This week’sMonochrome Madness is hosted by Ritva from Ritva Sillanmäki Photography. She has chosen a theme of Low Light. I’ve gone through my archives searching and thinking about what imagesI could use for this challenge especially since Low Light isn’t particularly my focus when on a photography hiking adventure. I did find a Hodgepodge of images that out of the Generosity of my heart I’m looking forward to sharing with all of you.
Coleman standing on the railing Domtar Forest PorchAnne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCHearst Castle San Simeon, CAMy paternal grandfather Great Falls, SCDeer passing just inside the fence in Cramerton A photo I received of my brother after my mom passed Walking through the underpass tunnel on the way home Lantern Tour Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SCStreaming water at Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SCA deer in the early morning hours Centennial Center Cramerton, NCInside Kings Mountain National Military Park’s Museum Coleman sitting on the Railing Cramerton, NC
Click on images to enlarge.
I’m using my natural generosity to link up with the following challenges …
This week’sMonochrome Madness is a free week; I’ve decided to share some images of Epcot in monochrome. These are from my daughter’s visit recently to Walt Disney World Resorts.
Dale, the host of theCosmic Photo Challenge, has challenged us to post a few images of Patterns in Black & White for this week’s challenge. For this week’s challenge I needed to scour through my archives to see what I could find on this week’s theme. One can find Patterns in the ordinary, and sometimes not so ordinary.
Here is what I selected …
The simplicity of a chain link fence …
At the Greenville Zoo
Or a basic porch railing …
Front porch & Stair railing
Patterns and colours in a rooftop garden …
Rooftop garden
How about the varying shades and textures of brick walls …
Brick wall and alcove
And for a final image with a little added colour …
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Be observant of all creatures large and small that call our Earth home. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week’sMonochrome Madnessishostedby Brian from Bushboys World. He has chosen a theme of Boats. I’ve gone through my archives searching and thinking about what Boats I would use for this challenge especially since Boats has been a theme in the past for one or two challenges.
Thinking of family, I decided I would take us on a cruise to the past, clear back to the 1970’s and beyond. These are ships/boats that at least one person in the family has been on. Sometimes it was just to tour and other times it was to take a ride and enjoy the scenery. Ready to begin our cruise?
Our first stop is at the Port of Los Angeles off the coast of California on August 10, 1979 …
Vacant C’s Port of Los Angeles at 100 Swinford Street, San Pedro, California
This is a sailboat my dad took a photo of with his 35mm camera while he and my mom toured the Port of San Pedro. For you information, the “Port of San Pedro” is the main section of the Port of Los Angeles, called “America’s Port.” The Port of Los Angeles is one of the busiest and most significant seaports in the United States of America.
Cruisin’ on (actually not cruisin yet) to August 9, 1979 we Showboat paddleboat loading up with passengers to experience an afternoon on San Pedro Bay. It is docked at the Ports O Call Los Angeles in between tourist runs.
Showboat Port O Call Los Angeles
I’m not sure if my parents took the cruise or not, but I imagine they did embark upon the Showboat and had a lovely time cruisin’ around San Pedro Bay.
Cruisin’ on to January 1, 1979, my parents took a trip to Germany to visit my brother and his family. During their visit, being the dutiful host, my brother showed him all the fascinating places to see and do in his area where he was stationed in the United States Air Force.
“Schloss Heidelberg,” a river cruise boat Heidelberg, Germany
The River Cruise Boat is a passenger vessel specifically designed to give scenic tours on rivers such as the Neckar in Heidelberg. It allows passengers (like my parents, my brother and his family) to enjoy the views of historic landmarks from the water.
After all that cruisin’ we go back a few more years when we boarded a boat/ship together. Taking a look at July 1, 1974, my parents and I drive up to Long Beach, California to tour The Historic Queen Mary. Yes, I actually got to tag along on this trip. I had just graduated high school at The Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park in San Diego, California.
The Historic Queen Mary Long Beach, California
The Queen Mary is a historic British ocean liner. It is permanently docked as a floating hotel, museum, and tourist destination attraction. The Queen Mary officially retired from the ocean and made its final voyage in 1967. It arrived at its permanent location in Long Beach, California on December 9, 1967. The ship is rather large and impressive. By the time we toured her she had already undergone massive renovations. During its renovation, the engines were removed and the space was converted. She opened for public tours in 1971. It didn’t begin welcoming overnight guests until 1972. After major expansions including the Grand Hotel, 1974 marked the true official celebration of its opening operating as the Queen Mary Hyatt Hotel.
