Deb L Waters

2025 Thursday Doors: 07 August

Moses Cone Carriage House

The Moses Cone Carriage House is a significant historical structure located within the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and just a short hike from the Cone Manor.

The Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and the Moses Cone Carriage House is located near Milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Cone Carriage House was part of the expansive Flat Top Manor estate, built by textile magnate Moses H. Cone and his wife Bertha at the turn of the 20th century.

The estate included the manor house, about 500 acres of farmland, Flat Top Mountain, Rich Mountain, and a vast system of carriage trails.

The Carriage House housed carriages and other equipment used to maintain the estate’s approximately 25 miles of carriage trails. The Carriage House has been preserved as a historical structure within the park, it might possibly be used for maintenance or interpretive exhibits related to the estate’s history.

The Carriage House may not be a prominent visitor attraction on its own, however, it contributes to the overall historical and natural experience of the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, which also includes the Flat Top Manor (the Cone’s former residence), orchards, lakes, and extensive carriage trails.

Note: This section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is open for the public.

Dan’s Thursday Doors: 2025.08.07

Throwback Thursday

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Location: Moses Cone Carriage House; Moses H. Cone Memorial Park; Milepost 294; Blue Ridge Parkway; Watauga County, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Get Outdoors and enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way with Shadows and/or silhouettes

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Any Which Way with Shadows and/or silhouettes for this week’s theme. Shadows can be on any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

Here are my entries …

Coleman’s Shadows/Silhouettes

Taken at Goat Island Park and Greenway at the end of the Riverlink Greenway Trail located in Cramerton, North Carolina.

*Coleman’s arm*
*over his*
*Shadow/Silhouette*

Trees and their Leaves Shadows

Coleman hiking down
to the Spillway
amongst many Shadows

The above Shadows were captured at the Lake Haigler Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Up And Down?

Brian from Bushboys World’s Lines (show the way)

Dawn from The Day After’s Way of the Fence Line

Pepper from HeavensSunshine’s A Straight and Crooked Path

Cameras: 1-2) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; 3-7) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Locations: As Stated Above

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy a hike/walk in Nature. Admire Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Flower of the Day: 07 August

Silphium perfoliatum

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Location: Ohio State Fair; Columbus, Ohio, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Brown in Nature

Look all around, there’s Brown everywhere you look out in nature. From the ground, to boardwalks, and even to the varying kinds of animals which roam around in the woods, in farms, and even in many greenways. Here are a few examples of Brown I have discovered.

Click on each image for enlarged views.

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Brown

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Explore Nature. Capture its Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 06 August

Hidden Between Green and Brown

*Look* 👀 *Closely*
*to see who’s Hidden*
*at Andrew Jackson State Park*

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday-06 August 2025

Camera: Apple iPhone XR

Location: Andrew Jackson State Park, Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy all of Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Numbers Game #84-206

Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game. This week’s number is 206. Her instructions for playing along are listed below …

To play along, go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find under that number and include a link to your blog in Judy’s  Numbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title.

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Here are my entries …

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Judy’s Numbers Game #84-206

Cee’s Flower of the Day

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 CFFC: 28 July —Time of day_Morning …

Hike in the Mountains

Dan Antion is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. This week he is continuing with a perspective theme of Time of Day focusing on Morning.

We have had several thunderstorms this week, so therefore we haven’t been out and about much. Instead I’m reminiscing about a trip I took a few years ago with my oldest son for his birthday adventure. Since he wanted to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, I was more than happy to ride along with him.

My entries for this week’s challenge are views from just one of our stops we sidetracked on during his Mountain adventure.

*Taken at 10:54 am*
*(late morning) in 2017*

Bluff Mountain Overlook is located at Milepost 243.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a popular destination along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bluff Mountain is visible from the Bluff Mountain Overlook. It offers breathtakingly spectacular views.

On a clear day, Bluff Mountain’s visibility is remarkably satisfying and amazingly delightful to gaze upon from the Overlook. At this point in our adventure clear visibility was not to be had, but that did not deter ills from looking around or venturing on a short hike along the Bluff Mountain Trail which is easily accessible from the Bluff Mountain Overlook.

Bluff Mountain Trail passes through grassy meadows and includes a challenging switchback ascent called Alligator Back. Alligator Back is a short twenty (20) minute walk from Bluff Overlook.

