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
Close Up with an Alpaca
This is one of several Alpacas 🦙 in the Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm. As you might can tell, he is not afraid of getting close to visitors. He would welcome your visit if you were ever in his neighborhood.
John’s Cellpic Sunday
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Different splashiness affects the Aesthetics of trail and the desirability to attract hikers and visitors to the Greenway.
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Dogwood Trail; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Whatsoever Is Lovely Challenge-2024 Week 19
Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Sending y’all my birthday wishes of happiness, good health, peace, and an abundance of love throughout 2024 and beyond. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Traveling back in time to December 1965, to a family day trip. Packed and loaded in our 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 with a cooler of drinks, snacks, and sandwiches; we began our approximately hour and fifty-one (1hr 51min) drive north moving forward through the city streets until turning onto CA-94 and eventually onto the recently constructed I-5.
Upon arriving at the Disneyland entrance, my parents purchased our admission and ride tickets. General Admission prices for adults at that time was $2.60 per adult and included a ticket for the Monorail. Junior prices were $1.80 and Children’s admission prices were $1.10. Tickets for the rides cost extra. A book of 10 tickets ranged from $3.00 to $5.00.
In 1965, the cost of admission was considered a lot of money. However, people considered visiting Disneyland was a worthwhile family adventure.
After our tickets were purchased and we entered the park, we selected what rides we wanted to ride. We went to each ride or attraction as a family unit, not venturing off individually. Our first ride of choice was the Monorail.
The Monorail was considered as a mid-century marvel and captured the hearts and imaginations of the theme park and Disney fans. The Monorail was a Highway in the Sky which allowed for a unique experience viewing the park from above.
Our next selection was to ride the submarine adventure. The attraction features vehicles that were designed to look like submarines. It required the E ticket was in the Tomorrowland area of the park.
The submarines took us on an adventure under the sea simulating fish and other sea creatures allowing us to imagine we were really being submerged and viewing the undersea life of a tropical lagoon.
Next up was the Autopia adventure. This was where we could get in cars and race around an enclosed track. We could imagine we were actually racing the other drivers.
After a full day of adventures Moving Forward around the park, we selected a spot on the side of Disneyland’s Main Street to watch the Parade. The waiting was a time of excitement as we looked forward to the parade starting.
Well folks, that’s all for today. We had fun, but now it’s time to head home.
Cee’s Which Way Challenge-AnyWay
Becky’s #Square Renew/Reconstruct/Moving Forward
Photo Credit:©️1965 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Disneyland; Anaheim, California, USA
Photos were reconstructed from my dad’s slides using a Wolverine digital converter.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting Vintage Disneyland with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Becky’s #Square Renew/Moving Foward
Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Roosevelt’s Little White House
Warm Springs, Georgia
Growing up almost three thousand miles (actually 2,512 by today’s calculations) away from my dad’s family in South Carolina; we only traveled the long distance every three (3) to five (5) years. My parents always drove straight through switching off driving every several hours and/or miles as deemed necessary.
On every family vacation to visit my dad’s family, my parents would plan places for us to visit during our trip. One place would always represent a place of historical significance. The other place would always be some fun attraction. Sometimes it’d just be our immediate family visiting the chosen places and at other times my dad’s sister’s family would join us.
On our trip in July of 1967, my dad selected The Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia for us to visit. The Little White House was the personal retreat for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States of America. It is located in the historic district of Warm Springs, Georgia.
When Roosevelt first started coming to Warm Springs (previously known as Bullochville) in 1924 it was to receive treatment for Polio. He loved the area tremendously, so he had a home built on Pine Mountain located close to Warm Springs. On April 12, 1945, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died in this home shortly after he began his fourth term in office.
In 1948, Roosevelt’s Little White House was opened to the public as a museum. Part of the Museum displays include his 1938 Ford V-8 convertible coupe and his custom built 1940 Willys roadster. Many of his cars were equipped with special controls that allowed the partially paralyzed Roosevelt to operate the foot pedals with his hands.
There was a movie made in 1933 that depicted the attempted assassination on Franklin D. Roosevelt. It references the assassination of Chicago Mayor Anton Joseph Cermak and his who was mistakenly killed during the attempt on FDR. The Death Car shown here and in the museum is the car that was used during that filming.
To learn more about the assassination attempt on Franklin D. Roosevelt click on Death Car or to learn more about FDR click on his name.
