Cast Member at the exit obliged me for a photo of her sign. One of my favorite quotes ever! I will probably come back at the end of the festival, when family will visit Orlando once more. SEE YA REAL SOON!
Tag Archives: Signage
Shrimp and grits available here
I have had my eye in the shrimp and grits from the Florida kiosk since I got here on Monday. Now we’re going to find out how it is..
Waiting by the Florida Fresh kiosk
I happened to look up as the monorail was going by, so why not? 🙂
Into the festival – one more time!
I have to beat it back to Southwest Florida this afternoon. Going to sample some food from the kiosks at the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival before I go. Lets go taste stuff!
Leaving Disney, but not Orlando
On the road headed toward Universal for a few hours with the family before I head home.
Leaving so soon?
Yes – I want to get past I-4 before afternoon drive-time starts I have an early class in the morning, so waiting till after drive time is not an option this time. It’s been a swell visit, Orlando – see ya real soon!
Single Rider, that’s me
Wel,l not today, but through life. I sometimes write about that at TheSingleRider.com
Look, Universal has one too!
Look, another service dog sign. Why have I never seen these signs before? After all the times I have been to these parks, one would think I’d have run across them dozens of times!
Now entering Islands of Adventure
The family got ahead of me – I stopped at Starbucks!
Heading out of Magic Kingdom
The family will dine at California Grill, thn don costumes and boogie back to Magic Kingdom for Mi key’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. I am going back to EPCOT to get in some Moshe’s around the world.
Please curb your dog… in the Magic Kingdom!
I guess the service dogs need to go SOMEWHERE. The area was clean when we passed by.
It’s not nice to poach
More than just wild animals can be poached. In my neck of the woods, they poach saw palmetto berries !
Just batty in there
Bats are pollinators! Some of them drink flower nectar, just like bees. Other bats eat fruit and spread the seeds around which helps more plants to grow.
Walt wisdom
Love all the refurb signs with pearls from Walt. This is near Electric Umbrella.
So… get another recycling bin!
An establishment on Sanibel defies logic..
I’ll be back!
This preserve is going on my list for the fall, when cooler and more bug-free weather prevails. I’ll be back!
Please do not feed the critters!
Last week, an ecotour operator made the fatal mistake of enticing an alligator out of the water for the entertainment of the tourists. He lost his hand. The gator, quite unfairly, lost his life. There’s a reason for the law. These are not trained Disney critters. They are wild and real and you’re in their territory. Please keep your hands and feet – and FOOD – inside the vehicle at all times, and don’t mess with the critters. Thank you.
Nature trails
The Eco park includes nature tails but I decided not to brave them – I don’t like to hike an unfamiliar trail alone, plus I got bitten twice in the time it took to stand here and take his shot! I will come back when I’ve got a hiking partner and bug spray.
Cape Coral’s veterans memorial
Alongside the road that comes from the bridge, a veterans memorial stands. There’s a vast, shady pavilion, statuary, and you can make a donation to get a paving brick inscribe in memory of a soldier. The World Wars, the Korean conflict, and Vietnam are all represented, as well as more recent wars in the Middle East.
Reading the signs
The kayak rental/launch area is part of the Great Calusa Blueway, and is currently closed for the summer. There’s a nice little picnic area down that way, arranged inside a circular drive.
Wildlife crossing
Your first clue that you’re in a refuge – a sign that warns of slithering, scampering, and sauntering critters. Please do not run them down in your hasty zeal to be one with nature. Thank you!
Hooray for the Boy Scouts!
A young man named nick McNamara created the kissing gates as his Eagle Scout project. Well done, Nick! 🙂
Well. We finished the five miles well within the prescribed three hours. Now it’s time for a shower and some ice cream to cool off.
Today’s Adventure: Caracara prairie Preserve hike for National Trails Day