Until recently Predatory Birds and Mammals, those which preyed on other animals or were in conflict with humans, were termed “Varmints” and killed on sight. Fortunately, modern Ecology proves the vital interdependency of all wild plants and animals. Today Hawks and Owls, Black Bears, Bobcats, Foxes and Snakes continue to roam Parklands like this and help preserve the delicate balance of nature. [Informational notice on sign.]

*Panoramic View from*
*Bluff Mountain Overlook*

We hiked all around the overlook investigating the Predator area scenic views. To the right in the photo above and in the picture below is my eldest son, John. He is not normally into hiking, but he accommodated me in my thrill to explore the sights and perspective landscapes available to observe, explore, and admire.

As we drove further along the Blue Ridge Parkway our visibility improved dramatically unlike when we parked here at this location and the Air Bellows Overlook.

Air Bellows Overlook
Parkway Milepost 236.9

Looking forward to checking out all your Morning Scenes. Hope to see y’all on Friday for the Which Way Challenge. This week we’ll be including Shadows in our Which Ways. Interested in finding more details about the Which Way challenge click here.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Morning

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus Wide and Telephoto Cameras

Location: Bluff Mountain Overlook; Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Monday Window: 04 August

Kitty by a Window – 2
— AI creation by PR

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

The Yaquina Head Light, also known early in its existence as the Cape Foulweather Lighthouse is a lighthouse on the Oregon Coast of the United States, established in 1873. The tower stands 93 feet (28 m) tall, and is the tallest lighthouse in Oregon.

The Lighthouse was made in Paris in 1868 and shipped to Oregon. The Yaquina Head Light was initially lit on August 20, 1873 and it was automated in 1966. It is active with an identifying light characteristic of two seconds on, two seconds off, two seconds on, and 14 seconds off.

*Yaquina Head Lighthouse*
*shot from the Rear*

Yaquina Head typically had three lighthouse keepers under the U.S. Lighthouse Service; a Head Keeper, and First and Second Assistant. In 1939 the U.S. Coast Guard took over the management.

The lighthouse lantern is operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitors offshore bird rookeries and wildlife. The lighthouse still uses its original 1868 French-made, 1st order, Fixed Fresnel lens, visible 19 miles (31 km) out to sea.

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

Location: Yaquina Head Light; Newport, Lincoln County, Oregon, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Pull Up a Seat (Outdoor Dining)

THE GREEK GRILL

On a beautiful sunny summer day, who wants to eat indoors? Why not enjoy the beautiful weather and enjoy the delicious Greek Gyros at a dining table outside?

That’s exactly what we did. We went inside, ordered our Greek Gyros with Grilled Veggies and went outside to enjoy our food under the shade of an umbrella in the beautiful sunshine.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 31

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: The Greek Grill; Tega Cay, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get out and enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Monday Portrait: 08.04

Merino Sheep (At the Fair)

*Merino Sheep*
*at the*
*Ohio State Fair*

Click on each image for enlarged viewing

Monday Portrait

Location: Brown Sheep Building; Ohio State Fair; Columbus, Ohio, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Macro Monday: 08.04

Floral Macro

Yucca gloriosa

The Yucca gloriosa species is known by the common names moundlily yucca and soft-tipped yucca. The Yucca gloriosa is also known as Roman candle, candle yucca, palm lily, and Spanish needle.

Yucca gloriosa is caulescent, usually with several stems arising from the base, the base thickening in adult specimens. The leaves are long narrow, straight and very stiff. [The tips of the leaves are extremely sharp to the touch.]

The inflorescence is a panicle up to 2.5 m (8 ft) long, of bell-shaped white flowers, sometimes tinged purple or red. The fruit is a leathery, elongate berry up to 8 cm (3 in) long. [We have not seen or noticed the berries on the Yucca plant as of yet.]

*Moundlily Yucca*
*and*
*Soft-tipped Yucca*

The habitat for Yucca gloriosa is normally on exposed sand dunes along the coast and barrier islands of the lower East Coast of the United States. [There are two (2) of the Yucca gloriosa grown as ornament plants on our front lawn.]

Yucca gloriosa has been known to cause skin irritation and even allergic reactions upon contact. The leaf points are even sharp enough to break the skin.

Click on image for enlarged Viewing

Macro Monday (MM)

Macro Monday

Cee’s/Chris’ FOTD

Cee’s FOTD

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Ultra Wide Camera

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Sunday Trees: 03 August

Lagerstroemia Indica “Whit II”

The Lagerstroemia Indica “Whit II” is noted for its true red blossoms. It is a splendid, upright, deciduous tree with a profusion of large clusters, packed with crinkly , cherry red flowers at its branch tips.

