Daily Photo Tour - The Abandoned Mine

If you wander around the backside of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad you'll find a shaft entering the abandoned mine. Even though I know it's not real, I can't help the urge to cross the fence and explore. The unseen has a way of grabbing our imagination and enticing our curiosity.

Daily Photo Tour - Autumn Thunder

I love the changing of this seasons. It is when I feel most alive. I think it has something to do with pressing forward and moving on. Change is good right? Sometimes it puts us in a new environment. Sometimes it is an event that causes us to change the way we think. Sometimes it's losing something we love. And probably most often, change is something we don't want to encounter, but it's the very thing that molds us and moves us to be closer to the person we are supposed to be. We get comfortable in the same routine. We like consistency. It's easier to travel a road we are familiar with because we know the twists and turns that take us to the destination. And even more familiar is probably the destination.

For me, during the next few months, I am going to encounter some twists and turns I am not at all acquainted with. And the destination is pretty much non existent. I'm not positive where I'm going, or how I am going to get there. Literally. All I have is a fortune cookie that told me in early March, "You will have full contentment by Summer's end." Now, I'm not a big believer in little oriental pieces of magical cookie goodness, but I do have faith that something is on the horizon. And I'm not sure that it is anything I thought it would be back in March. I feel like my idea of "full contentment" has changed dramatically. And I think that is a good thing. Well whatever this full contentment is, it has ten days to get here, because that's when summer ends. So bring it on life. What you got?

Daily Photo Tour - Night Falls Like Thunder on the Frontier

It really never ceases to amaze, watching the transition from day to night at Disneyland. Michaela and I enjoyed an afternoon in Frontierland a few weeks ago and I kept coming back to Big Thunder Mountain. I really had been wanting to do a panoramic picture, something I don't attempt very often. To be honest, I've had a pretty rough go of them, despite countless Google queries... Fortunately for me, yet again, I am blessed with a wife who spurs me on to achieve bigger and greater things. She's also really good at panoramic pictures, so she was a great help. It felt great to put this together in Photoshop. I love this view of Big Thunder. For me, it's the moment when I am most in awe of it and immersed by it. The Frontierland bridge off to your left. The old mining town off to your right just over the ridge where riders come screaming through, held captive by a runaway train. Behind you the amazing and complex sound of people both exhilarated and exasperated from the ride, making their way to their next adventure. If you're lucky, strollers won't obscure what's in front of you. Amidst the trial and error, the advice and enjoying the scene, afternoon quickly became night. And let me tell you, night falls like thunder when the glow on that peak strikes into the night sky like lightning.

(Best viewed bigger by giving it a click and selecting a larger size at the top)

Daily Photo Tour - Rollin' Thunder

It's always exciting to see the faces and reactions of those coming around the corners of Big Thunder Mountain. Everyone always seems to be having a great time. It reminds me of my first ride on Big Thunder Mountain when I balled my eyes out around every corner. I screamed and whined pretty much the whole ride. I do admit, at five years old, I may have been a little too young to ride Big Thunder Mountain. I mean, what kind of parents allow there kid to board a run away mine train?

Daily Photo Tour -Hold on to Your Hats and Glasses

We were at the park bright and early for the beginning of the "One More Disney Day" event and one of the first places we headed to was Frontierland. We made our way over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and we were pleasantly surprised by the amazing light that seem to pour over the entire loading area. With the laid back atmosphere, we took a chance and entered one of the exits to grab a couple shots without drawing too much attention to ourselves. We ended spending a good 45 minutes in the exit without being asked to leave. It was a great feeling being able to take our time getting the shots we wanted and seeing the ride from a whole new angle. Not only that, but it was fun to watch people rushing to board, giggling and screaming the whole way. That is one of the things that I appreciate most about Disneyland, it's ability to bring out the goofy side of everyone, allowing them the freedom to act silly and crazy and have a good time.

Daily Photo Tour - Sunrise Over Thunder Mountain

For anyone that knows even a little bit about me, they know that I don't fair well under slight sleeping conditions. I usually take on a zombie like state and can be very hard to understand or follow. That being said, it was quite difficult for me to pull an all-nighter at Disneyland for their "One More Disney Day" event. Most of it was a blur to me and keeping my eyes open felt like a monumental success, until I began to feel the chill of the morning that comes right before sunrise. It was then that I gathered what strength I had left and raced throughout the park grabbing whatever shot I could before the sun made it's way over the horizon. This one was taken as we were rushing through Frontierland to get to the Rivers of America. I almost considered passing right by this, not wasting anytime to set up, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't bring myself to deny my lens the beauty that was before me. The vibrant blue sky and the orange glow from Big Thunder made for such a beautiful contrast and this is, quite frankly, a weakness of mine. I can never pass up warm lights glistening in the midst of twilight, there is just something very magical about it.

Daily Photo Tour - An Evening at the Mine

Walking through Frontierland one evening I noticed smoke billowing from the stack atop Big Thunder Mountain Railroad's queue. The sun was setting and hitting the side of the mountain, creating a beautiful vibrant backdrop. The sky was full of amazing colors and interesting clouds catching the last light of a long day. It's not hard to picture yourself out on the frontier in a moment like that.

I grew up in the desert. My childhood was filled with searching out interesting rocks, watching sunsets in the big, open sky and make believe that I was a rootin' tootin' cowboy. One of my most frequent imaginings was finding a mine with all sorts of rich stuff and valuables, not realizing that all along, what was truly valuable was the incredible beauty that surrounded me. There's nothing quite like a desert sunset or the way sand glows around dusk and dawn. It's as if the earth was made of gold.