Cruisin’ on back another couple of years we come to July 1, 1972. This time we leave the west coast on vacation to drive the southern route cross country from San Diego, California to the Carolinas. After meeting up with my dad’s father, his sister and here family, we caravanned down to Stone Mountain, Georgia. Why go all the way to the Carolinas before traveling back down to Georgia? Why to spend time with family, of course. Actually, we all needed a rest from all the miles and miles of traveling before sightseeing with everybody.
Scarlet O’Hara Paddle boat Riverboat Marina Complex Stone Mountain Park Stone Mountain, Georgia
The trip to Stone Mountain Park included my parents (2), my brother and myself (2 more), my Aunt & Uncle (+2), their four children (+4), and my paternal grandfather (+1). Did you get all that? Add them all up and you get 11, 5 adults and 6 children all bombarding upon the Stone Mountain Park attraction.
Inside Stone Mountain Park is Stone Mountain Lake where visitors could board a classic paddlewheel Boat. At this time there were two (2) large commercial paddlewheel boats in operation. One was named the Henry W. Grady and the other one pictured here named Scarlett O’Hara Riverboat. The commercial paddle boats ceased operation around 2017-2018. They were officially retired due to their advancing age, the immense amount of maintenance required, and growing safety concerns.
Fun times were to be had make in the day cruisin’ on lakes, rivers, and oceans. Today’s cruises may seem to appear a little bit different, but actually not much has changed besides the type of boat/ship one chooses for a cruise.
I will leave you with one last final ship, one that brought my maternal grandfather home from France after World War I. Possibly the USS George Washington, or one similar to it.
The Ship that brought my maternal grandfather home
The USS George Washington was originally a German ocean liner which was seized by the United States during World War I. It was converted into a crucial troop transport vessel. After the Armistice, it played an incredibly important role in bringing hundreds of thousands of American soldiers home from France, just like my maternal grandfather.
This image is from a picture postcard that belonged to my maternal grandfather and later given to me to add to my post card collection. When it was first given to me in the late 1960’s I didn’t realize the significance of this photo and the ship that was portrayed in it. Now, I treasure it always.
The end of our Cruisin’ on Boats from the past has come to an end. Hope you enjoyed cruisin with me.
This week the Monochrome Madness is a free week (no theme) for us to make our own decisions on what to share in Monochrome. Following along with Leanne’s Night images without colour, I decided to also most nighttime images devoid of colour. I do not get out at night (except for the front porch) due to poor nighttime visibility. Therefore, I am sharing some images taken at night by my daughter while she’s “vacationing” without Coleman and myself down in Florida.
Here are my selections in Black and White …
The first stop on our journey devoid of colour is the Coca-Cola Rooftop Store & Beverage Bar. I posted a photo of the Coca-Cola Rooftop Store & Beverage Bar showing its signage on Wednesday for Wordless Wednesday. You may view it by clicking here.
Rooftop Beverage Bar with a souvenir CocaCola bottle
The next stop is at the Fall into Magic at Disney Springs, a part of the Walt Disney World Resort with mainly shops and entertainment venues.
Fall into Magic Disney Springs Lake Buena Vista, Florida
As we continue our journey devoid of colour at Walt Disney World Resort we come to the image below located inside Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion of an impressive pyramid structure is inspired by ancient Mesoamerican architecture and houses the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros boat ride.
Mexico Pavilion at Epcot
Our nighttime journey began on Tuesday, so far we’ve viewed one for each day of the week bringing us to today (Thursday evening).
The first image below is of the outside of The Seas with Nemo & Friends …
The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion
The dome structure in the background is the Spaceship Earth. It is a slow-moving, 16-minute dark ride housed inside the iconic 180-foot geodesic sphere located at Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort.
This last image is of Leaping Fountains located outside the Journey Into Imagination! Pavilion.
Leaping Fountains
The vibrant lighting used on the fountains adds to the magical evening atmosphere making it an amazing experience to watch.
Coleman by “The Passage” Sculpture Warlick Family YMCA Gastonia, North Carolina
“The Passage” was created by artist Andrew K. Crawford, is a truly thoughtful sculpture. The stacked boats are intended to symbolize the journey itself. Each boat represents a different stage or experience we encounter. The figure at the very top is usually interpreted as looking towards the future, reflecting on the path taken and the continuous process of growth and transformation. It embodies the spirit of community and personal development.
Today was slightly cooler than it has been all summer, giving us the perfect opportunity to photograph the surrounding foliage.
Dale, the host of theCosmic Photo Challenge, has challenged us to post a few images of foliage for this week’s challenge. Today was actually slightly cooler than it has been all summer, therefore, Coleman and I spent a couple of weeks in the backyard. While he was running around and playing I snapped a few pictures of the foliage surrounding us. I changed it up after a few minutes and shot in black and white.
