Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Winter, Summer or Both. Lately our weather has been so cold and extremely windy that it feels like winter. Yesterday morning our low was down to 14°, which for me, extremely freezing weather with the wind chill making it feel even colder. Our lowest temperatures of the day are when I need to wait with Coleman at the school bus stop. His bus always runs late, so I am always chilled to the bone by the time I get back to the house.
Enough talk about our current “Wintry” weather conditions and let’s move on to showing you some images from last Winter.
Here are my contributions for this week …
Northern Mockingbird February 2025Footprints in the Snow 02/2025Snow/ice covered plants 02/2025Deer eyeing me December 2024Christmas Lights December 2024Coleman enjoying the Snow ❄️ 02/2025Would you go barefoot in the Snow/ice? January 2025Coleman entering Goat Island 12/2024Coleman by the South Fork Catawba River December 2024Nativity Scene with extra figurine (aka Coleman) 12/2024CFFC – Looking Back Upon Winter
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: You might want to take a look at this Friday’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) (another one of Cee’s challenges) to see the new ideas for the new theme of Any Which Way with a Holiday theme. — Part 2 which will go live on Friday 12/19 just past midnight EST.
Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Travel Hubs. Looking through my files I did not find many actual Travel Hubs, but just maybe what I did find might somewhat be along the lines even if they’re not actually hubs.
Here are my contributions …
Are Ports Hubs?
San Diego Ferry DockCruise Ships Ports and a Ferry Dock
Bus Stations …
Gastonia Bus Station Gastonia Bus StationCharlotte Greyhound Bus Station and local Gastonia Transit Station
Now how about let’s take a look at Trains. These aren’t actually Train Stations where you would board a train, but you could.
New Braunfels Train Museum (and yes they do offer train rides) New Braunfels, TexasNorth Carolina Transportation Museum Bob Julian Roundhouse & 100-foot Turntable Old Trains at the NC Transportation Museum Both of these Train/Transportation Museums offer Train Rides
And last but not least, let’s look at views of the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport Charlotte, North Carolina
Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Professional Offices. Looking through my files I did not find many professional offices that I had not already posted previously for other challenges. I did find a few though.
Here are my contributions …
The Enterprise Tower Abilene, TexasThe Department of Social Services facility Gastonia, NCGaston County Veterans Services NCGaston County Veterans Services NCThe Old Courthouse St. Louis, Missouri Taken 1985 by Nornal H. Waters (my dad)
This week Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Churches, a specific type of Cultural Venue. Here are my contributions …
Galilee Baptist Church 1011 Briarwood St Abilene TX 79603 The Galilee Baptist Church was built in 1963.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Gastonia, North Carolina, USASt. Joseph Catholic Church Former Heritage USA Church Forest Hill Church Fort Mill, SCThe Church of the Holy Spirit (German: Heiliggeistkirche) is the largest church in Heidelberg, Germany.First Baptist Church of Abilene Abilene, Texas Located Third Street near my maternal aunt’s home.First Baptist Church of CramertonChurch of Christ 5th and Grape St Abilene, TexasCramerton Independent Presbyterian Church 51 8th Ave, Cramerton, NC 28032, USAThe Westfield Presbyterian Church Westfield, New JerseyGrace Church San Diego Formerly Known as Scott Memorial Baptist Church 4637 Oregon Street San Diego, CA 92116The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest Abilene, TexasUnion church on Big Horse Creek, Ashe County, North Carolina. Trinity Baptist Church Abilene, TexasFirst Methodist Church Abilene, Texas South Side Baptist Church Abilene, Texas
Note: This Friday’s Which Way Challenge we will be continuing with Any Which Way in Black and White in memory of Cee and her Black and White Challenge (CBWC).
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan Antion our host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge has chosen a theme of Libraries and Bookstores for the challenge. I’m including Little Libraries as well as a few Libraries.
Here are my entries …
Castle Hearst Library Billy Graham Library Little Library Anne Springs Close Greenway Baxter Village Library Fort Mill, SC Baxter Village Library Fort Mill, SCHalloween Library Display Fort Mill, SCLittle Library Anne Springs Close GreenwayLittle Library at the South Fork Trail McAdenville, NCLittle Library Rankin Lake Park Gastonia, NCGaston County Library Gastonia, NCLibrary in the Schiele Museum Gastonia, NCThe Schiele Museum Early Explorers Gastonia, NCThe Schiele Museum Early Explorers Gastonia, NC
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.