The Dynamite Crape Myrtle is a long blooming summer flowering tree. [The one pictured here began blooming near the end of July across the street from us.] It will bloom through early autumn.

The Lagerstroemia Indica “Whit II” – Dynamite Crape Myrtle is an attractive ornamental shrub or small tree with smooth, peeling bark. The fiery red summer flowers with gradually change to vibrant orange-red fall foliage. Even after the leaves drop, the display is not over. Smooth but mottled bark showcases an attractive range of tan, gray, and brown which covers the trunk and branches of the Dynamite Crape Myrtle.

Sunday Trees

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy the Outdoors. Have a rest under a shade tree. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 OWS: 03.08 — Green (Seen from Trails)

Hiking along the Riverlink Greenway Trail at Goat Island Park and Greenway we tree y to observe everything around us. The objects along our foot path regardless of whether they are on the trail or along the side of its side.

*Tree Leaves*
*near the edge*
*of a Trail*

The sun bounces off the leaves differs slightly from one spot to another giving interesting contrasts that seem to stand out calling you to take a closer look.

The glistening rays reflect varying shades of green in the river below. What captured my attention, at first, were the broken tree branches strewn across the waters of the South Fork Catawba River. The water reflections were an added bonus.

Skipping down the road to another Greenway in town; (also apart of the Carolina Thread Trail) the Riverside Park and Greenwaywe encounter interesting plants and trees along the trail pathway.

Taxodium distichum Seed Pods
(baldcypress, bald-cypress,
bald cypress, swamp cypress)

I found these seed pods fascinating. I was not sure what they were when I first saw them, but they stood out and begged for me to capture them. Looking them up, I discovered these are Bald Cypress seed pods. The Bald Cypress trees are native to the Southeastern United States of America.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Green

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #274

Cameras: 1-3) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; 4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Locations: 1-3) Riverlink Greenway Trail; Carolina Thread Trail; Goat Island Park and Greenway; 4) Riverside Park and Greenway; Carolina Thread Trail; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Get Outdoors and enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Cell Pic Sunday: 03 August

Northern Cardinal

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2025.08.03

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Telephoto Camera

Settings: f2.8 • 1/99s • 666mm • ISO 80

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. May the Sun Shine upon you. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Silent Sunday: 03 August

Smokey at the Fair

[Click on image for enlarged/enhanced viewing]

Silent Sunday-2025.08.03

Photo Credit:©️2025 Mark Watson

Location: Ohio State Fair; Columbus, Ohio, USA

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Do Low Water Levels Prevent Splash-time?

We have been having so many days of extreme heat and humidity that what rain we have had has not been enough to sustain or elevate the water levels of our lakes, rivers, or spillways.

*Coleman*
*on his way*
*to the Spillway*

Do you think that the low water levels would hinder Coleman from enjoying splashing around in the Spillway? Definitely not.

Normally the water levels would be so high you’d be able to see the water from where Coleman is located. The water is usually all the way across the Spillway and flowing down stream.

Coleman deciding
whether we are ***crossing***
the Swinging Bridge before
he enters the water.

This is the Greenway’s Swinging Bridge, the main access to the other side of the Spillway.

*Coleman is almost*
*across the Swinging Bridge*

The view of the Swinging Bridge from the top of the stairs. Normally the plant growth is not high enough to intertwine with siding along the Swinging Bridge.

*Coleman begins*
*splashing back and forth*
*with his feet.*

As you look at the pictures below you’ll be able to see and understand the extreme drought we are experiencing. The extremely low water levels caused by insufficient rainfall is disappointing to see. Ordinarily the water would rise above Coleman’s knees and you would not be seeing all the dirt, red clay, and mud which you can observe here.

Anne Springs
Close Greenway
Spillway with Coleman

Even though the water levels were extremely low it did not prevent Coleman from having a Splashing Good Time running back and forth, to and fro, as well as up and down the length of the Spillway.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Crossing

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #274

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Greenway Spillway; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Stay Cool. 😎 Take Care. Get Outdoors whenever possible. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky —02 August

The Black Clouds rolling in and the winds kicking up before the rain and thunderstorms arrive.

Cloudscapes & Wind Activity
seen from the Backyard

Skywatch from the Front Porch of the thunderstorm prior to the rain pouring down upon the land.

