Category: Coleman hiking

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Time of Day_Afternoon

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: South Fork Catawba River; Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a hike/walk out in Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 SYD: August 15

Clare from Clare’s Cosmos invites everyone to join her in Sharing Your Desktop (SYD). Below are her suggestions for participating in the Share Your Desktop Challenge .

To do so, simply share the photo (not a screenshot) you have set as your wallpaper; Provide as little or as much detail as you wish; Use a pingback, or post a link here so I know you have joined in on the fun; Then finally, share the fun around.

I am sharing my Wallpaper from both my Laptop and my Smartphone. I enjoy looking at different images each month. Most of which revolve around Coleman (my grandson) and nature.

Here are my Desktop Wallpaper and Screensaver for my Laptop:

From My HP Laptop:

Desktop Background Wallpaper

Desktop Screensaver

*Coleman playing in*
*Goat Island Playground*

From My Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:

Focus

*Coleman at*
*New Hope Elementary*
*Open House*
*1st Grade*

Personal Focus

*Coleman*
*Goat Island Park*
*and Greenway*

Reading Focus

Hiking Focus

*Coleman Tree Climbing*
*Goat Island Park and Greenway*

Click on each image for enlarged viewing.

Clare’s Share Your Desktop-August

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.

God Bless. Having a Wonderful Week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Your Choice

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Any Which Way (Your Choice) for this week’s theme. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

Here are my Which Ways entries:

Coleman hiking on the Disc Golf Trail at Goat Island Park and Greenway.

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.

Brian from Bushboys World’s Shadows (show the way)

TGeriatrix from Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Which Way with shadows

Judy from Life Lessons’s For Deb’s Which Way Challenge with Shadows

Sandy from Out of My Write Mind’s Any Way Will Do Just Fine

Heidi from writestuff4u2c.com’s Shadows and/or silhouettes, Monochrome Madness #40 – Backlighting

Pepper from HeavensSunshine’s Deep Into a Tunnel

Dawn from The Day After’s Back Road Silhouette in BnW

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments .

Locations: Disc Golf Trail; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike/Walk. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with e. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 CFFC: August 11th — Time of Day_Afternoon

Dan from No Facilities is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. He is doing an amazing job guiding us with his theme prompts keeping this challenge alive. His theme for this week is Time of Day-Afternoon. I am combining this week’s challenge with Sunny Sunday, Weekend Sky, Judy’s Numbers Game #85-207, and Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #275.

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.

Sunny Sunday

Weekend Sky

Judy’s Numbers Game #85-207

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #275

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.

2025 LAPC/Sunday Stills: August —Tan, Beige, and/or peachy shades with Lines, Colors & Patterns

This week I am combining the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge with Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge .

As Coleman and I walked through the woods and around the newly renovated playground at Goat Island Park and Greenway, I noticed all the lines and patterns in the equipment along with all the shades of tan, beige, and every shade of light brown imaginable.

*Tan, Beige?, &*
*all sorts of*
*shades of light brown*

The slide on this playground was once green, and very much broken after Hurricane Helene. It took months and months of waiting for a new slide to arrive and installation to be complete. The months and months of waiting due to delays upon delays was difficult and disappointing for the children (you know how impatient children of all ages can be). It doesn’t matter whether you call the new slide tan or beige or whatever floats your boat, it only matters that the children once again have a slide to play on.

*Coleman*
*excited to be able*
*to slide down*
*the new slide.*

Looking carefully at the slide and playground equipment one may notice all the curvy lines all forming patterns in various aspects of the equipment.

***Coleman***
***having a grand time***
***with every single asset***
***within the***
***playground equipment***

Leaving the playground for a short walk we encounter more tan, beige, & light brown as well as some interesting lines and patterns.

***Coleman***
***hiking along the***
***Disc Golf Trail***

Can you see all the lines, patterns, and various shades of beige, tan, and light brown? This afternoon was a pleasant and delightful afternoon spent with Coleman and his exuberance.

Terri’s Sunday Stills: Monthly Colour Challenge -August_Tan, Beige, and/or peachy shades

Lens-Artists Challenge #359 – Tools of Photo Composition: Lines, Colors, and Patterns

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 wonderful week. Get Outside and enjoy the beauty in Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way with Shadows and/or silhouettes

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Any Which Way with Shadows and/or silhouettes for this week’s theme. Shadows can be on any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.

