on the
Swinging Bridge
Swinging Bridge
God Bless. Happy New Year! Thank you for visiting. See y’all in 2023. I appreciate y’all.
Silent Sunday: 01/01/2023 – Fisheye View
on the
Swinging Bridge
Swinging Bridge
Category: #Coleman
on the
Swinging Bridge
Swinging Bridge
CFFC: Holiday Colors 2022
Not exactly a Holiday Color, but a Holiday picture
in his new
RED Flag shirt
stands above
Southern California Christmas Tree.
Photo Credit: Julee Vaughan
Cabbage Patch
Ornaments
decked out in
Holiday Colors
Bell
Dayspring.com
God Bless. Thank you for stopping by. I’ll be looking for y’all in 2023. I appreciate y’all.
Midweek Monochrome #120 – Coleman’s Christmas
CMMC – December 2022 Alphabet Letters V or W at the beginning of a word
Here’s my entries for Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge.
Wednesday morning Ho Ho Waffles 🧇.
Waffles
Coleman Wanders
across a Wooden Bridge
into the Woods 🪵.
the Water 💦
in the Creek.
at the Dairy Barn
Photo Credit: Copyright ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Christmas 🎄 Past: Memories
Reflecting back on Christmases past is something I don’t often do. This year I have been trying to remember what Christmases used to look like while I was growing up. Odd thing is I cannot remember much about them. Not what gifts were given or received. I know I gave and received them, but if you asked me what I received in any particular year I would not be able to tell you.
These photos are from my archives. Most likely taken by my father, Nornal Hule Waters.
The first photo by the date is of my very first Christmas taken with my dad, & my brother. So, this one my mom probably snapped. This first Christmas was spent in Great Falls, South Carolina. Great Falls is a town (not a city). The second photo is also taken in Great Falls, SC with my mom I presume the following year. And the third photo was taken in San Diego, California when I was either in Junior High or a sophomore in high school. Definitely before 1974. My brother went into the Air Force early in 1975 and was no longer home for Christmas afterwards.
The one constant which I remember is that every Christmas Eve growing up, we went to a Christmas Eve Service at church. We would dress up in our very best church clothes to attend the special service. It would be filled with music, both from the choir and the audience. It would be a joyous occasion, extremely uplifting. The emphasis would be given though a message (some would call a sermon) as well as the music on the true meaning of Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ and the visit by the three wise men presenting the Christ child with precious gifts. This tradition was not continued each and every year after my marriage and living what I consider my hometown (not my birth city). Sadly, it is one that I remember and miss the most.
The above pictures were taken after I had my eldest son and later after my marriage. The first photo is of my eldest son, John Thomas Waters III. He was named after my paternal grandfather who was also named after his paternal grandfather. The next one is the first Christmas photo after my marriage. And the last one is with my daughter for her first Christmas.
The next group of photos are random pictures of my family throughout the years.
More Random Christmas Photos:
Capture the memories with your family and friends while you are still able. You never know when one of them may no longer be with you. Photographs speak a thousand words, more than you’ll ever know. I wish I could spend another holiday with my dad, mom, husband, and grandparents, but sadly they will only be here in spirit.
I pray y’all had a wonderful Christmas and will have a blessed New Year.
Cosmic Photo Prompt: Show Us Your Christmas – 2022
& his
Brio World
Lift & Load Set
Remote control
Paw Patrol Motorcycle
Blaze vehicles
My grandson had to wait half the day before he could open his Christmas Presents due to his mom working in the morning. He was having a hard time understanding his needed to wait for his “Ho Ho” presents. Before then he and I enjoyed some cuddle time.
I trust y’all enjoyed your holiday (or at least the day) relaxing.
Photo Credit: Copyright (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. See y’all next time. I appreciate y’all.
CMMC: Pick Your Topic from My Photo – December 2022
From my archives: Disney Frozen on Ice
of
Fake Animal
on Ice
The above photos were taken at a performance of Disney’s Frozen on Ice at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina back on April 16, 2016.