***Early Evening Cloudscapes***
***alert pending Thunderstorms***

Lightening and Raining has begun …

And just as quickly it ended to begin again in another hour or so.

Skywatch Friday

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Weekend Sky

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 CosPhoChal: 28 July — Up, down, and sideways

Dale is challenging us this week because to post fotos that fit the theme of Up, down and sideways. My first three fit the squares aww c theme, but were not taken at the same time or location.

Glancing Down
into a Pond
at Disneyland
in 1965.

Looking Sideways
waiting to see
my granddaughter
come around
on her balloon
**in 2018**

Then I looked at Dale’s selections again and realized they were all shot at the same location, so I decided to choose an additional set of trios.

Looking Up
at the Sky
***through the Trees***

***Looking Down***
***at Coleman splashing***
***in the Spillway***

***Looking Sideways***
***at Coleman***
***on the ridge***

These last set of trios were all taken at Anne Springs Close Greenway during Coleman’s Birthday Adventures.

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge-Up, down and sideways

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Continuing Any which way with lines — Part Two

Hope y’all have had a fantastic week so far. It’s Friday already and time for another Which Way Challenge. This week we are continuing with the theme of (CWWC): Any which way with lines. This is the Second (2nd) week of the Which Way Challenge of Any Which Way with Lines. Remember your Which Ways should be clearly discernible. Signs are always welcome in your Which Way post. The photos can be ones you’ve taken recently or from your archives. Let’s all have fun!

Here are my Which Ways for this week’s challenge …

For enhanced/enlarged viewing click on each image.

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Dawn from The Day After’s Which Way With Lines: A Drive Through the Poplars

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Roads With Lines

Next week we will be looking at Which Ways with Any type of Shadows and/or silhouettes.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EG-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL Filter attachments.

Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take a walk/hike. Enjoy Nature’s beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Monochrome Madness (MM) — Scenes from a Playground

Schroering Forest Playground

Anne Springs Close Greenway

Good Day! This being an off week for Monochrome Madness I am doing my own thing, not following with Sand patterns or fence posts like Leanne or Brian. Hope you will not tire of seeing my grandson, Coleman.

Today I am continuing the Coleman’s adventures in the Greenway from his birthday adventures. After cooling off in the Spillway, it was drying off time which (for Coleman) meant playtime in Schroering Forest Playground.

The Schroering Forest Playground is nestled amongst trees a short distance from the Domtar Forest Porch (featured here) where we relaxed sipping cool refreshing water.

*Climbing Structure*
*for ages 5 and Up*

The climbing structure is Coleman’s favourite area to play in the Schroering Forest Playground. He has always loved to climb and is not afraid to climb anything (even though, I think his mom is sceptical). She’s probably worried he’ll fall, however, I’m not worried he climbs anything and everything anytime anywhere.

The Schroering Forest Playground was constructed in the Lake Haigler Entrance to Anne Springs Close Greenway in 2024. The intention of this unique playground is to reteach children how to play in the woods.

*A mom (aka Coleman’s mom)*
*watching her son*
*enjoying the Playground.*

The playscape and structures are specially crafted to help activate sensory skills, foster creativity and problem-solving through free play, reduce stress, increase physical activity, develop confidence in the outdoors, improve cognitive abilities and facilitate outdoor learning. Key features of the Schroering Forest Playground include a central climbing structure for older children and a corresponding structure for younger guests.

I’ve been taking Coleman to play in the woods and interact with nature since he could walk. He prefers being outdoors and in the woods over being in the house any day. He enjoys hiking all the trails in Anne Springs Close Greenway and if he can combine hiking with playing all the better as far as he is concerned.

[Click on each image for enlarged viewing.]

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Schroering Forest Playground; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

2025 Last on the Card – July

Brian from Bushboys World hosts a monthly challenge called Last On the Card. His rules are simple to follow if you’re interested in participating.

Here are The rules:
1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 31st July or whenever your last photo was taken.
2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate.
3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do
4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments
5. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard

Here are mine for July …

From my Canon EOS Rebel T3i:

*White & Pink Crape Myrtles*
*across the Street from each other.*

From my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:

God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 #SimplyRED #31 – Final Day for Red Squares

Throughout the month of July we have seen many Red Squares to pique our interests and delight us uplifting our spirits. Keep Calm you still have a few hours yet to join in and share your Red Squares.

