2025 Pull Up a Seat – Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

It’s Time to Pull Up a Seat on Santa’s Knee (or Lap)

Last evening our Town of Cramerton held its annual Christmas parade which we were able to enjoy as a family. The Town came out in droves to watch the Parade with the many cars, floats, marching bands, and cheer squads. Parades are fascinating and exciting for the children and adults alike to watch and anticipate. I bet you can guess which part of the parade everyone likes to see the most (especially the children). Yep, you guessed (I least I believe y’all did). Santa Claus arrival at the end of the parade on a shiny red fire engine (at least in our town that’s what he arrives on).

After the Parade is over the children and their families gather at Confluence to await once again for Santa’s arrival. Why do the children excitedly wait with anticipation for Santa at Confluence? Well, of course it for the opportunity to be photographed with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Here are a few shots of Coleman with Santa … more will come later when the Catawba Riverkeepers Foundation sends the link for our free photos. Until then you’ll need to. E satisfied with the ones I captured.

*Uh oh, it seems like Coleman’s*
*not sure where to sit.*

*Alright, this spot*
*might just be fine.*

*Hey Gramdma,*
*should I be looking at*
*you or the camera?*

*Grandma, did you get*
*my picture all right?*
*Am I done now?*

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 49

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Confluence; Center Street; Downtown Cramerton; 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 Monday Window: 01 December

Bob Evans Restaurant

Kitty by a Window – 2
— AI creation by PR

For Monday Window this week I am taking you to the Bob Evans Restaurant in Huntersville, North Carolina. It has been awhile since we’ve been out to eat at a Bob Evans, the one closest to us closed & the building was demolished.

We decided to go out to eat on Thanksgiving first a Turkey Dinner (Our oven quit working & cooking a Turkey on the stovetop was highly impractical and improbable.) The closest Bob Evans near us was in downtown Charlotte or up a little further in Huntersville. We chose to go to the one in Huntersville and then go somewhere for a little holiday hiking.

Here are a few shots of the Bob Evans Restaurant; its doors, windows, and seating.

Bob Evans Restaurant
Huntersville, North Carolina

Click on image to enlarge.

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 48

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

Will It, Won’t It, Maybe Not

Hawthorne’s Inducer Pizza

*Hawthorne’s Buffalo Wing Pizza*
*Aka “The Inducer”*

You may be wondering about my title of Will It, Won’t It, Maybe Not especially when you see the image of a pizza. Let me tell you this is no ordinary pizza.

Hawthorne’s NY Pizza & Bar makes a specialty pizza many Pregnant women from all over Charlotte and the surrounding areas are coming to get. Why are they coming to Hawthorne’s from all over to get this specialty? That is an excellent question. What is this specialty pizza that is attracting pregnant women?

Pregnant women from all over Charlotte and the surrounding areas are determined to come to Hawthorne’s for their Buffalo Wing specialty pizza. It is layered with chicken, mozzarella cheese, and our very own Hawthorne’s in-house, SPECIAL medium-hot buffalo sauce. People are referring to the Buffalo Wing pizza as “The Inducer.”

Now, mind you, that there is no scientific proof that any certain foods (like the Buffalo Wing pizza) can induce labor, however, it is not stopping expectant mothers from enjoying and sharing the speedy power of Hawthorne’s Buffalo Wing Pizza. Even though many pregnant women have reported to giving birth within forty-eight hours or less from the time that they ate The Inducer” pizza, that is not true for every pregnant woman who ate Hawthorne’s “Inducer” pizza.

*Coleman’s mom going to Hawthorne’s to get her “Inducer” pizza*

With all this discussion regarding “The Inducer” pizza; my daughter eating “The Inducer” pizza is pizza; what do y’all think the outcome was? Did “The Inducer” pizza do the job with its expected success? Did it not work? Or will it eventually work, but take longer than expected?