Becky’s #Square Renew/Reconstruct/Moving Forward
Photo Credit:©️1967 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Minolta XG-7 35 mm
Pictures were Reconstructed from slide format to digital format via a Wolverine Digital Converter Renewing them for preservation and future generations.
Location: Roosevelt’s The Little White House; Warm Springs, Georgia, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and reminiscing with me. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Luckily we had a beautiful sunny day on Sunday which enabled me to capture plenty of signs, and shots with words in them as Cee’s CMMC – Pick a Topic from my Photo requests us all to post.
Our visit to Anne Springs Close Greenway is extremely accommodating in the aspect of Signs and various Objects with Words.
Signs can be found all around the Reconstructed Children’s Farm ..,
Along all the various Trails …
In front of buildings such as The Hangar …
Or on and in front of an Historic Tack Shed …
And even in a flower bed informing everyone about the Sylvia Epps Baker Metal Sculpture.
Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge-Pick a Topic from my Photo
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting the Greenway with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
We’ve been having a lot of thunderstorms lately, so for Cee’s CMMC this week I’ve dug into my archives (actually my dad’s archives) to select photos of Outdoor Seating. I’m combining this post with Becky’s Squares Challenge and XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge.
For this journey of discovery we are beginning in Southern California at Knott’s Berry Farm. We are Renewing a remembrance by exploring a time of a family outing my dad captured with his camera and had developed onto slides which I Reconstructed into digital formatting for better visibility and preservation.
The Stage Coach ride allowed people to seat inside the coach or on the Outside up top of the coach. Being up top allowed for a unique experience and perspective of the exciting surroundings.
Moving Forward we venture out towards the California desert for a weekend of camping and the freedom of the great outdoors for a time of refreshing recreation and a time for renewing the closeness of family togetherness.
We join friends from our church family at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for a time of food, fellowship, and tons of fun.
Whether we choose a seat at a table near the chuck wagon or close to an outdoor cook stove/oven is our choice. We may sit together or apart, however the point of the weekend is renewing and strengthening family bonds and friendships.
Moving Forward remembering the past by Reconstructing old slides renewing the photos for future generations.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Outdoor Seating
XingfuMama’s Pull up a Seat -2024 Week 19
Becky’s #SquareRenew/Reconstruct/Moving Forward
Photo Credit: ©️1966-1968 Nornal H. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Hotel del Coronado
Good Day! Be sure to click on each photo for larger viewing.
The Hotel Del Coronado has been a living legend for more than One Hundred Thirty (130) years. It has proudly hosted U.S. Presidents, movie stars, celebrities, and royalty as well as many beach loving guests (tourists and locals) for many many decades of generations throughout history.
With Non-Squared
B/W & Color Windows
The Hotel del Coronado was built in 1888 after much dreaming, planning, and inspiration of its founders Elisha Babcock and Hampton Story. Babcock and Story enlisted a local San Diego developer, Alonzo Horton to help them survey Coronado beach in 1886. The natural beauty of Coronado inspired the founders to buy the island and build the magnificent hotel.
Babcock and Story created the Coronado Beach Company and then proceeded to establish several enterprises to support and develop the Coronado Community. Those enterprises included a ferry company, a water company, a railroad company, and an electrical power plant.
Construction began on the hotel in 1887 with approximately 250 men working the construction crew. It was built entirely wood using many different types from across the United States. The lumber used included Douglas Fir for framing, California Redwood for its exterior siding; hemlock and cedar was also made available for use. The Hotel’s lobby featured Illinois White Oak while the Crown Room ceiling was done with Oregon’s Sugar Pine. Each type of lumber was selected for their unique qualities to enhance the hotel’s beauty and ensure its longevity.
Coronado Island and The Hotel del Coronado are wonderful places to visit. The beautiful landscape, the beautiful ocean views, the stunning elegance of the hotel are sites to behold and experience. I have to admit I have never stayed in the hotel (too rich for my blood), however I have visited and walked along the beach with friends. A truly wonderful experience for sure and for certain.
Photo Credit:©️2024 Amanda Waters Beagles (my niece) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Hotel del Coronado; Coronado, California, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This is my first time participating in Judy’s Number Game. My entry is being combined with Becky’s Squares Challenge
Getting out in nature always helps to renew my mind, refresh my spirit, and rejuvenate my soul. This view is from the side porch of the Gibson House.
On Sunday, Coleman and I drove into Fort Mill to visit the newly renewed and reconstructed Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm at the Anne Springs Close Greenway. The newly reconstructed children’s farm is accessible through the Greenway Stables Entrance. We are moving forward ( I know you can’t see our movements, but you can imagine them) to visit the Farm animals (chickens, rabbits, alpacas, and cattle.)