Noteworthy News: This week’s Which Way Challenge on Friday, November 7th, we’ll be joining Dan Antionfrom No Facilities(https://noFacilities.com) and Marshafrom (https://alwayswrite.blog/), to post Black and White photos to remember Cee on her birthday. For the Which Way Challenge they can be Any Which Way in Black & White in memory of Cee’s Black and White Challenge (CBWC). It would be fantastic if you could include Bridges and/or Old Barns as Cee loved photographing them. If you desire include a thought or memory about Cee or your experiences with her challenges. You may also include flowers in your Which Way for this challenge.
Dan Antion our host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge has chosen a theme of Cultural Venues for the challenge.
Here are some of my intakes on Cultural Venues we have enjoyed at one time or another. Some venues are close by while others are further away, but all are in my opinion interesting Cultural Venues.
Here are my entries …
Let’s first take a look at some Cultural Venues in our surrounding area …
The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NC
The Daniel Stowe Conservancy Belmont, NC
Charlotte Symphony in the Comporium Amphitheater at Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SC
President James K. Polk Birthplace Visitor Center-Museum Pineville, NC
The Billy Graham Library Charlotte, NC
Now let’s wander a bit further out and a few other Cultural Venues of interest around the country.
Flat Top Manor Moses H. Cone Memorial Park Blowing Rock, North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway
New Braunfels Railroad Museum New Braunfels, Texas
Hall of Presidents Colorado Springs, Colorado It Once was a Wax Museum featuring Wax Figures of the Presidents of the United States. The Museum was opened in 1969 and closed in 1996
God Bless. Hope you enjoyed the tour. 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 week’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) will be focusing on Any Which Ways in Monochrome ( Monochrome doesn’t need to be strictly Black and White).
Open Food Market in Germany Bakery in San Francisco, CABirkholm’s Bakery & Cafe Solvang, CAJack’s Grocery Julian, CAAshe County Cheese West Jefferson, NCJim’s Produce Deep Gap, NCHarris Teeter Charlotte, NCColeman in Harris Teeter Gastonia, NCAunt Sophrona in front of Deep Gap Cash Store Deep Gap, NCMy Grandpa Harvey Watson & eldest son Marvin Watson Corner Store Coshocton, Ohio
Dan Antion our host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge has chosen a theme of Retail for the challenge. This week’s challenge is focusing on non-food related retail businesses. At first I wasn’t sure if I had any non-food related businesses, but luckily while searching through my archives I found a few from here, there, and yonder which I believe fit in with this retail focus.
Here are my entries …
Inside a Walmart Rock Hill, SCColeman inside Walmart Lake Wylie, SCOllie’s Bargain Outlet Gastonia, NCRainbow Paint & Wallpaper Co. Gastonia, NCLehman’s Kidron, OhioLehman’s Kidron, OhioAntiques & other Shops West Jefferson, NCHobby Barn West Jefferson, NCThe Cowboy Way Saddles & Tack Abilene, TXHarry’s Gift Shop Kaiserslautern, Germany Hallmark House Gifts – Toy Shoppe Port O’ Call, Los Angeles, CA Pearson Ford Corner of Fairmont & El Cajon San Diego, CA (My dad worked in the Parts Dept. Here)Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – Retail
Dan from No Facilities hosts Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge each week beginning on Mondays with a new theme each week. This week Dan is beginning a new series of challenges with “Places People Spend Time and/or Money.” This week the focus for CFFC is on Bars and Restaurants.
Here are my entries …
Inside dining in Cracker Barrel Rock Hill, SCCracker Barrel Gastonia, NCWhataburger Gastonia, NCSkillet Southern Bistro Restaurant Cramerton, NCEntryway to Floyd & Blackies Cramerton, NCInside Sign Floyd & Blackies Cramerton, NCSeating & Dining Area inside The Gateway Canteen Fort Mill, SCThe Catfish Corner Abilene, TxBamboo Room Restaurant Fairbanks, Alaska Señor Frog’s Restaurant Cozumel, Mexico Julian Pie Company Julian, California Julian Cafe & Bakery Julian, California Dining Room, called the Refectory Hearst Castle San Simeon, CACarnation Ice Cream San Diego, California Cee’s (Dan’s) Fun Foto Challenge
Dan from No Facilities hosts Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge each week beginning on Mondays with a new theme each week. Dan is doing an excellent job since taking over the challenge and is keeping it fresh and alive continuing Cee’s legacy. This week Dan has chosen the theme of Subjects Framed by Nature. He has given examples of doors, windows, bridges, and more that subjects can be used to be framed.
Here are my entries …
Lake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCLake Trail Crowders Mountain State Park Kings Mountain, NCSeven Oaks Nature Preserve Belmont, NCLake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCSeven Oaks Preserve Trail Belmont, NCRocky Branch Trail Cramerton, NCPrairie Trail Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCGreen Trail Warlick Family YMCA Gastonia, NC
Nighttime is not a time when I venture out anywhere, my vision no longer allows me to see clearly to drive or walk any distance. Hence, I ventured back through time in my archives to a time when I was out at night (after dark).