Here are some of the Foliage I captured …
In Colour …
#CosPhoChal Cosmic Photo Challenge Foliage in Colour
Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Be observant of all creatures large and small that call our Earth home. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week the Monochrome Madness hostis none other than our beloved host LeanneCole. She does a terrific job coordinating all the hosts and themes for this amazing challenge. She has decided to challenge us with the theme of Urban Landscapes. She has shown some wonderful examples of Urban Landscaping.
I’m starting off with a couple of images my dad took ages ago when he and my mom visited Washington D.C.
The National Mall, often called ‘ America’s Front Yard,’
We had visited D.C. years before this as a family, but this was a trip for just the two of them after my brother and I had left home. This view of the National Mall stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol encompasses many museums, monuments, and open green spaces making the National Mall more than just a Park. Capturing this view with a 35mm camera back in the mid-eighties is something astonishing.
Aerial view of Washington D. C.
I’m not sure how my dad managed this shot, but it looks good to me. It is a n aerial view of Washington D. C. highlighting the White House and the Washington Monument.
This next gallery of images are from our trip to San Francisco, California in the Spring of 1979.
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge San Francisco, CATransamerica Pyramid San Francisco, CaliforniaShips at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, CA The iconic Transamerica Pyramid anchors this stunning San Francisco skyline viewSan Francisco, California
Moving further along California’s coast driving Hwy 1 we come home to San Diego. The city I called home for many years growing up with many happy and memorable funtastic times with friends and family. From the beaches along the coast to the various inland attractions there’s always much to see and do in beautiful San Diego.
USS Midway Museum is located along the Embarcadero in San Diego The San Diego skyline truly shines at sunset over the baySan Diego Harbor A Postcard of mine of Broadway, San Diego, CA On Line of the San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railway“Unconditional Surrender” is a 25-foot sculpture replicating the embrace of a sailor and nurse at the end of World War II in Times Square. Embarcadero, San Diego, CACalifornia Tower and dome in Balboa ParkSan Diego Wild Animal Park San Pasqual Valley Escondido, CASan Diego’s skyline, with a naval ship San Diego, California
Portraits in Monochrome throughout the years of Coleman (beginning at age two (2)) in all his antics and expressions are what’s on display for this free week of Leanne’s Monochrome Madness.
This week Monochrome Madness is hosted by Dawn from The Day After. She has selected to challenge us with the theme of Horizons. There are many different ways we may illustrate Horizons through our photography. When we think of Horizons we normally think of a visible line off into the distance where the earth and sky seem to meet each other. We might select land and sky or water and sky, or we might offer a little of both. Which way we interpret or see the Horizon depends our own unique view and style.
Here are my selections …
Captain’s Quarters Resort Myrtle Beach, SCGulf of Mexico (now America)San Rafael Swell Emery County, Utah“Layers of Dusk” View from Pisgah Inn Blue Ridge MountainsCraggy Gardens Blue Ridge ParkwayDawn’s Monochrome Madness Leanne’s Monochrome Madness
This is a free week for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness. I decided to show you images of a Grist Mill in black and white monochrome tones this week. This Grist Mill can be seen along the Nature Trail at The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina.
The Grist Mill Nature Trail The Schiele Museum of Natural History Leanne’s Monochrome Madness
Elke from pictures imperfect blog has chosen a theme of Getting On In Years for this week’s Monochrome Madness Challenge. Getting on in Years can refer to many different things, (objects or people). Ive chosen to go with objects getting on (getting old) as in Antiques. Are Antiques still useful? Maybe some still are, but others like these are not useful for their intended purpose. However, they are useful for educational purposes and displays in museums.
Here are my contributions …
Julian Museum Julian, California April 1978
These Antique Mining Lamps were once useful to provide crucial light needed to navigate dark tunnels and identify gold veins. Nowadays, people use more modern versions of oil or kerosene lamps.
Fireplace in a Historic Cabin The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, North Carolina
This fireplace has definitely seen better days. At one time it would have kept a family warm during cold winter months. It was probably also used to cook food for family and friends who may have stopped by.
A Disc Plow on Display at the Farm The Schiele Museum of Natural History
The above and below images are photos of an Antique Two-Disc Plow. Disc plows use large, concave steel discs, rather than moldboards, to cut and turn the soil. They’re especially effective in tough conditions like hard or sticky soils, or where there’s a lot of crop residue.
Another angle of the Disc Plow The Schiele Museum Gastonia, North Carolina
The Disc Plows were revolutionary in farming, especially for breaking up tough soil and preparing fields for planting. Unlike single-bladed plows, the two discs allowed for more efficient turning and mixing of the soil, which was a huge advantage for farmers back in the day.
