While Coleman was playing in the backyard he was talking about our landlord’s birdbath and then I noticed the bench sitting within the same Junk Pile. Never know what one might find in a junk pile. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
We live in walking proximity to several access entrances to the South Fork Catawba River, so Coleman and I visit the River often. On this particular day, we accessed one of the back access points which, I believe, is seldom visited by the majority of visitors to Goat Island Park and Greenway.
Here are the Ripples and Reflections we enjoyed seeing on our visit to the South Fork Catawba River.
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 Nature. Capture the All around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stay Warm. Take care of yourself and each other. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. Another week has passed and we’re almost through with one-quarter (1/4) of 2025. Hope you’re all doing well and will be joining in on the Which Way Challenge .
This week I have chosen a theme of Bridges. As you can see from my images the Bridges can be of a variety of types from Road Bridges to Swinging Bridges to Garden Bridges. Any type of Bridge will be suitable for this post.
Springtime in the Carolinas brings kayakers to the river for Funtime paddling in the water with rays of sunshine bringing warmth and tranquility to their lives.
Hey, Wait for me … I’m coming …
Okay, y’all who’s taking the lead?
Just let me finish maneuvering and I’ll by straight to follow y’all.
I’m ready now, shall we venture on?
Three kayakers in kayaks as seen from the banks of the South Fork Catawba River as Coleman and I were hiking the Disc Golf Trail parallel to the river. We watched the fellow in the red kayak maneuver his kayak away from the River bank and paddle to catch up with the other two kayakers to continue joining them on their adventure downstream.
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 the Spring Sunshine and have fun. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Center Street in Downtown Cramerton is the central location hub for get togethers and dining. The image below is of one of the many eating establishments that people gather for some fine dining experiences.
We mostly prefer to eat at home and not waste our resources on eating out at restaurants. Therefore, I cannot personally substantiate or invalidate the claims of being a highly recommended restaurant. However, from everything I hear about the restaurant, the food is high quality and the service is exceptional.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Images were taken this Spring. Have a lovely Spring day. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Good Day! Tina with Travels and Trifles is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. Tina has opted to choose a theme of Personal Favorites. She would like us to show what images are our ultimate favorites. I have several favourites, too many to include here. My top two (other than of Coleman) are shown first and foremost. They remind me of wonderful times of enjoyed at Andrew Jackson State Park in Lancaster, South Carolina.
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Capture Nature’s Beauty. Enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Thank you Dan for continuing Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, can’t say it enough how much it is appreciated and challenging.
This week Dan has chosen the theme of Fun with Food and I have chosen to taken the Fun with Food Outdoors. My selections vary from cooking on open fires, to eating, and some cooking demonstrations. It’s all good and fun and what more fun can be had then by the fresh air and the smell of hot Food cooking over an outdoor fire-pit.
I enjoy camping and cooking on an open fire whenever feasible. Most of these are from years back when I practically lived in the campgrounds. The two photos from the President James K. Polk Historic Site were taken during a Presidents’ Day Celebration in 2014.
The images taken at Andrew Jackson State Park(AJSP) were taken either while camping in or at the Andrew Jackson Birthday Celebration in 2018-2019. I have spent quite a bit of time camping over the years and a lot of time spent in AJSP. I also whenever I am able volunteer at various events held at AJSP as a member of Friends of Andrew Jackson State Park (AJSP).
Volunteer Cookout Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SCCooking Supper at Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SCCooking Outside at Hocking Hills KOA Logan, Ohio Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SCPresident James K. Polk State Historic Site Pineville, NCPresident James K. Polk State Historic Site Pineville, NCAndrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SCAndrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SCAndrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SCAndrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SCThe Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCAndrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SCAlona at Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SCColeman snacking at Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCColeman having a picnic in Lake Wylie, SCColeman practicing clean-up at Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SC
Hopefully one day in the future I’ll be able to take Coleman camping. He wants a tent and to go camping, I’m just not sure he would stay in the tent at night and not wander off.
