Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography
This blog is for my insights on life, the Bible, hiking adventures with my grandson and whatever is important to me
Click on images to enlarge.
Dan’s Thursday Doors-2025.12.11
God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Plunge in San Diego, California was originally called The Natatorium. It was constructed in 1925 as the centrepiece of Belmont Park, along with the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster.
Belmont Park is located at Mission Beach. It was once the world’s largest saltwater pool. In 1940, The Plunge’s pool was converted from a saltwater pool to a freshwater pool. After the conversion, it became Southern California’s largest heated indoor pool. However, in the 1970’s, the pool and the rest of Belmont Park fell into disrepair. [It was during the 70’s when I was able to spend many days, especially in the summer, at Mission Beach enjoying the rides, the ocean, and the pool within The Plunge.]
In 2014, The Plunge was closed due to structural issues. After undergoing a major restoration, it reopened in 2019 as a completely modern, heated facility with a retractable roof and new amenities including floor-to-ceiling windows, while still maintaining its historical character.
The renovation was done in coordination with San Diego’s Historical Resources Board and the Save Our Heritage Organization. Great efforts were made to restore and replicate historic architectural features, including the original-style archways and decorative tilework.
During the mid-twentieth century, The Plunge served as a community gathering spot for swim lessons, school meets, and summer outings. The Plunge has been and continues to be a beloved landmark for Mission Beach residents and the entire city of San Diego.
Click on images to enlarge.
Location: The Plunge San Diego; 3115, Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
God Bless. Have a fantastic rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: This Friday’s Which Way Challenge theme will be Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way (Your Choice)
Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game. This week’s number is 222. Her instructions for playing along are listed below …
To play along, go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find under that number and include a link to your blog in Judy’s Numbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title.
Please click on photos to enlarge.
Here are my entries …
Please click on photos to enlarge.
Photo Credit:©️Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Take Care. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week John from Journeys with Johnbo is hosting the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. He has come up with the “Looking Back” theme of Autumn. With mainly the Northern Hemisphere being in the Autumnal Season and the Leaves are changing colours, it seems appropriate that we show off our Fall/Autumn colours. I am linking up with Dawn’s Festival of Leaves, which I feel is definitely appropriate due to the Autumn Colours of Leaves being displayed. You can find out more about Dawn’s Festival of Leaves challenge here.
Here are my entries for these challenges …
Click on each image to enlarge.
John’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #368-Autumn
Dawn’s Festival of Leaves 2025-Week #3
Photo Credit:©️2022-2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i and Apple 14 Pro Max
Locations: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina and Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina
God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Any type of Walkways or Pathways with Signs for this week’s theme. Signs can be on any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
Here are my entries …
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.
Dawn’s Which Way: Sunset on the Rails
Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Where are We Going?
Suzette’s For CWWC — Deb’s Which Way Challenge
Photo Credit:©️1975-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy a hike/walk in Nature. Admire Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Next Week’s Theme: CWWC: Any Which Way with Autumn Colours
Anne from Slow Shutter Speed is the host for this week’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. She has chosen a unique theme of a Virtual Scavenger Hunt with several ideas for us to select from while searching for our “Scavenger” items.
Here are my “Scavenger Hunt” findings:
Anne’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #363-Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Photo Credit:©️1979-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week & fun Scavenging to find things to capture. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States. The discovery of gold from this mine gradually influenced gold mining to nearby counties and eventually into other southern states. During the gold mining peak years, it was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed. The estimated value of gold recovered reached over one million dollars a year. North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California.
The Reed Gold Mine is located in Midland, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and has been designated a National Historic Landmark because of its importance and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At this location there is an underground mine that is open for self-guided tours, historic structures, a visitor center, trails, monuments, and outdoor exhibits.