Here are my entries …

Coleman’s Shadows/Silhouettes

Taken at Goat Island Park and Greenway at the end of the Riverlink Greenway Trail located in Cramerton, North Carolina.

*Coleman’s arm*
*over his*
*Shadow/Silhouette*

Trees and their Leaves Shadows

Coleman hiking down
to the Spillway
amongst many Shadows

The above Shadows were captured at the Lake Haigler Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

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.

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Up And Down?

Brian from Bushboys World’s Lines (show the way)

Dawn from The Day After’s Way of the Fence Line

Pepper from HeavensSunshine’s A Straight and Crooked Path

Cameras: 1-2) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; 3-7) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Locations: As Stated Above

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy a hike/walk in Nature. Admire Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Brown in Nature

Look all around, there’s Brown everywhere you look out in nature. From the ground, to boardwalks, and even to the varying kinds of animals which roam around in the woods, in farms, and even in many greenways. Here are a few examples of Brown I have discovered.

Click on each image for enlarged views.

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Brown

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Explore Nature. Capture its Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 CosPhoChal: 28 July — Up, down, and sideways

Dale is challenging us this week because to post fotos that fit the theme of Up, down and sideways. My first three fit the squares aww c theme, but were not taken at the same time or location.

Glancing Down
into a Pond
at Disneyland
in 1965.

Looking Sideways
waiting to see
my granddaughter
come around
on her balloon
**in 2018**

Then I looked at Dale’s selections again and realized they were all shot at the same location, so I decided to choose an additional set of trios.

Looking Up
at the Sky
***through the Trees***

***Looking Down***
***at Coleman splashing***
***in the Spillway***

***Looking Sideways***
***at Coleman***
***on the ridge***

These last set of trios were all taken at Anne Springs Close Greenway during Coleman’s Birthday Adventures.

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge-Up, down and sideways

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Continuing Any which way with lines — Part Two

Hope y’all have had a fantastic week so far. It’s Friday already and time for another Which Way Challenge. This week we are continuing with the theme of (CWWC): Any which way with lines. This is the Second (2nd) week of the Which Way Challenge of Any Which Way with Lines. Remember your Which Ways should be clearly discernible. Signs are always welcome in your Which Way post. The photos can be ones you’ve taken recently or from your archives. Let’s all have fun!

Here are my Which Ways for this week’s challenge …

For enhanced/enlarged viewing click on each image.

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.

Dawn from The Day After’s Which Way With Lines: A Drive Through the Poplars

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Roads With Lines

Next week we will be looking at Which Ways with Any type of Shadows and/or silhouettes.

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EG-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL Filter attachments.

Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. 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.

2025 Monday Portrait: 28 July

Coleman

… Sixth Birthday Portrait at Anne Springs Close Greenway

Click on each image for enlarged viewing

Monday Portrait

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Coleman’s Special Day at the Greenway

Sixth Birthday Adventure

Coleman’s special day adventures began with a short hike through the🌲trees 🌲…

Next up on his special day adventures were a little bit of splash Funtime in the Greenway’s Spillway … but first he needed to cross the swinging bridge …

Now to see his Splashtime Funtime …

***Coleman’s Funtime*** 💦 **Splashing** 💦 ***in the Spillway***

The water level of the Greenway’s Spillway was really super low, however, that did not prevent Coleman from cooling off and having a Splashing good time on his Special Day Adventure.

Happy Sixth (6th) Birthday Coleman!

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday-2025.07.26

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Get Outdoors and Enjoy some Adventures. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any which way with lines

Hope y’all have had a fantastic week so far. It’s Friday already and time for another Which Way Challenge. This week we are looking at (CWWC): Any which way with lines. This Challenge of Any Which Way with Lines will run for two (2) weeks. Remember your Which Ways should be clearly discernible. Signs are always welcome in your Which Way post. The photos can be ones you’ve taken recently or from your archives. Let’s all have fun!

Here are my Which Ways for this week’s challenge …

Walking alongside the South Fork Catawba River we gaze over the river and notice the lines of the trench leading to the river and in the tree on the riverbank.

We progress further on our adventure by crossing the Goat Island Bridge which is filled with an abundance of horizontal and vertical lines.