Today’s Adventure: Caracara prairie Preserve hike for National Trails Day, originally uploaded by Erin *~*~*.
8:14 AM – It’s National Trails Day! I’ve got my hiking shoes on and I’m going on a five-miler at a brand new trail in Immokolee, Florida. It’s gonna be hotter than the hinges of hell! I must be out of my mind. Let’s go!
See Ya Real Soon, the finale
I just can’t resist this point and pray shot.
See ya real soon!
See ya real soon, part 1
Always sorry to leave, but I know I will be happy to get home to my own bed.
Going on a dangerous river expedition
It rains in the Amazon 365 days a year. That’s almost every day 😉
Waiting on Cap’n Jack
Pirate parade has occurred – now we await the imminent arrival of the cap’n
Hey there, hi there, ho there!
What a chEARful welcome 🙂
Monorail or boat?
“You have arrived…”
That’s what the GPS lady always says, but I don’t need GPS to get to The happiest Place on Earth. I had not been here more than 2 minutes and already had three great CM encounters.
1. The security dude doing bag check looked deep into my eyes and said, "Have fun, Princess."
2. The CM at the turnstiles took note of the fact that Goofy is on my AP and said, "hey there, no goofin’ around now haw haw haw!" just like Goofy
3. I’ll tell you the third one in a minute…
End of the CREW Marsh hike
What an awesome place! I am coming back soon, for sure. I hope to learn more and more by just going out on guided hikes over and over. Repetition, repetition, repetition!
Gator warning
Not twenty feet from this sign is a group of picnic benches. I guess the gators have to eat somewhere!
Headed to the marsh overlook
It is windy and cool today. And the wind really takes advantage of the open space in the pine flatwood and marsh.
Paying homage o the founder of CREW
Joel Kuperberg founded CREW in 1989 for the purpose of ensuring the availability of clean water for South Florida.
Today’s Adventure: Hiking through the marsh
We’ve been to the cypress dome down here at CREW – now lets check out the marsh 🙂 Our tour guide is David Cooper, a Florida Master Naturalist who volunteers here. I can tell I will learn a lot from him. Let’s go!
Doesn’t look like a road to me
I can only imagine what sort of vehicle is needed! We are at the end of the trail and I’m going to eat my lunch and skedaddle.
Arriving at the CREW Cypress Dome Trails
This is where the CREW Wildflower Festival is being held. I am scheduled for an 11:30 am hike.
Hiking ’round Harns Marsh, Part 2
This is a follow-up to Part 1 of the same hike, which was posted a couple of weeks ago.
I promised you shelling, and shelling you shall have 🙂 There are at least two different varieties of apple snails at Harns Marsh – possibly, three – but only one of them is a Florida native. The other two are from South America, and having established themselves here in Florida, are considered “invasive exotics”.
There are some other types of freshwater snails in residence at the marsh, too. I’ve seen rams-horn, sprites, and Choctaws littering the shores and paths. Aquatic gastropods make for some tasty dining options for birds such as the snail kite and the limpkin, both of which favor marsh habitats. This means that Harns Marsh is positively INFESTED with empty freshwater snail shells. I was sorely tempted to collect them, but remembering that this is a preserve, I refrained. We’ll have to console ourselves with cyber-shelling. Are you ready? Here we go…

My foot’s in this photo for scale. The Florida applesnail is only 1.5″; this one is much bigger than that, so we know it must be one of the invasive exotics. I dug this shell out of the sand on the banks of the pond with the toe of my hiking shoe. When I flipped it over, I discovered that the grass growing nearby had sent roots into the shell. There must have been something in there that the grass wanted – moisture, or possibly fertilizer! This demonstrates that the applesnail shell continues to provide value in nature long after the original inhabitant has departed. The shell below the applesnail in this photo belonged to a rams-horn snail. The small one by my shoe might be either a sprite or else a baby rams-horn.

Here’s a closer look at another rams-horn snail shell. This one is vividly colored. It is showing us its “umbilical” side – see how the whorls are a bit concave, instead of raised? This is right-side up; how the animal would present if we’d found it live. The “spire” side, or the side where the whorls protrude, would be on the underside. I’ve read that the rams-horn snail has hemoglobin in its blood, marking the presence of oxygen. This gives it a nice rosy color. I’d love to observe a live one some time.