Currently, we do not own any pets, however, Coleman and I see Pets while we are hiking along trails in various Parks and Greenways. Many visitors to Parks and Greenways bring their companions/Pets along with them. Some of the Greenways have Doggie Park sections for the Dogs to enjoy running around and playing with other dogs.
The following are some of the companion Pets we have encountered on our hiking adventures.
Goat Island Park and Greenway Goat Island Park and Greenway Doggie ParkGoat Island Park and Greenway Doggie Park Goat Island Park and Greenway Doggie ParkRiverside Park and Greenway Goat Island Park and GreenwayAnne Springs Close GreenwayGaston County Warlick Family YMCAThe Schiele Museum of Natural History TrailAnne Springs Close GreenwayAndrew Jackson State Park
Cameras: 1-9) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm and Canon EF-S75-300mm lens; 10) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; 11) Apple iPhone XR
Locations: as stated with images.
God Bless. Thank you Janet for hosting One Word Sunday this week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
On Saturday Coleman and I went hiking along the Disc Golf Trail at Goat Island Park and Greenway trying to follow the trail in numerical order for the Disc Golf Course. While hiking along the pathway crossing back and forth from paved to dirt trails we came upon these benches. Who knows, maybe people need a bit of rest in between “holes”.
It is interesting sometimes what Coleman and I run across while hiking. Things like posts with no apparent rhyme or reason (even if there is one), a discarded trash can (all the Greenway Trash cans are large with a Goat on them & are accompanied by a recycling bin), or a board discarded and tossed into the river. I’ve been teaching Coleman to LEAVE NO TRACE, so he notices when things have been left behind and discarded without thought of keeping the environment safe and clean.
These are examples of what we found discarded and left behind this week.
Post with no sign or reason for being there (it probably had a sign at one time).
Discarded trash can, don’t know why someone would even bring one to the Greenway except for maybe fishing.
Discarded board tossed into the river. ( We need to keep our rivers safe from contamination.)
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. Time to Get Outdoors and Enjoy the Beauty in Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stay Warm. Take care of yourself and each other. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Good Day my friends and fellow bloggers. I trust y’all are well. This being the week of St Patrick’s Day, I thought I would have us show our Which Ways with Any Shade of Green in them. Posting your Which Way for this CWWC challenge could be one photo or multiple photos depending on what you desire to post. I look forward to seeing all your Which Ways with Shades of Green . Remember signs are always welcome in your Which Way Challenge posts.
Here are my entries for this week’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way with Shades of Green:
Pathway at Texas Welcome Center I-20 near Waskom, Texas
Pathway at Glencairn Garden Rock Hill, South Carolina
Coleman behind Prairie Loop Sign Prairie Loop, Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina
Nature Trail at Warlick YMCA Gastonia, North Carolina
Nicotiana tabacum Cultivated Tobacco by Pathway at Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, North Carolina
Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC): March Week 3 — Any Which Way with Shades of Green
Cameras: 1-2) Apple iPhone XR; 3-4) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens and Canon EF-S75-300mm lens; 5) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
God Bless. Here’s hoping y’all will share your Which Ways this week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
… Watching the Great Blue Heron Looking around admiring his views and insights on the South Fork Catawba River.
The Great Blue Heron is stated to be seen year-round in the Carolinas, however, in our area of Southwestern North Carolina the Herons and other Cormorants tend to be seasonal in the inland regions. On this day, it was the first time the Cormorants and Great Blue Herons had been spotted since the end of summer.
The Great Blue Heron (Egretta thula) is the largest heron in North America and one of North Carolina’s most familiar and frequently seen wading birds. It is commonly observed around shores of open water and in wetlands where it stands silently or walks very slowly waiting for prey to get close enough so it can spear it with a rapid thrust of its bill.
The Great Blue Heron stands more than three (3) feet tall as an adult and weighs approximately 5.5 pounds (lbs). Its wingspan extends nearly 6.5 feet.
The Great Blue Herons live in both freshwater and saltwater habitats, including marshes, swamps, shores, rivers and tidal flats. These sightings were located near the shoreline of the South Fork Catawba River around Goat Island in Cramerton, North Carolina.
