Charleston already knows where this is but I'll refrain from saying anything else lest it become some sort of shrine to everybody's favorite snarky, booze-swilling, troublemaking tv host.

Tony — if you're reading this, that's a compliment and you can stop by our place in Charlotte to drink our booze and make trouble any day. 

This photograph was captured with the Sony NEX-7. 

Shark Week — Siesta Key Sand Bar

It's Shark Week! Every photo this week will have some reference to the ocean, sharks or some of their friends. This is what the surfers and swimmers at Siesta Key Beach look like from 350 feet up. Whenever I'm flying near the ocean, I always make a point to take a couple straight-down photographs like this in hopes that I'll manage to catch the back or shadow of a shark or other big fish. Tell me if you see anything!

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

Fred's General Mercantile

Beech Mountain is such a great place all year! With skiing and snowboarding in the winter and biking, hiking and disc golf in the summer, there's always something going on. The red building in this photograph is Fred's General Mercantile, known to most as just "Fred's." Fred's has been serving visitors and residents of Beech Mountain for decades and is the go-to spot for everything you could need from hardware to wine. There's even a grumpy cat that doesn't like to be looked at the wrong way! Note to self: get a photo of that cat some time.

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

Mouth of Shem Creek

Shem Creek opens up into Charleston Harbor just between Fort Sumter and Pinckney Island. It is usually super tranquil and a great place to go paddleboarding or kayaking as long as a shrimp boat doesn't come in to dock as you're paddling by. The shrimp boats bring dozens of sea birds intent on getting a free meal.

On the other hand, the creek is full of dolphins and they usually follow the shrimp boats around, too.

I guess there's really never a bad time for some time on the water in and around Shem Creek! For the less adventurous, there are several fantastic restaurants lined up along the creek as well. 

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