Dan’s Thursday Doors: 08.14.2025
Photo Credit:©️2014 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Location: Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site; President James K. Polk State Historic Site; Pineville, 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 your choice. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Remembering a fun family trip with my daughter and granddaughter to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina. This upcoming week my granddaughter will turn twelve (12). These are memories from when she was four (4).
Her mom and I took her down to Columbia, South Carolina to visit the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. It was a special time and memories I will always cherish. [She currently lives with her father & he does not allow her to visit with us even though there is a shared custody agreement.]
Alona enjoyed being able to pet the goats and other animals in the children’s petting area.
As well as the merry-go-round and all the amazing animals located within the Zoo.
Every time we came near any of the animal sculptures she thought she had to go up and climb on them. It made for some interesting poses (or lack of posing).
After a long tiring day, we stopped at the entrance/exit area for one final photo opportunity before traveling back home through Great Falls, Lancaster, and finally to get home in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
John’s Cell Pic Sunday-2025.08.10
Throwback Thursday (on Sunday)
Photo Credit:©️2017 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus
Location: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden; Columbia, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Memories are precious. Treasure your memories. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Moses Cone Carriage House is a significant historical structure located within the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and just a short hike from the Cone Manor.
The Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and the Moses Cone Carriage House is located near Milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Cone Carriage House was part of the expansive Flat Top Manor estate, built by textile magnate Moses H. Cone and his wife Bertha at the turn of the 20th century.
The estate included the manor house, about 500 acres of farmland, Flat Top Mountain, Rich Mountain, and a vast system of carriage trails.
The Carriage House housed carriages and other equipment used to maintain the estate’s approximately 25 miles of carriage trails. The Carriage House has been preserved as a historical structure within the park, it might possibly be used for maintenance or interpretive exhibits related to the estate’s history.
The Carriage House may not be a prominent visitor attraction on its own, however, it contributes to the overall historical and natural experience of the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, which also includes the Flat Top Manor (the Cone’s former residence), orchards, lakes, and extensive carriage trails.
Note: This section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is open for the public.
Dan’s Thursday Doors: 2025.08.07
Photo Credit:©️2017 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus
Location: Moses Cone Carriage House; Moses H. Cone Memorial Park; Milepost 294; Blue Ridge Parkway; Watauga County, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Get Outdoors and enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Located on the property of Anne Springs Close Greenway is the Garrison-Webb Grist Mill. The Garrison-Webb Grist Mill was established in 1780 and operated for approximately one hundred (100) years.
The mill was located along the banks of Steele Creek by Isaac Garrison and Theodoric Webb, who bought the land from Thomas Spratt. The mill was located near the first of four sanctuaries of Unity Presbyterian Church, a log structure built in 1788. This small collection of homes and other structures was named “Little York.”
In 1830, it was decided to name the town Fort Mill referencing the Indian Fort near the Catawba River and the mill, referring to the Garrison-Webb Grist Mill along Steele Creek.
After extensive research archaeological evidence of the gristmill was found in the northwest section of the Anne Springs Close Greenway. Over the 100 years the mill was operational its ownership passed through to several owners, including John Springs and William E. White. The original mill burned down in 1889, and it is unclear if it was ever rebuilt.
In 2008, the Anne Springs Close Greenway began efforts to recreate the mill in its original setting. The mill was designed to have a moving water wheel, but the wheel was not attached to any gears and was never intended to actually grind grain. The Greenway was mainly intended as a learning opportunity and to honor the history of the industry in the region.
Visitors to the Anne Springs Close Greenway may visit the Garrison-Webb Grist Mill by hiking the Blue Star Trail beginning at the Blue Star Entrance to the Greenway. Once on the Blue Star Trail you’ll cross foot bridges and Steele Street (a paved public road) and continue down a hill to the mill, which was constructed in 1780.