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 48

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Hawthorne’s NY Pizza & Bar; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

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

Answer to the questions … so far the expected results have not happened. Still waiting … and waiting. ( She ate it “The Inducer” on Wednesday afternoon around Two (2) pm. And we are still waiting for Baby Sophia to arrive.)

2025 November #Shadows #29

Ramsey Creek Park

Becky’s November #Shadows #29

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Ramsey Creek Park; Lake Norman/Cornelius, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Hope y’all having wonderfully pleasant Thanksgiving weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

#Leaf Peeping in Goat Island Greenway

Terri, host of Sunday Stills has challenged us to show our #Leaf colours. In our area are #Leaves have slowing been displaying their Autumnal colour schemes. Sunday we had a beautiful Sun Shiny day with a high in the low 70’s°, unlike the past couple of days with highs only in the upper 40’s° and freeze warnings.

With a rare warm sunny day Coleman and I meandered down to Goat Island Park and Greenway for a hike along the River Link Greenway to check out the amazingly gorgeous Autumn colours vibrantly painted throughout the trail.

Here are a selection of images from our hike #Leaf Peeping through the Greenway …

Hope y’all enjoy the video clip of our #Leaf Peeping through the Greenway.

Terri’s Sunday Stills-#Leaf Peeping

Egidio’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #373-Looking Back at LAPC #31-Landscapes

Dawn’s Festival of Leaves

Judy’s Numbers Game #98-220

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2025 Week 45

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 46

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

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

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a hike/walk. Enjoy communing with nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Pull Up a Seat (In a Waiting Room) #4 Plus

Atrium Health Rock Hill Medical Plaza main lobby waiting area seating.

Atrium Health OB/Gyn Patient room seating waiting for the doctor to arrive.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 44

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Atrium Health Rock Hill Medical Plaza; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

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

2025 Pull Up a Seat (In a Waiting Room) #2

A couple of weeks ago I showed you a couple of images from a Waiting Room. This week I am continuing with Pull up a Seat (In a Waiting Room) #2. You may view the first Waiting Room post here.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 40

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Atrium Health Women’s Care Piedmont OB/GYN; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

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

Coleman’s “Porch” Seating Scares His Mom

Pull Up a Seat

for

Six Word Saturday

In the afternoons Coleman enjoys being outdoors and often Pulls Up a Seat on our Home’s Porch railing which would scare his mom half to death if she was at Home. Luckily for him when he chooses to Pull Up a Seat like in the images below his mom is at work and NOT at Home. This week’s post is also being linked with Debbie’s Six Word Saturday and One Word Sunday Challenges.

Coleman’s
Pull Up a Seat
Selection of the Afternoon

Click on each image to enlarge.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 39

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2025.09.27

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Home

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

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

2025 Jude’s Bench Challenge: 15 September

*Bench in front of*
*Best Western Plus Hotel*
*at the Convention Center in*
*Long Beach, California*

*Unique Artistic Bus-stop Bench*
*Long Beach, California*

Jude’s Bench Challenge

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 37

Natalie’s Public Art Photo Challenge

Location: Best Western Plus Hotel; Long Beach Convention Center; Long Beach, California, 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 Pull Up a Seat (Outdoor Dining for Two)

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 36

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion

Location: Gibson House; Greenway Stables 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 Thursday Doors: 21 August

*Ritva at*
*Ritva Sillanmäki Photography*

Police Polaris

*Cramerton Police Off-Road*
*Law Enforcement Vehicle*

The Cramerton Police Department operates many different types of vehicles to maintain order in the Cramerton area. Besides Police cars, SUV’s and a Police boat; it also operates a Polaris Government and Defense vehicle which delivers performance and reliability for mission-driven demands regardless of what the need or terrain might be.

The Polaris off-road defense vehicle helps our Cramerton Police Department to protect our town and its residents safe. It is fully equipped with sirens, emergency lighting, and a PA system. The Polaris Police Off-Road vehicle is able to go places where a regular police cruiser wouldn’t be able to and is an excellent addition to our Police Department, especially in a town surrounded by the South Fork Catawba River and several Greenways out trails.

