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
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Dan’s Thursday Doors-2026.01.01
God Bless. Happy 2026! Happy New Year! Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
“Welcome in! Let the warmth of the season fill your heart.”
On Christmas Eve, we opted to treat ourselves to dining out at a restaurant we hadn’t tried before, but had heard fantastic things about it. Where did we go? We chose to eat our Dinner (at noontime) at Amber Jack Seafood & Steaks Restaurant. It turned out we weren’t the only ones who decided that it would be a perfect time for a delicious meal.
The first thing we see as we approach the restaurant’s front doors are a couple of Welcoming Christmas Wreaths. The entrance to the restaurant was also decorated with strings of white lights, Christmas garland, and a small Christmas tree right beside the front doors.
Not only was the restaurant’s outdoor are all decked out for the holidays, but the inside was as well. The Christmas decor helped to make the environment extremely welcoming and inviting us to Pull Up a Seat and enjoy a relaxingly pleasant dining experience.
My daughter chose to have the Sirloin Tips Over Rice, Coleman had Chicken Tenders (but ended up not wanting to eat them), and I treated myself to a plate of Broiled Mahi-Mahi filet with fried okra and fried squash. They started us off with a delicious bowl of minestrone soup (it was tasty & I devoured both mine and Coleman’s since he didn’t want to eat it.) They also served us a basket of fried hush puppies, which also were pleasing to the appetite.
The food and service were exceptional. It was well worth the price the food ( especially mine) was very flavourful and mouthwatering scrumptiously delicious. I would highly recommend Amber Jack Seafood & Steaks Restaurant to anyone and everyone who lives or is ever near one to go on in and delight yourselves with the tremendously appetizing food.
“Like these evergreens, may our hospitality offer strength and renewal to all who gather here.”
Fandango’s One Word Challenge (FOWC)-Wreath
XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Amber Jack Seafood & Steaks Restaurant; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Hope y’all had a wonderful Holiday and have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This year our neighborhood is not adorned with very many Christmas Lights or Festive Decorations. I did, however, manage to capture a few Christmas Lights and decorations within our walking pathways.
Here is what I found …
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Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge-Lights, Camera, Christmas!
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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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.
Last week we visited the CLT Airport Overlook in Charlotte, North Carolina. While watching for Airplanes to take off or come in for a landing, Coleman noticed an Excavator and went over to the fence to take a closer look at it working in the construction area just a short distance from the playground area.
The CAT 349F Excavator is built with a powerful, 49-ton hydraulic excavator known for heavy-duty digging and earthmoving tasks. Its features a CAT C13 ACERT engine with advanced hydraulic systems for efficiency and precision.
The CAT 349F has a spacious and ergonomic cab which is designed to be quiet and comfortable. It features air suspension seats and intuitive controls to reduce operator fatigue during long shifts.
Dan’s Thursday Doors-2025.12.04
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Construction site by Charlotte-Douglas International Airport Overlook; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
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 2025 Tesla Cybertruck is an electric pickup truck which has a distinctive stainless steel, wedge-shaped design. [When Coleman and I saw this Tesla Cybertruck near the Post Office in Downtown Cramerton it reminded me of the “Back to the Future’s” car. I know the “Back to the Future’s DeLorean DMC-12 does not exactly look like the new Tesla Cybertruck, but it to me back to memories of watching the “Back to the Future” movies with Michael J. Fox.]
The Tesla Cybertruck is available in two main trims: 1) the Dual-motor all wheel drive; and 2) the tri-motor “Cyberbeast”. Cybertruck is available with Full Self-Driving (Supervised), a suite of advanced driver-assistance features designed to provide more active guidance and assisted driving under your active supervision. [I’m not sure if I’m ready for a Self-Driving car. Are you?]
It also features Blind Spot Monitoring which uses illuminated warning lights and on-screen visualizations to help you safely check your surroundings.
The Cybertruck features a range of up to 325 miles, a 123kWh battery on the all-wheel drive model, and a 600 horsepower output for the dual-motor version.
The Tesla Cybertruck is designed to be the safest truck on the road. It has a low center of gravity, impact-absorbing castings and the lowest probability of rollover for any truck tested by NHTSA.
I’m not sure who in town owns this Tesla Cybertruck, but it was interesting to see in our small town. Would you drive one?
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Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion
Location: Front & Center Street Parking Lot; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, 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 with People.