Photo Credit:©️2022 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro
Location: Garrison-Webb Grist Mill; Blue Star Trail; Blue Star Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Get Outdoors and enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
“Swimming” in the Carolinas
Water sports is a common summer activity around the Carolinas. The Canada Geese enjoy swimming in the South Fork Catawba River …
Some people take pleasure in Paddle Boarding …
Others gain satisfaction Kayaking with family …
And then Coleman delights in playing and splashing in the Spillway at Anne Springs Close Greenway …
Lastly, we remember a time when Springs Mill Recreational Park was open and everyone could find contentment in the pool.
Terri’s Sunday Stills: In the #Swim, But Staying Safe
Photo Credit: 1-4) ©️2023-2025 Deb L. Waters; 5) ©️1968 Nornal H. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Cameras: 1) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens; 2-3) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 4) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; 5) Minolta XG-7
Locations: 1-3) South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina; 4) Lake Haigler Spillway; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina; 5) Springs Pool; Springs Mill Recreational Park; Lancaster, 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.
To play along, go to your photos file folder 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.
Here are my contributions to the Numbers Game Challenge … Click on photos for enlarged and enhanced viewing.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The John Gilbert Reese Center
Conference and Event Facility
On the Campus of Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) which is affiliated with The Ohio State University at Newark, Ohio.
The John Gilbert Reese Center is an ideal venue for your event or concert offering unparalleled, customized service in concert with state-of-the art technology. It is also an excellent location to hold board meetings or receptions regardless of whether you are planning for five (5) or Five Hundred (500) guests. The Reese Center is conveniently located in the scenic rolling hills of central Ohio and is a short drive from Port Columbus International Airport and just minutes away from world-class accommodations.
My daughter and I visited the COTC campus and The John Gilbert Reese Center back in April of 2012 when we were in the area visiting some of our cousins who live in the area. It is a beautiful campus and area to visit. The campus is a short drive from The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Dan’s Thursday Doors-2025 June 05
Photo Credit:©️2012 Deb L. Waters All Rights Reserved.
Location: The John Gilbert Reese Center; Central Ohio Technical College (COTC); Ohio State University; Newark, Ohio, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderfully fun-filled week and weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
To play along, go to your photos file folder 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 Numbers Game Challenge …
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week it has been raining all week, so time for Throwback Thursday Doors. A trip back in time to 2021 and a visit with Coleman to the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina.
On Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Coleman and I took a drive to visit the North Carolina Transportation Museum. His mom was out of town and we were on our own. All Coleman knew was that we were going for a long drive. He always likes for me to take him places. He doesn’t like to stay home if he doesn’t have to do so. He loves adventures and seeing new places and things.
For this adventure I prepaid for our tickets online. He was able to freely wander about both outside and inside the Museum. He roamed in and out of the many, many antique vehicles, even climbing on a few of them. The NC Transportation Museum houses antique vehicles from various time periods. The antique vehicles are not just cars, but airplanes, trains, wagons & carriages once pulled by horses and also a few motorcycles.
Here Coleman is checking out the black 1958 Studebaker on display. I’m sure if he could have opened the door he would have climbed right on in and tasted it out. Glad he was fine without attempting it. We walked up and down the aisles, not wanting to miss a thing. He was fascinated seeing all the antique vehicles in the Museum.
As we walked through one of the other aisles Coleman was able to get a closer view of the airplane, a Douglas C-53-DO. The aircraft was once apart of Piedmont Airlines fleet. This airplane is also from the 1958 era.
If you ever have the opportunity I would recommend a visit to the North Carolina Transportation Museum. For information regarding current events and tickets to the NC Transportation Museum click here.
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Ultra Wide Camera
Location: North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fantastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much
Thinking about the Coca-Cola 600 today as I work on my blog; I am remembering a time when I took my granddaughter, Alona to Carowinds. She was fascinated to see Dale Earnhardt’s #3 NASCAR race car on display in front of the then “Intimidator” hypercoaster (now called “Thunder Striker”).
