Engine Company 71 in Walt Disney World

Fire Station and Clouds

The Fire Station of Engine Company 71 stands next to the Car Barn on the east side of Town Square in Main Street USA at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. As seen during the 2019 Band and Chorus Disney Trip.

As you can see, the clouds were really spectacular that March afternoon in the Magic Kingdom when I took this photo. I have always liked the design of the Engine Company 71 Fire Station, and I usually get a quick photo of it when I pass by. On this day, the afternoon sunlight was hitting it just right. Add in the clouds in the background, and it was a wonderful scene.

I never seem to linger for very long in Town Square on Main Street USA. I usually go on through to other parts of the Magic Kingdom. That is a shame because it has so many interesting details to see. While the fire station may not house a popular attraction, it is still interesting to see. Its interior is a reminder of how fire stations used to be way back in old times. Even though the station has a new motorized fire engine, there are still horse stalls at the back of the station from the days when the engines were pulled by horses.

Of course, you probably know that Engine Company 71 got its name because the Magic Kingdom and the first phase of Walt Disney World opened in 1971. That was a good year!

Volunteers

Out where we live, we have a volunteer fire department. I am thankful that we have not needed a visit from them yet, but I am also thankful that there are those who volunteer to serve in this way.

A few years ago at one of the local festivals, we stopped by a table that the volunteer fire department had set up. The workers there were looking for more volunteers. They said that there were all sorts of jobs that needed to be done, not just fighting fires. They always need help around the station, too. We never did sign up because of all the other things we are involved in, but it was a good reminder that there is always work to do. And not just at a fire station.

If you start looking around, you will find all sorts of ways to volunteer to help someone. We spend a lot of time doing things around Jaylin’s school, especially during football season. We spend even more time doing things around our church.

There are volunteers at public libraries, public radio stations, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, parks, and all sorts of other things. Take some time to look for ways to get involved in things that you care about.

Volunteers don’t usually get paid. That is the whole nature of being a volunteer. But volunteers do what they do to give back to the community. Everyone benefits from that!

Bible Verse

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. - Colossians 3:23-24

About the Photo

As you can probably tell, I used some stronger processing than what I have been doing lately. With all of the clouds in the sky, I wanted a bright, bold look. Playing around with some of the settings in Aurora HDR, I was able to get the look that you see here, which was just what I was wanting.

It is fun to do things differently sometimes, just to shake things up a bit.

Photo: A single Raw exposure, processed in Aurora HDR. Read more about photography tips, photo software, camera gear, and more at Steve’s Photography Tips.
Camera: Sony Alpha A7 II
Lens: ony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens
Date: March 9, 2019
Location: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Florida