Christmas 🎄Tree
2022
We just barely got a tree this year. This is Coleman’s first HoHo (Christmas) Tree. He was so delighted that he finally has a HoHo Tree.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, SC
Another Throwback from my Archives.
taken July 4, 2012
in Lancaster, South Carolina
Midweek Madness
Challenge
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
CBWC: Shadows & Reflections – 2022
Shadows captured January 2022:
of my daughter
and grandson
Reflections Depicted at Andrew Jackson State Park:
Reflected
in the Lake
Reflections Recorded at Lake Haigler:
Reflections
in Lake Haigler
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina
Shadows of a 2022 Christmas Tree:
& His First
Christmas Tree
Displaying Shadows
on the Wall
Cee’s Black and White Challenge – Shadows and Reflections
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate y’all.
New Lenses Trial: Macro/Fisheye
I bought myself a couple of new lenses for Christmas. Hey, I figured the only way I would receive any thing for Christmas was to buy want was on my wish list myself. Anyway, one of the new lenses I bought is a Altura .35X Fisheye HD lens attachment 58mm lens with Macro.
We only put up a Christmas tree yesterday and today after my daughter arrived home from work and ate her supper (Coleman & I already ate) we decided to wrap Christmas presents. Mind you, my grandson, Coleman is supposed to be sleeping. We almost get them all wrapped when he starts saying “eat, eat.” So, we stop wrapping and get him out of his room to come out and eat again. When he saw the wrapped presents, he thought “HO HO” (What he calls Santa) had already come and he thought he could open presents. We had a time trying to convince him that “HO HO” still needed to come and he had to eat and go back to bed.
Since we had most of the presents wrapped and sitting by the tree, I thought I might as well take a few pictures. Some are using the wide angle and others are using the Fisheye. This is the first time I’ve tried using a Fisheye lens. It will take me awhile to figure things out in using it.
Wide Angle Shots (First one is on Manual, I forgot to adjust the settings):
Fisheye Shots:
Photo Credit: Copyright (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Happy Holidays to one and all! Enjoy and Blessings to y’all. I appreciate y’all.
Pull Up a Seat: Seating Around the Greenway
My selections this time come from the trails around Wagon and Haigler Loops as well as by the Canteen at Anne Springs Close Greenway.
Pull Up a Seat Along Wagon Loop:
on stone blocks
a short distance
Coleman relaxes
on a bench.
Pull Up a Seat beside Lake Haigler:
Bruce T. Rush Pavilion:
at one of eight picnic tables
within the Rush Pavilion.
The Bruce T. Rush Pavilion is located at the Lake Haigler Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway. It is an open-air shelter, available for rental, which features a hardwood ceiling with a stone fireplace. It overlooks the beautiful Lake Haigler. It is an ideal area for company picnics, birthday parties, receptions, and small intimate wedding ceremonies.
In Front of the Canteen:
in one of
several rockers
out in front
of the Gateway Canteen.
Photo Credit: Copyright (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Have a Merry Christmas! Enjoy your Holidays! Remember I appreciate y’all.
Which Way Shall We Go? This Way or That Way… Left, or Right?
My grandson, Coleman and I loved to venture out into nature and roam through the trees whenever the weather permits. It has been raining a lot here lately, so we haven’t been out much. Only twice this week. Coleman loves to go hiking at the Anne Springs Close Greenway which is only a few miles from where we currently live. The Greenway has five different entrances, and we choose a different entrance to begin our hiking each time we go.
From the Horse Stables Entrance: Should we go to the Left or to the Right?
to the Left
onward to
See the
Farm Animals
Next, we switched to the Lake Haigler Entrance for some hiking near Lake Haigler.
Posted as part of Which Way Photo Challenge
by alive and trekking
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com …. All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you’ll visit again soon. I appreciate y’all.