Coleman testing out an Antique horse- or mule-drawn walking plow
An Antique Horse or Mule drawn Walking Plow (like this single-bottom moldboard plow) was once a cornerstone of 19th and early 20th century American agriculture. It along with the Two-Disc Plow is on display at The Farm at The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina. It is an outdoor exhibit dedicated to showcasing historical regional farming technology in the North Carolina Piedmont.
Dan with No Facilities, the host of Cee’s Fun Foto Challengehas had the theme of Crayola Box of 8 for the past few weeks and continued it with pairing colors and now we are done with the Crayola Box of 8 challenges. Since we are done with colours for this theme, he has challenged us to post Monochrome photos this week.
I scoured high and low through my archives and came up with (to me) a weird mixture of monochrome images of This and That, From Here and There, some from Past and others are more recent.
Here are my selections for this week’s CFFC …
Germany January 1979Goat Island Bridge February 2023Lake Wylie Seven Oaks Preserve Trail November 2022Rock Hill SC October 2022San Francisco Bay Area 1979Flowers in a Vase November 2024Collage of Family at Myrtle Beach in 2010Landsford Canal State Park April 2022Rock Hill SC October 2022Adventure Road Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway January 2023Zinnia at The Farm-The Schiele Museum August 2023Coleman March 2025My first 35 mm camera 1974Crowders Mountain State Park March 2023Planter Flowers in Cramerton NC April 2025Nature Trail Andrew Jackson State Park August 2019Germany January 1979Lake at Andrew Jackson State Park October 2019Myrtle Beach Boardwalk January 2026Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge Dan’s CFFC
God Bless. Have a lovely week. Enjoy a walk/hike if possible. Keep Cool. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Springs Block was built by Colonel Leroy Springs in 1905. It was constructed with red stretcher and common bond brick. It has been home to many of Lancaster’s prominent businesses over the years. Sadly, in 1936, a fire destroyed its southern end, including the Hotel Royale and Lancaster Mercantile.
“Lancaster’s Historic Springs Block”
In August of 1984, the Springs Block was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It underwent restoration in 1986 as part of Lancaster’s Main Street Revitalization program.
The Historic Springs Block Lancaster, South Carolina
For many decades the Springs Block was a thriving business district within Lancaster’s downtown neighborhood. The businesses were bustling with people who were excited to come visit, shop, and mingle in the vibrant, community-focused atmosphere. People would come to a then lively downtown hub to do their errands, meet neighbours, and find everything from groceries to clothing to household goods. Shopkeepers once knew their count name and tailored their unique selections to meet the personal needs of their customers.
The Historic Springs Block Lancaster, South Carolina Thursday Doors Monochrome Madness
It saddens me to see the once vital and thriving downtown community in such a dilapidated state of destruction. These are recent photos of Lancaster’s Historic Springs Block in downtown Lancaster, South Carolina. My daughter and I once roamed the streets of downtown Lancaster’s Springs Block, shopping, having a bite to eat, meeting friends, and watching parades (or in her case in them) and all in all having a grand ‘ole time.
Location: The Springs Block; Downtown Lancaster; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic rest of your week and weekend ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with w. I appreciate y’all very much.
Sarah from Travel with Meis the host for this week’s themed Monochrome Madness challenge. She has chosen a theme of Numbers (not quantity, but actual numbers) we see all around us in the places we wander around and through in our daily lives.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. 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). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme is Any Which Way in Black and White On Asphalt Roads or Paved Pathways. In choosing the Black and White theme for this week’s Which Way Challenge I am honouring the memory of Cee’s Black and White Challenge. The Which Way can be any paved pathway, sidewalk, paved trail, or paved road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
Here are my entries …
Cee’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) Cee’s Black and White Challenge (CBWC) Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
*** Note: Next Week we will be exploring and sharing the theme of CWWC: Any Which Way (Your Choice)[07.24.2026]
This week the guest host for Monochrome Madnessis Sue from WordsVisual. She has given us the theme of Figures in the Built Environment. She gives us the opportunity to explore and express our own unique interpretations including using not just people, but also statues. Street art, and/or non-human figures. Therefore, I figured I’d share a variety using her suggestions as a guide.