The images I have chosen are from one extremely weary day back in January of 2019. It was a sad and weary time for traveling. These were taken at the Mississippi Welcome Center where my daughter and I stopped to rest and stretch our legs before heading back home from our trip to Plano, Texas.
Mississippi Welcome Sign
Mississippi River Bridge We crossed from Louisiana into Mississippi
Civil War Canon and Confederate Flag at the Mississippi Welcome Center (2019)
The selections I chose were all taken at a recent town concert from early evening to mid-evening in Cramerton, North Carolina. The Town held a Back to School Kids Show and Concert. I discussed the Kids Show in my Six Word Saturday post you can check out by clicking here.For this CFFC post I’m mainly sharing scenes from the Evening’s Concert featuring the Caleb Davis Band.
Pre-Concert Centennial CenterKAOS Kids Appearing on Stage Kazoobie Kids Show Middle School Honourees Cramerton Mayor Honours Middle Schoolers Cramerton Mayor Honours Middle SchoolersCaleb Davis BandCaleb Davis BandCaleb Davis BandColeman with Neighbours Cramerton Concert 6pm —
The Caleb Davis with the Caleb Davis Band has an impressive musical background and training. According to his Facebook profile Caleb plays a wide range of musical genres and toured as a sideman with numerous Country, Gospel, and R&B acts. Around 2009 he formed the Caleb Davis Band with his long-time friend Justin Morehead. They have been working to form their own signature sound and groove.
Coleman and I only managed to stay for the beginning portion of the Concert featuring the Caleb Davis Band. Even though their background information states that they play a wide range of genres, the music we heard the band playing lean more towards the heavy metal genre style of music. That style of music is definitely not what I consider my favourite genre of music. It was so loud and blaring Coleman was covering his ears, it was extremely difficult to listen. After leaving the concert, the volume was so loud we could still hear it from our house several blocks away. Their musical style may be fine for some who like that type of music, however, we will not be listening to it again.
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. Enjoy the rest of your week. Hope to see y’all on Friday with the Which Way Challenge (CWWC). We will be discovering Which ways on a cloudy or stormy day for this Friday’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC). Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Let’s start off today by admiring our Sunday Afternoon Weekend Sky …
It was wonderful to enjoy an amazing afternoon with beautiful Skies after so many rainy days and with more rain expected.
Now on to capturing Coleman’s many antics and expressions as he meanders here and there through Goat Island Park and Greenway.
Coleman’s Meandering in Goat Island Park and Greenway
There is more to share of our adventurous Sunny Sunday afternoon, however, I’ll wait for Friday’s Which Way Challenge to share them. This Friday I am allowing y’all to choose your own Which Ways you’d like to share with us.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL Filter attachments.
Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Get Outdoors and enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cruise Ships by the Dock Cozumel, Mexico Kayaks by Lake Haigler Turtles in the South Fork Catawba River Water Reflections in a Bird BathOn the Queen Maryalongside the Pacific Ocean World War I Army Camp Harvey M. Watson Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge
Dan Antion from No Facilities blog host’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. This week he is continuing with his Perspective Challenges. This week is from a perspective of Up Close. This week I am combining CFFC with the Numbers Game using the Theme of Up Close.
Here are my Up Close photos I’ve pulled together for this week’s challenges.
Brown Bear Riverbanks ZooRiverbanks Zoo & Aquarium Columbia, SCCrotalus unicolor Aruba Island RattlesnakeColeman 2021 Lake Wylie, SCGalápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger)Plains Zebra (Equus quagga)Sea Lion underwater ASCG HorseSea Lion underwaterPisgah Inn (me) Blue Ridge Parkway OctopusColeman visiting Greenway Horses 2021Koala Brachiosaurus at Carowinds ASCG HorseZinnia elegansAmerican beechZinnia peruvianaRocky Shoals Spider Lilies Landsford Canal State Park Feral Cat ZinniaColeman 2021Coleman 2025ASCG HorseEastern tiger swallowtailRudbeckia fulgidaColeman 2021Ebony jewelwing Calopteryx maculataLineberger ParkCarowinds
To play along, go to your photos file folder and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find that include that number and post a link to your blog in my Numbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title. This prompt will repeat each Monday with a new number. If you want to play along, please put a link to your blog in comments.
As I sat thinking about these two challenges, I began to ponder what I could use and what might be best to fit each of these challenges. Then it dawned on me, Dan from No Facilities has chosen a theme of Things Made of Woodfor Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and Dale who hosts theThe Cosmic Photo Challenge has selected a prompt of Bridges, both of these challenges might actually work out well combined together into one post.