I saw some odd things in the dry pond and stream beds in the marsh. Perhaps they were not visible until the water level had diminished, and therefore no one had gone ’round to collect them before this. Here we see a bunch of snail shells strewn about, along with what looks like half a rubber chicken and what appears to be the red tie closure to a plastic trash bag. If you click the link below, you can check out the original size photo, and you’ll see that around the rim of the rubber chicken, it says “MADE IN TAIWAN”. Scroll around the original size photo to go cyber-shelling – you’ll see lots of applesnails and at least one sprite and one rams-horn. If you spot anything else, leave a comment! 😉 CLICK HERE for super-sized photo

Someone has recently feasted upon this egg; it looks like a freshwater turtle egg. The outside is pristine, but the inside is full of debris, so I believe the feast was not TOO recent. It was also the only one I found in the area, which may mean that the predator carried it there from the location of the nest. I didn’t have too much time to think about it, for a movement on the path in front of me caught my attention, and I thought no more about the turtle egg or where the nest might be.

It’s a snail kite! I thought at first it was a hawk, but on a hunch, I fired up the Audubon app on my phone. Lo and behold, the juvenile snail kite looks just like this guy. I felt very lucky to have spotted one

While still on the western perimeter path of the marsh, a sign appears that announces the boundary between Harns Marsh, a facility of the East County Water Control District, and some Lee County, FL lands. Conservation 20/20 is the vehicle by which the county acquires land parcels for conservation and water management purposes. Sometimes those two goals can be made to co-exist quite amicably. I later learned that this parcel is called the West Marsh, and trails will be developed so that hikers can cross back and forth between West and Harns at will. What a field trip THAT will be!

Continuing up the west side of the marsh, the woods veered off and I came upon a vast open wetland with tall grasses waving in the breeze. I scared both a turtle and a great blue heron coming around the bend that leads to this open space. It is beautiful, isn’t it? However, this stretch is relentlessly shadeless, so be prepared if you ever come here and decide to do the loooong 4 mile hike around the North Marsh. It could be killer in weather any warmer than this. Here we see that a group of white ibis have taken the field with their bright red, probing bills.

I was hot and tired and thirsty when I rounded the corner on the (thankfully) short north end of the marsh. I could see where I’d parked my car, way off in the distance; however, there was this large body of water and grass between me and it, so I figured I should keep on moving if I ever wanted to sit within the confines of its air conditioned comfort once more. And then I saw them – birds that are well on their way to being as tall as I am, with magnificently plumed butts and a loud, distinctive call. These are sandhill cranes, and they had babies with them! My first clue was a little fuzzy yellow head, barely visible in the tall grass; see red arrow in picture above.

One of the parents – Dad? – began to move purposefully in the direction of the youngster. I glanced to the left and saw the reason why. Standing absolutely stock still was a heron – I think it was tri-color (see the white stripe down the throat?). The youngster stood beside his towering parent and faced the heron down. “Oh, yeah?”, he seemed to be saying. “Well, my old man can kick your butt!”

From way off to the right, I caught some movement out of the corner of my eye. “Why does all the good stuff happen when I’m not there?”, he grumbled as his short little legs worked overtime to get him to where the action was. “Hey wait up – wait for me!”

The tri-color took off as the second youngster caught up. I’d caught up too, and now that the Dad wasn’t so distracted, he decided to notice me and trumpet his disapproval at my presence. There must have been some magic line in the path over which I eventually crossed, for he stopped honking abruptly the minute I stepped over it and summarily ignored me once more.
In short order, I’d reached the car and broken out some cold water. I was thoroughly satisfied with my day and knew I’d be back to this beautiful place. Actually, the call to hike there once more came much sooner than I’d thought it would. Friends were planning a Florida Master Naturalist “reunion” hike, and did I want to come along? You bet I did! Pictures to come…
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Thanks for a great hike
I was able to take a bunch of photos with my Canon, which I will post in the future. Had a great afternoon overall – want to do it again soon!
Foot traffic only
I saw horseshoe tracks on park of the trail, but that’s definitely "foot" traffic… OK, hoof traffic! I think I am about halfway ’round the marsh trail now.
Wings Over Water in Lehigh Acres
There’s a festival at a local marsh – here to check it out! It’s supposed to be a good birding place.
Orlando Do-Over: Day 2, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
© Copyright 2012 | http://MyMobileAdventures.com | CLICK any photo for a larger view
This is the fourth in a series of “do-over” posts that are being created to make up for the mobile blogging errors that occurred during my last trip to Orlando.
The next morning, I did something unconscionable; necessary, but unconscionable. Through the miracle of the hotel wake-up call, I arose at 6:00 am, struggled into some clothes, and stumbled down to the lobby for free coffee. Back to the room I went, fixed myself an organic apple smeared with peanut butter, and sat down at the computer to work for two hours. That’s right, work. I’m currently an independent consultant, and I was on a deadline, which would not be met if I didn’t put in a few hours each day slaving away on an epic technical report. So I worked for two hours, hit the shower and then hit the road, with a stop in between for another free cup of coffee (it’s actually not bad for free coffee – also, free-trade!).