The iconic “Intimidator” coaster ride at Carowinds opened with great fanfare in 2010. Carowinds had a long standing contract enabling them to license the name “Intimidator” through Dale Earnhardt Inc..
Carowinds “Intimidator” hypercoaster was renamed Thunder Striker after the licensing contract with Dale Earnhardt Inc. expired in December of 2023. The “Intimidator” carried its name for over a decade. The name “Intimidator” was the nickname for NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt.
Photo Credit:©️2018 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone X
Location: The Intimidator; Carowinds; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Ford introduced the Model T in 1908. It was Ford’s universal car that put THE WORLD ON WHEELS. Henry Ford wanted the Model T to be affordable, simple to operate, and durable. The vehicle was one of the first mass production vehicles, allowing Ford to achieve his aim of manufacturing the universal car.
This particular Ford Model T was owned and operated by my late maternal grandfather, Harvey Martin Watson. It is one of the earliest automobiles which I have photos of that were given to me by my maternal grandmother after his passing in 1968. I cherish all of my grandfather’s photos, they contain so much family history within them.
On another note; my Paternal Great Grandfather, Thomas E. Waters also owned a Ford Model T. I have a photocopy (somewhere in my files) of a newspaper article from June 1928 which states that my Great Grandfather, Thomas E. Waters was racing his Model T against a car my Grandfather, John Thomas Waters drove. They were racing down the old country road between Lancaster and Bethune, South Carolina when the Model T flipped killing him and injuring his daughter, Francis Penelope Waters (My Paternal Aunt). This is a sad, but true story which I hadn’t known about until I began researching our family history. Model T’s were not designed for speeding down old country back roads.
God Bless. Be careful driving through the back country. Be safe. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Thank you Dan for keeping Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge alive, challenging, and inspiring. This week Dan is continuing with the Transportation theme. This week’s theme focus is on Bridges and Ferries.
I have so many photos of Bridges and Railroad Trestle Bridges that I could fill multiple posts with multiple images of Bridges. Instead of doing that, I have decided to make my entry selections of Bridges and Ferries from what I have within my archive files.
First off, I am selecting Bridges and a Ferry from our trip to San Francisco a long, long time ago (back in 1979). I do not exactly remember if this trip was strictly a family trip or one taken with my church youth group. I do remember that our church group visited and performed a Christian musical at a few churches up in the San Francisco and San Jose area some year.
On this trip we took the Harbor Emperor Ferry sightseeing around the San Francisco Bay Area viewing the Bridges, the infamous Alcatraz Island, and simply experiencing a wonderful time together as a family.
San Francisco Bridges & Ferry:
Next and lastly, I am travelling further back in time to the 1960’s. My family moved back to San Diego in 1958 shortly before I turned two (2) years old. During the 1960’s the only way to travel from San Diego to Coronado was by Ferry. The Ferries transported passengers and vehicles to and from San Diego and Coronado. They were they only source of transportation to visit the Hotel del Coronado, the Coronado Beach, the military installations including the Naval Amphibious Base (NAB), and the Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island.
The Construction of the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge began between 1967-1969. The Bridge was dedicated on August 2, 1969, with Governor Ronald Reagan providing the dedication address.
I remember travelling on the San Diego Ferries crossing over to Coronado to walk along the Beach with a group of friends. I remember riding the San Diego Ferry with my parents (my dad driving our car onto the Ferry). I remember riding the San Diego Ferry during its last days of operation in 1969 after the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge was completed. [Side Note: I have a certificate and poster verifying I rode the ferry on its last day somewhere in storage.]
Ferry service began once again in April of 1986. The current Ferry service is operated by Flagship Cruises & Events. They currently have two ferries in use, the Silvergate and Cabrillo.
CFFC: Transportation—Bridges and Ferries
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #268
Photo Credit: San Francisco) ©️1979 Nornal H . Waters … All Rights Reserved; San Diego; 1-2)©️Tiffany Waters; 3-6) San Diego Historical Society
Be sure to check out this week’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way with Shadows coming up on Friday (posting just after midnight Early Friday morning).