For the most part the South Fork Catawba River is a slow-moving river with calm waters. The Great Blue Heron prefers the calm waters to forage and the ability to feed on almost anything that comes within striking distance of its long, pointed bill. They typically feed in shallow waters.
Coleman and I were delighted to watch the Great Blue Heron soar over the river and land on the opposite bank from where we were hiking. Naturally, I aimed my camera towards the Great Blue Heron and proceeded to snap several shots. The Great Blue Heron stood tall and upright looking all around the waters of the South Fork Catawba River being observant of his entire environment.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment. [This was a time I wished I had a longer lens or at least a 2X converter to capture a closer view.]
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Be Observant. Be Kind. Have a wonderful day. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
On Tuesday after Coleman arrived home from school, his mom and I took him to the Baseball field to practice his hitting and fielding. Coleman just recently been assigned to a team for T-Ball.
Anyway, after his mom was tired of helping him practice Coleman and I took a short hike down to the river. The C.B. Huss River access is located off the Eleventh (11) Street parking lot. The Kayak rack is located at the river access trailhead.
Coleman checking out the Three Kayaks
Last Thursday, Coleman and I hiked the backside of Goat Island Park and Greenway. We hiked along a back road to reach the far side of the South Fork Catawba River. When we reached our starting point, we came upon these three pipes seemingly discarded near the river.
Three pipes near the South Fork Catawba River
Walking a bit off trail, we saw these three tree stems, limbs, or branches sticking up out of the water. It is always intriguing to see what interesting things we can find along our hikes.
Three Tree Stems
These Wild Daffodils were saw near the river while we were walking up the road to begin our hike for the day.
A Trio of Narcissus pseudonarcissus (wild daffodil)
While hiking the C.B. River Access Trail, Coleman and I discovered this elevated building on stilts near the South ForkCatawba River. When the area receives heavy rainfalls or flooding the water rises all the way up the shoreline and under this building and others similar in structure.
The first image is a close-up view depicting the boarded up door.
No Trespassing Town of Cramerton Property
The second image highlights the entire sideview of building.
I am not sure what the building’s purpose might be, but it was fascinating to find on our hike.
Location: C.B. Huss River Access; 480 11 St.; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy a walk. Get outdoors. Nature’s Beauty is Amazing. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Photo Credit: 2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Nature’s Beauty blossoming all around us. Stop and admire the beautiful flowers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan from No Facilities is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and starting last week with the themes focusing on food. I rarely photograph food, however, I did manage to locate a few in my archives. I think they will fit the challenge perfectly.
The photos of food I found for this week’s CFFC–Suggesting Lunch and/or Dinner(Supper)are all of food that was served and deliciously devoured on a cruise to Costa de Maya/Cozumel, Mexico I took back in February of 2020 except for the wrap.
Apple iPhone XR in 2019Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max February 2020
The Lunch and Dinner/Supper food selections which were served were scrumptious, delectable and full of delicious flavors. I was not accustomed to all the delicious delicacies that were served, however, I did find the flavors enticing and pleasantly satisfying.
Normally, I do not eat full complete meals three times a day. The flavorful food on board the cruise ship was too appealing and appetizing to pass up. Never in my life had I ate so much extravagant flavorful food in just five short days and might or might not again one day.
Cameras: 1) Apple iPhone XR; 2-7) Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
Location: Enchantment of the Seas; Caribbean Cruise Ship; Gulf of Mexico (now called Gulf of America).
God Bless. Thanks Dan for hosting CFFC and continuing Cee’s challenge. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan from No Facilities is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and starting last week (which I apparently missed) his themes are focusing on food. I rarely photograph food, however, I did manage to locate a few in my archives. I think they will fit the challenge perfectly.
Pancakes Double-Yoked Fried EggsBreakfast Sandwich Open-faced Scrambled Eggs with Cheese on English Muffins French Toast Topped with an Egg Omelette Pancakes Topped with Strawberries
For this week I am combining Monday Portrait with the Lens-Artist Photography Challenge. This week’s Lens-Artist Challenge #340 is hosted by Ritva with a theme of Portraits.