***Cramerton Police Officer Demonstrates the Cramerton’s Police Polaris Off-Road Law Enforcement Vehicle prior to the Town Concert***

The Police and the Polaris Police vehicle presence was highly visible out our Town Concert last weekend. The Policeman was kind enough to give some young curious Concert attendees a demonstration of the Polaris Police Off-Road vehicle and even allowed them to sit in the vehicle while he demonstrated all the vehicles amazing features. For his kindness I am eternally grateful. (If you look closely, Coleman is seated in the driver’s side of the vehicle.)

Dan’s Thursday Doors: 08.21.2025

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.

Location: Centennial Center; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic weekend. Hope to see y’all on Friday for the Which Way Challenge. This week the Which Ways will be CWWC: Which ways on a cloudy or stormy day. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 OWS — Double the Trouble … Twice the Fun?

*Not exactly Mirrored Image*
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*

*Twice the Froggin’ Good Time*
*Cozumel, Mexico*

*Double the Fun*
*with matching Canoes*
*Warlick Family YMCA*

*Double the Beauty*
*Lady’s Glove*
*Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden*

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Double

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

2025 A Welcoming Bench in a Garden

Roscoe Village

Memorial Garden

Looking back to a trip my daughter and I took to visit (meet in person) cousins from my mother’s side of the family in Coshocton, Ohio.

There is an area in Coshocton known as the Historic Roscoe Village. The Historic Roscoe Village is an 1830 Restored Canal Town. Roscoe Village began as a small port town in 1816 after a bankrupt merchant bet that rural farmers would rather do business there than have to shell out 25 cents for the ferryboat to Coshocton.

Today, the restored Roscoe Village stands as a testament to Ohio’s bygone Canal era.

*My daughter*
*relaxing on a*
*Welcoming Garden Bench*

The Frances Montgomery Memorial Garden is one of nine gardens in Roscoe Village and is located near the Visitors’s Center. This Garden is dedicated to honor Mrs. Frances Montgomery and her passion for gardening. The Gardens are planted throughout this restored 1800’s canal town.

The flower beds were created in the early 1970’s by Frances Montgomery out of her love for gardening. Many of the gardens have historical significance and assist in the education mission of Roscoe Village.

Click images to enlarge.

Jude’s Bench Challenge

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 32

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Commune with Nature. 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 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 Thursday Doors: 24 July

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 Bench Challenge — Helix R Pocket Park

The Benches here are located within the Helix/R Pocket Park which is installed along the greenway off of Riverside Drive, near Downtown Cramerton. [This Pocket Park is just down our long block and across the road from where we live.]

Coleman’s seating choices
on Benches at
***Helix/R Pocket Park***

The Helix/R is a 20-foot tall abstract sculpture created by John Rietta, Soulptor. It was dedicated in Cramerton on Thursday, June 26 along the Carolina Thread Trail on Cramer Mountain Road. It is located in a brand new Pocket Park named the Richard Atkinson Plaza in honour of Cramerton’s Mayor Pro-Tem.

During the dedication The Carolina Thread Trail and the Town of Cramerton, North Carolina cut the ribbon on the Helix/R sculpture officially opening the small Pocket Park to the public.

Jude’s Bench Challenge

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 28.2

Natalie’s Public Art Photo Challenge

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & 6-Star filter attachments.

Location: Helix/R Pocket Park; Richard Atkinson Plaza; Cramerton, 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.

