FROM: Hughes of Green Published Every Other Saturday

Mission: DeVine

Hughes embarks on his first mission at Disney World, in camouflage, to spot and perhaps capture the undisputed master of camouflage, DeVine, who is seen only when she wants to be seen at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Fall out, troops...

- by Stephen Bell, July 30, 2011

As I took my last sip of coffee, I gathered the theme park guide maps I'd been reviewing, got up from my table, and left the Garden Gallery restaurant at Shades of Green.

That was very filling, I thought to myself, I love a good buffet breakfast. It was so much better than the chow hall back at the old base.

Now, what to do with my first full day at Walt Disney world? I'd spent my arrival day exploring my new home, Shades of Green, and found everything at the military resort to be ship-shape. Shades is a fine place for military members to take time off and relax. I sure wish I'd known about it before I'd retired.

Hughes Plans His Day

Yesterday at dinner, I'd overheard the couple at the next table talking about a master of disguise they'd spotted at Disney's Animal Kingdom. It seems this person blended in so well to the surroundings that they seemed to be part of the natural environment.

This I had to see - that is, if I could find this person.

During my military career, I'd spent my share of time trying to avoid detection by the enemy. I can't tell you how many hours I'd spent on my belly in the mud covered by foliage while gathering intel. It seems this local pro had me beat. If I was to sneak up on this master, I'd have to blend in to my surroundings as well. But how best to do that?

Hughes Plays Tourist

I, too, could put on camouflage and sneak through the wilds of the Animal Kingdom, but I suspect this expert would be on to me immediately, as I'm sure they were totally familiar with the local environs. No, I had to blend in some other way. I had it! After a quick stop by the gift shop to buy a few items for my disguise, it was up to my room to change.

Perfect, I thought, as I checked my disguise in the mirror - I won't look like a threat or competitor at all, I'll look just like all of the other tourists.

My carefully constructed disguise consisted of the Mickey Mouse hat and T-shirt I'd just purchased in the gift shop, a pair of cargo shorts, a camera bag over one shoulder, a backpack over the other, and for the finishing touches, dark sunglasses to hide where I was looking and some white crew socks worn under open-toed leather sandals. They'll never see me coming!

With that I headed out the door.

Hughes Strikes Out

As I sat down in the shade along the path from Africa to Asia, I thought: "I've got to rest, I've been all over this park twice and haven't found a clue." I pride myself on being observant but I've seen no indication at all of this mystery person.

In my travels around the Animal Kingdom I'd seen many things: gorillas and monkeys, lions and dinosaurs, and lots of bugs in a giant tree, but absolutely no sign of this disguise artist.

It's Hughes Who's Found

I was contemplating heading back to my resort for a dip in the pool and a cold drink when I happened to glance into the foliage across the walkway from the low wall upon which I sat.

Wait... that branch is moving. I couldn't believe my eyes. Right behind a small tree not five feet away was my target. What I'd thought was a large bush moved suddenly asI watched. A face appeared, a female face.

Oh, my, that's amazing - she looks like part of nature.

As she gracefully moved, exposing more and more of herself, a crowd gathered, astounded just as I was. I noticed a Disney Cast Member standing nearby and asked her who this artist was.

"Her name is DeVine, the human grapevine. She makes regular appearances here at the Animal Kingdom."

As I continued to watch, DeVine began to blend right back into the background. Soon I could make out little more than her face and it seemed as if she was looking directly at me. She was smiling. I had the definite impression that she was amused with me. She knew I'd been on her trail.

Who knows - perhaps she was watching my every move through the theme park while concealed the whole time. I felt out-classed, to say the least.

I looked again and just like that she was gone, vanished into the foliage from whence she came.

What a truly amazing sight. She was so graceful. A true artist.

Hughes Reflects

As I made my way out of the park, I felt lucky to have found DeVine, a true master of concealment.

I began to anticipate the other wonders that I'd find in my time here in Walt Disney World. I'll have to find a new mission soon!

Until two weeks from today, sharp, you'll find me on patrol.

For further fantastic fun, check out:

• The Hughes of Green main page, your five-star stop for (Disney) military magic.
• Military Disney Tips, the home of Hughes' handler, Steve Bell.