These are the kinds of rabbit hole thoughts I find myself diving into at Disneyland. Sights and sounds ignite memories in a meaningful, tangible way. This is the treasure we constantly find at the Park, to be grateful for good things.

Daily Photo Tour - Top of the Thunder

Yee Haw! On a brisk winter morning the three of us headed into Disneyland with high hopes of capturing some new morning images. As we headed into Frontierland the atmosphere reminded me of those nice winter mornings waking up in the desert. Well, if you don't know what I mean, you just have to experience it for yourself. There is just something special about early mornings in the middle of nowhere. Then again, mornings are special to me anyways seeing as how I almost never wake up early enough to experience them! So, for once, I'd like to say, top of the morning to yah!

Daily Photo Tour - Thundering 'Round the Bend

You know what I love about Disneyland? I love the fact that I can have the experience of riding a runaway mine train and walk away with the urge to do it again. It's even better when you share that pseudo-near-death experience with friends. The handsome gentleman in front of me for this picture is our good friend Ryan Graves. We always have a blast when he comes out to visit.

Daily Photo Tour - The Bang Over Rainbow Ridge

Big Thunder Mountain is a great place to see fireworks, if not a little unusual. They seem so at home, lighting the sky in a rainbow of colors over the frontier. It's not much of a reach to imagine each successive bang as a cowboy firing off his six shooter in inebriation after a night at the saloon. That's one of the great things about Disneyland, things fit together in different ways to make unique experiences.

Daily Photo Tour - The Horse is Man's Noblest Companion

This little spot between Fantasyland and Frontierland is a great find for those looking for quiet areas of Disneyland. Here you can put aside all the hustle of the park, and take a moment to appreciate all the little nuiances of Frontierland. But, you know what would be even better than a relaxing walk through the Frontier? A horse ride along the banks of the Rivers of America! Could you imagine that? The wind whipping through your hair. The tree's brushing passed you as you guided your horse through the brush! Hmmm. Maybe some day.

Daily Photo Tour - The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness

We hang out at the Frontierland bridge a lot, which lends itself to seeing things in new ways. We were hanging out one evening and this section of track really struck me. The way the amber light from the lanterns glistened on the rails as they curved and twisted for a wild ride. The bright bluish hue on the wood in the foreground contrasting sharply against the amber. Moments of complete calm before a mine train comes barreling through loaded with guests, screaming and laughing. It was easy to get lost in this picturesque scene of wild west adventure.

Daily Photo Tour - Evening Thunder

This is one of our favorite spots to linger to during the day. I would argue that it is even better on a warm summer night, with the cool breeze sweeping through and everything aglow. It's very serene and almost makes you feel as though you're just hanging out on your grandparents back porch enjoying the evening air. That is, until Big Thunder comes screaming around the corner and you say to yourself, "What in the sam hill is all that racket?"

Daily Photo Tour - Loadin' up the Thunder

It takes a skilled crew to load up passengers for The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Although, it is confusing why they would keep throwing people on a runaway mine train. This I will never understand. Sometimes there are up to 3 trains running at once! One of my favorite moments of the ride is the tunnel before the first lift hill. I love hearing all the enthusiastic riders screaming with excitement.

Daily Photo Tour - Morning Runaway

Sometimes I forget that Big Thunder Mountain is a runaway mine train. And then I stand on the bridge gazing at the large banking turn. And then the screaming mine train comes barreling through. And then I remember at any moment it could come off it's track and hit me right in the face. But thankfully Disneyland makes tasty Churros.

Daily Photo Tour - Sunset on the Frontier

Happy Valentine's Day! Nothing says it quite like a romantic sunset on the wild frontier. Well... maybe the wild frontier isn't the most romantic place, but Disneyland sure is.

Daily Photo Tour - After the Thunder, a Rocky Exit

Getting lost in the enchanting atmosphere of Disneyland is not an unusual thing. Consulting a park map doesn't help much either since it's not the kind of lost that leaves you wanting to be found again. You can see some things at Disneyland a hundred times before you actually see them. Glancing over at the exit to Big Thunder Mountain, I was immediately transported to a world that made me feel I was about to discover a pioneer town of the old west through that rocky tunnel. And with hand rails for my safety to boot!

Daily Photo Tour - Peaceful Thunder

This is definitely one of my many favorite spots now. When the sun is going down, it blankets through the trees just right. On a hot summer day, its a great spot to sip a coke, and chow down on a churro. If you are trying to get out of the crowds, its a great place to get away! I guess only one word sums it up. Peaceful.

Daily Photo Tour - Golden Thunder

For me, and probably many photographers, my favorite time is the Golden Hour. The hour before the sun sets when everything is illuminated in a golden atmosphere. My buddies and I thought, what better place to be than Thunder Mountain during this time!

Daily Photo Tour - Bones of Thunder Mountain

The first time I rode on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, I was small enough to fit between my mom and dad in one seat... sort of. I remember hearing so many interesting sounds and feeling the rush of wind against my face. What I don't recall is seeing anything except for these bones. I was far too busy being made into the kind of sandwich that had mistakenly been sat on on the way to school, with a slice of mom on one side and a slice of dad on the other. As a child, I was frustrated. I felt like I had missed out. But it is just that kind of memory that fills me with gladness and brings me back to Disneyland time and again. And you can bet when I have a child who is sort of small enough to fit between my wife and me, we'll be headed straight for the "wildest ride in the wilderness" to have ourselves a sandwich.