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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.
Here are my entries for this week’s Numbers Game …
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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.
Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 17
Photo Credit:©️1934 Harvey M. Watson … All Rights Reserved.
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.
The Mexican Fan Palm is known for its slender, columnar trunk that can reach 100 feet tall and swell slightly at the base. Its trunk is brown and bumpy when young, but smooths and grays over time. It has large, fan-shaped leaves that can grow 3–5 feet wide and have sharp spines at the base.
Washingtonia robusta is one of two species in the genus Washingtonia. The other species closely related to it is the Washingtonia filifera (California Fan Palm). Both Washingtonia are grown as ornamental trees. The Mexican Washingtonia has a narrower trunk (which is typically somewhat wider at the base), and grows slightly faster and taller; it is also somewhat less cold hardy than the California fan palm, hardy to about −8 °C (18 °F).
The Mexican Fan Palm is normally grown in the desert areas of the Southwestern United States. Those areas include California, Arizona, and southern Nevada, as well as the extreme southwestern regions of Utah and Texas.
Both of the above locations for the Washingtonia robusta are located inland a short distance area from the Coast of the Pacific Ocean. The images were taken in Spring and Summer of 1979 by my father when we visited these places.
Photo Credit:©️1979 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Minolta XG-7 35 mm
Location: 1) Hearst Castle; San Simeon, California; 2) Ports O’ Call Village; San Pedro, California, USA
God Bless. Have a marvelous week. Explore Your World. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
I haven’t really taken any pictures of doors since the Cruz-In (we’ll get back to those next week), so I went roaming through my archives to see what I might use that I do not believe I have used as of yet. I found a couple of photos my brother took and passed on to me that were taken in 1980 while he was in the Air Force.
Old Jail Cell Doors under bridge
Amsterdam, Netherlands. 1980
Photo Credit:©️1980 Larry D. Waters (my brother) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Old jail cell under bridge; Amsterdam, Netherlands
God Bless. Take Care. Enjoy your Week. Make Memories. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
For this post I am combining Dan’s CFFC-Air Travel with Judy’s Numbers Game #69-190. While searching through my photos and archives to find which selections I might like to choose, there’s so many from years back to present it is difficult to limit my choices. Therefore, I decided to combine the two challenges to show y’all some of what I’ve seen in the manner of Air Travel through the years.
Judy with Life Lessons gives us the option of picking a word or words instead of numbers, so that is exactly what I have chosen to do. Dan with No Facilities hosts CFFC (Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge) with themes focusing on Transportation. This week’s CFFC theme is focusing on Air Travel . Therefore, my focus for the combined challenges is on Air Travel through the Years.
Let’s begin our Air Travel way back in 1976 … for an amazing Air show by the Thunderbirds.
Moving onto 1984 … we pay a visit to the San Diego Air & Space Museum when my dad took my eldest son to the museum in Balboa Park in San Diego, California.
From San Diego, we travel to Tucson, Arizona to the Pima Air & Space Museum. This is one of the many stops my parents took on a cross country road trip in 1985. My dad loved anything to do with automobiles, trains, and airplanes.
We progress to 1987 with a visit to March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California. This was an outing my husband and I enjoyed with our son for him to see the many military Airplanes the museum had on display.
Flying way up high in the sky; Up, Up, and Away in Hot Air Balloons we watch the many Hot Air Balloons at the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2002.
Transporting ourselves from one coast to another and through the years we arrive in 2011 at MMS Aviation in Coshocton, Ohio. MMS Aviation is a Christian organization whose mission is to prepare people and airplanes for worldwide missionary service. Friends of ours told my daughter and I about a museum they have we could visit and view the different aircrafts used by missionaries.