Here are my entries …
Hendersonville, NCJefferson, NCGermany Spring Market, ASCG Fort Mill, SCColeman next to Veterans Memorial Cramerton, NCThree Soldiers (Aka Three Servicemen part of Vietnam Veterans Memorial National Mall, Washington D.C. Glencairn Garden Rock Hill, SCColeman joining in with the Children’s Sculpture Glencairn Garden Rock Hill , SCColeman In the Children’s Garden DSBG Belmont, NCColeman with Fetch Statue AJSP Lancaster, SCColeman with the Andrew Jackson Statue AJSP Lancaster, SCMy mom, my Aunt & Uncle, and Grandpa Stone Mountain DeKalb County, Georgia Monochrome Madness #64
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Anyone wishing to join in and participate, please go to the Monochrome Madness page to find out how.
XingfuMama hosts the weekly challenge Whatsoever Is Lovely. The challenge is simple. Just reflect back over your week and see what is lovely, whether a thing or a moment, share in a post what is precious and lovely to you.
Summertime in the Carolinas is extremely hot and humid, too hot to want to walk around outside. However, it is the best time of year to view and watch the amazing fluttering of beautiful Butterflies. What better way to observe them than in an enclosed Butterfly Bungalow.
That’sexactly what Coleman and I did on Wednesday. It was wonderful and oh so lovely to watch the Butterflies flittering around. They move so fast it was difficult to keep up with them to photograph them.
Here’s a few Butterflies flitting to and fro enjoying the nectar of their favourite flowers.
This week’s featured Butterfly is the Heliconius charithonia, also known as Zebra Longwing or Zebra heliconian. It is distinctively known for its long, black wings with pale yellow stripes. Their wing pattern serves as a warning to potential predators that their toxicity.
One thing which is unique to the Zebra Longwing is that the adult butterflies feed on both nectar and pollen. The pollen enables them synthesize cyanogenic glycosides which makes their bodies toxic to predators.
The Zebra Longwing Butterflies may be spotted in South America, Central America, the West Indies, and the Southeastern United States. Adults will migrate into the Carolinas during the warmer summer months. These pictured here are maintained in the controlled environment of the Butterfly Bungalow inside the Gardens of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.
Location: Butterfly Bungalow; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Bely, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a lovely weekend filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
It was another extremely hot and humid day in the Carolinas. Despite the heat, Coleman and I ventured out to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden to check out the new additions (more on that later), the flowers in bloom, and the Butterfly Bungalow (in a future post).
This is the pathway where we began our adventure towards the Gardens and the Butterfly Bungalow.
Coleman in the Shadows at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Anyone wishing to join in and participate, please go to the Monochrome Madness page to find out how.
This week’s host for Monochrome Madness is Brian from Bushboys World. He has chosen a theme of Jugs for this week’s challenge. Jugs have been around for ages and made from varies materials like clay, glass, and even plastic. I much prefer sun-dried clay or glass-blown jugs to the more modern lightweight high-density polyethylene (plastic) jugs.
These are a few of the Jugs I have found in my archives to share with y’all.
Located in Fairies-Coltharp Cabin Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCNative Indian Pottery Jugs Catawba Cultural Center Rock Hill, SCUsed for Barbecue Sauce Carolina Barbecue display at The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCLocated in The Farm The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NCCatawba Indian Village Pottery Jugs The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NC3-Jug Fountain Farmhouse Garden Center Daniel Stowe Conservancy Belmont, NCJugs of All Kinds and Purposes Monochrome Madness
Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm & EF-S18-55mm lenes; Apple iPhone 13 Pro; Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Locations: As stated above.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Anyone wishing to join in and participate, please go to the Monochrome Madness page to find out how.
Why go for the ordinary shot when you can capture the exceptional, unconventional, and unique beauty from a different and unusual perspective? I like to capture views from underneath bridges and/or trestles. The structural integrity and design in each bridge or trestle are unique and some with intricate characteristics and features.
Looking at the structural design underneath a Footbridge in Goat Island Park and Greenway, Cramerton, North Carolina
The Beauty of the Catawba River Flowing underneath a Street Bridge and the Structural Design, Strength of Lines, and the Sound Engineering System. Founder’s Trail, Fort Mill, South Carolina
Sound Structural Engineering Design strengthens the supporting interlocking network increasing the lasting Capabilities of the Trestle Bridge. Founder’s Trail Fort Mill, South Carolina
The beauty of black and white/monochrome photography brings a unique perspective on how we see and experience the world around us. What will you photograph in monochrome this week?
Cameras: 1) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens; 2-3) Apple iPhone 13 Pro Ultra Wide
Locations: As stated above.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Anyone wishing to join in and participate, please go to the Monochrome Madness page to find out how.
For this week I chose one of my maternal grandfather’s photos of his Ford Model T. After he passed, when I was only 12, my maternal grandmother gave me many of my grandfather’s picture post cards. The post cards were significant because the had pictures of family, his military service, the family cemetery, and of places they lived. Those post cards are apart of our family history and I’ll treasure them always.
