Ocean Sunset
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
2024 Silent Sunday: 06.09
Category: 2024 Water, Water, Everywhere
Breaching the Waters of Time
Seven Seas Marine Life Park
Breaching the Waters of Time, we drift back to 1972 when my family stopped for some time of relaxing entertainment at the Seven Seas Marine Life Park in Arlington, Texas.
Seven Seas Marine Life Park was a marine mammal park, and animal theme park built and owned by the city of Arlington, Texas, United States. It opened in 1972, and closed in 1976. The 35-acre (14 ha) site was located in north Arlington off Interstate 30 near Six Flags Over Texas and adjacent to Arlington Stadium. The facility housed killer whale Nootka from 1972 to 1975.
Pictured here is the Killer Whale Stadium at Seven Seas Marine Life Park. If you look closely you might can see the two trainers and Orchin, the Seven Seas Mascot standing on the platform stage area within the stadium. The castle themed backdrop is visible behind the platform.
The theme park had seven (7) sections:
- Arctic Ocean
- Caribbean Sea
- Indian Ocean
- Mediterranean Sea
- Sea of Cortez
- Sea of Japan
- South Seas
Newtka (also spelled Nootka) the killer whale: A 6,000-pound (2,700 kg) and 18-foot (5.5 m) female orca that resided in the park’s largest animal performance stadium. Other animals that were housed and performed at the park were: Jannie, Rodney, Debbie are three of the twelve bottle-nosed dolphins which performed in the Dolphin Show; Pancho the Elephant Seal; Over fourteen (14) California sea lions for the Sea-lion circus; and Several Rockhopper Penguins and one Magellanic Penguin for the Penguin Troop Performance. Seven Seas Marine Life Park also had a few rides and Pearl Diving.
The city council of Arlington voted to close the park in 1976 because it did not generate enough revenue to both pay its operating expenses and pay off the bonded indebtedness.
The property is now the site of the Arlington Sheraton Hotel and has several buildings on the property that date back to the park.
Leanne’s Monochrome Madness-Blast from the Past
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #222
Photo Credit: ©️1972 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Seven Seas Marine Life Park; Arlington, Texas, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting the Seven Seas Marine Life Park with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
2024 CWWC: 05.31 ———Any Way You Choose
At Stone Mountain Park
We begin our journey in n July of 1972, having made it from California to Georgia we stop for a bit of fun. We were glad to pull into the park and finally be able to get out of the car and stretch our legs. After traveling cross country for days we were more than ready to enjoy some fun and excitement.
in Stone Mountain, Georgia
We enjoyed a time of Sun, Sand. and Water Fun relaxing on the beach.
Next, we moved forward to wait our turn for a ride on one of the Paddle-boats. The paddle-boats are large Riverboats which give tourists and guests a thirty minute ride out on Stone Mountain Park Lake. [From what I have discovered, the Riverboats no longer operate on Stone Mountain Park Lake.]
Area to wait for a
Riverboat Cruise 🚢 ride.
Moving forward out into the lake aboard the Scarlet O’Hara, we had an opportunity to see a uniquely captivating side of the park. The Scarlet O’Hara was one of two (2) paddle boats in the Stone Mountain Fleet that once cruised the lake delighting guests with the beautiful scenic views. It was a side wheeler which could carry up to One Hundred Fifty (150) passengers on board.
The Henry W. Grady was the name of the other Stone Mountain paddle boat. It was designed to carry approximately three hundred (300) passengers. Its sole purpose was to be used for private party charters.
The Riverboats departed the Riverboat Marina Complex approximately every half hour moving forward into the lake giving guests a chance to enjoy the waterways, and the beauty surrounding Stone Mountain. The short cruise lasted about twenty (20) to thirty (30) minutes. While out on the lake on one of the paddle-boats you might have noticed the sunken remains of the very first riverboat, the Robert E. Lee, seen at the bottom of the lake.
Cee’s Which Way Challenge-2024.05.31
Becky’s Squares-Renew/Moving Forward/Reconstruct
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #222
Photo Credit:©️1972 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Stone Mountain Park Lake; Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing in our memories of cruising on a Riverboat. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Moving Forward In & Around …
Murrells Inlet
In the Car … On the Road Again driving from Charlotte, North Carolina to Murrells Inlet, South Carolina for some Deep Sea Fishing.
