This year our neighborhood is not adorned with very many Christmas Lights or Festive Decorations. I did, however, manage to capture a few Christmas Lights and decorations within our walking pathways.
Egidio from Through Brazilian Eyesis this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge with her theme of Longing. I took some time thinking about what I wanted to select to showcase a few things I am Longing.
Longing for times of bygone days, remembering the good times, the friendships made, the experiences I’ve had over the years are memories I treasure forever.
“Oh, how I miss the old days -those carefree moments, those unforgettable experiences, and those precious friendships that made life so incredibly beautiful.”
Longing for road trips, traveling to the mountains, beaches, and favourite places; recalling some of my favourite things.
Showcased in the above gallery are images of a rode trip where my eldest son and I drove through part of the Blue Ridge Parkway stopping at various mileposts to catch a glimpse of the magnificent views. A short distance from a section of the BlueRidge Parkway is where my maternal ancestors lived which emphasizes the significance and importance this area is to my heart.
“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory”
— Dr. Seuss
Memories of bygone days are ones I’ll always cherish, but not all would be worth repeating. Memories of friendships that have stood the test of time are ones worth treasuring.
The above images are a small depiction of bygone days of wonderful events I miss from my childhood. Events of bygone days are lovely to remember, but learning from them and looking forward is extremely essential.
“Sometimes, I wish I could rewind back to the old days and press pause … just for a little while.”
Treasure Simplicity
Here’s to making sure the present are good ‘ole days filled with love, family, and happiness.
Dale host the weekly challenge The Cosmic Photo Challenge with a different theme each week. This week’s theme is Summer Fun.
The main Summer Funtime this summer that was different than most any other time were the Summer Concerts the Town of Cramerton held at the end of each month. This was a time to gather downtown to enjoy some fantastic music, visit with others within the community, and basically have a funtastic experience.
Chairmen of the BoardColemanColeman burning off energy before the ConcertRick Hubbard’s Great American Kids Show Coleman listening & watching Rick Hubbard entertaining the audience Attending Summer Concerts in Centennial Center Park
Another part of Coleman’s Summer Funtime is visiting different playgrounds. However, this activity is not reserved for just Summertime.
Coleman Swinging Coleman Sliding Coleman at the C.B. Huss Recreation Center Playground Summertime in the Playgrounds
How about some Water Funtime that was included in Coleman’s Summertime Funtime …
Coleman’s Backyard Water Playtime Funtime Coleman’s Backyard Water Playtime FuntimeColeman at Anne Springs Close Greenway’s Spillway Summer is a great time for Water Playtime
Now to we are almost to the end of our Summertime Review so let’s look at one of Coleman’s favourite things to do … Playing in the Sand.
Coleman Sandtime at Riverside Park and Greenway Coleman Sandtime at Goat Island Park and Greenway Coleman Sandtime at Riverside Park and GreenwaySand time is not just for Summer
And Finally last, but not least, Coleman’s ultimate Funtime activity all year long (not just Summertime) and that is hiking. He enjoys hiking out in the woods amongst nature anytime he possibly can get outdoors.
Coleman hiking at Daniel Stowe Conservancy Coleman tree climbing while hiking at Goat Island Park and Greenway Coleman hiking at Daniel Stowe ConservancyColeman tree climbing while hiking at Goat Island Park and GreenwayColeman takes a break from hiking to visit the horses at Anne Springs Close Greenway. Summertime Hikes
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.
Looking up into the glistening Leaves
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.
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL & 6-Star filter attachments.
Location: Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take a Hike. Enjoy Nature. Admire the Beauty all around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
We didn’t do anything different on the 20th than we would normally do on any other day. Coleman and I enjoy being outdoors and wander through the woods whenever we possibly can. Right now in our area the weather is in the mid to high 90’s, much too hot to be out in the sun for any length of time.
With the heat advisory regarding the extreme heat temperatures, we only go out for short periods at a time. In those short periods Coleman likes to check to see what new blossoms have started blooming. These are some of what we have seen within the past week till now.