#SimplyRED #12 — 2025.07.12

*Coleman*
*Pulling Up a Seat*
*on a*
*RED Farmall Cub Tractor*
at
*The Schiele Museum*
*of Natural History*

Becky’s Squares-#SimplyRED #12

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 28

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Telephoto camera

Location: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Benches, Chairs, and Other seating — Coleman’s Choices (Part Four)

Pull Up a Seat at

The Farmhouse Gardens

Daniel Stowe Conservancy

Welcome back to my saga of Benches, Chairs, and Other seating. This week we are continuing with Coleman’s Choices of Pulling Up a Seat at the Daniel Stowe Conservancy, we uncover a variety of seating arrangements Coleman selected to Pull Up a Seat. Coleman’s choices this week are located at The Farmhouse Garden Center on the grounds of The Village at Stowe.

Click on each image for enhanced enlarged viewing.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 27

Becky’s Squares-#Simply #Red

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

Location: The Farmhouse Garden Center; The Village at Stowe; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, 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.

Benches, Chairs, and Other seating — Coleman’s Choices (Part Three)

The Trailhead Store

Daniel Stowe Conservancy

Carolina Thread Trail

Continuing with Coleman’s Choices of Pulling Up a Seat at the Daniel Stowe Conservancy, we uncover a variety of seating arrangements Coleman selected to Pull Up a Seat. This week’s Coleman’s Choices are within the Gazebo at The Trailhead Store on the grounds of The Village at Stowe.

***Coleman’s Bench***
***Pull Up a Seat Choices***
**within the Gazebo**

Click on each image for enhanced enlarged viewing.

Stay tuned next week for the continuing saga of Coleman’s choices of Benches, Chairs, and Other seating Part Four-The Farmhouse Seating Choices.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 26

Jude’s Bench Challenge Anniversary

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments plus Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Location: The Gazebo; The Trailhead Store; The Village at Stowe; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, 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.

Benches, Chairs, and Other seating — Coleman’s Choices (Part Two)

The Trailhead Store

Daniel Stowe Conservancy

Carolina Thread Trail

Continuing with Coleman’s Choices of Pulling Up a Seat at the Daniel Stowe Conservancy, we uncover a variety of seating arrangements Coleman selected to Pull Up a Seat.

Click on each image for enhanced enlarged viewing.

Stay tuned next week for the continuing saga of Coleman’s choices of Benches, Chairs, and Other seating Part Three.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 25

Jude’s Bench Challenge Anniversary

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments plus Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; The Center; 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.

Benches, Chairs, and Other seating — Coleman’s Choices (Part One)

The Trailhead Store

Daniel Stowe Conservancy

The Trailhead Store is a recent addition to Daniel Stowe Conservancy having just opened last year with The Farmhouse Garden Center opening in May of 2025. The Farmhouse Garden Center opening brought awareness to The Trailhead Store. [I was not aware of its existence until I read about the opening of The Farmhouse Garden Center and the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens name change to Daniel Stowe Conservancy].

The Trailhead Store is a cozy coffee shop nestled amidst the beauty of nature in The Village at Stowe. The Store is owned and operated by Daniel Stowe Conservancy. There is no admission fee for The Trailhead Store, The Farmhouse Garden Center opening, or the eight plus miles of trails on and connected to Stowe Property.

Although Coleman and I did not purchase anything in The Trailhead Store, we did look around to check out what it had to offer as well as the wide variety of seating options available to guests. The Trailhead Store’s outdoor seating consists of several rustic wood chairs and benches scattered around the lawn with magnificent charming views of the Pond Loop Trails located a short distance away.

There are so many choices for people to choose to Pull Up a Seat and relax (and naturally Coleman had to investigate them all) that I’ve elected to make this a two part post series (may be three if I add the seating at The Farmhouse Garden Center).

Here is my first edition to Benches, Chairs, and Other seating — Coleman’s Choices …

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 24

Jude’s Bench Challenge Anniversary

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

Location: The Trailhead Store; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have an adventurous week. Enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for Visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Whataburger Windows & Doors

Whataburger, an American fast food restaurant chain headquartered and based out of San Antonio, Texas, opened its first North Carolina restaurant in Gastonia on May 29th. The opening of the legendary Texas Burger Chain has been a long wait full of anticipation, full of excitement in the expectation of Whataburger finally becoming a reality in North Carolina.