It was past 9:30 AM when I arrived at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but apparently it was still too early for some. Here in the Oasis, the black swan slumbers persistently, despite a throng of gawkers passing by on their way into the park.

As I made my way along the path that goes up the right side of the Oasis, I spotted these tiny lantern-like flowers blooming on a shrub. I tried to find the plant in my Audubon app, but I’m not too good at that yet so I don’t know the name.

As it turns out, there’s construction happening on the right side of the Oasis, and the path proved impassable. Blocking the way were those familiar walls that declare activity on behalf of our future enjoyment, peppered with Walt quotes. Here’s one of my favorites; I’m a do-er, just like Walt 🙂

I texted my friend Joy, who was already in the park. We agreed to meet by It’s Tough To Be A Bug, and I found her there, waiting in line to have her photo taken with Flik. We proceeded to Expedition Everest. I have video of our terrifying trip through the wilds of the Tibetan mountains. We both screamed quite a bit. The amazing thing is that I was able to hold on to the phone the entire time. I will upload the video to YouTube; in fact, I think I shall go start that now. Hold that thought…

Although we had met earlier at It’s Tough To Be A Bug, we did not actually partake of the show until Joy’s husband Al showed up in the park. Joy and I spent some time stalking the otters for a bit; they seemed to be taking their cue from the black swan, and remained in a snoozing pile while we pleaded and cajoled for them to come on over and play. At some point, one of them looked up when I whistled, but he wasn’t interested in abandoning the pile and soon settled down again. *sigh*
Next: Lunch, and fish are friends, not food 😉
Should we be concerned?
At least it doesn’t say "hot mess" ! We are now seated for Cryptmas with Beetlejuice lol
Relaxing resort bar
We recommend it!
Christmas at Universal Islands of Adventure
We have arrived and are taking a bio break…
Stitch was a little bit hungry
Photo taken earlier. I am back in the car now at CREATE 43. The wind nearly took the car door out of my hand. Since my sweatshirt is back at the room, that’s where I am headed.
Cabbage Key Priorities
As you are waiting for your turn on the gangplank, you look down and see this sign. I like it that Cabbage Key makes water conservation a priority 😉
Signs protect local species on Fort Myers Beach
The rare and endangered FORKLIFT apparently nests here, so be careful driving and don’t mow it down 😉
Mango Mecca – the motherland!
Ah the roadside ftuit and veggie stand. This is a dying sight where I am from on the Loverly Isle of Long (Long Island). Glad to see they thrive on the Loverly Isle of Pine 😉
Bocilla Island Seaport
I need to google when I get home and find out why there are two different spellings for this town (Bocilla and Bokeelia) and why it’s called Pine Island AND Bocilla Island. Intrigue! Mystery!
Walking on the Bocilla Seaport pier
They want eight bucks to walk to the ende of it but since we haven’t any fishing poles, I don’t think that applies to us…
Capt’n Con’s in Bokeelia – or was that Bocilla?
We found a place on the tip of Pine Island – open! Can’t wait for some fresh seafood 🙂
Mango Mania!
It’s a lot bigger on the inside than it looked from the road. There’s a fair amount of cars in the field already. let’s go in!
Welcome to the REAL Florida
We have ended the boat tour and now we are lunching at Lover’s Key State Park.
Wise counsel from Walt Disney
There’s a little refurb going on in EPCOT’s China
Hollywood juniper outside EPCOT’s Norway
This is planted near the topiary troll (trollpiary!). It is feathery and pretty and it smells good too!
“Let The Memories Begin!”
I like these banners – the colors are soothing, as is the whole shady stroll into EPCOT from the bus stops. I also tend to like anything with the geosphere pattern on it. It’s the EPCOT icon, after all!
Cars 2 Fanfare
Magic Kingdom refurb continues
This is in the bus stop area on the park side of the bus lane (as opposed to the lagoon side). A little let down at the lack of pithy Walt quote on the sign
Hooray – Magic Kingdom!
Zero delay getting in – people entering but not throngs. Gonna be a nice day 🙂 First order of business – I am well-hydrated from my coffee-fueled homework frenzy of a morning, so you know what that means…. LOL 😉
Today’s Agenda: Magic Kingdom
I had the misfortune of checking email and finding that I had a mission to complete which was heretofore unknown. So I did that and now I am at the bus stop waiting to get to the Magic Kingdom. My compatriot is already there and has declared it "not crowded". Hopefully it will remain that way for a while.
See ya real soon!
Interpreting the signs at EPCOT
Shovel now. Go this way. Or that way. But don’t walk ther!
Bus stop art at Disney’s Old Key West
We are headed out to EPCOT to do the coungtry walk. But right now, we’re just digging our view of the resort from the under the ceiling fan in the bus stop. Ahhhhh 🙂