After visiting the farm animals, Coleman and I went back to the car to grab our snacks and put my backpack in it as my camera battery had died. So then I continued taking photos with my iPhone as we proceeded to Move Forward through the horse stables on towards the trails for a bit of hiking. We hiked along on the Dogwood Trail, made a loop onto Peach Loop to watch out over Lake Haigler before heading back to the car and home.
While gazing out over Lake Haigler, I reminisced for a short while remembering a time of apple picking, fresh apple cider, and fresh bread with a dollop of fresh homemade apple butter in Julian, California.
Now that I have your mouth watering for the delicious delightful aroma of fresh homemade apple delicacies, I trust you’ll have a wonderful rest of your weekend and a blissful weekend.
Judy’s Numbers Game Challenge – 142
Becky’s #SquareRenew – Renew-Reconstruct-Moving Forward
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300 mm and Canon EF-S18-55mm lenses.
Location: 1-3) Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA; 4) Julian, California, USA
God Bless. Thank you for trekking along with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Carib Grackle
(Quiscalus lugubris)
The Carib Grackle also referred to as the Common Grackle is a tropical blackbird which is taller and longer than the typical blackbird. The plumage of Grackles are entirely black, however it has a beautiful glossy iridescent body that may display violets, purples, blues, and greens when the sun is shining on them in just the right manner.
Grackles eat almost anything and everything they can find. They commonly eat insects, minnows, frogs, lizards, berries, grains, and even small birds and mice. They will confiscate food from other birds. And sometimes as these Grackles pictured here are exemplifying HOPE for a few morsels of bread crust or crumbs that may get dropped on the ground or scattered for other birds.
The Carib Grackle’s song is a mixture of harsh and melodic musical squeaks, croaks, and whistles which seem to sound anywhere from guttural to high-pitched clear whistles. Some people have compared their singing as sounding like a rusty gate.
If you see them foraging around your yard or picnic table they are scavenging and are hoping you’ll share your food (or at least some bread crumbs) with them.
Lens-Artists Photography Challenge #299- Hopeful
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Huntingtowne Neighbourhood; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. May all your hopes, dreams, and prayers be fulfilled. Take care of yourselves and have a fantastic rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Traveling Eastbound and Down
Maybe Westbound and Forward
Today we are going backwards in time Reconstructing my dad’s slides to reminisce family journeys from 1963. These are from one of our vacations traveling from San Diego, California to Great Falls, South Carolina and back home again.We progressed along the interstate Moving Forward Eastbound and Down loaded up and truckin’ heading to see my paternal grandparents for the first time in five years.
The Six Flags can be seen from Interstate 20 nearing the Arlington, Texas. They signify being close to the Six Flags over Texas amusement theme park.
Which way are we going? From the photo I’m not sure if we were headed east or going back west at this point in time as I can barely remember the trip.
Nowadays, there are over 50 toll roads in Texas. All drivers are required to pay the toll (fee) regardless of where you live. The first major toll road in Texas, which opened in 1957, was a 30-mile, six-lane stretch of highway between Dallas and Fort Worth. A drive from one end to the other cost 50 cents.
After a long tiring vacation visiting family in the Carolinas, we are passing forward through El Paso heading home to San Diego. At this point of our trip we are excited to be almost home (over half way back across country.
Cee’s Which Way Challenge-05.09
Becky’s Squares: Burgeoning – Move Forward – Reconstruct – Renew
Photo Credit:©️1963 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Music Credit: ©️LegacyRecordingsVEVO; The Essential JERRY REED; YouTube.com (Original Recording released in 1977.)
Location: Traveling Interstate 10 & 20 in Texas
God Bless. Thank you for traveling with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Groups Moving Forward
It’s been raining quite a bit here with thunderstorms today as well as off and on all week. Therefore, I decided to comb through my arch to see what I could come up with to (hopefully) satisfy the themes. I’m combining Sunday Stills, Becky’s Squares-Moving Forward, Throwback Thursday, and Leanne’s Monochrome Madness (couldn’t find the theme for this one.)
The last two photos were taken by my dad on his 35mm camera. I’m not sure what brand of camera he used in the mid-60’s. These last two photos were taken in Disneyland in May of 1966.