The Grand Opening of the Gastonia River Whataburger is one moment of an exciting full year celebration for Whataburger’s 75th Anniversary year. The residents of North Carolina have been excitedly waiting since around 2022 for a Whataburger to open one of its legendary Texas Burger restaurants.

What’s all the hype about Whataburger? Whataburger serves fresh never frozen beef patties on 5-inch buns, and craveworthy classics like the Patty Melt and Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit – always made-to-order and fully customizable. They serve a grilled chicken sandwich unlike anything you’ve ever eaten before. It is so delicious, it’s amazingly worth the wait and anticipation of finally being able to order a delicious meal from Whataburger.

*Whataburger*
*Gastonia, North Carolina*

Those who have never had anything from a Whataburger before were not sure what all the big excitement and hullabaloo has been about. Well, those of us who have eaten at a Whataburger restaurant before know how awesome, exceptional, and sensational Whataburger food truly is mouthwatering delicious.

The lines to enter Whataburger were extremely long with cars, trucks, and SUV’s back up across the parking lot across the road and then some. The parking for dining in was packed and overflowing into the shopping centre parking lot across the street. Lines were monitored by private security and the Gaston County Sheriff’s Department. There were lines to enter the store with a few parties by allowed in to the store at a time to afford overcrowding.

*Mile long lines*
*waiting to enter*
***Whataburger***

No need to worry about finding a place to sit. Whataburger had that all planned out with extra sitting outside under a tent set up with plenty of tables and chairs. The Whataburger staff brought our food right out to us and everyone else who chose to eat outside.

*Whataburger*
*Outdoor sitting for*
*Grand Opening week.*

The demand was so strong that the Whataburger delivery trucks had a difficult time getting into the location to deliver more products for the much needed restaurant.

Other Views of the New Whataburger…

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 23

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Whataburger; Gastonia, 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 Rocky Branch Benches

Jude’s Bench Anniversary Challenge-08 June 2025

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 23

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Rocky Branch Trail; Rocky Branch Park; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy a hike/walk. Commune with 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 people

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen (CWWC): Any Which Way with people for this week’s theme. Your Which Ways can be on any pathway, road, step, bridge, and/or sign 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. As always remember to have fun.

Here are my entries for this week’s challenge …

Pathways around Centennial Center with People:

Trails with People:

Remember your Which Ways can be any way one travels, whether on foot, or other means. This week we are focusing on people in our Which Ways. And as always, Be sure to have fun.

For other Which Ways, check out the links below. Thank you to all who contributed to the Which Way Challenges.

Brian from bushboys world’s You’ll find it (down this aisle)

Penn from PENPUSHER 4 – THOUGHTS, WORDS, DEEDS, … Open Road …

Dawn from The Day After’s Which Way: Bridge from the Mill Window

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Yellow – Red – Blue

~~Cee’s~~ Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)— (CWWC): Any Which Way with people.

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

Pull Up a Seat on a Bench Along the Catawba River

***Catawba River Trailhead Benches***
**Does a Swing count as a Bench?**

Jude’s Bench Anniversary Challenge

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 22

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Location: Catawba River Trailhead; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful day. Enjoy a hike/walk in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Benches Throughout the Greenway

Avon-Catawba Creeks Greenway

*Coleman*
*Gotha Greenway*
*Gastonia Sister Cities*

“Where the Green Heart of Germany meets the Gateway of Gastonia”

Dedicated on October 2, 2011

Jude’s Bench Anniversary Challenge

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 21

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Avon-Catawba Creeks Greenway Trail; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful day. Enjoy a hike/walk in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 OWS: 19 May — Conveniently Convenience

On most hiking trails which Coleman and I there are there are sporadically placed benches Conveniently placed for hiker’s Convenience to rest, relax, and rejuvenate to continue one’s hiking adventure.