*Keep Calm Sign*
*at Señor Frog’s*
*in Cozumel, Mexico*

I know myself and others have shared Red flowers in honor and in memory of Cee Neuner. What a beautiful way it has been to remember Cee in Becky’s #SimplyRed challenge.

Please don’t have a cow …

Call a friend and have some fun. Squaring may be almost over for now, but alas Becky will host another Square Challenge again before you know it. The time will pass quickly, however you can still join in on this one for a few hours more.

*Pay Phone in*
*Stone Mountain State Park*
*Roaring Gap, North Carolina*

Stop and enjoy a beautiful Red Sunrise …

*Andrew Jackson State Park*
*Lancaster, South Carolina*

And Raise your flags proudly over the land …

*United States of America Flag,*
*North Carolina Flag & Gastonia Flag*
*Warlick Family YMCA*
*Gastonia, NC*

Thank you Becky for hosting the Squares Challenge and challenging us with this month’s #SimplyRed theme.

Becky’s #SimplyRed #31

Cee’s FOTD

Thursday Trios

God Bless. See ya Red. Till next time Squares. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Thursday Doors: 31 July

Garrison-Webb Grist Mill

Located on the property of Anne Springs Close Greenway is the Garrison-Webb Grist Mill. The Garrison-Webb Grist Mill was established in 1780 and operated for approximately one hundred (100) years.

The mill was located along the banks of Steele Creek by Isaac Garrison and Theodoric Webb, who bought the land from Thomas Spratt. The mill was located near the first of four sanctuaries of Unity Presbyterian Church, a log structure built in 1788. This small collection of homes and other structures was named “Little York.”

In 1830, it was decided to name the town Fort Mill referencing the Indian Fort near the Catawba River and the mill, referring to the Garrison-Webb Grist Mill along Steele Creek.

*The Rear of the*
*Garrison-Webb Grist Mill*

After extensive research archaeological evidence of the gristmill was found in the northwest section of the Anne Springs Close Greenway. Over the 100 years the mill was operational its ownership passed through to several owners, including John Springs and William E. White. The original mill burned down in 1889, and it is unclear if it was ever rebuilt.

*The Spinning Water Wheel*
*of the Grist Mill*

In 2008, the Anne Springs Close Greenway began efforts to recreate the mill in its original setting. The mill was designed to have a moving water wheel, but the wheel was not attached to any gears and was never intended to actually grind grain. The Greenway was mainly intended as a learning opportunity and to honor the history of the industry in the region.

Visitors to the Anne Springs Close Greenway may visit the Garrison-Webb Grist Mill by hiking the Blue Star Trail beginning at the Blue Star Entrance to the Greenway. Once on the Blue Star Trail you’ll cross foot bridges and Steele Street (a paved public road) and continue down a hill to the mill, which was constructed in 1780.

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Location: Garrison-Webb Grist Mill; Blue Star Trail; Blue Star Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Get Outdoors and enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 30 July

B/W Portrait

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday-30 July 2025

Camera: Apple 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy all of Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 #SimplyRED30—

Celebrating Coleman

*Little Red Dinosaur + Decor*
*Coleman’s Birthday Cake*

*Red Candle Spots &*
*Red in Railway Signs*
*For Coleman’s 6th Birthday*

#SimplyRED #30

Becky’s Squares

Cameras: 1-3) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 4) Apple 13 Pro

Locations: 1-3) Old Town, Riverside Community, Cramerton, North Carolina; 4) Lake Haigler, Anne Springs Close Greenway, Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Only one more day of Becky’s Red Squaring. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 CFFC: 28 July —Time of day_Dawn (Part 2)

Dan Antion is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. He’s doing an amazing job keeping Cee’s passion alive and fun.

I haven’t taken any early morning dawn shots since before school got out for the summer. Therefore, I went searching through my archives to determine what I might find to fit the theme of Time of Day-Dawn.

Here are my entries for this week’s CFFC challenge …

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Flower of the Day — Remembering Cee with Dahlias

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Photo Credit:©️2025 Fred Blackburn

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 CFFC/Numbers Game #83-205 – Dawn of Time in RED

Looking Back

To the Dawn

of New Beginnings

Hey Dan, I know this is probably not what you are expecting or looking for in your Time of Day — Dawn theme for this week’s challenge, but with Coleman’s birthday this past Friday, the 25th I am still looking back over the Dawn of Time of Coleman in or with RED as he begins a New Dawn of New Beginnings in his life.