Now you are thinking how might that be possible? Well, let me explain myself to you. There are many Bridges which are constructed out of wood, especially Bridges engineered to make it easier to cross creeks, streams, rivers, and or lakes. Many Wooden Bridges are built strategically in much needed areas throughout campgrounds, greenways, and hiking trails.
Coleman and I go hiking together every week and sometimes several times throughout the week. We do encounter Wooden Bridges along the trails we hike almost everywhere we venture to hike in the Woods. Hey, I just thought of something when I wrote that last statement … Trees are Made of Wood and when we cross Bridges Made of Wood we are surrounded by Trees.
Enough jibber-jabbering around, here’s my contribution for #CFFC and #CosPhoChal.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55/250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Location: Rocky Branch Trail; Cramerton & Belmont, 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.
You might want to see what’s up next on the Which Way homepage. Looking forward to seeing y’all’s Which Ways come Friday.
Good Day! We are in the beginning of June already. Where has the time gone? We are almost half way through 2025, and before ya know it another year will have passed.
Dan from No Facilities has chosen the theme of Things Made of Metal.As suggested I searched through my archives to find possible photos that would fit with this week’s theme.
Here are my contribution entries …
Flag Poles In Cramerton, NCNC Transportation Museum NC Transportation Museum The Schiele Museum of Natural History The Schiele Museum of Natural HistoryThe Schiele Museum of Natural HistoryThe Schiele Museum of Natural HistoryThe Schiele Museum of Natural HistoryRailroad Trestle Catawba River Trailhead Kershaw CemeteryAnne Springs Close Greenway Anne Springs Close GreenwayUSS North Carolina Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SCGardner Park Gastonia, NCVought OS2U Kingfisher USS North CarolinaCatawba Reservation Indigenous Land, York County, SCGardner Park Elementary Playground Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge
Be sure to check out the Which Way (CFFC) Challenge – CWWC: Any Which Way with people on Friday. I’m looking forward to seeing y’all’s Which Ways with People.
Plastic is rampant throughout the world. It is used in everything from tarps, bottles, food containers, to our automobiles, to our clothing, to makeup, and even in gum.
Alas, we are not here to discuss the various types of plastic, their uses, or whether or not the use of plastics are advantageous or disadvantageous.
In this post I am simply going to show you some of the many examples of Children’s entertainment (aka toys) which use plastic in their manufacturing and packaging of children’s toys.
Here are my entries …
Lego Duplo Blocks Schiele Museum Thomas Train set Schiele Museum Hot Wheels Monster Truck Loop SetHot Wheels Monster Truck & Car Loop setTytan Tiles Magnetic Toy Tiles Tytan Tiles Magnetic Toy TilesVintage Little Tikes Waffle Blocks w/RoadColeman with his Little Tikes Construction Vehicles Coleman playing in his Little Tike Turtle with Sand & Construction trucks Coleman playing in his Little Tike Turtle with Water toys
To join in the Fun Foto Challenge click on the link below for further information & details about participating.
Locations: In Gastonia and Cramerton, Gaston County, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Looking forward to y’all joining in the Which Way Challenge on Friday (your choice). Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Thank you Dan for keeping Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge alive, challenging, and inspiring. This week Dan is continuing with the Transportation theme. This week’s theme focus is on Bridges and Ferries.
I have so many photos of Bridges and Railroad Trestle Bridges that I could fill multiple posts with multiple images of Bridges. Instead of doing that, I have decided to make my entry selections of Bridges and Ferriesfrom what I have within my archive files.
First off, I am selecting Bridges and a Ferry from our trip to San Francisco a long, long time ago (back in 1979). I do not exactly remember if this trip was strictly a family trip or one taken with my church youth group. I do remember that our church group visited and performed a Christian musical at a few churches up in the San Francisco and San Jose area some year.
On this trip we took the Harbor Emperor Ferry sightseeing around the San Francisco Bay Area viewing the Bridges, the infamous Alcatraz Island, and simply experiencing a wonderful time together as a family.
San Francisco Bridges & Ferry:
Next and lastly, I am travelling further back in time to the 1960’s. My family moved back to San Diego in 1958 shortly before I turned two (2) years old. During the 1960’s the only way to travel from San Diego to Coronado was by Ferry. The Ferries transported passengers and vehicles to and from San Diego and Coronado. They were they only source of transportation to visit the Hotel del Coronado, the Coronado Beach, the military installations including the Naval Amphibious Base (NAB), and the Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island.
The Construction of the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge began between 1967-1969. The Bridge was dedicated on August 2, 1969, with Governor Ronald Reagan providing the dedication address.