As I sat thinking about these two challenges, I began to ponder what I could use and what might be best to fit each of these challenges. Then it dawned on me, Dan from No Facilities has chosen a theme of Things Made of Woodfor Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and Dale who hosts theThe Cosmic Photo Challenge has selected a prompt of Bridges, both of these challenges might actually work out well combined together into one post.
Now you are thinking how might that be possible? Well, let me explain myself to you. There are many Bridges which are constructed out of wood, especially Bridges engineered to make it easier to cross creeks, streams, rivers, and or lakes. Many Wooden Bridges are built strategically in much needed areas throughout campgrounds, greenways, and hiking trails.
Coleman and I go hiking together every week and sometimes several times throughout the week. We do encounter Wooden Bridges along the trails we hike almost everywhere we venture to hike in the Woods. Hey, I just thought of something when I wrote that last statement … Trees are Made of Wood and when we cross Bridges Made of Wood we are surrounded by Trees.
Enough jibber-jabbering around, here’s my contribution for #CFFC and #CosPhoChal.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55/250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Location: Rocky Branch Trail; Cramerton & Belmont, 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.
You might want to see what’s up next on the Which Way homepage. Looking forward to seeing y’all’s Which Ways come Friday.
Wild for Wildflowers, regardless if they are along a walkway, beside the road, or in a Wildflower Garden or Meadow. Flowers are beautiful wherever they blossom.
Here are a few we have captured over the past few years.
Goat Island Park & Greenway Goat Island Park & GreenwayGoat Island Park & GreenwayGoat Island Park & GreenwayGoat Island Park & GreenwayGoat Island Park & GreenwayGoat Island Park & GreenwayGoat Island Park & GreenwayGoat Island Park & GreenwayRiverside Park and GreenwayRiverside Park and GreenwayRiverside Park and GreenwayRiverside Park and GreenwayRiverside Park and Greenway Riverside Park and Greenway Crowders Mountain State Park Anne Springs Close GreenwayAnne Springs Close GreenwayPiedmont Medical Center TrailPiedmont Medical Center TrailAndrew Jackson State Park Andrew Jackson State ParkAndrew Jackson State ParkAndrew Jackson State ParkAndrew Jackson State ParkBy the Water
Click on photos to enlarge for enhanced viewing.
Judy’s suggestions for how 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 that include that number and post a link to your blog in Judy’sNumbers 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.This prompt will repeat each Monday with a new number.
Dale is hosting this week’s Cosmic Photo Challenge and she wants us to feature primarily one colour this week with her prompt of Pick a Colour. My pick is Green, Coleman’s favourite colour.
Mostly Green in the Garen Daniel Stowe Conservancy (Botanical Garden )
Canada Goose nearly hidden by the Green Foliage across the Green tinted River.
Coleman in Green Camo Camouflaged by the Green Tree Leaves
Lush Green yard with Coleman playing in his Green Turtle
Whenever one goes hiking in the woods it is wise to be mindful of your surroundings. Pay close attention to your environment using all of your senses in order to identify potential hazards and navigate safely.
Thus look up to be aware of any changes in the weather; look from side to side observing for wildlife, uneven terrain, and potential hazards like deep drops or slippery rocks. Look downward and backward always being aware of your direction and the surrounding landscape, and use a map and compass if available.
Pay attention to the feel of the ground under your feet and the temperature to make certain you are staying on solid footing and avoiding cold and damp areas.
UpDown Sideways
Coleman and I go hiking/walking practically every week, sometimes several times during a week. Looking up occasionally ensures the weather is still good, no storms or cold temperatures encompassing. We always look around us being on the lookout for any wildlife (lizards, snakes, birds, etc.). Looking down the path to make sure no tree limbs, rocks, or other obstacles are on the trails to ensure our safety. We don’t want any preventable accidents like scrapped knees, arms or injuries to occur if at all possible.
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing views. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.”
Beauty is all around us, to see it all one must look up, down, sideways, and all around you or you might miss out on something truly special and beautiful.
“Life Is Meant for Spectacular Adventures. Let Your Feet Wander, Your Eyes Marvel, and Your Soul Ignite.”