Coleman and I haven’t been feeling well, so we haven’t been out and about hiking and enjoying the outdoors this past week. We did manage to get him to see a doctor (When did doctors to charging a fortune for a short visit — no tests?). While at the medical plaza waiting for him and his mom’s doctors’ appointments, I managed to capture a few doors with my iPhone.
Here are a couple of Inside Doors …
And now to view the Doors scene from the Outside …
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Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved
Location: Atrium Health Rock Hill Medical Plaza; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The town of Cramerton was originally a mill town providing light weight Khaki uniforms to the military known as Army Khaki. The Mill offices operated within the building currently known as the Town Hall.
The Town Hall building hosts the offices of the Cramerton Town Hall such as the Town Manager, Town Clerk, Finance Director, Planning Director, and the Zoning Administrator. It also is the location for the Cramerton Police Department.
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Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved
Location: Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Earlier this month I shared this same New Home Construction featuring its windows. ( You may check it out here. This week I am featuring the progress on my friend’s New Home Constructionand some of its doors on the interior as well as the exterior.
My friends are so excited, their house passed final inspection and they’ll be moving into their new home soon. The brick has been painted white. All the doors are hung as well as the ceiling fans. Everything is new, exciting, and welcoming for my friends to make it homey.
Here is a glimpse into their new home …
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Photo Credit:©️2025 Jim Elder … All Rights Reserved
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
M Judson Booksellers is located in downtown Greenville’s historic downtown courthouse building. They are a local independent bookstore offering bestsellers, classics, local specialty items, cards, gifts, and novelties for book lovers.
M Judson Booksellers is not your ordinary bookstore, they believe that stories don’t just come wrapped in book jackets. They believe that they sometimes come bottled in a wine, roasted in a bean, baked in a bread, woven into a tea towel, or created in a moment.
M Judson Booksellers baristas love coffee and as much as they love books. Booksellers believes everyone loves stories and they have a philosophy of Read first, Recommend second.
The building it is housed in has an amazing history. All of their authors, vendors, readers, books and gifts have stories that made them who they are. At M. Judson Booksellers their job is to weave those together.
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Photo Credit:©️2025 Tom Gibson … All Rights Reserved
Location: M. Judson Booksellers; Greenville, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Relaxing with a good book is a fantastic way to unwind and spend an afternoon. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Click on images to enlarge.
Photo Credit:©️2021 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Ultra Wide Camera
Location: Nature Center; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South 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.
Hope to see y’all on Friday for the Which Way Challenge. This week the Which Ways will be CWWC: Any type of Rails, Runways, Elevators, or Hot Air Balloons. Have fun and Remember signs are always welcome.
The Lime Kiln Light is a functioning navigational aid located on Lime Kiln Point overlooking Dead Man’s Bay on the western side of San Juan Island, San Juan County, Washington, in the United States. The Lime Kiln Light was established in 1914 when acetylene lights were placed on Lime Kiln Point.
The lighthouse at Lime Kiln Point was one of the last major navigational aids to be constructed on the shores of the Salish Sea. Architect Carl Leick was engaged to design the lighthouse, keepers’ quarters and fog signal building. Leick’s design motto was “Build ‘em stout, and make ‘em last.” The buildings were all built with reinforced concrete, an early use of that building technique. The light was commissioned on June 30, 1919.
Due to the difficulty of supplying electricity to the site through the rugged terrain of the west side of San Juan Island, Lime Kiln Lighthouse continued using IOV lamps long after other locations had switched to electricity. The lamps were replaced with electric lights after World War II. The operation of the light was automated in 1962. The Lime Kiln Point Lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
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Photo Credit:©️2025 Dave Schmitt … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Lime Kiln Lighthouse; Lime Kiln State Park; Friday Harbor, Washington, 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: Any Which Way (Your Choice). Have fun and Remember signs are always welcome. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Click on image to enlarge.
Photo Credit: ©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion
Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. May you have a Garden of Love, Friendship, and Joy. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
From Hearts 2 Home Carolinas is a nonprofit organization in Gaston County, North Carolina. It is dedicated to transforming lives.
Hearts 2 Home breathes life into empty spaces, for those who need it the most. They support underserved seniors, veterans, individuals and families transitioning from homelessness, helping them create a stable, welcoming home.