I remember travelling on the San Diego Ferries crossing over to Coronado to walk along the Beach with a group of friends. I remember riding the San Diego Ferry with my parents (my dad driving our car onto the Ferry). I remember riding the San Diego Ferry during its last days of operation in 1969 after the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge was completed. [Side Note: I have a certificate and poster verifying I rode the ferry on its last day somewhere in storage.]
Ferry service began once again in April of 1986. The current Ferry service is operated by Flagship Cruises & Events. They currently have two ferries in use, the Silvergate and Cabrillo.
Be sure to check out this week’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way with Shadows coming up on Friday (posting just after midnight Early Friday morning).
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
For this post I am combining Dan’s CFFC-Air Travelwith Judy’s Numbers Game #69-190. While searching through my photos and archives to find which selections I might like to choose, there’s so many from years back to present it is difficult to limit my choices. Therefore, I decided to combine the two challenges to show y’all some of what I’ve seen in the manner of Air Travel through the years.
Judy with Life Lessonsgives us the option of picking a word or words instead of numbers, so that is exactly what I have chosen to do. Dan with No Facilities hosts CFFC(Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge) with themes focusing on Transportation. This week’s CFFCtheme is focusing on Air Travel . Therefore, my focus for the combined challenges is on Air Travel through the Years.
Let’s begin our Air Travel way back in 1976 … for an amazing Air show by the Thunderbirds.
Thunderbirds Air Show Randolph Air Force Base 1976
Moving onto 1984 … we pay a visit to the San Diego Air & Space Museum when my dad took my eldest son to the museum in Balboa Park in San Diego, California.
Nornal H. Waters (my dad) and his grandson, John 1984
From San Diego, we travel to Tucson, Arizonato the Pima Air & Space Museum. This is one of the many stops my parents took on a cross country road trip in 1985. My dad loved anything to do with automobiles, trains, and airplanes.
Pima Air & Space Museum Tucson, Arizona 1985
We progress to 1987 with a visit to March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California. This was an outing my husband and I enjoyed with our son for him to see the many military Airplanes the museum had on display.
Terry Leon Wilson, and our son John 1987
Flying way up high in the sky; Up, Up, and Away in Hot Air Balloons we watch the many Hot Air Balloons at the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2002.
Hot Air Balloons International Balloon Fiesta Albuquerque, New Mexico
Transporting ourselves from one coast to another and through the years we arrive in 2011 at MMS Aviation in Coshocton, Ohio. MMS Aviation is a Christian organization whose mission is to prepare people and airplanes for worldwide missionary service. Friends of ours told my daughter and I about a museum they have we could visit and view the different aircrafts used by missionaries.
MMS Aviation Coshocton, Ohio 2011
Jumping or rather soaring into a new decade to 2023, my daughter, grandson (Coleman) and I stop at the local Gastonia Municipal Airport. Coleman was excited and overwhelmed to be able to see the Airplanes up close. We went into the office to make sure it was okay for him to see the aircraft and were pleased to have one of the pilots give us a tour. She explained about the aircraft and even allowed Coleman to sit in one of the Airplanes.
Gastonia Municipal Airport Gastonia, North Carolina 2023
There are many others I could have selected, however, I think these give a nice variety to Air Travel through the Years.
God Bless. Stop on by Friday for the next Which Way Challenge (CWWC) which will be featuring Any Unpaved Roads or Pathways. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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.
Dan is hosting the CFFC and graciously took it over when Cee was no longer feeling the strength to continue. He has posted a wonderful tribute honoring Cee’s memory. Feel free to read it on Dan’s CFFC’s blog here.
Cars and trucks come in all different shapes. Sizes, and colors. They range from toy cars and trucks to 18-Wheelers. They can be found in museums. On and off the road and sometimes on the back of a tow truck.
Evans Shell NC Transportation Museum BCS & Coleman’s Garbage TrucksJ.B. Hunt Now Hiring on the back door of a J.B. Hunt TruckParked 18-Wheeler TruckTow Truck Hauling 2 Cars & a Chevrolet El CaminoA Paw Patrol Truck, a VW Bus, and a Little Tikes Front LoaderColeman moving sand with the front loaderColeman and his trucksColeman investigating an old Chevrolet Truck
To help keep Cee’s Challenges alive including Cee’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) check out what’s happening on the CWWC homepage here. This Friday’s CWWC theme is: Any which way with in black and white.
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Have some Fun and enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
I have dug through my archives to see what I might be able to use for this week’s challenge. Hopefully those will work well for the Signs and Navigation Aids theme.