Dawn Time Quote
by John Ruskin
on Brainy Quote

For this week’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Time of Day I am combining it with Judy’s Numbers Game #83-205 and Becky’s #SimplyRED29 with a theme of Dawn of Time with Coleman.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Time of Day-Dawn

Judy’s Numbers Game #83-205

#SimplyRED29 (Becky’s Squares)

Looking forward to y’all sharing in the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) coming up on Friday. This week we are continuing with the theme of Any Which Way with Lines. In case you thought you missed joining in on the challenge, don’t worry there is still time to join in the fun of posting your own Which Ways with Lines.

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. While you’re out and about enjoy having fun snapping pictures of your favourite objects and Which Ways. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Monday Portrait: 28 July

Coleman

… Sixth Birthday Portrait at Anne Springs Close Greenway

Click on each image for enlarged viewing

Monday Portrait

Monday Monochrome

Monochrome Monday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Monday Window: 28 July

Airport Windows

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

Location: Charlotte-Douglas International Airport; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Macro Monday: 07.28

#SIMPLYRED #28

Click on image for enlarged Viewing

Macro Monday (MM)

Macro Monday

Becky’s Squares-#SimplyRED #28

Cee’s/Chris’ FOTD

Cee’s FOTD

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky —28 July

*Back Porch View*
*Looking Straight Ahead*

Skywatch Friday

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Weekend Sky

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Pull Up a Seat on a (Jude’s) Bench, Chair or Rocker— 27 July

Domtar Forest Porch

Lake Haigler Entrance

Anne Springs Close Greenway

The Domtar Forest Porch is located adjacent to the Greenway Gateway (often referred to as the canteen) and alongside the historic Nation Ford Road. It is surrounded by a canopy of trees which provides much needed shade and sometimes a cool breeze for a bit of rest and relaxation to bone weary hikers to enjoy.

Whether you come to the Greenway to hike, attend a concert, or just enjoy the beautiful outdoors, you might like to grab some grub at the Gateway Canteen and Pull Up a Seat in one of many Domtar Forest Porch sitting selections.

On Friday Coleman, his mom (Trisha) and I delighted in quenching our thirst with some iced cold water from the Gateway Canteen sipping them within the Domtar Forest Porch.

The Domtar Forest Porch serves as a gorgeous outdoor site for events nestled in nature. From wedding ceremonies, receptions and parties to picnics and retreats, this venue is perfect for gathering and enjoying the natural surroundings.

The Anne Springs Close Greenway hosts the Rooted Rhythm Concert Series every Thursday evening from the beginning of May through July. The Live Concerts provide a variety of musical artists and genres for guests to the Greenway to enjoy in the beautiful outdoors. There is a small charge for non-Members plus a small parking fee. Greenway members are free, however, if you’re parking at the Lake Haigler entrance you’ll still be charged the parking fee to help with the extra costs for the extra parking lot aides.

Domtar Forest Porch
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina

Jude’s Bench Anniversary Challenge

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 30

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Ultra Wide & Fusion Cameras.

Location: Domtar Forest Porch; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Get Outdoors and enjoy Nature’s beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us.

2025 OWS: 27 July — Horse Crossing

Debbie’s One Word Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Lake Haigler Spillway; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Cell Pic Sunday – #SimplyRED27

Coleman in Review

25 July

2019:

2020:

2021:

2022:

2023:

2024:

2025:

Photo Bomb 2025:

*Red lips & tongue?*
*On Coleman’s Sixth Birthday*
*2025 July 25*

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2025 July 27

#SimplyRed #27 (Becky’s Squares)

Cameras: Apple iPhones XS Max, 11 Pro Max, 13 Pro, 14 Pro Max, & 16 Pro Max

Locations Vary: 1-4 & 7-8) South Carolina; 5-6) North Carolina

God Bless. Coleman has my heart. Who has yours? Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Coleman’s Special Day at the Greenway

Sixth Birthday Adventure

Coleman’s special day adventures began with a short hike through the🌲trees 🌲…

Next up on his special day adventures were a little bit of splash Funtime in the Greenway’s Spillway … but first he needed to cross the swinging bridge …

Now to see his Splashtime Funtime …

***Coleman’s Funtime*** 💦 **Splashing** 💦 ***in the Spillway***

The water level of the Greenway’s Spillway was really super low, however, that did not prevent Coleman from cooling off and having a Splashing good time on his Special Day Adventure.

