Disneyland photography blog
Ah, the tablet of eternal youth at the site discovered by famed archaeologist, Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones Jr. It’s quite an adventure seeking after a treasure of your own in this gem of an ancient booby-trap laden temple. With three to choose from, four if you count the “Gates of Doom” and enjoy that sort of thing, who could decide?
I find myself in a rather peculiar mood today, in wandering thoughts on life. I feel I must make a disclaimer that the following characters are the product of fingers run away with themselves at the keyboard, lost in these thoughts. Please feel free to scroll past to the picture.
I am so grateful for reminders of what really matters in life. But I find the need for their frequency alarming. Each time I feel a renewed sense of gratitude I think, “This time it will stick. This time I won’t lose sight.” When the next reminder rolls around I’m always taken with surprise, “Did I really forget again?” I know it’s different from person to person. Not everyone struggles with it and not everyone cares. I’ve had seasons without struggle and I’ve found I don’t care much for apathy.
“What’s the big deal with forgetting here and there?” you might wonder. For me it’s important to keep my mind focused on the truly important stuff, because that’s the stuff of life that keeps you honest. It keeps you grateful. It keeps your motives pure. I tend to live by a belief that Walt Disney voiced, saying “If you live right, things happen right.” When things don’t happen right I feel lost. I don’t like feeling lost. That’s usually my indicator that I’ve forgotten the important stuff.
Of course, when you’re lost you have two options: Find your way or give up and stay lost. Since I don’t like feeling lost I strive to find my way. When I do eventually find my way back to being focused on and grateful for the truly important stuff, I also find myself right here – wondering why I lose my way so much and need so many welcome reminders of what really matters.
You might also be wondering what in the world any of this has to do with this picture and I wouldn’t blame you, if you decided to go ahead and read all of this. To answer the question, this picture contains two reminders for me: sunrise and Sleeping Beauty Castle. Sunrise reminds me of the joy of a new day ahead and that it begins with beauty. Sleeping Beauty Castle is the icon that probably best encompasses Disneyland, which reminds me that with enough audacity, courage and hard work, dreams do come true, no matter how big or small. So I’ll keep on struggling to find my way, believing I can achieve my dreams, big and small. I hope you will too.
For some, Splash Mountain is the highlight of a hot summer, providing a sweet respite from the heat. As much as I enjoy the ride, my favorite thing about this mountain is the way it glows at sunset. The peak itself almost seems ablaze. Beneath the cool cast trees of Critter Country it is truly a sight to behold.
Tales there be a plenty in this cursed place and they aren’t for the faint of heart. This chamber belongs to an evil queen who knows not mercy or love. What she does know is how to take a perfectly good piece of fruit and make it rotten, a talent perhaps not all that uncommon.
This spot is one of those at Disneyland that I always wish I could linger at a little longer, not because I enjoy standing in line but because I love to get as immersed as I can in all of the rich detail. As much as I love the stories found on the rides, I also enjoy discovering the ones that precede them.
Tropical Imports is Adventureland’s market. Bananas, clean water and mosquito nets can all be found here at a reasonable cost, cash or barter. Just don’t stop in thinking you’ll find Earl Grey tea because a pack of angry gorillas got all of it during the last shipment up the river.
Every story begins with a dream. Walt Disney set out to realize his with a big break in Tinseltown. It was not without hardship or heartache, but Walt was not the kind for quitting. If he had a vision for something, he would dog it ’til it was done. His story backs up a motto he seemed to live by, “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” Courage was not something Walt ever appeared to lack and I imagine it’s because he had the understanding that if you don’t take big risks, you’ll never know what you’re capable of, or maybe even what you’re meant for. Risk stares us in the face with “what ifs?” but it also frees us from “what could have been?”. For me Walt’s story is a reminder that no matter how you’re feeling, if you keep on fighting, believing and risking, you can have your very own story worth telling.