*Coleman*
*standing on the*
*Goat Island Bridge*
*waiting for me*
*to catch up.*

As we move along the Disc Golf Trail the lines in the disc golf catcher can be readily seen. Looking up ahead is the fence line with both vertical and horizontal boards.

Moving on, time to permit a bit of playtime for Coleman. Notice the black lines formed by the playground equipment.

*Coleman on top*
*of a climbing apparatus*
*in the Goat Island Playground.*

The weather being hot and humid, we are reading to head towards home. Guess what? The sidewalk and parking lot are all filled with (yes, that’s right) lines.

For enhanced/enlarged viewing click on each image.

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.

Chava61 from This and That’s 2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Santa Monica, California

Brian from Bushboys World’s Tracks (on the beach)

Pepper from HeavensSunshine’s A Hike Through Sunshine and Shadows

Dawn from The Day After’s Which Way: Tracks

Dan from No Facilities’s What’s in a Name? — 1LinerWeds

Next week theme will be continuing CWWC: Any which way with lines. Be on the Lookout for Lines while you’re out and about.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Numbers Game #82-204

Judy from Life lessons hosts The Numbers Game . She has chosen the number 204 for this week’s #82” Numbers Game challenge. 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 repeats each Monday with a new number. If you want to play along, please put a link to your blog post here.

Here are my contributions to the album.

Judy’s Numbers Game #82-204

#SimplyRED22

Stupidity Hole ’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #356 – Quiet Hours

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

At the Foot of the Cross

Six Word Saturday (SWS)

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Telephoto Camera

Location: Westminster Park; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way (Your Choice)

Hope y’all have had a fantastic week so far. It’s Friday already and time for another Which Way Challenge. This week we are looking at (CWWC): Any Which Way (Your Choice) They can be any type of Road, Pathway or trail you travel as you take a walk/hike. Remember your Which Ways should be clearly discernible. Signs are always welcome in your Which Way post. The photos can be ones you’ve taken recently or from your archives. Let’s all have fun!

Here are my Which Ways for this week’s challenge … our trail as we hiked to visit the horses at the Greenway …

Hiking down the dirt and gravel pathway past the hay bales and the cows in the pasture we reach one of several horse stables … we visit with all the horses in the stables before turning back towards the parking area.

The trail pathway is long, we did not go all the way on the trail as the recent thunderstorms created significant puddles and muddy areas. Remember signs are always welcome like this Privately Owned Horses … Do Not Pet or Feed sign.

There are a few more stable areas along the hike back as well as practice riding and jumping corrals.

Next week theme will be CWWC: Any which way with lines. Be on the Lookout for Lines while you’re out and about.

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: On the Trails; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much

2025 Monochrome Monday(MM)/LAPC: 14 July

The Silence

of an

Afternoon Walk

On Sunday, Coleman and I took a detour on our walk home from church. We stopped by the local Goat Island Park and Greenway to get a short hike in and permit him to play for a little while before heading back home.

Instead of just using the main camera on my iPhone, I decided to use the fusion camera to do a bit of black and white photography.

*The Calmness of the*
*South Fork Catawba River*

On Early Sunday afternoons we experience the Silent peaceful serenity surrounding the River and Trails.

*Coleman*
*sensing silent reflections*
*in the*
*South Fork Catawba River*

While crossing the bridge over the river one can see the small white church we attended. All is calm and quiet as almost everyone has gone home.

Cramerton Independent

Presbyterian Church

*Silence surrounding*
*the White Church*

Weekly Prompts Color Challenge: Black & White

Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)-Any Dirt roads or dirt pathways or trails [Bonus if RED is included]

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #272

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion Camera

Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a pleasant and funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Dirt roads or dirt pathways or trails [Bonus if RED is included]

Hope y’all have had a fantastic week so far. It’s Friday already and time for another Which Way Challenge. This week we are looking at (CWWC): Any Dirt roads or dirt pathways or trails [Bonus if RED is included]. They can be any type of Dirt Road, Dirt Pathway or trail you travel as you take a walk/hike. Remember your Which Ways should be clearly discernible. Since the month is #SimplyRED for Becky’s Squares, I’ll be checking to see if y’all have any RED in your Which Ways. The photos can be ones you’ve taken recently or from your archives. Let’s all have fun!