Happy Sixth (6th) Birthday Coleman!

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2025.07.26

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Get Outdoors and Enjoy some Adventures. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 #SimplyRED #26 —

Coleman in the Middle

*Gardner Park*
*Elementary School*
*Playground*

#SimplyRED #26 (Becky’s Squares)

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Telephoto Camera

Location: Gardner Park Elementary School; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Happy Squaring. Stay Cool. Stay Strong. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 #SimplyRED #25 —

Red Zinnia

Ocola Skipper
(Panoquina ocola) on a
Red Common Zinnia
(Zinnia elegans)

#SimplyRED #25 (Becky’s Squares)

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any which way with lines

Hope y’all have had a fantastic week so far. It’s Friday already and time for another Which Way Challenge. This week we are looking at (CWWC): Any which way with lines. This Challenge of Any Which Way with Lines will run for two (2) weeks. Remember your Which Ways should be clearly discernible. Signs are always welcome in your Which Way post. The photos can be ones you’ve taken recently or from your archives. Let’s all have fun!

Here are my Which Ways for this week’s challenge …

Walking alongside the South Fork Catawba River we gaze over the river and notice the lines of the trench leading to the river and in the tree on the riverbank.

We progress further on our adventure by crossing the Goat Island Bridge which is filled with an abundance of horizontal and vertical lines.

*Coleman*
*standing on the*
*Goat Island Bridge*
*waiting for me*
*to catch up.*

As we move along the Disc Golf Trail the lines in the disc golf catcher can be readily seen. Looking up ahead is the fence line with both vertical and horizontal boards.

Moving on, time to permit a bit of playtime for Coleman. Notice the black lines formed by the playground equipment.

*Coleman on top*
*of a climbing apparatus*
*in the Goat Island Playground.*

The weather being hot and humid, we are reading to head towards home. Guess what? The sidewalk and parking lot are all filled with (yes, that’s right) lines.

For enhanced/enlarged viewing click on each image.

Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

Chava61 from This and That’s 2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Santa Monica, California

Brian from Bushboys World’s Tracks (on the beach)

Pepper from HeavensSunshine’s A Hike Through Sunshine and Shadows

Dawn from The Day After’s Which Way: Tracks

Dan from No Facilities’s What’s in a Name? — 1LinerWeds

Next week theme will be continuing CWWC: Any which way with lines. Be on the Lookout for Lines while you’re out and about.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Thursday Doors: 24 July

*Ritva at*
*Ritva Sillanmäki*
*Photography*

Cramerton Fire Department

Rear Side Door

*Cramerton Fire Department*
*Rescue Boat*

*A Trio of Red Chairs*
*at the Rear of the*
*Fire Department*
*by the Rear Side Door*

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Thursday Trios

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 29

#SimplyRED24 (Becky’s Squares)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Cramerton Fire Department; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Smile. You are loved. Take Care. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 LAPC #357 — Into the Woods — Through the Trees

… A Hiking we shall Go

in Kings Mountain State Park

Let’s take our hearts for a walk in the woods and listen to the magic whispers of old trees…
WILD WOMAN SISTERHOOD

Taking a hike through the woods surrounded by encompassing trees is one of the most invigorating and inspiring activities one could experience and one I truly love to undertake as often and as long as I am able to do so.

I find peace and tranquility while I am hiking through the woods. It is a fascinating opportunity to admire and explore all the beauty nature has to offer. It is a time to renew the(my) mind, relax one’s(my) body, and recharge the(my) spirit within you(me).

“Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
John Muir

All the ins and outs, the twists and turns of a trail remind me that my path in life is not always (or necessarily) meant to be a straight pathway on life’s journey. Only God knows what pathway I should be on and whether I venture off the path or not, God is always there to guide me through life’s trials and triumphs.

“It is a surprising and memorable, as well as valuable experience, to be lost in the woods any time.”
Henry David Thoreau

Whenever I go into the woods I seek to obtain peace and tranquility. The woods are an escape from daily routines and aggravation. The calmness I feel amongst the trees is overwhelming and enhances a sense of calming relaxation, reflection, and revitalization.

“In Every Walk
With Nature
One Receives Far More
Than He Seeks.”
— John Muir

This adventure into the woods was a solo (Coleman was on 11 months at the time) outing I took to get away from the stress and tension within my environment. I ventured onto the trails in Kings Mountain State Park for some time in the woods communing with God and nature.