Location: Set 1) Rocky Branch Trail; Set 2) Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the beauty in Nature. Take a hike/walk. Find your inner peace. Always be aware of your surroundings. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coleman and I go hiking/walking almost every week unless the weather prohibits it, like rain, freezing cold, snow. I’m partial to a mildly warm climate to spend our days outdoors. We see many interesting stuff on our hikes/walks, some cooler than others.
Five Cool Stuff Coleman found interesting on one of our hikes this past weekend.
This Starling kept flying back and forth from the top of The Graham & Gayle Bell Pavilion to a tree on the edge of The Centennial Center Park. It captured Coleman attention seeing it fly to and from.
Spotless Starling
When we were crossing over the Goat Island Bridge, a family was looking out into the water at something. Of course, Coleman was curious to see what they were looking at so he moved closer to where they had been looking. Coleman thought it was cool to see the turtle (Eastern river cooter) sunning on small log.
Eastern River Cooter
Looking over the opposite side of the bridge as we were leaving, Coleman spotted a Kayaker in the water. He finds it fascinating to watch them and probably wishes he could be in one paddling through the river. What made this particular Kayaker so cool, to him, was the man had his son in the kayak with him enjoying an afternoon on the river.
Kayaker & son in the South Fork Catawba River
Coleman finds cool and interesting stuff even walking home or in our surrounding neighbourhood. Some of our neighbors enjoy decorating their yards for the upcoming holiday. This being the season of Easter approaching, Coleman thought it was cool to spot the large Easter Eggs in one of the yards and had to point them out to me.
Easter Egg Yard Decorations
After visiting the Cruz-In in uptown Cramerton after our hike back from the Easter Egg Scramble, Coleman seemed thrilled to try out his new Bubble Wand that was given to us. It was cool to watch him blow bubbles and then try to pop them. As he kept blowing bubbles he eventually learned to catch them and then release the bubbles back into the air.
God Bless. Enjoy the Outdoors. See if you can find Cool Stuff in your area. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Whenever the weather is nice and warm on the weekends and sometimes during the week, Coleman and I go hiking to one of the nearby Greenways. Coleman prefers being outside having Fun in the Sun anytime to being cooped up indoors.
Whenever I go outside into the Sunshine, it is, more likely than not, to watch Coleman having Fun in the Sun.
Now that Spring has arrived, Coleman has Fun in the Sun practicing T-Ball (or if you hear him say it, it would be T-Bat practice).
Coleman at T-Ball(Bat) practice
Some days we go to Riverside Park and Greenway, while there he likes to have Fun in the Sun playing in the Sand or being near the water.
Coleman playing in the Sand.
On other days we hike down to Goat Island Park and Greenway to either hike or allow Coleman to play in the playground. Occasionally we bring along our cornhole bean bags to have some Fun in the Sun playing a round of Cornhole.
Cornhole with Coleman
Most other times at Goat Island he play on the playground equipment swinging & twisting in & out of the ropes or convincing me to push him on the Swings for him to enjoy having Fun in the Sun.
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250 lens.
Locations: 1-3) C.B. Huss Recreation Center; 4-7) Riverside Park and Greenway; 8-11) Goat Island Park and Greenway
God Bless. Have Fun in the Sun. Enjoy the vast beauty in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The closest Shorelines we have near us are t hr e banks of the Catawba River, therefore I have chosen to show y’all what Coleman and I have seen recently on the Shoreline of the South Fork Catawba River. The first few photos are taken on the banks of the South Fork Catawba River at the Goat Island Park and Greenway.
Canada Geese on the Shoreline banks of the South Fork Catawba River
On both days the weather was Tepid which was a delightful experience and quite a contrast to our recent freezing weather of snow and freezing rain. The Tepid weather was just perfect, not too hit and not too cold.
This next set of images were taken on Monday of the South Fork Catawba River’s Shoreline from the Riverside Park and Greenway mainly featuring Coleman playing on the Shoreline banks.