Here are my Which Ways for this week’s challenge …

*Coleman wearing **RED** on the dirt trails.*
*Notice the **RED** on the Trail Signs.*

Coleman wearing a **RED**
*South Carolina Gamecocks shirt*
*while hiking on the*
*North Steele Creek Trail*

*Coleman running back and forth*
*on the Blue Star Swinging Bridge*
*wearing a **RED** Shirt*

***RED*** Jacket, ***RED*** backpack,
***RED*** on Trail Signs,
***RED*** Horse Blanket,
and a ***RED*** car at
***Anne Springs Close Greenway***

Quite a number of my collages have RED in Squares so I figure this counts as Double as also included in #SimplyRED-Becky’s Squares

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s The Russian Border

gwh photos2’s 2025 Which Way Challenge: Any type of signs – July 4, 2025

Dawn’s Which Way: With Signs

Becky’s Squares-#Simply RED

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Location: On the Trails; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Monochrome Madness (MM) #38 – Starting with an H

H’s in ASCG

H’s were not hard for me to locate for this week’s MM challenge. Why was it so easy? We just recently took Coleman to visit the Horses at Anne Springs Close Greenway. He loves to visit and spend time loving on the Horses.

H is for Horses, Horse Stables and Hay …

Naturally, where you find Horses you’re sure to find plenty of Hay and Hay bales when you visit the Greenway Stables.

H is for Hay and Hay Bales …

Round Hay Bales
at Anne Springs Close Greenway

Now for a visit to one of the other four entrances to the Greenway. What’s a visit to the Lake Haigler entrance without a hike down to gaze over Lake Haigler.

H is for Lake Haigler …

Lake Haigler
Anne Springs Close Greenway

However, to visit all of Lake Haigler you’ll need to go on a Hike on Haigler Loop.

**Haigler** Loop
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*

Sarah from Travel with Me’s Monochrome Madness -Starting with an H

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Cameras: 1-4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 5-8) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Greenway Stables Entrance and Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a terrific week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Silent (Almost) Cell Pic Sunday: 06.07

A Horse Lovin’ Kind of Day

Anne Springs Close Greenway

Coleman Visiting the Greenway Horses

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Silent Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Horse Stables Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike. Visit a Farm. Enjoy all of God’s Beautiful Creations. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 CosPhoChal — Take a Hike (Through the Woods)

Let’s go on a hike …

*Coleman*
*visiting the Helix*
*& new Bench area*

We can follow up the trails …

***Coleman Hiking***
**through the Woods**
**along the**
***South Fork Catawba River***

Telling stories telling tales … Let’s go see where artists … Learn to write …

***Coleman***
***Hiking to the***
**Big Sand Area**

Let’s go on a hike … Climbing up above the trees …

***Coleman***
***Climbing Up***
***a Tree***

Get a view of everything … Let’s go see where artists … Spend their time.

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge-Take a hike

Song Lyrics Credit: ©️Written by Adam Fink

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL & 6-Star filter attachments.

Location: Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take a Hike. Enjoy Nature. Admire the Beauty all around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way with Any type of Signs

Hope y’all have had a fantastic week so far. It’s Friday already and time for another Which Way Challenge. This week we are looking at Any Which Ways with Any Type of Sign(s). They can be street signs, trail signs, or any type of sign you see in your Which Ways as you meander around your pathway or roadway.

My Which Ways with Any Type of Sign(s) are mainly trail signs or signs seen from a trail.

Trail Signs at Goat Island Park and Greenway …

Trail Signs at Riverside Park and Greenway …

Trail Signs at Rocky Branch Trail …

Trail Signs at Carolina Thread Trail; Daniel Stowe Conservancy …

Signs on Side of Trail at Anne Springs Close Greenway …

For enhanced/enlarged viewing click on each image.

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.

Dawn’s Which Way: The March of the Spotted Lantern Fly

Dawn’s Which Way of the Deer

Geriatri’X’ Fotogallery’s SHEEPS AND GOATS

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOD Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

Location: As Stated Above

God Bless. Take a hike. Enjoy a stroll through nature’s beautiful pathways and parks. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 OWS: 29 June —Summer

Summer for me used to be about Church Camp, Family Vacation, Beach Volleyball, Waterskiing with friends, however, times change … Life changes with the times.

Now Summer is all about Coleman (actually all my days are with Coleman), hiking in the woods, attending Downtown Concerts, watching Coleman playing with water in his Turtle, running thru the sprays of water from a hose trying to keep cool 😎.