Here are a few benches Conveniently placed for hiker’s Convenience …

Anne Springs
Close Greenway
Fort Mill, SC

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Convenience

Jude’s Bench Challenge Anniversary-19 May

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 20

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

Benches around Centennial Center

*Eighth & Center Street*
*Downtown Town of Cramerton*

Coleman’s Bonus Seating

Out front of
Mayworth’s Public House
*115 Center Street*

Jude’s Bench Anniversary Challenge

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 18

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion & Ultra wide Cameras

Location: Center & Eighth Streets; Downtown Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Pull Up a Seat — Wherever You Desire and Enjoy a Time of Relaxation. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Monochrome Monday Portrait: 28 April

Farm Portraits

Brother & Sister

and a Pony

Marvin Houston And Doyce Eileen Watson

These images were taken in 1934 in Coshocton, Ohio. They are of my mom when she was about two and a half (2 1/2) years of age and her older brother. When my mom was a young child she lived on a farm and as you can see from the bottom photo they had a pony cart they could ride in. My mom rode, my uncle (her brother) held the reins to drive the pony cart.

Monday Portrait

Monochrome Monday

Monday Monochrome

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 17

Throwback Thursday

Location: Coshocton, 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.

Four (oops meant five) – Eighth Avenue Benches

Benches I noticed when Coleman and I were walking through town this morning. Three on one side of the street in neighbouring front yards and two in front of the Cramerton Fire Department.

Jude’s Bench Anniversary Challenge

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 16

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Eighth Avenue; 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.

Pull Up a Seat On a Tree Limb

Coleman’s

Choice of

Pulling Up a Seat

By the River

Coleman loves to play in the sand by the river. He’ll also climb anything he sees worthy of his climbing capabilities. Yesterday, his climbing took him up an American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) tree to Pull Up a Seat.

The ascending progression …

The Sitting Adjustment:

And Back Up a Tree again to perch on a limb …

Where did Coleman disappear? … See his legs dangling up so high like a monkey in a tree?

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 16

Sunday Trees

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion Camera

Location: By the South Fork Catawba River; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Do or did you like to climb trees like Coleman does? Where is your favourite place to Pull Up a Seat? Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Pull Up a Seat – Coleman Style on a Stack of Rock Slabs

Rocky Branch Trail

As we were nearing the end of our hike along the Rocky Branch Trail to head back home; Coleman decided to climb up into the top of the Stack of Rock Slabs (Rock statue) located at the Cramerton entrance to the Rocky Branch Trail portion of the Carolina Thread Trail. As you can tell, if something appears to be suitable for sitting Coleman will find a way to Pull Up a Seat.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 15

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion Camera

Location: Rocky Branch Trail; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy the Outdoors. Take a walk. Relax and have Fun. 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 in Black and White

This week I’m asking y’all to show your Which Ways in Black and White in Memory of Cee Neuner (1960-2025). Cee hosted several photo challenges including Cee’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) – currently hosted by Deb L. Waters (aka me) from Gfpacificbee’s Insights and Photography, Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – currently hosted by Dan Antion from No Facilities, Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge (CMMC), and Cee’s Black and White Challenge (CBWC) and Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge (FOTD) – hosted by Chris Donner (Cee’s Life Partner & wife).

In Memory of Cee’s Black and White Challenge let us all show our Which Ways this week in Black and White for this week’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC). Remember to have Fun and Signs are always welcome.

Here are my entries:

On the Road with Cars and Trucks:

Roads and Pathways with Parked Cars and Trucks:

On Sidewalks and Pathways:

All photos were taken in Downtown Town of Cramerton the end of March.

Next week the theme will be CWWC: Any Which Way with Trains and/or Trolleys (or anything else on a railroad track.) This maybe in combination with Dan’s CFFC.

Check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.