My Portraits for these challenges were taken when we visited the Horses at Anne Springs Close Greenway. Coleman loves visiting the Horses whenever an opportunity presents itself. From the images you can visualize how much he loves visiting the Horses and the respond affectionately towards him.
Monday Window Kitty by a Window – 2 — AI creation by PR
As seen while Coleman and I were walking around the neighborhood. The new house construction is coming along nicely now that the weather is warming up off and on. This is the view from the side of the house. It is really a narrow looking house that has three stories to it. To me it is an odd shape, but everyone has their own style and purpose for their own designs.
A floating piece of Wood Coleman through into the River. Looking through the Branches as the Water passes on by. Canada Geese enjoying an afternoon swim in the South Fork Catawba River.
Camera: 1)Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment. 2-3) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the Warm Springlike days when they come. Have a walk in Nature to refresh your mind and soul. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stop and Smell the Flowers. Enjoy the beauty in Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week when Coleman and I visited Goat Island Park and Greenway we noticed a few Canada Geese. We enjoy watching them around the South Fork Catawba River.
This one here was looking at the River and contemplating going for a swim. Looked back at his mate and seemed to say, “Wanna join me for a swim?”
Canada Goose
… Deciding to go on ahead, he slithered right on down the embankment slipping on in the River and waited for her to join him.
Canada Goose
… Not wanting to pass up the opportunity, she proceeded to join him and swim along and enjoy the River together.
To do so, simply share the photo* you have set as your wallpaper;
Provide as little or as much detail as you wish;
Use a pingback, or post a link here so I know you have joined in on the fun;
Then finally, share the fun around.
I am sharing my Wallpaper from both my Laptop and my Smartphone. I enjoy looking at different images each month. Most of which revolve around Coleman (my grandson) and nature.
Here are my Desktop Wallpaper and Screensaver for my Laptop:
From My HP Laptop:
Desktop Background Wallpaper
Coleman Taken with my Canon EOS Rebel T3i
Desktop Screensaver
Coleman Taken with my Canon EOS Rebel T3i
From My Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:
Personal Focus
Coleman Taken with my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Reading Focus
Coleman Taken with my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Hiking Focus
Coleman Taken with my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Television Focus
Canada Geese Taken with my Canon EOS Rebel T3i
Sleep Focus
Coleman Taken with my Canon EOS Rebel T3i
As you can see Coleman and his antics and expressions are in all, but one of my wallpapers. These were all taken at Riverside Park and Greenway in Cramerton, North Carolina.
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Riverside Park and Greenway; Old Town; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Capture the Beauty all around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
“Have you ever watched a Water Lily grow? They are creatures of the light. Slowly, they unfold their bodies and offer their scented song to the world.”
Abigal Wieser FlowersBloomHope.com
Zen Color App
“Let us rise above the muck and live gracefully in the light of this world instead of mired in its darkness.”
Another week has passed (almost) and it’s time again for the Which Way Challenge (CWWC). For this week’s Which Way Challenge I have selected CWWC: Any animal in your which way. The animals can be any kind of animal you might see on any roads, paths, sidewalks, or trails. As always signs are always welcome.
God Bless. Get Outside and Enjoy the Beautiful Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stay Warm. Take care of yourself and each other. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Last weekend was a fairly warm sunny day, therefore, Coleman and I walked over to Goat Island Park and Greenway for him to run around a play outdoors awhile. He enjoys going to Greenways to hike and play.
While Coleman was playing a snapped a few shots of the various sections of the Playground using a couple of different lenses and attachments. I used Google monochrome filters to alter the images into black and white.
Canon EF-S18-55mm with Altura Wide-Angle Fish-eye lensCanon EF-S55-250mm with Altura UV Filter attachment Canon EF-S18-55mm with Altura Wide-Angle Fish-eye lensApple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina , USA
God Bless. Get outside and enjoy the beauty in nature. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Be Observant. Show Gratitude. Love to all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
God Bless. Praying for Cee. Take Good Care of each other Chris. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.