One of our favorite spots to kick back at Walt Disney World. The food is always fantastic and the grounds are wonderful for strolling after dinner with its “California Lodge” look of what you’d expect Yosemite to look like.
Typical Disney attention to detail throughout – a must stay if you’re a Disney fan and a fan of that California look.
Thanks for your visit and be sure to stop by ccstudio2380 for some great examples of our fine art photography.
Chris and Carol ^.^
Wishing Peace for all.
Chris and Carol ^.^
A recent post by a friend and fellow blogger, Aunt JoAnn https://auntjoannblog.com/, made me think about some long put away bells that my mom collected (small collection thankfully)! Pretty little bells from her travels. Others collected postcards and various trinkets as souvenirs, but for my mom, it was always bells. Oh the bells! The bells!
This little bell is only 3 inches tall and about 2.5 inches at the base. It often sat near our dining table so it naturally became an unofficial dinner bell. It has a lovely soft “tinkle” sound.
The colors are beautiful and the flowers are lovely. It’s one of her prettiest bells.
We don’t collect bells and really have no place to display them. When your parents have passed you naturally inherit their collections of things and when your children don’t want these items (no room for them even if they wanted them) we’re left with what to do with them.
It’s a shame really, but the reality is that as we age our children will be faced with the same problems we’re facing now… no room in our downsized homes for such stuff. So what to do with the things that tie us to our past. No easy answers – we’re reminded just how fragile life is and how our homes are almost always in some sort of danger (Hurricane Harvey and the flooding). We lost some very personal items when Hurricane Hugo (1989) roared across Puerto Rico trashing our home. We were gone, our cats were safe but many things (from my mom) were destroyed (including some of her bells) in the rains that blew through our broken windows.
So that brings me to thinking about the latest disaster in Texas and along the Gulf Coast… some people lost their lives, families are torn apart, some will lose their jobs forever, their stuff is wet and in some cases swept away in the flood – damaged and destroyed. But they will have memories of the better times and hopefully will be able to put their lives back together again.
It’s amazing how one post in a lovely blog can help to recall some cherished memories. The power of words and the gift of memory.
Chris ^.^
We’ve visited the Japan Pavilion quite a number of times over the years – it’s difficult to find new ways of photographing familiar things. The two samurai on horseback that stand guard to the castle have proven to be photographically “tricky” for me. What I mean is that I’m never really satisfied with my images – they lack the sunshine that would make them pop.
They’re beautifully presented statues, wonderfully sculptured and highly detailed but lack bright natural lighting. With that said, here’s my best “shot” at making something out of a poor original image.
Oh how I wish this sculpture were out in the open against a beautiful blue sky!
And while we’re at it, the torii gate is another of my hard to capture icons at the pavilion. The Epcot background always throws me… who wants to see the “golf ball” peeking from behind the gate!
No Epcot “golf ball” but now we see France and England in the background!
If you haven’t had the chance to wander around the Japan Pavilion at Epcot yet, please find the time. Carol and I will often spend an entire afternoon strolling through the many beautiful exhibits and of course you’ve got to see Mitsukoshi Department Store.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cameras: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 and Samsung Galaxy S4
Chris & Carol ^.^
Carol and I have been venturing to Walt Disney World ever since September of 1973 – our first “big” date together and the first time we realized that we were in love with one another. It’s always been our special place.
Over the years many rides and attractions have come and gone – our first trip together Disney used the Ticket Book system where you only had X number of certain tickets before you needed to buy more. The “E” ticket rides were the most desirable.
We’ve had our favorites – Space Mountain, Grand Prix Raceway, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain and of course, It’s a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Our new BEST favorite ever since it came out??? We’ll give you a clue – it’s on this sign.
So that means we’re in the ever changing Disney Hollywood Studios – and it’s on this sign.
Nope!
Nope again!
Nope, not the Muppets in 3D…
It’s Buzz and Woody’s Toy Story Midway Mania!!!
By far we have the most fun and laughs on this ride – shooting 3D stuff at an arcade is a blast!
WE LOVE IT!!! Hope you’ll give it a try if you haven’t been – it’s worth it big time!
Cameras: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 and Samsung Galaxy S4
Lots of Disney love! Chris & Carol
At EPCOT during one of their annual flower festivals. This was in March.
1955 – Lady and the Tramp. A favorite!
Camera: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170
Chris
If you’re a fan of all things Disney like us, you never get tired of visiting the parks. So much to see and do. Whether it’s your 10th visit or your 100th, Walt Disney World is full of treats. In this case those treats are found by simply looking up.
Disney is famous for its Main Street storefronts and their exceptional attention to detail – the “second floor” windows are often covered with little photographic gems and tributes to Disney family, employees, artists and cast members.
Elias Disney was Walt Disney’s father.
Members of the Animation Department for Walt Disney Studios.
Members of Disney’s Animation and Art Departments.
Roy O. Disney was Walt’s older brother and motivator to get Walt Disney World completed in Florida after Walt’s death in 1966.
The next time you visit one of Disney’s parks, take the time to look up. You’ll be rewarded with wonderful details and a touch of whimsy at every turn.
Thanks for your visit!
Camera: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170
Chris and Carol
1977 at Jensen Beach, Florida.
Just before I deployed to Japan on the USS Midway (CV-41) for 3 years.
Love you!
You are with me always.
Pirate the mechanic.
How to make an engine purr.
I was changing out the battery when Pirate decided that the engine looked like a good spot.
Camera: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170
Chris
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 