Navigating the Lines outside the Library:
Follow the lines with Coleman
Paying Attention to Trail Signs:
Go this way … You’re on Haigler LoopGreen Trail – Go Right; Yellow Trail – Proceed Left
Following the Road Arrows in Germany:
Turn Left — Watch Out for Oncoming Traffic Do I Ho Straight or Turn Left or Right? Be Careful of Pedestrians.From my Dad’s slides – 1979
Dan from No Facilities is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and starting last week with the themes focusing on food. I rarely photograph food, however, I did manage to locate a few in my archives. I think they will fit the challenge perfectly.
The photos of food I found for this week’s CFFC–Suggesting Lunch and/or Dinner(Supper)are all of food that was served and deliciously devoured on a cruise to Costa de Maya/Cozumel, Mexico I took back in February of 2020 except for the wrap.
Apple iPhone XR in 2019Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max February 2020
The Lunch and Dinner/Supper food selections which were served were scrumptious, delectable and full of delicious flavors. I was not accustomed to all the delicious delicacies that were served, however, I did find the flavors enticing and pleasantly satisfying.
Normally, I do not eat full complete meals three times a day. The flavorful food on board the cruise ship was too appealing and appetizing to pass up. Never in my life had I ate so much extravagant flavorful food in just five short days and might or might not again one day.
Cameras: 1) Apple iPhone XR; 2-7) Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
Location: Enchantment of the Seas; Caribbean Cruise Ship; Gulf of Mexico (now called Gulf of America).
God Bless. Thanks Dan for hosting CFFC and continuing Cee’s challenge. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan from No Facilities is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and starting last week (which I apparently missed) his themes are focusing on food. I rarely photograph food, however, I did manage to locate a few in my archives. I think they will fit the challenge perfectly.
Pancakes Double-Yoked Fried EggsBreakfast Sandwich Open-faced Scrambled Eggs with Cheese on English Muffins French Toast Topped with an Egg Omelette Pancakes Topped with Strawberries
Dan Antion with No Facilities blog is the host for CFFC. Dan has chosen a theme this week of Blue and ? with Blue being the dominant Color in the image.
Here are my entries for Dan’s CFFC challenge this week.
Coleman wearing Blue hiking on Blue Star TrailDSBG Eastern Bluebird TrailBlue Sky and post for the Railroad Tree limbs encased with Blue Sky background Siberian Husky in Dog Park with Blue bench in background Blue Goat Island Park & Greenway benchBlue Water in South Fork Catawba River at Riverside Park and Greenway Coleman’s Blue bowl & spoon with his Lactose free ice cream with sprinkles Cloudy Blue Skies
These were taken back in February of 2023 when Coleman and I convinced my daughter and granddaughter to Tag-along on one of our hiking adventures. For this hike, we chose to visit the Baxter Village Trail which begins near the Library in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Hiking along on the trail we encounter plenty of Brown and a bit of Black as well as some other colours.
The Baxter Village Trail is a part of the Carolina Thread Trail network of trails within North and South Carolina. It is also a part of a 9-mile network of trails within the Baxter Village Community. This particular trail is a 3.3-mile segment of the Thread Trail trail is moderately hilly and features several streams along its length.
Baxter Trail Map
The trail consisted of natural surfaces, boardwalks, and some pavement. The rating for the trail is moderate, but for Coleman and I it was rather easy. As you can see we wound through a forest of trees and through tunnel and for my grandchildren over the tunnel as well.
To take a look at other Which Ways from this past week check out the links below:
Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S15-55mm lens.
Location: Baxter Village Trail; Baxter Village Community; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderfully fabulous rest of your week. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan from no facilities has chosen a them of Nursery Rhyme for this week’s CFFC Challenge. There are many variation, but that’s not too important. Look at the rhyme as written and use any or all of the bold words as prompts. If the words are numbers, use them the way you used them earlier. Otherwise, use the words themselves. This should give you lots of opportunities to choose a photo. New or archive photos are acceptable.
Let’s roam around and embrace numbers in life and in nature. As many of you might know my grandson, Coleman and I enjoy hiking together out amongst the trees, along Greenways, and within our state and local parks. This first image is of a group of about eleven painted rocks some of which display a message which the painter wishes to convey. Others are just for the fun and beauty to hopefully bring you joy and a smile.
“Embrace life with a smile.” Author unknown
“Life is a journey, not a destination.”(Author unknown). As we continue embracing life and nature, shall we stop and enjoy the beauty of five flowers along the pathway.
“Where flowers bloom so does hope.” — Lady Bird Johnson
As the flowers bloom and remind us there is hope for the world and life needs to be embraced wherever and whenever possible.
Embracing the living creatures two by two different yet enjoying the same space and time. Embrace the NumbersTwo Horses sharing the pasture with Two Canada Geese at Anne Springs Close Greenway.,
“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.” — Stephen R. Covey
Whether one is out in nature or in a classroom, there is unity in numbers. Children learn the importance of Embracing Togetherness. They can learn that even though we are different, we are all the same, united for a purpose.