Summer …

Water 💦 Play

Fireworks

Hiking & Sand Funtime

***Coleman hiking***
***through the woods***
***to the Big Sand Area***
***for Sand Playtime***

Now on to y’all to show your Summer…

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Summer

Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL filter attachment

Locations: 1-2) Backyard; Riverside Community; 3-4) Centennial Center; 5-10) Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic Summer. Thankful you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Benches, Chairs, and Other seating — Coleman’s Choices (Part Two)

The Trailhead Store

Daniel Stowe Conservancy

Carolina Thread Trail

Continuing with Coleman’s Choices of Pulling Up a Seat at the Daniel Stowe Conservancy, we uncover a variety of seating arrangements Coleman selected to Pull Up a Seat.

Click on each image for enhanced enlarged viewing.

Stay tuned next week for the continuing saga of Coleman’s choices of Benches, Chairs, and Other seating Part Three.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 25

Jude’s Bench Challenge Anniversary

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments plus Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; The Center; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Floral Forage Plus Hives = Eastern Bumblebee

Rubus bifrons +

Bombus impatiens

Walking along the Pathway parallel to the Big Pond we spotted the Blackberry Flowers. Coleman notices them quicker than I do, he really likes it if they have ripe blackberries on the vines.

Getting a closer look we noticed the bee foraging the nectar from the flowers.

A little further down the pathway Coleman noticed some box-like structures through the grassy opening. As curious as he is he naturally wandered into the grassy opening to investigate the structures. After closer examination he informed me that they were Beehives.

*Aka Common Eastern Bumblebee*
+ *Blackberry Flowers*

After checking out the Beehives from a safe distance, we walked back towards The Trailhead Store hiking past the Himalayan Blackberry Flowers. Noticing more than just the flowers, I zoomed in to examine what was feasting on its nectar. Then I noticed not only the Common Eastern Bumblebee, but also the Cetonia aurata, which is called the rose chafer or the green rose chafer.

*Aka Common Eastern Bumblebee*
+ *Himalayan Blackberry Flowers*

Two for one foraging on the European Blackberry flowers. Think it’s nice that different species can share their delicacies.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Terri’s Sunday Stills-Paths and #Trails in the Great Outdoors

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.

Location: The Trailhead Store Pathway; The Village at Stowe; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Admire its beauty and intricacies. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Sunday Stills: B/W Pathways in the Great Outdoors

This week’s theme for Terri’s Sunday Stills Photography Challenge is Paths and #Trails in the Great Outdoors. This week’s theme is difficult except in deciding which photos to select for the challenge. Coleman and I go hiking along trails and pathways at least once a week, most times several days out of a week.

For this week’s challenge I have chosen to select images from our latest adventure hiking from The Trailhead Store in black and white.

***Coleman***
***hiking ahead of me***
***along the Pathway***
***around the Big Pond***

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Pathway around the Big Pond; From The Trailhead Store; The Village at Stowe; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any animal in your which way Viewed from Above (CFFC)

Good day! I trust everyone has had a wonderful week so far. Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have decided to combine the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) with the Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC).The theme is Any animal in your which way Viewed from Above (CFFC). Let’s see the amazing Which Ways y’all can come up with to display Animals in your Which Way as Seen (Viewed) from Above.,

As you are walking/hiking along throughout your day it is amazing all the many different animals you might encounter on your journey if only you look down occasionally. There are so many incredibly interesting animals that you could possibly find along your path that I have elected to run this theme for two weeks.

Here are my entries for this week’s combined CWWC/CFFC challenge.

We spotted this Northern Cardinal when we first departed from our home to begin our adventure …

We walked down the road towards Goat Island Park and Greenway where we started hiking along Riverlink Greenway. After hiking merely a short distance along the trail, Coleman spotted several Cricket frogs hopping and jumping. Their jumping style is unique due to the fact that they perform a series of jumps and “belly flops” as they move across the water or land (as we observed).

Further down the trail Coleman spotted this little creature, a nymph Threecornered alfalfa hopper. For Coleman he had get closer and look up on the fence railing to get a better view, while I zoomed in looking down upon the little green nymph.