Midweek Monochrome: # 119 – A Relaxing Hike through the Greenway
Show
Ring
hiking along
the trail
Leanne’s Monochrome Madness
Photo Credit: ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com …All Rights Reserved
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Monday Windows: Looking Outward
looking
Outward
at the dog
Sitting by
a Window
Looking
at Me
Photos taken at Anne Springs Close Greenway Canteen in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
MWM #119 – A Child’s Perspective
Coleman,
my 3 year old
grandson
coloring
on a
whiteboard
Artwork
to
grip
It
Gripping
Photo Credit:
1st photo: ©️Coleman Gouveia (my 3 yr old grandson). All others: ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
Posted as part of Mid-Week Monochrome. Leanne Cole’s Monochrome Madness photography challenge.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Pull Up A Seat: #47 – Baxter Village Trailhead
on Element
a Swing
of Coleman
on a Slide
he’s sitting on
Coleman
Pulls Up A Seat
wherever he chooses
in front of
Fort Mill Library
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Silent Sunday: Tunnel View
Share Your Desktop: November 2022
My Screensaver:
Fort Mill, South Carolina
My Wallpaper:
Coleman
Posted as part of Clare’s Share Your Desktop Photography Challenge.
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Wordless Wednesday: Kayaks
Cee’s Midweek MadnessChallenge (CMMC) – Boats, Kayaks & More
Andrew Jackson State Park
with Coleman
checking it out.
with Coleman
at
Andrew Jackson
State Park
at
Anne Springs
Close Greenway
at
Anne Springs
Close Greenway
Jacksonville,
North Carolina
in
Texas
Andrew Jackson State Park
Photo Credit: ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Ways to Move Up and Down: CBWC – In the Greenway
For this week’s Cee’s Black and White Challenge (CBWC) we are asked to post black and white photos of traveling/ movement displaying Up and Down. My Up and Down were taken along Lake Haigler Loop at Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
for moving down
into the Kayaks.
on top
of the stairs
one may sit
on a bench
and enjoy
the beautiful views
of Lake Haigler
Down stream
into the Spillway
want to
climb Up
this hill?
hiking up
the hill
taking the Stairs
upward to the
top of the hill
ahead down
to the bridge?
Posted as part of Becky’s Walking Squares #14.
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacifibeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank You! I appreciat3e y’all.
Pull Up a Seat: Week 44 – Catawba Park
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to borrow my daughter’s car. So, Coleman and I took a drive to the Fort Mill Dam and then to Catawba Park. We walked around and enjoyed the scenery.
Pull Up a Seat on a Bench
Coleman
Pulled Up a Seat
long enough
Coleman does more running around in the playground area, it is hard to keep up with him. I do not run.
on a
Seesaw
Pull UP a Seat
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeinrrospection.com
Posted as part of Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Photo Challenge.
Posted as part of Becky’s Square Challenge – Walking Squares
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Mid-Week Monochrome # 113 – Sites Along Seven Oaks Preserve Trail
Coleman, my grandson and my walking/hiking buddy hiked the Seven Oaks Preserve Trail on Tuesday afternoon. It was a warm sunny day unlike the past couple of days where it has been chilly, windy, and rainy.
Glistening on
Lake Wylie
Belmont, NC
along the ground
seen along
the trail
Lake Wylie
Seven Oaks Preserve Trail
Belmont, North Carolina
Coleman
brought home
from our hike
Whenever I have the opportunity to go out, it is almost always with my grandson, Coleman. He loves to hike. He doesn’t tend to walk much but run along the trail. I walk/hike and try my best to keep up with him. We always see different amazing and interesting things as we hike along the various trails.
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeinrrospection.com
Posted as part of Bren’s Mid-week Monochrome Photography Challenge.
Posted as part of Becky’s Square Challenge – Walking Squares
God Bless. Thank you for observing my walks/hikes. I appreciate y’all.
Water, Water, Everywhere #148: Along the Trail and under the Trestle
Along the Trail one can find Water, Water, Everywhere
Through the
Trees
Water
in the
Lake
Rippling with
Leaves
Falling Through
the Air
and
into the
Water
Water, Water, Everywhere Under the Trestle
Reflected
in the
Water
Coleman
Alongside
the Water
Under the
Trestle
Downstream
through the
Rocks
Posted as part of Jez’s Water, Water, Everywhere Photo Challenge,
Posted as part of Becky’s Squares Challenge – Walking Squares.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Share Your Desktop – October 2022
My Screensaver:
Sitting in one
of the Scarecrow
displays in Millstone Park
Fort Mill, South Carolina
My Desktop Background:
on the
Rock Wall
in the playground
at Millstone Park
Fort Mill, South Carolina
Posted as part of Clare’s Share Your Desktop October 2022
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Mid-Week Monochrome #111 – Millstone Park
Used at
Webb’s Mill,
Fort Mill,
South Carolina
to Our
Town
Fort Mill, SC
Ready
to
Slide
Coleman
Enjoying
Sliding
Down
the
Slide
Posted as part of Brashley Photography blog Mid-Week Monochrome Challenge.