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Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Centennial Center; 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: Any Which Way with Tunnels and/or Underpasses (Ways under Bridges or Trestles). Have fun and Remember signs are always welcome. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
I had planned a different post for this week’s Thursday Doors, but then I realized this Thursday is 09.11. I therefore, decided to delay that post until next week and chose instead to Remember our Fallen Heroes from that fateful day on 09.11.2001.
I will never forget that horribly tragically devastating day of loss when 2,977 innocent lives were taken at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and on Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Remembering the 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, 8 paramedics, and thousands of civilians, each one someone’s parent, sibling, friend, or child.
I Remember the Lives Lost.
I Remember the Sacrifices Made.
I Remember the Heroes Who Answered the Call.
I Will Never Forget.
I am thankful for our Firefighters, Police Officers, Paramedics, and the many Volunteers that serve to keep our communities safe. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to serve. Thank you for the kindness you demonstrate to everyone, especially the kindness shown to my grandson by several firefighters and police officers.
These were taken at North 321 Volunteer Fire Department in Lincolnton, North Carolina.
Click on images to enlarge.
Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Location: North 321 Volunteer Fire Department; Lincolnton, 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: Any Which Way Capturing People Unaware. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
When taking a hike along The Schiele Museum’s Nature Trail, one of the areas you come across is the Catawba Indian Village. A part of the Village are different types of dwellings including a couple of Early Log Cabins.
Curious as Coleman is naturally he likes to enter and investigate anything and everything he possibly can.
This is the view you first see of the cabin when entering the Catawba Indian Village.
Click on images to enlarge.
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Catawba Indian Village; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, 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: Any Which With Stairs, Steps, and/or Ladders. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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.
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
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
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.
Sofia Alves is the host for this week’s Lens-Artist Challenge. The basis for her theme this week is Looking Back to the past #20-Doors and Doorways hosted by Tina.
I have chosen to Look Back to past doors I’ve photographed in 2023 at the Daniel Stowe Conservancy. These are Artistic Doors painted by various local artists displayed with the Stowe Gardens.
Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #361-Looking Back to #20-Doors
Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm and EF75-300mm lenses
Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, 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 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.
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.
Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 29
#SimplyRED24 (Becky’s Squares)
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
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.
Hiking along the trail with Coleman we pass by this barn where horses are tended to by loving caring Greenway Stables staff. Here you see the view we see from the trail.
Below is a closer look at one of the barn doors.
And lastly, let’s get an enhanced view of the Red, White, and Blue Barn Quilt for one of two Squares for Becky’s #SimplyRED!
Now for a child’s Barn “built” by Coleman. This Little Tike Barn & Farm set once belonged to his Uncle John who is pictured in yesterday’s #SimplyRED!
#SimplyRED! #17 (Becky’s Squares)
Photo Credit:©️2022-2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Cameras: 1-3) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF75-300mm lens; 4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Locations: 1-3) Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina; 4) Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
One of my favourite places to visit for hiking and camping is Andrew Jackson State Park (AJSP) in Lancaster, South Carolina. It is considered a small State Park when compared to some others, however, it is beautiful, inviting, picturesque, and a wonderful peaceful environment to relax and explore nature.
When you arrive in the upper parking lot one of the first things you’ll do if you are planning to camp is to check in at the Office to confirm your reservation and your campsite is ready for you.
Later, after you settle into your campsite or if you’re visiting for just the day you’ll want to be sure and check out the Museum and the School. They both are filled with historical relics and information about President Andrew Jackson and his history within the Carolinas.
The Meeting House (Aka the Community Building or Chapel) is styled after the churches or “kirks” of the Scotch-Irish in the late 18th-century. It is ideal for groups of up to 60 people and includes a kitchenette.
Besides the history and historical artifacts located within the Museum and School, the AJSP has an historical garden. The Park holds two living history programs
Visiting Andrew Jackson State Park is a family friendly experience waiting to happen. Be sure to visit during the Andrew Jackson Birthday Celebration in March and/or the Life of the Waxhaws Lantern Tour in November.
Photo Credit: ©️2018-2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhones X, XR, 11 Pro Max, 13 Pro, & 14 Pro Max
Location: Andrew Jackson State Park (AJSP); Lancaster, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Stay tuned for the Which Way Challenge on Friday. This week our theme is (CWWC): Any Dirt roads or dirt pathways or trails [Bonus if RED is included].
Trailer Doors
Photo Credit: ©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Stay tuned for the Which Way Challenge on Friday. This week our theme is Any Which Way with Any type of Signs.