Location: My Maternal Grandparents home; Stoney Fork, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have an adventurous week filled with love and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week’s Monochrome Madnessis hosted by Leanne Cole. She haschosen to challenge us to post images which show water flowing. Mine not only includes waterfalls, but also Spillways, Oceans, Dams, Lakes, Rivers and Garden Fountains. Water flows in many different ways from straight upwards to upstream and downstream, including over rocks and barriers.
Now to show y’all my entries …
Upper Widow’s Creek Falls Stone Mountain State Park Roaring Gap, NCSpillway at Lake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCFountain at Glencairn Garden Rock Hill, SCThe Spillway at Kings Mountain State Park Blacksburg, SCSesquicentennial State Park Columbia, South CarolinaThe Spillway at Kings Mountain State Park Blacksburg, SCFountain at Glencairn Garden Rock Hill, SCCatawba River The Riverwalk Trail Rock Hill, SCCatawba River The Riverwalk Trail Rock Hill, SCNorth Topsail Beach Onslow County, NCFort Mill Dam Fort Mill, SCSpillway at Lake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCNorth Topsail Beach Onslow County, NC The Spillway at Kings Mountain State Park Blacksburg, SCLeanne’s Monochrome Madness #FlowingWater
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Anyone wishing to join in and participate, please go to the Monochrome Madness page to find out how.
Visiting the Anne Springs Close Greenway, sometimes it’s nice to shoot in black and white instead of always in colour. The effects can be just as striking if not more dramatic and impressive.
These first images were taking while hiking along the trail towards and at Lake Haigler.
Lake Haigler Lake Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway
The next set of images were taken while Coleman was playing on the climbing structure in the Schroering Forest Playground.
Schroering Forest Playground Lake Haigler Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina
This Quercus pagoda (Cherrybark Oak) tree is a an old Oak tree which is native to the Carolinas and the Southeastern United States of America. It is a fast-growing, long-lived deciduous tree. These trees are capable of reaching a height between 100-130 feet tall having a 40-70 foot spread. (I included a couple images of the base of the tree so you can get the idea of its spread.)
The Cherrybark Oak trees thrive in moist well-drained bottomland soils in full sun. This Oak tree provides an enormous amount of shade providing protection from the harsh sun. (If you look closely, you’ll be able to view Coleman playing under the Canopy of this Old Oak Tree.
Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. May you rest Under the Canopy of God’s Love and Protection. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week is a free week for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness. I took my inspiration from Brian’s MM post on cemeteries. I decided to share some of the cemeteries my ancestors are buried within. They are spread from coast to coast and from sea to shining sea.
Greenwood Memorial Park; San Diego, California, USAGreenlawn Cemetery Great Falls, South Carolina, USAGreenlawn Cemetery Great Falls, South Carolina, USAFort Rosecrans National Cemetery Point Loma, San Diego, California, USALaurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Deep Gap, Watauga County, North Carolina, USASt Thomas a Becket’s Church, Hampsthwaite, North Yorkshire, EnglandBrannon Family Cemetery Bethune, Kershaw County, South Carolina, USARoscoe Cemetery Coshocton, Coshocton County, Ohio, USAOld DuQuoin Cemetery Du Quoin, Perry County, Illinois, USABrannon Family Cemetery Bethune, Kershaw County, South Carolina, USA
Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a sunshiny day. Observe Nature. Thankful for local wildlife. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Republic Textile Mills Company was founded in Great Falls, South Carolina around 1905-1910 by the Southern Power Company (later became known as Duke Power Company). It was founded to capitalize on Catawba River water power. The Republic Textile Mills Company expanded to three mills by 1923.
Republic Textile Mill #3
[My paternal grandfather worked in the #3 Mill located on Argonne Avenue kitty-corner from Walnut Street where my paternal grandparents lived. When he worked there the Mills were owned by J. P. Stevens and Company.]
J.P. Stevens Mill #3 (previously known as Republic Textile Mills Company)
The Republic Textile Mills Company operated as a major textile producer in the region, complete with a company town, before being sold to J. P. Stevens and Company in 1946. The #3 Mill opened in 1923. The company town included a company store, where workers could charge goods against their wages.
Republic Textile Mill #3 (Aka JP Stevens Mill #3)
The Mills ceased all operations due to the broader decline of the textile industry. The last of the Mills closed its doors around 1985.
This week Monochrome Madnessis hosted by Sarah from Travel with Me. She haschosen to challenge us to post images which begin with the letter “P”. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t that difficult to find images in my archives which begin with “P”.