Jumping or rather soaring into a new decade to 2023, my daughter, grandson (Coleman) and I stop at the local Gastonia Municipal Airport. Coleman was excited and overwhelmed to be able to see the Airplanes up close. We went into the office to make sure it was okay for him to see the aircraft and were pleased to have one of the pilots give us a tour. She explained about the aircraft and even allowed Coleman to sit in one of the Airplanes.
There are many others I could have selected, however, I think these give a nice variety to Air Travel through the Years.
God Bless. Stop on by Friday for the next Which Way Challenge (CWWC) which will be featuring Any Unpaved Roads or Pathways. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Anne is the host for this week’s Lens-Artist Challenge with the theme of Abandoned
Thinking about what I might want to use for this challenge took some thinking on my part. Then it took some searching through my archives to find exactly what I was looking for to use. The first set of photos are shared photos from a private group I belong to on Facebook called I Remember Springs Park, Lancaster, SC. These images show what the Abandoned Springs Park Pool looks like in recent years.
This next group of images are from a time when my family along with my dad’s brother’s and sister’s families and my dad’s aunts and uncles as well as my dad’s parents all met up at Springs Park to enjoy a summer day filled with fun, swimming and picnicking in the park.
Springs Park has been abandoned since its closure in 1989 and the property is in a state of total disrepair. Springs Recreation Park opened in 1924 and operated until 1989. In its heyday, it was a popular amusement park destination for local residents. It offered a variety of recreational activities, including swimming in an Olympic-style swimming pool, skating in an outdoor skating rink, it had its own bowling alley, miniature golf course and amusement park rides for children of all ages to enjoy.
The Olympic-style pool (16 feet deep) was half-surrounded by an ancient Greek-style amphitheater with a triple-decker high dive platform. It has been stated that the amphitheater was made to house 5,000 onlookers. The Springs Park also featured a Carousel, a small Ferris Wheel and a mini train. I remember the Park also had a “kiddie” pool alongside the Olympic-style swimming pool.
I was young at the time we visited the Park and remember playing in the “kiddie” pool with my younger cousins. I didn’t get to visit Springs Park often because we only visited it when we came to the Carolinas to visit my dad’s family. I still remember getting together with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and having a fabulous fun-filled day playing, swimming, and simply enjoying time with family.
Bonus: My Family at Springs Park …
My dad took the photos and it appeared our immediate family didn’t get a group photo.
Lens-Artist Photo Challenge-Abandoned
Photo Credit: ©️1963 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) for all but the abandoned photos.
Location: Springs Recreation Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a blessed Easter and a funtastic Spring Break (if you’re able to have one). Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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:
Cee’s Flower of the Day (Chris)
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #265
Photo Credit:©️2020-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Wishing you a blessed Good Friday. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This is a throwback photo my dad took back in 1972 on a visit to The Land of Oz. The Land of Oz Theme Park was once a thriving tourist attraction in Beech Mountain, North Carolina. The theme park was inspired by the Wizard of Oz. It operated from 1970 to 1980.
Janet’s One Word Sunday-Creepy
For further information about OWS check out Debbie’s One Word Sunday.
Photo Credit:©️1972 Nornal H. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Minolta XG-7 35 mm
Digitization: Wolverine Convertor
Location: The Land of Oz Theme Park; Beech Mountain, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you Janet for hosting these past three challenges. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Janet from This, that and the other thing is this week’s host for One Word Sunday with a theme of Metalwork. My take on Metalwork is displaying Metal Artwork.
I’ve chosen to post photos of Metal Artwork I captured when visiting my Aunt in Abilene, Texas in 2020. The following are my entries for this week’s One Word Sunday challenge.
Janet’s One Word Sunday – Metalwork
Natalie’s Public Art Challenge
Photo Credit:©️2020 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
Location: S. First Street & S. Treadaway Boulevard; Abilene, Texas, USA
God Bless. Take Care. Prayers for Chris. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Fun with Outdoor Cooking & ??
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).
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.
