EPCOT Food & Wine Festival - Disney World 2014

Last Saturday I ventured down to Orlando for the Food & Wine Festival!


For those who are unaware, Disney Theme Parks in Orlando, Florida throws an annual celebration at EPCOT park to celebrate the food and wine that represents the culture of dozens of countries around the world. 

EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) is a park dedicated to Walt Disney's understanding of international contributions to the world as a whole.  The name EPCOT inspires the feeling of a futuristic world, and technically, it should.  But what's interesting about EPCOT is the park focuses less on the future, and more on the historical and cultural contributions of the main countries featured around the World Showcase:  Mexico, China, Norway, Germany, China, United States, Canada, France, Morocco, Italy, England, & Africa (the continent is represented in this case).

The festival runs from September 19th through November 10th.  Not only are all of these countries represented, but more countries are added for visitors to enjoy local cuisines.  This year, Greece, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Philippines, Poland are among the dozens of nations represented in custom food stands & booths around the park.

Thousands of people enjoy all of the food and wine they're willing to purchase.  Many people consider it a challenge and even go as far as making group t-shirts for "Eating & Drinking Around The World" and they check off the countries as they go.   It's really quite an experience and it is the perfect example of how Walt Disney World isn't just for kids.  In fact, EPCOT is the most adult-oriented theme park Disney has to offer.  Multiple 4 and 5 star restaurants represent the finer things in life for those adults looking for a nice escape from the daily hustle. 

My wife and I are annual Disney passholders and are certainly Disney "veterans".  The Food & Wine Festival is the highlight of our Disney trips and we are lucky to be able to experience it as often as we do.

-James

Fall Photoshoot

I've said it countless times so far this year, but Fall is my favorite time of year.  It is my favorite time to ride, and it is my favorite time to photograph.  I'm an amateur photographer at best, but the best thing about Fall is that the weather is so beautiful, nature cooperates with the camera almost by default.

Living in Florida, we don't have the wide variety of beautiful trees that explode colorful leaves every Fall, but we do have the Sycamore.  Sycamore's are the quintessential "Fall tree" for the Sunshine State.  When their leaves fall, I just want to stop what I'm doing and just take it all in.

The neighborhood I live in is a golf course community.  When the economy tanked, the course owner cut his losses and left.  The course has not been operational for many years, and it wasn't until the past year that landscapers started a monthly bush-hogging of the fairways.  No idea when the course will re-open, but in the meantime, the overgrowth allows for great photo opportunities.

Turkey Creek is also a beautiful natural water feature that courses through the neighborhood.  The way the light hits the water in late afternoon makes it difficult to pass up taking some pictures.  I wanted to drive down into the creek bed for some great shots, but I did not want the attention that came with an entire family that lives next to the creek.  They all happened to be outside and wouldn't stop starting at me.  People in this neighborhood have become very rude and nosy.  The last thing I want is for someone to call the Golf Cart Police (Homeowner's Association), even though I wouldn't be doing anything wrong.  Just isn't worth it.

Perhaps I'll get window that gives me a chance to spend more time in the creek bed.  Only time will tell.

-J

An Afternoon Cruise

After my classes last Thursday, I decided to take the long way home and hit some back roads and open fields.  I wanted more content for the blog, but I also wanted to take a break from my normal routine and tear up some ground.  Since I do drive a Dual Sport, I am required by Man-Law to go off-road to make me and my motorcycle happy by tearing up some back country.  The weather called for 60% chance of severe thunderstorms in the afternoon (typical Florida), so I wore my heavy weather gear.  What happened instead, was clear blue skies with a high of 94 degrees and no rain whatsoever. The humidity was high, and it did rain later that night, but certainly not when The Weather Channel predicted.  A heavy leather jacket, rain proof steel-toed boots, and Wrangler jeans caused me to sweat horribly, but I was able to enjoy myself, despite the hot, heavy gear.  It was a beautiful day, perfect for taking the pictures I wanted, and the traffic also cooperated.  Along the way I decided to visit my parents and revisit the nearby fields and dirt roads I used to ride when I was kid.  I had a really great time, and I will definitely be doing this again soon!

-J