#Mid-Week Monochrome #MWM
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Sunday Smile
Posted as part of Debbie’s Travel With Intent blog’s One Word Sunday Challenge.
Photo Credit: ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
CBWC: Bicycles, Motorcycles, and Tricycle – Old and New
BICYCLES:
NC Transportation Museum
North Carolina
Transportation
Museum
Motorcycles:
Motorcycle
NC Transportation
Museum
(Coleman inspecting)
North Carolina
Transportation
Museum
1980’s Honda Goldwing
with my
middle son
in the car seat
TRICYCLE:
Coleman,
and his
Radio Flyer
My First
Big Flyer
Tricycle
Posted as part of Cee’s Black and White Challenge ( CBWC).
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Pull Up A Seat – Riverwalk Seating
on a
bench
seating
about
a
picnic?
sitting
on a
rock 🪨
breather
– Pull
Up A
Seat
Posted as part of Kate’s Pull Up A Seat Challenge and Brashley’s Mid-Week Monochrome Challenge.
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Monday Portrait: My Family
These past two weeks my family and I have been suffering from bad cases of bronchitis. Therefore, I have not been able to get out and about like I would prefer. My grandson definitely prefers being outdoors in nature to being cooped up in our apartment. Hopefully we’ll be able to get back outside in the next few days.
comfortably the loveseat
when my daughter,
my grandson,
and the dog
all decided
to pile upon me.
capture the rare
moment with photos
Chewy, the Kelpie Welsh Corgi, in the middle;
Coleman, my grandson, on my lap;
and then myself.
Welcome to my world. Filled with unexpected surprises, love, and adventures ( sometimes misadventures), but who cares. We are family and we love each other.
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all. #MondayPortrait
CBWC: 10/08 – Candid Coleman
Cee’s Black and White Challenge : My grandson, Coleman, my favorite subject to photograph. He loves to have his picture taken.
With a bit of Color Pop
Monkeying
Around
on
the
Bars
Sliding
Slides
with
Color
Pop
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
The Anne Springs Close Greenway’s Comporium Amphitheater was the location for a concert by the Charlotte Symphony Strings Orchestra on Sunday, September 25, 2022. The tribute concert honored Anne Springs Close, founder and matriarch of the Greenway. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Christopher James Lees, the Resident Conductor.
Normally, it is extremely expensive to attend a concert performed by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, however, this particular concert in honor of Anne Springs Close held at the Anne Springs Close Greenway was absolutely free. It was suggested that people attending the concert bring canned or boxed food items to be donated to You Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina or a gently used book to fill the Little Library located behind the Greenway Gateway.
waiting
for the
Orchestra
to begin
This concert was a rare opportunity for me to expose my three year old grandson, Coleman, to fine classical music. He seemed to enjoy the music and behaved rather well in the outdoor setting for the concert. He clapped every time the orchestra completed a piece.
enjoying a snack
while waiting
for the concert 🎶
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the largest and most active professional performing arts organization in the Central Carolinas. The Charlotte Symphony plays approximately 100 performances each season and employs 100 professional musicians. The Orchestra’s principal home is the Belk Theater of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. It also serves as the resident orchestra for Opera Carolina and Charlotte Ballet.
getting ready
the
Charlotte
Symphony
Orchestra
The Orchestra played a mix light classical from 3-4pm. The classical music included:
- Hoe Down from “Rodeo”, Copland
- Andante Festivo, Opus 117a – Sibeliu
- String Quartet No. 2 “Company” – Glass
- Elegiac Melodies, Opus 34 (II. Last Spring) – Grieg
- With Malice Toward None (from Lincoln) – Williams
- Danse Negre, Op. 35, No 4 – Coleridge-Taylor / arr. Daniel Bukin
- Ashokan Farewell – Ungar / arr. Bob Cerulli
- St. Paul’s Suite for String Orchestra (I. Gigue)– Holst
Some of the music was soft and easy flowing while others were upbeat and moving. Guess which ones Coleman preferred? He preferred the more upbeat pieces including Divertimenti K. 138 (Mvt. I) by Mozart.