Here are my entries …
Let’s begin by walking out onto the Porch …
Front Porch
Next, how about a trip back in time …
Pennzoil Indy Race Car captured on 35mm at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in August of 1985 by my dad.
Now back to more current“P” images …
Playground at T. Jeffers Center
Pump House by the Catawba River & the Piedmont Medical Center Trail in Rock Hill, SC
Pig at the Children’s Farm in Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, SC
Patterson Pond – Canada Geese enjoying a swim Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SC
A Preserved replica of a Brown Pelican in The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NC
Pretty colourful Petunias The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NC
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Lower Trailhead; Stone Mountain State Park; Roaring Gap, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Capture the beauty all around you. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week PR from Flights of the Soulis the host for the Monochrome Madness Challenge. For information about the challenge check out Leanne’s Page about how to participate in Monochrome Madness by clicking here.
PR has chosen a theme of Minimalism for this week’s Monochrome Madness theme challenge.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week being a free week I thought I’d take you on a virtual journey through Kings Mountain State Park not to be confused with Kings Mountain National Military Park both of which are located in Blacksburg, South Carolina. The two are located right next to each other. The State Park is different and offers many more opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, and picnicking.
These are from a hike Coleman and I undertook back in 2020 when he was 11 months old. He is a trooper, for sure and for certain. We hiked down to the Waterfall at Lake Crawford.
Lake Crawford Kings Mountain State Park Blacksburg, SC
The Waterfall is an enormous staircase waterfall which is the overflow spillway for Lake Crawford. Lake Crawford is just one of two lakes within Kings Mountain State Park. The other lake is named Lake York which we have not hiked around as of yet.
The Staircase Waterfall & Spillway Kings Mountain State Park Blacksburg, South Carolina
The State Park offers more than twenty (20) of hiking trails and an additional thirty (30) miles of equestrian only trails. It also has one hundred fifteen (115) campsites equipped with water and electricity plus fifteen (15) equestrian campsites.
Kings Mountain State Park and Spillway were built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It contains approximately nearly seven thousand (7,000) acres for the enjoyment of all who wish to visit.
The Otherside of the Waterfall & Spillway Kings Mountain State Park Blacksburg, SC
Brian from Bushboys Worldis this week’s host for the Monochrome Madness challenge. He is challenging us to depictblack and white images of what we see when we look upon Roofs/(rooftops).
Well, what do you know, there are lots of different kinds of things that you can see on Roofs if only you Look Up.
Here are a few examples of what I have seen on Roofs when I have chosen to Look Up …
Including … Cats
Cats 🐈 on Rooftops (no one said it had to be a building roof) Lancaster, South Carolina
… Gardens
Coleman checking out the Schiele Museum’s Rooftop Garden
These two Images are of the Garden on top of the Roof at The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina. On one of our many visits Coleman wanted to go up in the elevator to see what it would lead. So, we went. They grow many succulents in their Rooftop Garden.
… Birds of all kinds
Birds love Perching on Roofs
… Raindrops and Vents
On the Roof of a portion of Captain’s Quarters Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
… Men on Rooftop
Roofers on Rooftop Repairing a Roof
… And now for a Goat
Goat on Roof (Hey, it’s a building roof) Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina
God Bless. Look Up. Be Observant. Amazing and beautiful things to see all around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Veterans Wall Glencairn Garden Rock Hill, South Carolina
Veterans Memorial Wall … Army … Navy … Air Force … Coast Guard … Marines … POW/MIA
Veterans Wall Glencairn Garden Rock Hill, South Carolina
The Glencairn Veterans Wall honors the men and women who served in the military. The City of Rock Hill, South Carolina holds an annual event as a Tribute to Veterans. The annual event is organized y the City of Rock Hill and the York County Veterans Advisory Council.
In Jacksonville’s Lejeune Memorial Gardens …
Beirut Memorial Wall Lejeune Memorial Gardens Jacksonville, North Carolina
Lejeune Memorial Gardens are located not far from Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. My eldest son and I visited the Memorial Gardens when I drove to visit him and my other son who was stationed at Camp Lejeune back in 2017.
Vietnam Memorial Wall Lejeune Memorial Gardens Jacksonville, North Carolina
Lejeune Memorial Gardens is a five (5) acre park which honors military service. The Gardens feature several memorials which include the Beirut Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Montford Point Marine Memorial, the 9/11 Memorial Beam, and the Corpsmen Memorial. We walked along the many walking trails as we were captivated be the various memorials. The memorials were tributes to significant events in United States history. To find out more about the Memorials and the Lejeune Memorial Gardens click here.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen for the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way on a Nature Trail (Dirt or Paved) for this week’s theme. The Which Way can be any dirt or paved path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
Coleman and I haven’t journeyed very far like some of y’all have, however, we do enjoy our adventurous journeys to Greenways, State Parks, and nearby National Parks. This past weekend we journeyed to Kings Mountain National Military Park for the sole purpose of hiking the Battlefield Trail.