At Murrells Inlet … Let’s Keep Moving Forward to See What We Can See.
The Marshes of Murrells Inlet …
Moving Forward on a Fishing 🎣 Expedition …
Moving Forward Along the Fishing 🎣 Pier …
South Wind is Moving Forward towards the Dock …
for the South Wind
to Pull Up to the
Alex Marina Dock.
Moving Forward into the Gulf Stream for some Deep Sea Fishing…
The South Wind pulls alongside the pier … excited fishermen watching “patiently” for their turn to go out on the boat.
This was a trip my dad made with my paternal uncle (my dad’s sister’s husband.) Not sure if anyone else went along or not, I do not recall. My dad & Shorty ( my uncle) decided to go deep sea fishing 🎣 and drove the three (3) hours to Murrells Inlet to go out on a charter fishing boat for the day.
Captain Alex’s Marina once stood along the creek front of Murrells Inlet and was first established in the early 1950’s. Murrells Inlet is a fantastic destination just thirty (30) short miles south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It is considered to be the “seafood capital of South Carolina.”
The land around Murrells Inlet has an historical record of human settlement that goes back thousands of years, before written history. The history includes English colonial settlements and plantations which raised various crops from indigo to rice. An interesting note is that the fishing village of Murrells Inlet was once the lair of the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Today, it’s an outdoorsman’s dream.
A tribute to Captain Alex who ran The Alex Marina and took many on tours or fishing excursions in Murrells Inlet and other areas can be read by clicking here.
Becky’s Squares-Moving Forward
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #221
Photo Credit:©️1972 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Alex Marina; Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for Moving Forward with us as I continue to Reconstruct my dad’s slides and the memories of his adventures. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Birds of the Carolinas #8
Great Cormorant
The Great Cormorant are most likely to nest in colonies near wetlands, rivers, and sheltered inshore waters. It builds its nest, which is made from sticks, in trees, on the ledges of cliffs, and on the ground on rocky islands that are free of predators.
(Phalacrocorax carbo)
The Great Cormorant feeds on fish it dives to capture. It primarily feeds on are wrasses, but will also feast on sand smelt, flathead and common soles. Cormorants consume all fish of appropriate size that they are able to catch in summer and noticeably select for larger, mostly torpedo-shaped fish in winter.
Lake Haigler
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
The Great Cormorants were once near extinction due to fishermen hunting them. The fishermen saw them as competition. With terrific conservation efforts, their numbers increased once again.
Even though it is still illegal, in many areas, to kill a bird within a license some are in danger anyway. Fisheries claim that the Cormorants are eating the fish they have in their fish farms. Some licenses are used to reduce and/or control the cormorant population for the purpose of reducing its predation. Cormorant fishing is practiced in China, Japan, and in other areas around the globe. In Norway, the Cormorant is cones traditional game bird. However, in Northern Norway Cormorants are seen as semi-sacred. They are often regarded as good luck for them to gather around or near a village or settlement.
The Great Cormorants are spotted periodically at Lake Haigler in the Greenway. They are amazing to watch and sometimes you can see them diving for their feed. Other times you see them perched on a log or branch in the water or flying off around the lake.
Photo Credit:©️2021 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 11 Pro Max
Location: Lake Haigler; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. May all your hopes, dreams, and prayers be fulfilled. Take care of yourselves and have a fantastic rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
A Lovely Day at Lake Haigler
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
Whatsoever Is Lovely Challenge-2024 Week 20
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #221
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Words for Thought #19
Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Patterson Pond; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. May your day be filled abundantly with love, peace, and happiness. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Moving Forward in a Log “boat”
Come on and climb in the “boat” with us. We can make room for one or two more. It’s gonna be a fun ride, just you wait and see.
We’re moving forward, our turns coming up.
The ride lets boats go first from one side and then the other side. Our turn is next. Get ready. It’s our turn.
Moving forward along the ride we are going up, up, up …
And Splash … we zoom down almost to the end of our log ride. Did you feel the water 💦 splashing us? Oh right, you were in the back so you didn’t get oat all.
