Daily Photo Tour - Morning Refuge

The Union Jack hangs high in the Everblooming Disney Tree (bet you didn't know it had a name, did you?) from what would appear to be bits of refuse, mysteriously suspended. It is, in fact, not a heap of refuse but rather a refuge. The story of Tarzan is not one I've been all that familiar with until recently. Sure I have seen the Disney film, a few cartoons, a comic or two all loosely based on the creation of Edgar Rice Burroughs. My dad happens to love ERB and recently, thanks to my handy dandy books app, I've dug into Tarzan of the Apes. Admittedly, I don't read anywhere near as often as I'd like or should. After experiencing other's takes on the story, it's nice to get lost in my own imagination for a change.

New Excursions on the Horizon

We've been posting pictures of the Disneyland Resort for nearly two years. In that time, we've endeavored to share a few creative projects to supplement the hundreds of photos. We really enjoy those types of projects and will be posting them much more frequently, keeping you updated along the way. Something we have yet to branch out with, in the past two years, is sharing some of our non-Disney pictures. Recently the idea has persistently crept up on us, "Why not?" While we spend much of our free time at the Park, we do occasionally find time for other fun places and taking pictures is a habit we just can't seem to quit. This Saturday, for the first time, we will share a batch of photos from places outside the Disneyland Resort (they do exist!). This won't take over the website or change our daily posting of Disney photos. It's simply another creative outlet for us that we hope you will enjoy. There's a lot of beauty in this world and we want to share some of it through these excursions.

Daily Photo Tour - The Family Treehouse

Wandering through Tarzan's Treehouse is always a fun adventure. It doesn't matter how old you are, you still get to be a kid climbing a tree. Realizations like that somehow always bring me back to family. When I think about being a kid, I think about the fun I had, the bumps, bruises and scars I earned. More than that, I think about the shelter I was given by my family, their love and the memories that came from special moments reinforcing I truly mattered in this world. Somehow, this particular scene in the treehouse captures that notion of family for me.

Daily Photo Tour - Alone in the Jungle

I really treasure the quiet evenings we have at the park together shooting. It is something that we seem to experience less and less as we make our way into summer, but it is very special. I still remember the first night we went to the park to take pictures together for the first time. It felt as though we were the only people in the entire park and we completely lost ourselves behind our cameras. Nothing else mattered. That night something changed, a desire and a passion grew inside of each one of us that we didn't even realize was there. From this, the blog was born and this adventure. No matter what happens, we do this because we love it. We love sharing the Disneyland Resort with you as we see it, as idealistic as it may seem sometimes, we never lose sight of that fact. We wouldn't trade all the incredible people we have met by doing this for anything and we are so grateful to all of you who allow us to be a part of your day.

Daily Photo Tour - The Jungle Book

Climbing through Tarzan's Treehouse, you're bound to finding something new on every trip. I have seen this book a number of times and it's actually quite hard to miss, but I have never thought to take a picture of it. As we came across the bridge, I nearly passed by it again, but was stopped by the incredible light reflecting off of it. It immediately transported me to the openings of classic Disney animated features, pressing in on an elaborate mysterious book, knowing there's an incredible adventure waiting within it's pages.

Daily Photo Tour - Crossing Through the Jungle

Tarzan's Treehouse is one of those places in Disneyland where you can't get lost, but you wish you did. The path tends to only lead in one direction, up. When the three of us get in the tree, I usually forget I have my camera and begin to act like a kid again, goofing around, and having fun. But this time, I though't I'd get a picture of the bridge as we crossed through the jungle.

Daily Photo Tour - Don't Pet the Jaguar

One of my favorite pastimes at Disneyland is climbing Tarzan's Treehouse. There is just something so magical about being above the hustle and bustle of the park and being able to overlook everything. On one of our trips through the treehouse we stopped to say hello to the Jaguar. Kevin extended his hand to pet him and all of a sudden he let out a deafening growl. Kevin jumped back at least two feet and we all lost it and started busting up. When we finally calmed down we took a break off to the side. Not two minutes later a small group of foreign tourists came up the steps and stopped to visit the jaguar as well. We watched as one in the group extended their hand and as the jaguar growled the entire group leaped back. We all, group included, started busting up together. I treasure moments like these and I love how Disneyland has the ability to bring people together from all over.

Daily Photo Tour - At the Helm

Do you ever get so immersed in the atmosphere at Disneyland that you forget these are just props? I guess that is a good sign that they are doing a great job. Its fun to watch all the people, children and grown-ups alike, grasp the wheel and start to steer. It reminds me of Pirates of the Caribbean, when Captain Jack says that what a ship really is, is freedom. We love freedom. We love the ability to stand at the helm of our lives and choose the course. What a blessing it is to live in a country where we have that ability, and where we can celebrate our creativity, courage and that freedom with a place like Disneyland. A big thank you to our courageous troops for making that possible, and for tracking down Osama Bin Laden, all these years later. It's hard to believe it's been nearly a decade since 9/11. The memory of it doesn't feel that far displaced; but today it feels like there is a little more closure.

Daily Photo Tour - Man in the Mirror

As much as I miss the Swiss Family Robinsons' Treehouse, I have to admit Disney did a wonderful job with Tarzan's. It really pays to take your time exploring as you climb your way through the tree. Attention is given to every detail and there are plenty of treasures waiting to be discovered.

Daily Photo Tour - Base Camp

If you listen closely as you exit Tarzan's Treehouse you will hear a tribute to a much beloved attraction, The Swiss Family Robinsons' Treehouse. As someone who grew up watching The Swiss Family Robinsons, it has been and will always be a favorite of mine. Upon exiting Tarzan's Treehouse I like to take a moment to listen to the Swisskapolka and reminisce.

Daily Photo Tour - Me Tarzan, Where's Jane?

On a rare occasion the three of us will climb the stairs of the magnificently designed, Tarzan's Tree House, only to find out that the true kid in us really comes out. I don't find it easy to hold in the monkey screams or tiger roars that so desperately want to be expelled from my lungs. Might I mention again that there are only three of us. Yeah, Matt has found his Jane, but I'm sure mine is out there somewhere. Maybe it's the monkey screams that's keeping them away. Hmm.