Nine Students and a teacher all wearing green and embracing togetherness in the classroom.
“The unlike is joined together, and from differences results the most beautiful harmony.” — Heraclitus
Leaving the indoor classroom for the classroom in nature, we can learn to embrace the beauty, the elegance, the love one for another, and the strength and power in unity and in numbers.
We can enjoy the beauty and elegance in every flamingo. We can admire their stance and embrace their uniqueness as we observe Five Flamingos and their reflections.
“Embrace the elegance of a flamingo, and let it inspire your life.” — Unknown
Each friendship is as unique and beautiful as a flamingo.”- Unknown. Every creature whether human or animal is unique and beautiful in their own way. Every family has its own uniqueness. They may have the same numbers as other families or may not. They maybe similar, but still different in their own special way. No two families are exactly alike, that’s why we should embrace our own families with love and respect.
We see and observe various “families” in nature, like this family of Seven Canada Geese sticking together yet apart at Andrew Jackson State Park.
We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another. — Luciano De Crescenzo
Let’s keep on moving and striving for unity for there is power in numbers. Turtles gather together in numbers sunning on logs and enjoying time swimming together in a river. Fourteen Turtles embracing the warmth of the sun and being together in the South Fork Catawba River by South Fork River Park in Northern section of Gastonia, North Carolina.
“There is power in unity, and there is power in numbers.” From Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech “Keep on Moving.”
Now for each of y’all to embrace the challenge and show us how you Embrace the Numbers.
God Bless. Embrace Life. Embrace One Another. Embrace Togetherness. Embrace the Numbers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
For this week’s challenge by Dan’s CFFCI decided to search through my archives to see what I could select for his challenge of Wide and Narrow. I believe these from my time in San Diego will work nicely.
El Cortez
The El Cortez was built from 1926-1927. At the time it was built, it was the tallest building in San Diego. It is located on top of a hill at the north end of San Diego.
When it first opened in 1927 and on through the 1950’s it was a renowned apartment-hotel. The large “El Cortez” sign (which is illuminated at night) was added in 1937 and could be seen for miles.
When I was in high school, several groups like the Kiwanis Club of San Diego would hold luncheons with guest speakers at the El Cortez. My American Government teacher allowed a few students during various weeks to attend the Kiwanis luncheon. He had one requirement for those who attended, that was to give a report regarding the speaker messages to the class the next class session. I was fortunate enough to have been given the privilege of attending of the Kiwanis Club luncheons at the El Cortez Hotel.
View of San Diego High-rises from across San Diego Bay. The Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel is one of several High-Rises located near Seaport Village.
The Manchester Grand Hyatt consists of two towers, the 40-story Harbor Tower built in 1992 and the 33-story Seaport Tower which was added in 2003. The taller of the two towers stands as the highest waterfront building on the West Coast. It has 40 floors and 1,628 rooms. It is also considered the largest hotel in Southern California.
This post was originally drafted before Cee went into the hospital and was unable to continue with the challenge. I know I already submitted one post for this challenge, but since I found this post in my drafts I decided to go ahead and post this as a second CFFC post for this challenge.
Fairly modern is relative to one’s own personal experience or opinion of what they consider modern. Modern can be often used as referring to the 19th century. It could also refer to a contemporary and up-to-date home having the latest technological innovations. A modern home exudes a lived-in warmth; using natural materials such as wood, leather and/or stone in functional, minimalist designs and shapes.
Having said all that, bear in mind these are my personal thoughts on what I consider a modern home or apartment to be. They are also all places I have regarded as home at one time or another.
Apartment Complex in Gastonia, North Carolina
Tent Home
A tent home can be a modern home, especially if it your choice to live in whether for a weekend, a week, or even months as I have done from time to time.
A Duplex Home in Abilene, Texas
Double-wide Manufactured Home Lancaster, South Carolina
This week Cee is chosen to post a theme of diagonal line(s) for her Fun Foto Challenge. I went searching through my photos to see what diagonal lines I could find. Below are the diagonal line(s) I managed to select from my fotos.
As you might have noticed, I selected various different versions of diagonal line(s) for you to observe. From diagonals on a fire engine to power towers, to an airplane at a diagonal angle inline with a diagonal wire and even diagonal shadows. What interesting diagonal line(s) will you decide to share with all of us? Be sure to link your posts to Cee’s blog here.
Columns and Vertical Line(s) can be found all around us if we only stop at observe the world wherever we may be.
You may find them near Ports of Call, in diners/restaurants, in the mountains, or in your neighbourhood. I chose to display my choices in monochrome to contrast the lines instead of the scenery.