WHICH WAY WITH FLOWERS

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)-Any Which Way in Black and White

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 14

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Downtown Eighth & Center Streets; Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

Backyard Junk Pile Bench

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.

I’m posting these benches for Jude’s Bench Anniversary Challenge and Xingfu Mama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge.

Jude’s Bench Anniversary Challenge

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 13

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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.

Benches Along the Trail

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”.

I’m posting these benches for Jude’s Bench Anniversary Challenge and Xingfu Mama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge.

Jude’s Bench Anniversary Challenge

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 12

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

Location: Disc Golf Trail; Goat Island Park and Greenway; 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 Numbers Game #63-184

Judy Dykstra-Brown with the blog lifelessons hosts a challenge called The Numbers Game. 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 my 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.This prompt will repeat each Monday with a new number. If you want to play along, please put a link to your blog in comments below. Here are my contributions to the album.

This week’s number is 184. Here are my entries for this week’s Numbers Game #63 challenge.

This week’s images are a mixture of places I’ve visited throughout the years. From California to Mexico; from Georgia to the Carolinas and northward up to Ohio. And of course, I had to include a picture of Coleman. I hope you enjoy and decide to play along as well.

Judy’s Numbers Game #63-184

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Throwback Thursday

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

Pull Up a Seat on a Lone (Jude’s) Bench

While hiking a hidden (almost) dirt trail at Riverside Park and Greenway this past weekend, Coleman and I came upon this lone Bench in the middle of a sandy area near the South Fork Catawba River.

I am not sure if anyone else knows about this Bench and the Sandy area along the South Fork Catawba River or not. Coleman and I have not seen anyone else around the area. Most people stay near the Fishing Piers at the Greenways.

It gives Coleman an opportunity to play undisturbed in the Sand with his Little Tikes construction vehicles. He is quite the “engineer” designing his own roads, bridges and tunnels in the sand.

It also allows me to have a peaceful serene tranquil relaxing place to Pull Up a Seat to relax and enjoy watching Coleman play.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 10

Jude’s Bench Challenge

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.

Location: South Fork Catawba River; Dirt Trail; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

Monochrome Madness #29 – Chair or Chairs

Chairs are Everywhere

The host this week for Monochrome Madness is Brian from bushboy.blog. Brian has chosen a theme of Chair or Chairs for this week’s challenge. Let’s play along and discover what Chairs we can find.

Everywhere Coleman and I go there’s always someplace Coleman can find to Pull Up a Seat …

We might find a Chair to Pull Up a Seat at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden …

Or we might find a Chair to relax in The Center …

We could locate a table and Chairs to Pull Up a Seat and enjoy a refreshing drink and snack before continuing on a hike …

*Lake Haigler Entrance*
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*
*Fort Mill, South Carolina*

Then there’s a chance we could spot a couple of Chairs on display in an office setting at a museum …

*The Schiele Museum of Natural History*
*Gastonia, North Carolina*

Coleman and I enjoy Pulling Up a Seat in a camping Chair at a State Park after a long hike around the lake …

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

But a fond memory of a place of comfort was the opportunity to Pull Up a Seat on my paternal grandparents front porch.

*My dad and Paternal Grandfather*
*Great Falls, South Carolina*

Now over to y’all to show us some Chairs by clicking here.

Brian’s Monochrome Madness #29-Chair/Chairs

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

XingfuMama’s Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 9

Throwback Thursday

Cameras: 1-4) Canon EOS Rebel T3i; 5) Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max; 6) Minolta XG-7 35mm (my dad’s).

God Bless. Pull Up a Seat for a spell. Enjoy the peace and comfort of a day’s journeys ending. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Pull Up a Seat on a Trail Bench

Coleman and I hiked a new (to us) trail today after he arrived home from school and switched shoes. We had to walk approximately one mile alongside the road (not every section had a sidewalk), across the C. Claudius Dawson Bridge (which crosses over the South Fork Catawba River) and cross the forked road before reaching our destination to eventually begin our hike for the afternoon.