The White Farmhouse which is now the Garden Center was once an administrative building. It has been thoroughly renovated and transformed into a charming garden retail and horticulture education center.
As you drive into The Village at Stowe you drive past this Dog Statuette. It signifies that dogs on leashes are welcomed here.
The steps lead to the front door are lined with flower pots filled with a variety of beautiful flowers inviting you to come on in and explore the garden.
Upon walking inside the Garden Center, you’ll find a mix of vintage farmhouse style and modern character. At The Farmhouse Garden Center you may purchase plants and gardening tools. However, that is not all that is offered. Here is a list of other options …
There is more to The Farmhouse Garden Center than just selling plants and various retail supplies. It also offers a variety of educational opportunities such as learning about gardening and all there is to know regarding plant care. It also provides workshops for floral arrangements and wreath making.
Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge (PPAC)
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: 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 fantastic weekend. Take time to enjoy nature and all the beautiful flowers and sights all around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Trailhead Store in The Village at Stowe is a cozy coffee shop nestled amidst the beautiful nature which is preserved through the Daniel Stowe Conservancy. The Trailhead Store specializes in brewing Jade and Elise Coffee. [I am not a coffee drinker so I cannot personally comment on the quality of those particular types of coffees, however, the coffee served here is highly recommended by many guests who have visited.]
The Trailhead Store serves more than merely coffee. It offers a delightful array of refreshments, snacks, and provisions on top of coffee to fuel your outdoor escapades. It offers a wide assortment of fresh to-go meals, including sandwiches, wraps, salads, parfaits, vegan options and desserts, ensuring you stay energized throughout your outdoor activities.
Guests may quench their thirst on their varied selections of coffee, tea, beer, and wine to delight your palate and enjoyment for both on-site and your to-go adventures.
The Trailhead Store offers a wide variety of seating options both in the screened-in patio and outside spread across the vast lawn where you may enjoy beautiful vulgar nature.
Whether you’re stopping by for a quick coffee run, a bite to eat, or just wanting a place to relax in a tranquil environment to study, read, write, or simply enjoy the beautiful outdoors surrounding the Store; it is a fantastic to place to stop by for a visit and even stay for awhile. Highly recommend stopping in and treating yourself, or someone else to some of their delectable food and beverages.
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Location: The Trailhead Store; The Village at Stowe; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Take time to get out and enjoy nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coleman and I went to the Daniel Stowe Conservancy to investigate all their new upgrades and additions to what was once known as the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens (DSBG). Along with the name change, many improvements, upgrades, and additions were added to DSBG.
The Farmhouse Garden Center and The Trailhead Store are just two of the many new developments on the grounds of the Daniel Stowe Conservancy. [I’ll discuss more on these facilities on another later post.] There is also an addition of a Dog Park, additional trails and connecting trails encompassing approximately eight plus (8+) miles of hiking trails on Stowe Property.
Coleman and I began our hiking adventure from The Trailhead Store. We hiked past an extra small waterfall pond, by the Dog Park and around the Big Pond Loop and then crossed the road to continue hiking on the Carolina Thread Trail.
While walking/hiking on the Conservancy property you’ll encounter some concrete paths, crushed concrete trails, natural trails filled with rocks, roots, rises, falls, switchbacks and changes in elevation which inhabits the feeling of adventure.
It was while hiking along the Carolina Thread Trail portion that we noticed a wooden Shed standing amongst the Trees. I’m not sure what the Shed was once used for, but found it interesting to be almost in the middle of nowhere.
No, we didn’t attempt to go inside the Shed. We only glimpsed a look at it from the trail … no off trail wandering for a closer look. No need when I could zoom in for a better view.
Dan’s Thursday Doors-12 June 2025
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Carolina Thread Trail; Daniel Stowe Conservancy (DSBG); Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take a Hike/Walk. Have an adventurous day. Nature is beautiful, admire it. 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.
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
Next-Gen Office Solutions is a family owned business in Cramerton, North Carolina that provides office equipment and services to the Charlotte, North Carolina market. Their focus is on serving businesses in the community, particularly small businesses. It was formerly known as B & L Office Equipment, Inc. prior to their rebranding as Next-Gen Office Solutions in 2022.
Next-Gen Office Solutions offers a wide range of office equipment, including including printers, copiers, and other related supplies. They also offer to provide maintenance and repair services for office equipment. Another aspect of their services is offering a free technology assessment to businesses to evaluate their needs.