Threecornered alfalfa hopper,
Spissistilus festinus

As we kept moving forward Coleman noticed this small Land Snail crawling across the trail …

Zonitoides arboreus
aka Quick Gloss Snail
a species of small
air-breathing land snail

On this hiking adventure we observed a wide variety of animals; small ones, medium sized ones, and a wee bit bigger ones. This next one seemed to have seen better days. As this Worm might be great as fishing bait on a previous day, he would not catch much with his lack of viability on this day.

*Southern Worm*
*Aporrectodea trapezoides*

There are plenty of more animals to see and observe out there and we will investigate more of them next week for part two of our Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any animal in your which way Viewed from Above (CFFC) Challenge.

For enhanced/enlarged viewing click on each image.

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.

Brian from bushboys world – Getting on the road (who knows which way)

Lisa from A Day In The Life – Which Way Traffic Everywhere

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery – traffic all over Europe

Dawn from The Day After – I-81 The Road I Love to Hate

Pepper from HeavensSunshine – The Road to Adventures in Maui

Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any animal in your which way (Part One)-Viewed from Above

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge-Viewed from Above (CFFC)

Debbie’s One Word Sunday Part Two-Looking Down

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max & Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

Location: Riverlink Greenway Trail; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Thursday Doors: 19 June

The Trailhead Store

Daniel Stowe Conservancy

The Trailhead Store in The Village at Stowe is a cozy coffee shop nestled amidst the beautiful nature which is preserved through the Daniel Stowe Conservancy. The Trailhead Store specializes in brewing Jade and Elise Coffee. [I am not a coffee drinker so I cannot personally comment on the quality of those particular types of coffees, however, the coffee served here is highly recommended by many guests who have visited.]

*The Trailhead Store*
*Facing the Parking Lot*

The Trailhead Store serves more than merely coffee. It offers a delightful array of refreshments, snacks, and provisions on top of coffee to fuel your outdoor escapades. It offers a wide assortment of fresh to-go meals, including sandwiches, wraps, salads, parfaits, vegan options and desserts, ensuring you stay energized throughout your outdoor activities.

Guests may quench their thirst on their varied selections of coffee, tea, beer, and wine to delight your palate and enjoyment for both on-site and your to-go adventures.

*Coleman*
*at the*
*Main Door*
to
*The Trailhead Store*

The Trailhead Store offers a wide variety of seating options both in the screened-in patio and outside spread across the vast lawn where you may enjoy beautiful vulgar nature.

Whether you’re stopping by for a quick coffee run, a bite to eat, or just wanting a place to relax in a tranquil environment to study, read, write, or simply enjoy the beautiful outdoors surrounding the Store; it is a fantastic to place to stop by for a visit and even stay for awhile. Highly recommend stopping in and treating yourself, or someone else to some of their delectable food and beverages.

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.

Location: The Trailhead Store; The Village at Stowe; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Take time to get out and enjoy nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 FOWC: Rock

2 Cairns, 2 Towns, 1 Trail

The Rocky Branch Park Trail was developed by an enhancement project in partnership with the non-profit trail advocates the Tarheel Trailblazers, the City of Belmont and Town of Cramerton. [2 Towns]. The project transformed a public open space in the City of Belmont into an urban trail system for mountain biking enthusiasts, runners, hikers, and walkers that extends into the Town of Cramerton.

The progressive trail system created beginner, intermediate and advanced trail features, fun for a diverse range of interest and skill levels. The park now features three entrances, two feature trail heads marked by a 6-foot cairn. [2 Cairns].

The first is located in Belmont, NC on Sacco St just one mile from Main Street shops and restaurants and 12 miles west of uptown Charlotte. The second is in Cramerton, NC on Eagle Rd just one mile from Center Street and its shops and restaurants.

Coleman and I begin our hikes at the lower Cramerton entrance, hike to the Cramerton Trailhead with one of the Cairns and then proceed to hike The Rocky Branch Trail. Naturally, Coleman finds the need to climb the Cairn before we continue our hike.

Hopefully you have guessed what a Cairn is, but if not let me explain. A Cairn is a human-made pile (or stack) of stones. The purpose for the pile of stones (rocks) as a marker (in this case) or burial mound. Cairns have been used for centuries as trail markers, especially in mountainous regions or across challenging terrain.

The Rocky Branch Trail [1 Trail] connects the city of Belmont and the Town of Cramerton, weaving through forests and offering over 4 miles of mountain bike trails for cyclists of all experience levels.

Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC)-Rock

Terri’s Sunday Stills: Paths and #Trails in the Great Outdoors

Cameras: 1, 4-5, 8-9) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; 2-3, 6-7, 10) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Rocky Branch Trail; Belmont/Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike/Walk. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 One Word Sunday (OWS) : Looking Down

Last week Debbie had us Looking Up, it was fun to see everyone’s take on Looking Up. This week’s theme is Looking Down. There are many different and interesting things available to see all around us if we only Look and observe what’s all around us.

Coleman and I paid a visit to the expanded and upgraded Daniel Stowe Conservancy, formerly known as The Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. Looking all around the trails surrounding The Trailhead Store at the Conservancy there were some interesting views which we Looked Down upon.

…. Such as the Pond down and slightly to the right of The Trailhead Store.

*Looking Down upon the*
*Reflections in the Pond*

…. Or this little Pond with a waterfall surrounded by rocks a short distance away from the Dog Park.

***Coleman looking down over the Pond***

Moving along further down the trail we spot an interesting painting on the pathway with a Trail crossing sign nearby.

*Looking Down upon*
*the painted pathway*
*before crossing the road.*

And lastly for today, I’m Looking Down upon Coleman looking down at something on a bench.

*Coleman Looking Down on the Bench* while I’m Looking Down the small incline at him.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Looking Down

Cameras: 1 & 5-6) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; 2-4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: The Trailhead Store; Carolina Thread Trail; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Discover Nature’s amazing beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 SYD: June 15

Clare from Clare’s Cosmos invites everyone to join her in Sharing Your Desktop (SYD). Below are her suggestions for participating in the Share Your Desktop Challenge .

To do so, simply share the photo (not a screenshot) you have set as your wallpaper; Provide as little or as much detail as you wish; Use a pingback, or post a link here so I know you have joined in on the fun; Then finally, share the fun around.

I am sharing my Wallpaper from both my Laptop and my Smartphone. I enjoy looking at different images each month. Most of which revolve around Coleman (my grandson) and nature.

Here are my Desktop Wallpaper and Screensaver for my Laptop:

From My HP Laptop:

Desktop Background Wallpaper

*Coleman looking over the Pond*
*by The Trailhead Store*
*at Daniel Stowe* Conservancy

Desktop Screensaver

Color Pop of Coleman
sitting on a Fence Post
on The Carolina Thread Trail
by The Trailhead Store
at Daniel Stowe Conservancy

From My Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:

Focus

*Coleman*
*sitting on a Cairn*
*at Rocky Branch Trailhead*

Personal Focus

*Coleman*
*sitting on a Bench*
*inside a Gazebo*
*by The Trailhead Store*
*at Daniel Stowe Conservancy*

Reading Focus

Coleman
sitting on a Fence Post
on The Carolina Thread Trail
by The Trailhead Store
at Daniel Stowe Conservancy

Hiking Focus

*Coleman*
*by a*
*Do Not Enter*
*Trail Post*
*on the*
*Rocky Branch Trail*

Click on each image for enlarged viewing.

Share Your Desktop – June 2025

Cameras: 1) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL Filter attachment; 2-6) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Locations: 1-2 & 4-5) The Trailhead Store, Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont, North Carolina; 3 & 6) Rocky Branch Trail, Cramerton/Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Having a Wonderful Week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Spring Festival #12 —

Spring Wildflowers

Rocky Branch Trail

I’m a few days behind, but it’s still Springtime. While Coleman and I were on our long (just shy of 5 miles) hike on Saturday we noticed a few sections of the trail lined with beautiful Wildflowers.

Here are my Wildflower contributions …

***Wildflowers***
***on our Hike***
***for***
***National Trail Day June 07, 2025***

Click on each image for enlarged viewing.

Spring Festival 2025 #12 – 11 June

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens with Altura UV & CPL filter attachments

Location: Rocky Branch Trail; Belmont/Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 CFFC/CosPhoChal — Bridges Made of Wood

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 Wood for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and Dale who hosts the The 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.

***Wooden Bridges***
***along the***
**Rocky Branch Trail**

Dan’s Fun Foto (CFFC)-Things Made of Wood

Dale’s Cosmic Photo Challenge (CosPhoChal)-Bridges

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.

