Hershey’s Chocolate World

Posted on August 12, 2009 by Scott Thomas Photography
Hersheys Chocolate World entrance sign just outside HersheyPark in Pennsylvania.

Hershey's Chocolate World entrance sign just outside HersheyPark in Pennsylvania.

On the way back from MagicMeets in Harrisburg, stopped at HersheyPark’s Chocolate World like my fellow blooger, The Daily Click, did.  There’s no admission fee to go here as Chocolate World is outside HersheyPark.  They give you two hours of free parking which should be more than enough time to take in the Hershey’s Chocolate Tour, shop for souvenirs and buy and eat some Hershey products of all kinds from chocolate bars to Twizzlers.  I give two thoumbs up for the white chocolate Kit Kat bars I found here.

I’m not a big chocolate eater but it’s hard not to find something scrumptious to buy.  In browsing around Chocolate World, I found a discount store and serving area for blizzard-like delights using many of Hershey’s products.

Do you like Blizzards? Youll love these made in Hersheys Chocolate World.

Do you like Blizzards? You'll love these made in Hershey's Chocolate World.

I will admit to a weakness for chocolate when mixed with peanut butter and Hershey makes Reese’s…very big Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, in fact, which are about the same diameter but twice as deep as the original.

A Reeses display found in Hersheys Chocolate World.
A Reese’s display found in Hershey’s Chocolate World.

What’s a visit to Hershey without some Kisses.  In this case, one BIG Kiss with a few dozen smaller ones inside.

Do you like Hershey Kisses? If you do, then you will want to get this one.

Do you like Hershey Kisses? If you do, then you will want to get this one.

If you are a real Chocoholic, you will probably not be able to leave this on the shelf. 🙂  Hey, it’s only 40 bucks (US dollars).  Go for it!
Five pounds of Hershey Chocolate.

Five pounds of Hershey Chocolate.

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View 85: Justin Muchoney, Chief Magic Official

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Scott Thomas Photography
Walt Disney Worlds first Chief Magic Official, Justin Muchoney, speaking at MagicMeets on Saturday, August 8, 2009, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Walt Disney World's first Chief Magic Official, Justin Muchoney, speaking at MagicMeets on Saturday, August 8, 2009, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Justin Muchoney, Disney Parks’ first Chief Magic Official or CMO, was the keynote speaker at this year’s MagicMeets held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His speech entitled, Making Magic Everyday, chronicled his year as CMO from his video application to the final three game show like showdown at Walt Disney World to some of the events and places he attended.  He shared with us what he learned.

Not only did Justin show everyone how he spread the Disney Magic at the parks and around the world, he showed how people he meet changed his prospective of life. From giving guests at the Disney Parks magical moments to meeting cast members of the Walt Disney Company. One person, Kevin Rafferty, an Imagineer at Walt Disney who was the lead designer in Walt Disney World’s latest attraction, Toy Story Mania, was a big influence. Justin is seen here reading a quote of Kevin’s from the book, Imagineering Way, to illustrate a point leading to everyone standing and exclaiming, “I can be Incredible!”

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CAUTION: Wet Floor

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Scott Thomas Photography
Seen floating in Crescent Lake near the Boardwalk resort area in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

Seen floating in Crescent Lake near the Boardwalk resort area in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

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View 84: Fast and Furious

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Scott Thomas Photography
Dragsters racing at ESTA Safety Park Dragstrip on Sunday, July 26, 2009

Dragsters racing at ESTA Safety Park Dragstrip on Sunday, July 26, 2009

Unlike the show cars I showed you recently, the cars at ESTA Safety Park Dragstrip near Cicero, New York, want to go as fast as they can in a 1/4 mile and beat their opponent in doing so. That is the fast part. The furious comes from all the activity that happens on the cars in preparation to race. As a fan of most kinds of motor sports, I have enjoyed visiting ESTA over the years as a spectator and now as a photographer. This is also where I practice my panning technique and sports photography a few times a year.

Street Class cars in a close race at ESTA Safety Park Dragstrip.

Street Class cars in a close race at ESTA Safety Park Dragstrip.

I was disappointed in the number of Street Class cars at ESTA. These are racers who use there cars as their primary vehicle during the week and bring them to the track on the weekends to compete. Many spend thousands of dollars to get their cars to go faster than the manufacturers built them to go. Why was I disappointed? Because I see cars like these all over my area. I know many “race” on the streets where it is against the law and dangerous not only to themselves but others on the road. For a fraction of the money they put in their cars, they could come to ESTA and run their cars in a safe environment without fear of having their license revoked when they are caught street racing or worse, if they are in an accident. Okay, off my soapbox and back to the racing.

Pro Stock Class cars flying down the 1/4 mile at ESTA Safety Park Dragstrip.

Pro Stock Class cars flying down the 1/4 mile at ESTA Safety Park Dragstrip.

Other classes, like the dragsters in the first photo, are dedicated race cars. The drivers and crew of these cars spend days to prepare for a few runs every week, championship points and cash prizes. At this level, no one wins enough money to make a living. It’s more about the passion, competition and fun of the sport.

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Sunset Safari

Posted on July 31, 2009 by Scott Thomas Photography
A male African Lion posing during the Sunset Safari at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York.

A male African Lion posing during the Sunset Safari at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York.

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York, hosts Sunset Safaris on Tuesdays during the month of July each year. The zoo closes at 4:30PM each day. By attending a Sunset Safari you get back into the zoo from 5:30 to 8:30PM.

Along with viewing the zoo animals, there is live music performed by local bands and special pre-ordered meals available. On the evening of my visit, the band was all about music from the 1970’s which brought back memories.

This is a good time of the day to see animals who mostly sleep or are inactive during the heat of the day moving around as the air cools with the setting sun. In particular, the African Lions were very active and playful inside their enclosure. The two sisters were taking turns stalking their brother. A bit of rough housing would ensue when one of them would punce on his back.

In between bouts, they would relax and even pose for the visitors watching and photographing them through the glass.

Shooting through glass is challenging. You have to be careful not to get reflections of yourself and other people near you. I get as close to the glass as I can and shoot straight on.

I was informed by the zoo volunteer the lions are triplets. They also have a tendency to roar around 8PM each night but decided not to on this evening. I’ll have to wait to capture a roaring lion photo on some other day.

If you have a nearby zoo which has evening hours or a program such as a Sunset Safari, grab your camera and enjoy an evening with some real animals. 🙂

A Lioness takes a break from stalking her brother but still keeps an eye out for another advance during the Sunset Safari at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York.

A Lioness takes a break from stalking her brother but still keeps an eye out for another advance during the Sunset Safari at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York.

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