On our hike we periodically encountered a wooden Bench here, there, and yonder along the Rocky Branch Trail. Here are a few of the Benches we happened upon throughout our hike.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 9

Jude’s Bench Challenge

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Rocky Branch Trail; CarolinaThread Trail; Belmont/Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) — Blue and ??

Dan Antion with No Facilities blog is the host for CFFC. Dan has chosen a theme this week of Blue and ? with Blue being the dominant Color in the image.

Here are my entries for Dan’s CFFC challenge this week.

*Coleman wearing **Blue** hiking on **Blue** Star Trail*

Dan’s CFFC-Blue and ?

Jude’s Bench Challenge

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 8

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

2025 Pull Up a Seat by a Wall Mural (PPAC) & (Thursday) Door

As Coleman and I were walking around Downtown Cramerton on the way back from Goat Island we walked through the backside of the businesses that run along Center Street. What we noticed were the Mural that were painted on the businesses back walls covering a good portion of the wall including the doors. The Mural pictured in the photos on the left are from the Skillet Southern Bistro’s back patio and outside dining area with plenty of room to enjoy the evening.

The Mural pictured on the right are from the outside back wall of Confluence South Fork. Confluence is a place to gather for young and old alike. It is run by the Catawba Riverkeepers. It offers beer for adults, sells artwork created by a local artist and souvenirs. It holds concerts for all to enjoy some specifically designed for children. It offers the ability for visitors to rent disc golf discs, cornhole bags, and ping pong paddles to ball at Goat Island Park and Greenway located across the road from its location.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 6

Photographing Public Art Challenge (PPAC)

Thursday Doors

RDP Monday: ROOM

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion Camera

Location: Backside of Center Street; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Numbers Game #60 — 181

February 10, 2025

Judy Dykstra-Brown hosts The Numbers Game challenge each week. This week is Game #60 and the number is 181.

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 my 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.This prompt will repeat each Monday with a new number. If you want to play along, please put a link to your blog in comments below. Here are my contributions to the album.

This week I am choosing to use a theme of Playground focusing on the CLT Airport Overlook playground in Charlotte, North Carolina. Coleman enjoyed playing in CLT Charlotte Douglas International) Airport Overlook’s Playground. He kept zipping to and fro checking out all the various playground equipment and all the unique places to Pull Up a Seat.

Judy’s Numbers Game #60-181

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 6

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: CLT Airport Overlook Playground; CLT Airport Overlook; Charlotte Douglas International Airport; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Thursday Trios: 02.06

Benches in a Park

*Two Park Benches &*
*a Picnic Table with Benches*

Thursday Trios

Jude’s Bench Challenge

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 5

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Goat Island 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.

Higher, Higher Reaching for the Sky

… At Goat Island

Park and Greenway

We decided to take a risk with the impending rain and meandered down to Goat Island Park and Greenway for Coleman to have some Funtime in the playground. He loves to swing. Even though he is learning to pump his legs to keep swinging, he still enjoys having me push him to go higher and higher towards the sky.

As you might could tell, he had loads of fun. Especially after a friend from school showed up to play in the playground. His friend, Liam, is a little bit older and rides the same school bus with him. He lives on the other end of our street close to the railroad tracks.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

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

Settings: f/4.5/5 • 1/800 • 79mm • ISO320-400

Location: Swings; In the Playground; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

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Bob Evans Restaurant

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Hawthorne’s Inducer Pizza

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Ramsey Creek Park

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Pull Up a Seat

for

Six Word Saturday

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Police Polaris

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Roscoe Village

Memorial Garden

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THE GREEK GRILL

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Domtar Forest Porch

Lake Haigler Entrance

Anne Springs Close Greenway

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Cramerton Fire Department

Rear Side Door

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The Trailhead Store

Daniel Stowe Conservancy

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Avon-Catawba Creeks Greenway

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