Christopher James Lees
Conducting the
Symphony Orchestra
If you ever get the opportunity to go hear a symphony orchestra perform, I would highly recommend you going. This was an amazing opportunity I had to share with my grandson, Coleman. Truly blessed. Thank you Charlotte Symphony Orchestra fir a delightful performance. Thank you Anne Springs Close Greenway for hosting the Orchestra for our pleasurable enjoyment.
God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Cee’s Black & White Challenge (CBWC): My Picks
My picks this week for Cee’s Black & White Challenge is of my favorite photo subject, my grandson.
Coleman,
my favorite
photo subject
my
❤️
playing
in the
Catawba
River
my
hiking 🥾
buddy
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
PULL UP A SEAT: Wherever you Choose
A PHOTO CHALLENGE OF PLACES WE SIT…OR MIGHT SIT…OR ART ABOUT SITTING, Pull Up A Seat, is hosted by XingfuMama. My entries for Week 37:
It doesn’t matter if it is a bench, a sign, a tree, or a wooden board; if my grandson, Coleman, wants to pull up a seat he’ll sit wherever he chooses.
God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Monday Portrait: Horse Loving
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Share Your Desktop: September 2022
These are my entries for Clare’s at Clare’s Cosmo Blog’s monthly challenge, Share Your Desktop. One is actually my screensaver and the other is my background.
WTVP.com
God Bless. Thank You. I appreciate y’all.
Midweek Monochrome: Swinging, Hiking, & Kayaking — Pleasurable Activities to Enjoy
Good day and welcome to my blog. Today my photos have a multi-purpose. One purpose if for Brashley’s Mid-week Monochrome (MWM) Photography Challenge, next is Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge (CBWC), and lastly, Travel with Intent blog’s One Word Sunday Challenge – Curve. I’m a little behind on posting the Sunday Challenge, hope y’all do not mind.
Swinging in Riverwalk Greenway: My grandson, Coleman loves taking a break from our hiking on the swings in the Greenway.
When hiking, we encounter various #curves along the trails.
Kayaking is a blueway activity that is enjoyed by many in the Carolinas. One can see Kayakers on the Catawba River at Riverwalk and several other locations along the river.
God Bless. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you’ve enjoyed and will visit again. I appreciate y’all.
Coleman Meets his Paternal Great Grandmother
My grandson turned three on July 25th and had never met the majority of his paternal relatives including his paternal great grandmother. His paternal great grandmother lives in Japan and hasn’t been in this country, at least not for a very long time. She recently got on a plane in Japan and flew to South Carolina. She is here because her daughter, my grandson, Coleman’s paternal grandmother, is extremely ill. She doesn’t seem to know where she is, hasn’t been eating for weeks before she was taken to the hospital. Her lack of substance and her alcoholism has destroyed a lot of the normal bodily functions, like walking, her organs, and her breathing to name a few. At this time, she has not been given a sufficient diagnosis and was sent to a rehabilitation facility. This does not make since to several people, but the only person who has any say in her treatment is her husband. She is on oxygen, is unable to walk, even for short distances like to the bathroom. Prayers would be appreciated on her behalf.
&
his paternal
great grandmother
Most people that cross Coleman’s path on the trail or out and about know he is not usually shy, but very friendly and says hi to everyone. That was not the case today when he met his paternal great grandmother for the very first time. He backed away, hid behind me and didn’t say anything for a long time. I’ve never known Coleman to be shy. Coleman’s dad, David picked her up from his dad’s home and brought her to our home. The meeting was in familiar surroundings, but a strange person in his home seemed to baffle him. It took some coaxing to get him to sit next to her.
paternal
great grandmother
trying to
get him
to talk
Since Coleman has a very strong attachment to me, I left the room to try to help him not to cling to me, but to allow him an opportunity to get acquainted with his paternal great grandmother. I feel gratitude that Coleman was given this opportunity to meet her. Thankfully she does speak a little English as her primary language is Japanese. My grandson’s father does not speak Japanese, it was not taught to him when he was growing up.