A Restful Peaceful Mellow Feeling

The World in its vastness may not seem a calm and mellow place to find peace and rest. However, there are some amazingly wonderful places out there in this big beautiful world where you can find respite from the hectic stressful times life throws your way.

*Moon & World*
*Planetarium Show at*
*The Schiele Museum of Natural History*

Taking time to get away from every day normalcy is a privilege and often a personal necessity.

I feel the most calm and mellow when I am out in nature camping in my favourite campground away from any and all folks or situations which would be stressful.

*My Campsite at*
*Andrew Jackson State Park*

Naturally, a bit of rest in a hammock would be nice and relaxing allowing for me to mellow out and enjoy my time in nature’s outdoors.

*Hammock in*
*Andrew Jackson State Park*

Of course, whether I am on my own or with Coleman a hike along a trail is sure to be had. Hiking out among the trees in nature always brings about calmness and tranquility. Our hikes sometimes brings about interesting sights and experiences, like gnomes or even Stitch.

*Stitch in*
*Anne Springs Close Greenway*

The Vast Outdoors is where Coleman feels calm, relaxed, and mellow. He dislikes being in doors and much prefers being outside and preferably in the woods surrounded by trees and water.

*Catawba River Piedmont Medical Center Trail Rock Hill, SC*

Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #352-Mellow

Weekly Prompts Weekend Colour Challenge-Blue

Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP)-Folk

God Bless. Stay Calm. Mellow out and relax. Take Care. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Cell Pic Sunday: 08 June

Hand Capped

Retiboletus ornatipes
Ornate-stalked Bolete

John’s Cell Pic Sunday-07 June 2025

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion Camera

Location: Rocky Branch Trail; Rocky Branch Park; Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way with people

Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen (CWWC): Any Which Way with people for this week’s theme. Your Which Ways can be on any pathway, road, step, bridge, and/or sign as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here. As always remember to have fun.

Here are my entries for this week’s challenge …

Pathways around Centennial Center with People:

Trails with People:

Remember your Which Ways can be any way one travels, whether on foot, or other means. This week we are focusing on people in our Which Ways. And as always, Be sure to have fun.

For other Which Ways, check out the links below. Thank you to all who contributed to the Which Way Challenges.

Brian from bushboys world’s You’ll find it (down this aisle)

Penn from PENPUSHER 4 – THOUGHTS, WORDS, DEEDS, … Open Road …

Dawn from The Day After’s Which Way: Bridge from the Mill Window

Geriatri’x’ Fotogallery’s Yellow – Red – Blue

~~Cee’s~~ Deb’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC)— (CWWC): Any Which Way with people.

God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Flower of the Day: 03 June

Caneberries

Caneberries are a group of berries which includes Blackberries, Raspberries, Boysenberries, Loganberries, and a few more varieties. Caneberries grow on tough, woody stems called canes. They are a part of the Rosaceae family and are also known as bramble berries. Caneberries are aggregate fruits, which means that they are made up of many clusters of individual drupelets. They thrive in cool, moist climates.

They are popular for their nutritional value and can be used in various culinary applications. Caneberry harvest typically occurs from June through August.

Caneberries are grouped by four plant characteristics: 1) growth habit (trailing, semi-erect, or erect); 2) fruiting habit (primocane or floricane); 3) presence or absence of thorns (thorny or thornless); and 4) fruit color (raspberries only).

These particular Caneberries are semi-erect; growing upright in the beginning and bending over to trail along the ground if not supported. In the Southern region of the United States, blackberries and raspberries benefit from a trellis for commercial production.

Caneberries are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Caneberries can be enjoyed fresh, frozen, or used in jams, cobblers, ice cream, and other dishes. When they are ripe they can be eaten straight from the plant, which Coleman would have loved to do on our latest hike. Unfortunately for him, they were not ripe yet.

Cee’s FOTD

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments

Location: South Fork Trail; River Link Greenway; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Enjoy Nature. Capture its beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Monochrome Monday: 02 June

B/W By the River

While Coleman was enjoying playing in the sand near the South Fork Catawba River, I changed the setting my iPhone to Muted B & W for some shots and Stage Light Mono for taking Portraits of Coleman at play. Enjoy watching Coleman in his element.

Coleman
South Fork Catawba River
Riverside Park and Greenway

Monday Portrait

Monochrome Madness