Becky’s Squares-Moving Forward
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Come on along for the ride, we’re just gonna meander around through the desert here in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
Growing up in San Diego, California my church youth group would practically make annual camping trips out to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Several church families would bring their dune buggies, dirt bikes and give rides to the enthusiastic youth.
Ever since that time period, I have loved to go camping and hiking. I love being out in nature and my grandson, Coleman is learning to love and enjoy it as well.
Pictured here are actually two separate church camping trips; one in May of 1968 and the other in June of 1969. Those were the good old days my friends.
Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2024-Week 18
Becky’s Squares-Moving Forward
Photo Credit:©️1968-69 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Minolta XG-7 35 mm using Kodak Ektachrome Slide film.
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; Borrego Springs, California, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) can be spotted around ponds and lakes. I normally see them around the smaller lakes and ponds in and around Anne Springs Close Greenway.
Great Blue Herons can hunt during the nighttime as well as during the day. Interestingly they have a high percentage of rodents-type photoreceptors in their eyes that improve their night vision. They congregate at fish hatcheries, creating potential problems for the fish farmers.
The Great Blue Heron is a majestic sight to behold. Its subtle blue-grey plumage frequently stands motionless as it scan for prey or wades belly deep with long, deliberate steps. They may move slowly, but Great Blue Herons can strike like lightning to grab a fish or snap up a gopher. In flight, look for this widespread heron’s tucked-in neck and long legs trailing out behind.
Did you know that the Great Blue Heron is often seen as a symbol of patience? This I had not previously heard or known. Several Native American Tribes look at the heron as a symbol of patience and good luck. On the Northwest coast, people believe that if Native American fishermen spot a heron, it means good luck is with them, and they will have a successful fishing trip.
I have always considered the Great Blue Heron to be an amazing bird to observe. I did not ever realize that they were considered symbols or omens if you saw them. Evidently they are though.
In China, the Great Blue Heron represents strength, purity and long life. According to Native American tradition the heron symbolizes wisdom and good judgment. In ancient Egypt the heron was a symbol of creation while in Africa and Greece the heron was a messenger of the gods. Watching a heron fish also instructs us in patience.
Another interesting note regarding the Blue Heron is that it is believed to symbolize being calm, presence, being at peace, uniqueness, and balance. When seeing a Blue Heron one should take a moment to look inside yourself and consider nurture all aspects of yourself. Embrace who you are; your flaws (your weaknesses), your uniqueness, and ever your feelings of shame with self-love.
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. May you have strength, purity, patience and long life. Take care of yourselves and have a fantastic rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Be Wild
Be Square
Don’t Worry
Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L.Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Gardner Park Neighborhood; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Hybrid Sweetbriar Rose
(Rosa ‘Lady Penzance’)
Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max Ultra-wide Camera
Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Clouds ☁️ Moving Forward ⛈️
Friday Skies …
Moving Forward …
Across the Vast Blue Skies …
Moving Forward … Into Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms All Weekend Long
Our plans for the day are delayed … to move forward another day.
Becky’s Squares-Moving Forward
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Carriage House Lane; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Hope you’re having a dry pleasant weekend. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Moving Forward at
Lindsay Pettus Greenway
The forward thinking of concerned citizens, volunteers, business partners, and in partnership with the Katawba Valley Land Trust; the ideas, planning, and reconstruction of certain areas into a Greenway of trails in Lancaster began to develop beginning in 2014. The Greenway includes numerous pedestrian connections with linkages to residential, commercial, and local school properties, trail heads, and nature centers, bridge crossings, and sidewalk improvements.
Comporium Communications Trail Access is the starting point for Coleman’s and my hike along the first phase of the Greenway’s Master Plan. The first phase of the Reconstruction of Land in Lancaster was completed in 2019. Our hike took place in February of 2022.
As we moved forward in our adventure, we encountered several informational signs which were a tremendous help in guiding us as we moved forward along the Greenway.
Coleman and I decided to move forward together along the nature trail towards creek overlook and eventually the Wetlands Overlook.
Here Coleman takes a minute to look out over the bridge at the creek below.
Coleman can’t resist climbing on the bridges railing at this next point or interest.
Informational Signs are located strategically throughout the Greenway. This particular one gives information about out the Lindsay Pettus Greenway and Lindsay Pettus himself.
The forward thinking of Mr. Lindsay Pettus and the many volunteers ensured the Greenway is and will continually be accessible to everyone regardless of their mobility needs.
Cee’s Which Way Challenge-Any Which Way
Becky’s Square’s-Moving Forward
Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 13 Pro
Location: Lindsay Pettus Greenway; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 