Goat Island Sunset

No roads lead to Goat Island. It sits on the other side of the Intra Coastal Waterway from the Isle of Palms Marina and can only be accessed by water. The children who live on Goat Island actually have to take a boat across the water to the bus stop. That just might qualify as the coolest ride to school ever! I'm guessing if you ask the good people of Goat Island, they'd tell you the lack of a car is a small price to pay for the solitude and beautiful sunsets they enjoy while living on the water. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300. 

Italy Pavilion

Epcot's World Showcase countries take on an entirely new perspective when seen through a telephoto lens from across the lagoon. None seem more at home at the water's edge than Italy, with the Campanile di San Marco rising high above the water and the trademark black gondolas lined up for service. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Thunderbirds Over Chicago

This is one of the greatest weekends of the year — Chicago's Air & Water Show!

We religiously attended the air show every summer when I was a kid and I still love going back to watch it whenever I'm able to. If you've never been to Chicago before, don't go in February. Go on air show weekend and you will leave certain that Chicago is the greatest city in the world. Not only is the city literally buzzing with amazing aircraft all weekend long but the weather is almost always perfect and everybody in the city is out enjoying the weekend. It's payback for the long, grey, slushy winters. 

If you don't have access to a roof deck or a high-rise condo along the water, check out North Avenue Beach or the viewing deck at the Hancock building for some of the best views. 

This photograph was captured with a Nikon D90. 

A New Day

I've said it before and I'll say it again... the sunrises and sunsets on Beech Mountain are spectacular. Beech Mountain is the highest town east of the Rockies, which might have something to do with it. The long-range mountain views don't hurt, either! If you'd like to take a trip to the mountains and experience mornings on Beech Mountain for yourself, check out Slopeside.

Here's to wishing you a fantastic, adventurous weekend!

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Quiet Marina

It's been a while since I've posted a photograph from Figure Eight Island. This is the private Figure Eight Island marina. It's located on a really serene stretch of the Intra Coastal Waterway, nestled among salt marshes that run as close as 100 meters to the ocean. This was captured in February so the docks are  a bit quiet but they're a perfect representation of the peacefulness of the Island in the low season. 

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

Hogwarts Express

The Hogwarts Express at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Orlando is perfect. It's the first thing you see as you enter Hogsmeade Village from Universal Citywalk and it really sets the scene. Using the Hogwarts Express to connect Hogsmeade Village to Diagon Alley in the original Universal Studios was a brilliant move by Universal Studios. Having a different experience aboard the Hogwarts Express depending on direction of travel was genius! 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Ghosts of the Past

The old walls of Fort Sumter have been beaten by the wind and sea for over a century and they show it. But when the sun sets in front of the fort, they light up as if the fort is coming back to life, along with all of the stories that are buried inside. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.

Illuminations Command Center

If you look at the top of the temple in Epcot's Mexico World Showcase from across the lagoon, you will notice a glass control room that must have one of the best views in all of Walt Disney World. I always assumed this was a security office — or maybe the office of Epcot's "Head Honcho" — but yesterday I learned that it's the command center for the nightly Illuminations show. 

Illuminations is such a spectacle that it's hard to imagine it isn't run exclusively by some sort of Disney Magic™. I'm sure there's plenty of magic involved but evidently the magician can be found pulling the strings at the top of the Mayan temple in the Mexico World Showcase. TMYK!

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Rose & Crown Pub

The Rose & Crown pub is one of my favorite places in Epcot... in fact, it's one of my favorite places in all of Disney. I am a sucker for a good British pub, though, whether it be in London (try the Churchill Arms at Notting Hill Gate) or back home in Charlotte (Big Ben for the win!). 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Palm Cove Pool Day

It's about a million degrees and sunny in Charlotte right now. I think it's a pool day! If I was in Charleston this morning, I'd be headed for the Palm Cove pool at Wild Dunes. Give me a pool, umbrella, beach bar, grill and bocce court and I'd call it a successful day! 

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