Thinking about the Coca-Cola 600 today as I work on my blog; I am remembering a time when I took my granddaughter, Alona to Carowinds. She was fascinated to see Dale Earnhardt’s #3 NASCAR race car on display in front of the then “Intimidator” hypercoaster(now called “Thunder Striker”).
Alona Dale Earnhardt’s #3 Race Car
The iconic “Intimidator” coaster ride at Carowinds opened with great fanfare in 2010. Carowinds had a long standing contract enabling them to license the name “Intimidator” through Dale Earnhardt Inc..
Alona “The Intimidator”
Carowinds “Intimidator” hypercoaster was renamed Thunder Striker after the licensing contract with Dale Earnhardt Inc. expired in December of 2023. The “Intimidator” carried its name for over a decade. The name “Intimidator” was the nickname for NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt.
The term beast is often referred to any non-human animal species, especially large four -footed mammals. However, the term Beast is determined upon by scientific and biblical interpretations. Biblically, the word “Beast” is referring to large, walking animals excluding humans, amphibians, and small animals. Beasts fall into several different categories including Mammals, Birds, Fish, Insects, Dinosaurs, and Giant Animals.
Birds, Fish, and insects aren’t normally thought of as beast by many people. Birds are descended from the theropod dinosaurs; some of which include the Tyrannosaurus Rex, and Velociraptor. People may think that Pterodactyls are dinosaurs, but they are actually an extinct clade (monophyletic group) of flying reptiles. In the Fish category, Sturgeons are sometimes referred to as “living dinosaurs” (even though they are not) due to their coexistence with dinosaurs and have a prehistoric appearance. Dinosaurs didn’t live in water like ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, mosasaurs which are not dinosaurs, but are prehistoric marine reptiles. In the Insect category, the wheel bug (Arilus cristatus) and the Aethiocarenus burmanicus are described as resembling dinosaurs. Some think the wheel bug may resemble a stegosaurus or a triceratops.
Here are some typical dinosaur replicas which have been on display at one time or another. Children especially are enthusiastically captivated by seeing dinosaurs (like my grandson, Coleman).
The term “Beast” can also be used to apply to a person or thing that is unpleasant, difficult, or powerful. It can refer to a person’s physical appearance or their behaviour such as annoying, cruel, or uncivilized. It can also refer to something that is unpleasant, and/or difficult.
I might think Coleman is being difficult and annoying at times, however, he is no beast.
Cameras: Apple iPhone XR, 11 Pro Max, 14 Pro Max, and Canon EOS Rebel T3i
Locations: The Discovery Center; Abilene, Texas; Carowinds; Charlotte, North Carolina; The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Discover Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
First up is a Water Fountain located at Glencairn Gardens. It was taken when I took my Aunt Irene there for a visit to see the spring flowers in May of 2019.
Fountain @ Glencairn Gardens Rock Hill, South Carolina
Next is a Coca Cola water Fountain located inside Carowinds taken back in August of 2018 when my granddaughter, Alona and I paid a visited.
Fountain ⛲️ @ Carowinds Charlotte, North Carolina
Then we see Coleman observing the water spraying out of the Fort Mill Dam. This was taken when we visited in May of 2021.
Fort Mill Dam Fort Mill, South Carolina
The last photo is I shot I captured of Coleman playing with the Water hose . I loved how the water was sprinkling up towards him. It was taken where we lived at the time in Clover, South Carolina in September of 2021.
Camp Snoopy is a Peanuts-themed area for children at several Cedar Fair amusement parks. Camp Snoopy was first introduced at Knott’s Berry Farm in 1983. This was the first amusement park with a section dedicated to children under 12 years old.
On March 20, 2018 Carowinds opened its gates to its youngest guests as the stars. Carowinds has transformed its kids’ area into the new Camp Snoopy.
Camp Snoopy has a variety of attractions. In addition to the kid-sized rides, there are shows featuring the characters from Peanuts, and the Camp Depot, where you can shop and dine.
Snoopy and my granddaughter, Alona
These photos were taken on August 1, 2018 when I took my granddaughter to Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina about a half hour from where we lived. This was the year Carowinds introduced the Pre-K pass. The Pre-K pass allows children between the ages of three to five to visit the park for free with an accompanying paid adult.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 