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Ultra Wide Camera
Location: Next-Gen Office Solutions; 100 Center Street; Cramerton, 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.
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.
The Boathouse is located in McAdenville, North Carolina. It is the focal epicentre for Catawba Riverkeeper’s outdoor recreation. The Catawba Riverkeeper’s mission is to preserve, protect, and restore local water quality.
Many activities are available to do at or around The Boathouse like …
Playing Outside …
Relaxing … you may relax inside The Boathouse and enjoy the air conditioning while having a soft drink, beer, and/or snack. Or you may sit and relax outdoors around a picnic table.
Jam at the Dam … listen to fantastic live music at one of the Catawba Riverkeeper’s live outdoor events such as once held last weekend while the Goat Island Games were being played. [Coleman and I missed this live music event, but we do listen to their live music shows at Confluence which is run by the Catawba Riverkeeper.]
Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: The Boathouse; 115 Willow Dr, McAdenville, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outside and Enjoy the vast beauty in the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
A few of our neighbours have been having construction or landscaping work down on their properties to improve their home and gardens. This truck was near the corner where I wait for Coleman’s bus to arrive bringing him back home.
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion Camera Muted B/W
Location: Corner of South Main & 7th Street; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. What’s new or unusual in your neighbourhood? Have a great weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Classic Car Windows
1992 Volkswagen Cabriolet
The First-generation of the Volkswagen Cabriolet was produced from 1979 to 1993. The Cabriolet was manufactured by Karmann in Osnabrück, Germany.
It was a popular convertible which replaced the Beetle Cabriolet. According to Volkswagen Newsroom the Volkswagen Cabriolet became the most successful cabriolet of its time. The 1992 model of the Volkswagen Cabriolet was the final year for the first-generation (Mk-1 based) Cabriolet. The 1992 Model had an optional driver’s airbag which would provided enhanced safety.
Some of the popular features of the 1992 Volkswagen Cabriolet were a multi-layered fabric soft top, a roll bar for safety, and a sporty driving experience. It was known for being an affordable and fun alternative, and its popularity helped to maintain the Mk1 Golf’s presence in the market.
See Monday Window posts in Reader
Dan’s Thursday Doors
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: 8th Street; Downtown Town of Cramerton; 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
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.
Trains and Other Vehicles
on Railroad Tracks
This is a bonus Train post (CWWC )/(CFFC) for this week showing what was seen on the Railroad Tracks up the road from our home and across from Coleman’s school bus stop. I also added Coleman’s Train. I’m also linking this post to Dan’s Thursday Doors and Debbie’s Six Word Saturday (sorry if it’s a tad bit over).
May the Trains of time bring your Easter basket filled with joy, happiness, and peace this season and always.
Deb’s CWWC: Any Which Way with (CFFC) Trains and/or Trolleys
Dan’s CFFC: Trains and Trolleys
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful blessed Holy Weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
1969 Mercury Cyclone CJ
One of the cars at this past week’s Cruz-In was this 1969 Mercury Cyclone CJ. The Mercury Cyclone was marketed by Ford’s Mercury Division from 1964-1971. The Mercury Cyclone was first introduced in 1964 as the Mercury Comet Cyclone. The Cyclone replaced the S-22 as the performance-oriented version of the Mercury Comet model line. It was positioned as a muscle car representing the Mercury brand in racing as a clone of the Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt.It was often overshadowed by the Mercury Cougar.
The Mercury Cyclone Cobra Jet (CJ) was added to the Cyclone line in 1969. The Cobra Jet’s engine was a 428 cu in (7,014 cc) which generated 335 hp (250 kW). It featured a blacked-out grill; dual exhausts; 3:50:1 axle ratio; engine dress-up kit which included chrome parts; hood stripes; and a competition handling package.
[My maternal grandfather owned a Ford Fairlane. My Dad worked for Ford in the Parts Department for over 35 years. My parents never owned anything but Ford’s throughout their life.]
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Parking Lot; First Baptist Church of Cramerton; 235 8th Avenue; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. “May your heart be lifted with the hope of renewal and the joy of spring.” Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cramerton Post Office
& Downtown Eateries Doors
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Fusion Camera – Muted B&W
Location: Center Street; Downtown Town of 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.
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Centennial Center; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful day. Thank you for visiting and your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Skillet Southern Bistro
Center Street in Downtown Cramerton is the central location hub for get togethers and dining. The image below is of one of the many eating establishments that people gather for some fine dining experiences.