Photo Credit:©️2014-2022 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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.
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.
Hazy Skies
Over the
Blue Ridge Mountains
Debbie’s One Word Challenge theme this week is Haze. My entries this week are from a trip with my eldest son in 2017. He had a birthday wish to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway.
We drove to the Parkway beginning our trip in Lancaster, South Carolina driving through Chester to the US-321N. This direction led us through Blowing Rock before traversing over onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. We (He) drove the Parkway from this southern point all the way to the North Carolina/Viginia Border. We did not drive the Virginia portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
We stopped at various milestones along the parkway for breaks, hiking, and to check out the scenery. At a few stops we incurred a bit of Haze which impaired the views somewhat.
We stopped more on the way back southbound than we did going northbound. Our northern most stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway was at Stone Mountain Overlook at Milepost 232.5. We stopped here shortly before proceeding to Stone Mountain State Park in Roaring Gap, North Carolina where we hiked the Stone Mountain Loop Trail. We had great views of Stone Mountain, saw the Middle and Lower Waterfalls, and visited the Hutchinson Homestead. The Hutchinson Homestead is a mid-19th century farm with well maintained old buildings, a large meadow with terrific views of Stone Mountain State.
Our next stops were at Devils Garden Overlook at Milepost 235.7; Doughton Park at Milepost 241.1; Bluff Mountain at Milepost 243.4; Raven Rocks Overlook at Milepost 289.5; Moses H. Cone Memorial Park (not pictured) at Milepost 294.1; Craggy Gardens (not pictured) at Milepost 364.6; and Mount Pisgah at Milepost 408.6.
It was a long enjoyable drive and valuable experience full of memories spent with my eldest son. As you can see from the images some of our views were obscured and opaque due to the hazy atmosphere.
Photo Credit: ©️2017 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus
Location: Blue Ridge Parkway; North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have you had any hazy days lately? Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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 …
Then there’s a chance we could spot a couple of Chairs on display in an office setting at a museum …
Coleman and I enjoy Pulling Up a Seat in a camping Chair at a State Park after a long hike around the lake …
But a fond memory of a place of comfort was the opportunity to Pull Up a Seat on my paternal grandparents front porch.
Now over to y’all to show us some Chairs by clicking here.
Brian’s Monochrome Madness #29-Chair/Chairs
XingfuMama’s Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 9
Photo Credit: 1-5)©️2020-2025 Deb L. Waters … 6) ©️1978 From my Dad’s Slides
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.
This being a non-theme week, I have decided to post a random variety of Monochrome images. I am linking to Leanne’s Monochrome Madness here.
Leanne’s Monochrome Madness
God Bless. Black & White or Colour; the World is a beautiful convas for artistic expression. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Southern Cross of Honor
At the End of Life a Cross Signifies a life of service and dedication … The Southern Cross of Honor is placed on the graves of Confederate Veterans who served honourably during the American Civil War. For further information about the Southern Cross of Honor click here.
This Southern Cross of Honor is placed on my paternal 2X Great Grandfather’s grave. My 2X Great Grandfather John Thomas Waters ( Gravemarker reads THO’S WATERS) served honourably during the Civil War as a soldier of the Lucas Guards, a South Carolina unit of the Confederate Army.
[This is a part of my ancestral history and is not up for discussion. Like most soldiers regardless of who what unit or side of any war they served in, he and his comrades believed in what they were fighting for during their time period in history.]
Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Cross
Fandango’s One-Word Challenge-End
Photo Credit:©️2016 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens.
Location: Brannon Family Cemetery; Bethune, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
From Hither and Thither and Yon
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cosmic Photo Challenge-Old Buildings
God Bless. Thank you for taking the time to visit. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Photo Credit:©️1990 & 2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Locations: 1) Corona, California, USA; 2) 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.