Becky’s Squares – Moving Forward
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #220
Silent Sunday (oops not quite silent)
Photo Credit:©️1969 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Six Flags over Georgia; Austell, Georgia, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
2024 WWE #218
Some Murky, Some Reflections, Ripples, & Splashes
For Jez’s Water Water Everywhere this week I’m posting a variety of photos taken of Robinwood Lake.
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #218
Photo Credit:©️ 2024 Deb L. Waters …. All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens and Altura UV & NP Filter attachments.
Location: Robinwood Lake; Warlick Family YMCA; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
2024 Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Flow & WWE #218
Flowing Downstream
Here is my compilation for this week’s Weekly Prompt’s Weekend Challenge. I’m also applying it to Jez’s Water Water Everywhere Challenge.
These are just a few of the ways we see water flowing as we walk through the neighbourhood or as we hike among the trees in and around the Carolinas.
Gastonia, North Carolina
Fort Mill, South Carolina
The Schiele Museum’s Nature Trail Gastonia, North Carolina
Fort Mill, South Carolina
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Flow
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #218
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Cameras: 1-3) iPhone 14 Pro Max; 4) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
2024 WWE #216 — ASCG’s Lake Haigler
Lake Haigler Loop
View of
Lake Haigler
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #216
Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday
Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens with Altura CPL filter attachment.
Location: Lake Haigler; Lake Haigler Loop; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA.
God Bless. Enjoy your week and have a fabulous weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
2024 LAPC #293: Water Flowing Through the Spillway
We had a very beautiful sunny weekend. It was warm and windy day. We decided it was a lovely day for hiking at Anne Springs Close Greenway. Due to the massive abundance of vehicles parking at the Lake Haigler Entrance for the Artisan Market I chose to park at the Dairy Barn Entrance. There was another reason for parking at this entrance as well; they charged extra at the other entrance because of the Artisan Market. Who wants to pay extra? I certainly didn’t, not in addition to my membership for the Greenway.
The Dairy Barn Entrance has a few different trails that can be accessed with various sites and scenery to observe. We hiked down the Blue Star Trail which leads down to the Greenway’s Spillway passing horses and the Faires/Coltharp Historic Cabin along the way.
Coleman loves to stop and watch the horses. Moving along, to crossover the Spillway we had to walk across the Swinging Bridge. We stopped on both sides of the Spillway to observe the water flowing down, around, and under the Swinging Bridge.
crossing the
Greenway’s Swinging Bridge
the Water Flowing
Through the
Greenway Spillway
Anne’s Len-Artist Photo Challenge – Water in Motion
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #214
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF75-300mm lens and Altura CPL Filter.
Location: Swinging Bridge; Dairy Barn Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South 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.
Silent Sunday: 03.24.24
take a good look around.
Soak your mind
in awe-inspiring moments,
wonder-filled experiences,
and gratitude-inducing reflections.
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #214
Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge -2024 Week 11
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. Have a fantastic week ahead. I appreciate y’all very much.
2024 Monday Window: 03.18
Gazing the Gulf’s Blue Waters
Admiring the Vastness of its Expanse
As seen from the
Enchantment of the Seas
Caribbean Cruise Ship.
This week I chose to take a break from the Windows Under Construction to post throwback Windows from 2020, reflecting on a past adventure.
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #213
Photo Credit: ©️2020 Deb L. Waters
Location: Somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico
God Bless. Thank you for visiting my Window views and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
2024 WWE: Turtle Pond Gazing
Beautiful Day for Gazing at Turtles
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #212
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens with Altura UV Filter attachment and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Location: The Pond; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have an awesome week and weekend ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me.
2024 WWE #212
Schiele Museum Pond
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #212
Photo Credit: (c) 2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
2024 Weekend Sky: 03.03.24
Yesterday was a loving day to spend hiking in the Greenway. Unlike the day before when it rained all day and all night. The trails were a bit muddy, however, the views were beautiful with gorgeous skylines and amazing reflection.
Hammad’s Weekend Sky #120-03.03.24
Jez’s Water, Water Everywhere #211
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Lake Haigler; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 