Coleman playing in the sand along the Shoreline of the South Fork Catawba River
Cameras: Images 1-4 & 6-11) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Image 5) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: 1st set of Images) Shoreline of the South Fork Catawba River, Goat Island Park and Greenway; 2nd set) Shoreline of the South Fork Catawba River, Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature’s beauty. Relax and have some fun. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
From Hither and Thither and Yon I have traveled back and forth across the United States from the California to the Carolinas.
Hither and Thither and Yon, I traveled on and on Seeking adventure with family and friends.
Hither and Thither and Yon to a land used once long ago. From San Francisco to Alcatraz,Hither and Thither and Yon we traveled on and on.
The Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary or United States Penitentiary, Alcatraz Island, off the coast of San Francisco, California, USA, which operated from 1934 to 1963.
Hither and Thither and Yon we venture on and on. We wander to this land and that land stopping to see what’s near and far. From Northern California to the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
Hither and Thither and Yon we wondered how the Hopi Native Americans lived and how long it took them to build the Hopi House.
Hither and Thither and Yon the architectural design built in 1904 by local Hopi artisans. It was designed to resemble a traditional Hopi pueblo.
Hopi House is located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, within Grand Canyon National Park in the U.S. state of Arizona.
Hither and Thither and Yon we journey on and on for a long adventure to the Carolinas in the southeastern portion of the United States. Over hills and mountains and through the wide plains and plateaus of Texas onward and upwards to the Carolinas we travel on and on.
Hither and Thither and Yon we roam the vast acreage of Anne Springs Close Greenway and are amazed by the moving and reconstructing of the Graham Cabin.
Graham Cabin located in the grounds of Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.The cabin is more than two hundred (200) years old. According to an early 1800’s census the Reverend Billy Graham’s grandfather, Archibald Graham, born in this cabin and lived there for a time.
Hither and Thither and Yon how I wonder why we roam Hither and Thither and Yon. Hither and Thither and Yon we seek the vast lands of America taking in its rich history and absorb the knowledge left behind by those who came before us.
Hither and Thither and Yon we travel south from the Graham Cabin to see the Mebane Grammer School in the town where my father grew up. Hither and Thither and Yon I wonder why I travel on and on seeking whatever’s in the vast beyond.
Mebane Grammer School (Original Great Falls Grammar School) was built in 1924 in Great Falls, South Carolina. It was named for the Mebane family who were officers with Republic Mills. [The company that ran the mills in Great Falls. My paternal grandfather worked in the Republic ‘s #3 mill]. The school burned down in 1976.
Hither and Thither and Yon maybe it’s time to be close to family once again. Hither and Thither and Yon to the Old Watson Homestead we travel on and on. Hither and Thither and Yon It’s time to relax and feel at home on the Old Homestead with family close by.
Jeramiah (Jerry) Watson Family Home place. This is the homestead place of my maternal Great Grandparents (my mother’s father’s parents) near Deep Gap, North Carolina. It was a place known for the family to gather together and share good times and fellowship with one another.
Hither and Thither and Yon I wish all your dreams and desires come to fulfilment. Hither and Thither and Yon You are loved. Enjoy those close at hand. Hither and Thither and Yon.
I have recently upgraded my smartphone from the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max to the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. It has features which the iPhone 14 Pro Max did not have.
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has in addition to the main camera, ultra-wide camera, and the telephoto camera it also has a Fusion camera. The Fusion camera has ten (10) different modes to choose from ranging from standard to Dramatic to Mute or Stark Black and White with several different options in between. In the Fusion Square you can slide between lighter or darker and control the amount of light desired for an image.
This Fusion Camera feature is all new and different to me. I have only had my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max since last Monday and have not figured out all its new “bells and whistles” (new upgraded features). Today it was in the high 70’s here, warm enough to allow Coleman to play outside. Instead of going on a hike like we’d normally do, I decided to let him try out his T-ball set up. He will be playing T-Ball through our local Recreational Center and figured it wouldn’t hurt to let him try to practice hitting a ball.
The first eight (8) of these photos were taken using the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Mac’s Fusion camera with the Mute Black and White setting. The last seven (7) were taken using its Stark Black and White settings.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 