Geometric Shapes
and Patterns at
Andrew Jackson State Park
This being the 31st of January and the last day of the month for Becky’s GeometricJanuary Squares Challenge for 2025, I decided to give you my ultimate finale of Geometric Squares all from Andrew Jackson State Park.
Regardless of where you spend your time at Andrew Jackson State Park you are bound to see a vast selection of geometric shapes and patterns. They could be lines, circles, rectangles, triangles, or columns.
You may see them near the parking lot, at the Meeting House, in the Museum in the building with the office, in and around the school house or within the playground or by the lake. Geometric designs are all over the Park, just be observant and you’ll notice the wide array of different types of geometrics.
For more information about Andrew Jackson State Park and the events and activities it has to offer click here.
Photo Credit:©️2018-2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens; Apple iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Location: Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have fun. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
1941 Home
San Diego, California
Lots of Lines, Ovals, Rectangles, Squares & more within the home structure and surrounding landscape.
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
View from a Greyhound
Shot this scene from a Greyhound bus traveling westbound almost parallel to the I-10 in Westlake, Louisiana on the way to San Antonio, Texas in 2020.
Photo Credit: ©️2020 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
Location: I-10 bridge (the Calcasieu River Bridge); Westlake, Louisiana, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan Antion is the new host for the CFFC (Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge). Participating in the CFFC has always been fun and sometimes challenging for me. Let’s support day and continue our support in the CFFChallenge.
Here are my selections from my archives for Dan’s Ordinal Numbers challenge…
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Judy from Life Lessons Blog hosts The Numbers Game Challenge and invites us all to play along with her. This week’s number is 179.
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.
Here are my 179 photo selections for this week’s Numbers Game.
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
.
Architectural Bridge Geometrics
The Bridge over the Mississippi River in Vicksburg, Mississippi as seen at night while traveling back from Texas to the Carolinas in 2019. The architectural design is fascinating viewing all the angles, lines, triangles, and squares that were used to construct the bridge. The lighting helps the bridges features stand out in the evening’s darkness.
Photo Credit:©️2019 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone XR
Location: Bridge over the Mississippi River; Mississippi Welcome Center; Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Stay Warm. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Looking Down at the Valley
Ritva is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Challenge and she has chosen a theme of Shoot From Above. I do not always shoot from above, however, on occasion I have a fantastic opportunity to do just that.
Here is remembering one of those occasions …
More Shots from above at The Peak at Mountain Jefferson State Park …
These were taken in August of 2017 when my eldest son and I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway and visited Mount Jefferson, North Carolina. I was in the area for a family reunion in Deep Gap, North Carolina. While in the area, we decided to do some sightseeing and a little hiking. It was a fun weekend of one on one time together.
For my information regarding Mount Jefferson State Natural Area and what the area has to offer click here.
Lens-artists Photo Challenge #332 – Shoot From Above
Photo Credit:©️2017 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Location: Mount Jefferson State Natural Area; West Jefferson, Ashe County, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take a Hike. Get Outdoors. Enjoy the Beauty all Around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Geometric Designs at Sea
Photo Credit:©️2020 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
Location: International Cruise Terminal; Cozumel, Mexico
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Just found out about Jude’s Bench Challenge through Sue’s post Lone bench with a view….reprised. As I looked through my photo archives, I realized I have an abundance of Bench photos to select for this challenge.
My first Bench photos for Jude’s challenge are from the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina. I took my grandson, Coleman there in 2021 for a fun day together. I am also linking this post to XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge.
Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 4
Photo Credit: ©️2021 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
Location: N.C. Transportation Museum; Spencer, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take Care. Have some fun. Enjoy your day. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Lines, Numbers,
& Shapes in Disneyland
Circa 1970
Photo Credit:©️1970 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Minolta XG-7 35mm
Converter: Wolverine Digital Converter
Location: It’s a Small World; Disneyland; Anaheim, California, USA
God Bless. Be Observant. Geometric shapes are all around us. Stay Warm. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 