Signage outside Olivia’s
I hear the boat approaching…
DVC Ferry signage
Yay, we’re on our way!
Stowing stuff at Islands of Adventure
Xxmwm
EPCOT entrance through the droplets
Sunshowering earnestly now – going to bring my baby umbrella in with me (folds up tiny for portability)
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What a lovely morning that was!
I will definitely be back to walk/run the trails in earnest and get some fresh produce!
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Fun for the whole family!
There’s a cute little kiddie train ride here
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Ah-HAH! The meaning of”Step Up Lee”
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Will that be cash, check, charge… or your life?
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Stuff You’re Not Allowed To Do Here
Ok maybe just sitting and listening is safer…
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Strange signage in the shrubbery
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No you can’t come in here
And if you do we shall have to wipe your memory
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Must be those flying pigs again
Love these signs a lot
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Finally getting in to see Harry Potter
W00t! Our pass is good now!
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Gotta get some gold
We’ve been on ONE ride. Yes, it’s THAT crowdwd. we highly recommend the single rider lne – much faster than the 75 minute wait on the regular line
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Guess which park we’re in today!
Shhhh! Don’t tell Mickey lol
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New banners in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Sure hope they don’t start projecting "memories" on the critters!
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More pearly gate goodness
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Someone remind me later where I parked
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Nothing like the sight of the “pearly gates”
I still get a thrill no matter how manytimes I drive onto Disney property 🙂
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Once More To The Boardwalk
Atlantic Dance Hall is blasting a Britney medley and a bunch of guys are playing an impromptu soccer game outside JellyRolls. Me, I’m going to sleep so I can be functional at Disne
y’s Animal Kingdom tomorrow.
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LOST! In Epcot
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One more time, with feeling
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How many days till Santa comes?
Candy cane garden by Town Hall in the Magic Kingdom
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Now to find food and friends, in that order
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Disney is proud to be fully compliant with ADA’s oft-forgotten accessibility rule for those who roll backwards

Disney is proud to be fully compliant with ADA’s oft-forgotten accessibility rule for those who roll backwards, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.
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Hey there, hi there…
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Heading for healthy food in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
I had a decent salad at the Yak & Yeti counter service place last month
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Early closure for Kilimanjaro Safari
It gets dark earlier these days…
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Obligatory DAK shopportunity
Not buying much these days, but I always love to look 🙂
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Pearly gates, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
It’s a GORGEOUS DAY! Not as chilly as it has been. Excited to see the Christmas decorations.
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Pearly gates, Osceola Parkway
Exit 68 off I-4
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Red light at Pearly Gates Jr.
Because I need something to amuse myself at red lights LOL
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If only it were true…
Those ankle-biting, shin-splitting… strollers! What? You thought I meant the children? 🙂 LOL
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EPCOT and some @badelves for dinner
Ok that doesn’t sound quite right, does it? Ha ha ha
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Hopeful sign…
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Sanbel Grill points us in the right direction ;)
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Disney’s Polynesian Resort!
I am searching for Halloween at Walt Disney World and this is my first stop.
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My kind of sign – adventure!
A little bit of Universal’s IoA theming as seen from the ticket queue
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