Cameras: 1-5) Minolta XG-7 35 mm; 6)iPhone 14 Pro Max
Locations: 1-3) Ports of Call, San Pedro, California; 4) The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California; 5) Sequoia National Park, Tulare County, California; 6) Gastonia, North Carolina
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
For Cee’s CFFC this week I have dug Theo my archives and chose what I hope y’all will enjoy. Sorry, I don’t have any alleys, but I do have Driveways, Parking Lots, and as always Dirt Roads.
Driveways
Driveway of Gastonia Fire Station #4 Gastonia, North Carolina Driveway of Waters home S. Meadowbrook Drive San Diego, California
Parking Lots
Parking Lot Rankin Lake Park Gastonia, North CarolinaParking Lot Charlotte Douglas International Airport Charlotte, North CarolinaParking Lot Consolidated Aircraft Corporation San Diego, California
Dirt Roads
Persimmon Trail Carolina Thread Trail Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Belmont, North Carolina Dirt “Road” Persimmon Trail Carolina Thread Trail Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Belmont, North Carolina
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.
Stage Coach Ride at Knotts Berry Farm Buena Park, California Circa May 1966
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.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Borrego Springs, California
We join friends from our church family at Anza-Borrego Desert StatePark 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.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Borrego Springs, California
Moving Forward remembering the past by Reconstructing old slides renewing the photos for future generations.
For Cee’s CFFC challenge this week for Indoor Seating I chose a selection to honor the mom’s in my life [My mom, My Maternal Grandmother, My Grand Aunt (my maternal grandfather’s sister).] I also selected a couple which are the reasons I’m a Mom and Grandma. This is also my post for XingfuMama’sPull Up a Seat Challenge.
December 1958 Family Portrait Mid-1970’s Me, My Grandma, & My Mom in San Diego February 1985 Grand Aunt Sophie, My son John, & Myself August 1989 2 Reasons I’m a Mom — John & David2004 Doyce Eileen Waters (my mom)2007 My mom in TexasMay 2010 Family Portrait 2017 Alona, Trisha, & Myself
Cee’s Fun Foto Challengewas is a weekly themed challenge where Cee asks everyone to search through their photos and post photos they feel meet the criteria of the week’s current theme. This week Cee is challenging everyone to post photos of Locks, Keys, Knobs, and Handles.
My interpretation of this week’s challenge I know is different from what you might expect, but then again it is my insight for this challenge regarding Locks, Keys, Knobs, and Handles where I am focusing on Locks.
The Upper Lifting Locks Landsford Canal State Park
The land along the Catawba River, now apart of Landsford Canal State Park, played a vital integral role in the lives of the surrounding inhabitants for over a thousand years. It was used by the native people like the Catawba as a ford to cross the river, a long long time prior to Tomas Land acquiring the land in 1754.
The Ford’s importance as a river crossing was extremely significant during the American Revolution when it was used as a staging ground by Patriot general Thomas Sumter before the battle of Hanging Rock. The British Army under Lord Charles Cornwallis also used the ford as they withdrew from Charlotte after the Battle of Kings Mountain.
The Guardlock. Landsford Canal State Park
After the War of 1812, the Port of Charleston lost its significant importance to the Port of New Orleans. In an attempt to revitalize the port, projects were undertaken around the state to improve the ability of moving freight to and from the port and within the State of South Carolina.
One of those projects included constructing a series of four canal. The Landsford Canal construction was the last and northern most in the canal system. It was built under the supervision of Scotsman Robert Leckie by both Irish Masons and the local enslaved population. The Canal ran approximately two (2) miles along the Catawba River at its most treacherous point.
The Canal required a total of four lifting locks and a dread lock for the thirty-two feet of descent along its length. It was completed in 1823, was twelve feet wide, ten feet deep, and two miles long. Five locks raised and lowered barges through the thirty-two-foot fall of the river. Three bridges crossed the canal, and six storm culverts carried streams underneath it.
Today, Landsford Canal is the last of the Catawba River Canals and still accessible as well as one of the last in the entire state. The remains of the Canal still visible are the earthen walls of its upper side, four lifting locks and a dread lock. None of the bridges still remain, but the stone foundations are still intact. Ruins of stone culverts and retaining walls still stand in their original locations. The Canal Trail runs along the ruins of the old canal. Hiking the 1.5 mile length you can see the diversion dam in the Catawba River, The dead Lock upstream that let water into the canal, and the Lifting Locks near the south entrance. Along the way you can also see the ruins of much of the stone work and retaining walls. Interpretive signage points out major points of interest.
In Early May hundreds of visitors flock to Landsford Canal State Park. The majority of them are more interested in seeing the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies. I have hiked the entire length of the nature trail and found the historical signage interesting and informative.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 