I hiked along the Lake Crawford Trail twisting and turning along the natural path enjoying the beautiful views along the way. I especially liked viewing the spillway cascading downstream and the amazing views looking out over Lake Crawford.

Click on each image for enhanced enlarged viewing.

Egidio’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #357-Into the Woods

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere (WWE)

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Lake Crawford Trail; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy nature’s beauty. Thankful for the freedom to be outside and in the woods. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 #SimplyRED #23 —

Becky’s Squares

Pop Up Canopy Tent

#SimplyRED #23 (Becky’s Squares)

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF75-300mm lens

Location: Comporium Amphitheater; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 23 July

After the Storm

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday-23 July 2025

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere (WWE)

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments

Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy all of Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 CFFC: 21 July — Perspective_Alongside

Dan from No Facilities is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and this week he has chosen the theme of Perspective: Alongside .

Here are my contribution entries …

*Cruise Ships*
*by the Dock*
Cozumel, Mexico

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #273

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Sunday Stills: 20 (on 22) July — Cardinal Feathers

The Northern Cardinal is the official state bird of North Carolina. It was designated as such in 1943 by the North Carolina General Assembly. The bright red colour of the males feathers, black face mask and their distinctive crests make them easy to spot. The females are a duller reddish-brown with similar facial markings.

*Cardinals display at*
*The Schiele Museum*
*of Natural History*

The Northern Cardinals (also referred to as Cardinals or Redbirds) do not migrate and have adapted effortlessly to both suburban and city environments. They are the most abundant and cherished songbirds in North America.

Cardinals are believed to be beneficial by providing services for the environment, such as keeping farms and gardens free of harmful plants and insects.

Cardinals are seedeaters that also eat insects, larvae, sap, and many types of fruit. They enjoy feasting on berries (even dried berries, cranberries, and raisins) sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, peanuts and cracked corn.

They have strong beaks adapted for cracking seeds. They eat seeds from a variety of sources, including weeds, grasses, and trees. Sunflower seeds, in particular, are a favorite.

Cardinals also consume a variety of wild fruits and berries, such as dogwood, wild grape, blackberry, raspberry, sumac, and cherries. They get important nutrients and sugars from these. Interestingly, the red pigments in the male cardinal’s plumage come from carotenoids found in the fruits they eat.

Cardinals thrive in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, residential areas, and even parks. They are known for their loud, clear whistles and are territorial, often seen defending their space, even against their own reflection.

*Hey you,*
*I see you checking*
*out my Feathers.*

We often see Cardinals in our neighbourhood perching on wires, in trees, and checking out our bird feeder. Sometimes the wind will sway the feeder to and fro and seed will fall onto the porch railing or undeveloped planter box. This particular female Cardinal is enjoying a snack of sunflower seeds spilled onto the porch railing. Isn’t she just sitting prettily posing for me to capture her portrait?

*What ya doing to me?*
*This is not enough for my lunch.*
*Ya gotta do better than this.*

My high school mascot was Cardinals … these are recent renderings of the Cardinal for the Hoover High (San Diego) Class of 1974.

Terri’s Sunday Stills-July 20_Feather

#SimplyRED ( Becky’s Squares)

Birds of the Week CXXVI

Birds of the Carolinas

God Bless. Enjoy your week. Take time to commune with nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Moses Cone Carriage House

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Silphium perfoliatum

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Hidden Between Green and Brown

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Hike in the Mountains

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Yaquina Head Lighthouse

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THE GREEK GRILL

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Merino Sheep (At the Fair)

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Floral Macro

Yucca gloriosa

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Lagerstroemia Indica “Whit II”

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Northern Cardinal

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Smokey at the Fair

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Schroering Forest Playground

Anne Springs Close Greenway

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Garrison-Webb Grist Mill

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B/W Portrait

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Celebrating Coleman

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Looking Back

To the Dawn

of New Beginnings

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Coleman

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Airport Windows

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Domtar Forest Porch

Lake Haigler Entrance

Anne Springs Close Greenway

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Coleman in Review

25 July

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Sixth Birthday Adventure

Happy Sixth (6th) Birthday Coleman!

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Coleman in the Middle

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Red Zinnia

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Cramerton Fire Department

Rear Side Door

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… A Hiking we shall Go

in Kings Mountain State Park

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Becky’s Squares

Pop Up Canopy Tent

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After the Storm