We mostly prefer to eat at home and not waste our resources on eating out at restaurants. Therefore, I cannot personally substantiate or invalidate the claims of being a highly recommended restaurant. However, from everything I hear about the restaurant, the food is high quality and the service is exceptional.
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL Filter attachments.
Location: 119 Center Street; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful day. Thank you for visiting and your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Boarded Door & Windows
While hiking the C.B. River Access Trail, Coleman and I discovered this elevated building on stilts near the South Fork Catawba River. When the area receives heavy rainfalls or flooding the water rises all the way up the shoreline and under this building and others similar in structure.
The first image is a close-up view depicting the boarded up door.
The second image highlights the entire sideview of building.
I am not sure what the building’s purpose might be, but it was fascinating to find on our hike.
Dan’s Thursday Doors-2025 March 20
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: C.B. Huss River Access; 480 11 St.; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy a walk. Get outdoors. Nature’s Beauty is Amazing. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Sweet Peace Yoga Studio ; Downtown Cramerton, Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take Care. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Historic Baltimore School Doors
This Historic Baltimore School is a little less than a mile walk from our home. Coleman and I visited here last weekend. The school building is in bad shape, however, funds are being raised to restore and preserve the school building. It already has Historic recognition and is awaiting the necessary funds to begin the restoration process. It will be used as a community center and museum once it is restored.
Restoration and Preservation is necessary for future generations to learn and understand the historical structure significance of the Baltimore Village School. To learn and understand why there was such a need for the school and how people and society’s views back then were so dramatically different than they are today.
I didn’t live in this area back during that time period. I do remember when buses were used to transport black students from one neighbourhood to another to integrate the schools. Times were definitely different back in the day.
Photo Credit: ©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Historic Baltimore School; Historic Baltimore Village; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take a Walk. Visit an Historic Site. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
John with the blog photobyjohnbo is the host for this week’s Lens-Artist Challenge and he is giving us an opportunity to choose our own Word which would be appropriate for our topic, sharing three to four photos that go along with our Word topic choice.
For John’s Pick-a-Word challenge this week I have chosen to use the word Historic. The Word Historic means that something is famous or important in history, for an example a historical site.
The Town of Cramerton, (which we currently reside in) has a couple of different Historic places within walking distance to our home. On Saturday, Coleman and I walked up the road and around a bend for approximately 0.9 miles to the Historic Baltimore School.
The Historic Baltimore Village sign is located at the beginning of the road leading to the Historic Baltimore School. The Historic Baltimore School is located at 575 Baltimore Drive in Cramerton, North Carolina. It was built by Stuart Cramer, in the late 1920’s for the children of African American men and women who worked in the Cramer Mills and Cramer’s Dairy Farm and Orchards. The intention of the school was to educate the African Americans and provide skills to navigate segregation.
The Baltimore Village School sits on a hill near the South Fork Catawba River. Inside the building are cracked windows covered by boards, an old refrigerator on one side of the room, and patches of peeling paint hanging off the roof.
The school has been closed for quite some time, but a former Cramerton resident stepped in to preserve its history. Former residents Fred Glenn and his wife, Ernestine Glenn purchased the school building with plans to renovate it. They bought it to prevent it from being burned to the ground by the city’s fire department which had planned to do a control burn.
However, knowing the Historic importance of the Baltimore Village School, the Glenn’s wanted to protect and preserve the school for generations to come to be able to learn about its history and significance to the community.
Mr. Glenn has stated that the Baltimore Village School, where his mother and Aunt attended in the 1930’s, was the heartbeat of the community. The school building provided an alternative to places off-limits to African Americans. Back during that particular time period, African Americans did not have the opportunity of going to a cinema, or any such facility or theatre. The school building became the theatre for the Baltimore Village Community. The school building was also used as a place of worship and later used as a community center.
The Glenn’s and the Board of Directors for the Baltimore Village School are currently still trying to raise enough funds for the restoration of the Historic school. Once enough funds are raised the money will be used to turn the building into a community center and a museum for people to learn about a critical piece of history in the small town of Cramerton.
“History is not the past but a map of the past, drawn from a particular point of view, to be useful to the modern traveler”
— Henry Glassie
Lens-Artists Challenge #338-Pick a Word
Natalie’s Public Art Challenge
Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Historic Baltimore School; Historic Baltimore Village; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Tour an Historic Place. Learn about history not found in books. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 