The Battlefield Trail is a mere 1.5 miles long, but it seems a lot further when you’re hiking up hill on the trail, winding around the mountain, back and forth twisting this way and that way through the woods, hiking up and down continuously seems like you’re hiking forever.
The Battlefield Trail contains several story boards telling about the impact the Revolutionary War had on the Kings Mountain area and the Carolinas. It has monuments in various locations along the trail which have significant historical relevance to the Revolutionary War and the Soldiers who fought against the British. It is a semi-paved trail in natural surroundings.
After arriving at Kings Mountain National Military Park, Coleman and I checked out the museum prior to hitting the trail for our adventurous journey. Once we left the Museum/Visitor Center, we had to decide which way we wanted to go to begin our hike.
Do we go to the left or right?
We read the sign which indicated which way the Battlefield Trail was located. Therefore, we followed the signs directions and began hiking to the left. We ran across various signs along the way … some that instructed us on what not to do, some that told about a specific area, and a few that informed about park regulations or gave us hiking suggestions.
Battlefield Trail
Hiking along we see stone monuments dedicated to fallen soldiers, orange cones alerting us to dangerous areas, and Coleman discovers interesting places to Pull Up a Seat.
Sacred to the memoryof … Coleman Pulls Up a Seat on a logShoot Tree to TreeColeman Pulls Up a Seat on a Bench One of many Story BoardsBattlefield Trail
Hiking further up (and I mean uphill)along the trail we spot more monuments with information indicating their significance in history.
In Honor of the Three Known African-American Patriots…Coleman approaches the largest and tallest monument Coleman Pulls Up a Seat on a Monument This is a different monument Coleman is investigating In Honor of Lieutenant Colonel James Hawthorne …Coleman takes a break Pulling up a Seat on the TrailTo the Memory of Col. Patrick Ferguson …American Vanquished Battlefield Trail Directional SignThe end
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge Cee’s Which Way Challenge
Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Week’s Which Way Challengeare theme is Any Which Way on Dirt Trails, dirt pathways, or dirt stairways in Monochrome. They can be Any Which Way on any Dirt Trails, dirt Pathways, or dirt Stairway, as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. As always signs are welcome anytime.
Here are my entries …
Sauntering through
Crowders Mountain State Park
Coleman and I enjoy hiking whenever and wherever possible as long as it’s not too cold and windy. We saunter around parks and along trails at our own pace leisurely observing nature’s beautiful scenery. As usual, Coleman is up ahead of me as I keep on sauntering along snapping pictures here, there, and yonder. Come saunter along with us through Crowders Mountain State Park.
Which Way Challenge (CWWC) Dirt Trails, Dirt pathways, or Dirt stairways in Black & White Monochrome
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.
Good Day y’all! This week Dawn from The Day Afteris the host for Monochrome Madness. She has chosen a theme of Circles. One may find circles or circular objects just about anywhere you look. Circles are all around us, from wheels, to bubbles, to water ripples, you name it circles are everywhere.
Here are a few circles of circulars I have found …
Circles in a Color AppMetal WheelJupiter Balloon ride at Carowinds Coleman trying to catch Bubbles Sculpture in Abilene, TexasCircles/Circular Water Ripples Coleman’s Toy Monster Truck Wheels
God Bless. Stay Warm. Stay safe. Take Care of yourself. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Take time to relax and enjoy nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week is a free non-themed week for Monochrome Madness. Seeing as we’vehad a few winter storms and we were inundated with Snow ⛄️ I am sharing a few monochrome images of Snow ❄️ Snow ❄️ Snow ❄️.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stay Warm. Stay safe. Take Care of yourself. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Im not sure if all these are purely minimalistic or not, but these are what I have added recently in my photography journal. Most of these images are portraits I have recently taken of my newest granddaughter, Sophia Ruthann. In part of them I am holding her while taking her photo with my iPhone.
Sophia Ruthann
Here is a one at Myrtle Beach …
Trisha (Coleman & Sophia’s mom) with Coleman & Sophia Ruthann
And now for a couple of non-family images …
Ring-Billed Gulls soaring over the Atlantic Ocean at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
![Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way in Black and White On Asphalt Roads or Paved Pathways [07.17.2026]](https://gfpacificbeeintrospection.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-1-1.jpg?w=489)