Thankful for the short time Coleman had to spend with his paternal great grandmother. Maybe she can come again to visit him while she is in the United States.
God bless. Thank you. I appreciate each and every one of y’all.
Desktop Photo: August 2022
God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
Wordless Wednesday: Painted Rocks
God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
Cell Pic Sunday: 8/14
Catawba River
Overlook
Couldn’t pick just one. Catawba River and Coleman. Love ❤️ them both.
God Bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.
Mid-week Monochrome: MWM 8/11
Brashley Photography blog Mid-Week Monochrome challenge
Marion Walsh
Outdoor Classroom
Stone Marker
sitting on a
Slanted U
shaped tree
in the
Greenway
of my
daughter
Taken
by my
3 year old
grandson
Coleman
God bless. Thank you! Remember I appreciate y’all.
Black & White: Moving Water in the Greenway
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Moving Water
Coleman
threw a log
in Lake Crandall
water
movement
God Bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.
Monday Portrait: Coleman, my favorite subject
on
Blue
Star
in
his
favorite
place
ASCG
Nana’s
Boy
Color
Popped
Happy
on
Timberline
Trail
God Bless. Thank You! Remember I appreciate y’all.
Cell Phone Selfie: By Three Year Old
selfie
Coleman used my cell phone. iPhone 13 Pro Front camera— 23mm f2.2. ISO 250 1/40s
God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
Shhh….Be Very Quiet….Look Closely….What Do You See?
Did you see what my grandson, Coleman and I spotted on our afternoon hike? It is amazing what you can see out in nature if you keep your eyes open and observe your surroundings c l o s e l y. The only problem with our observations is that Coleman tends to speak real loud when he spots an animal that he scares them into running away.
God Bless. Thank you! Remember I appreciate y’all.
ASCG Trail Passport: What does earning a Passport Certificate Entail?
The Anne Springs Close Greenway has a Trail Passport program that members and visitors may choose to participate if they so desire. The Trail Passport booklet is a guide for your benefit to assist you in exploring the over 40 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trials. The Greenway has 26 unique trails and points of interest. The Passport provides an easy way for you to keep track of which trails you have accomplished, and which trails you have yet to complete.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
To earn the Passport Certificate, you need to participate in the Hiking Challenge. The following are the requirements for the Hiking Challenge.
- Hike, bike or horseback ride a trail
- Initial and date each hike that you complete
- After you have completed all the trails bring your Passport to the Greenway to receive you completion certificate (subject to availability).
The Greenway has a Trail Map that is a guide to let you know where the trails are located and from which Greenway Entrance is best to take for your desired trail. My grandson loves to carry a Trail Map with him whenever we go for a hike. When he looks at it you would think he knows exactly what he is looking at and can figure out which way he wants to go next.
While some members choose to participate in the Hiking Challenge, there are many that do not. Completing the challenge is not something that everyone accomplishes, however, it is well worth it. It takes dedication and determination to complete all twenty-six (26) trails consisting of thirty-six (36) miles of hiking, biking or horse riding in the Greenway.
My grandson, Coleman, picked up a Trail Passport on one of our visits to the Greenway. He indicated that he wanted to participate in the Hiking Challenge. He did not let his young age deter him from taking up the challenge or completing the challenge. He loves the outdoors and loves to hike and spend time out in nature with me. Coleman just recently turned three. He completed all 26 trails of 36 miles in the Hiking Challenge before his third birthday. He is amazing, but then again you might say I am biased.
Some trails in the Greenway are as short as 0.4 miles while others are over 3 miles in length. On some days we combined several trails and we hiked 5-6 miles. Was he tired by the end of the hike? Definitely, but that never stopped him from keeping going and finishing each day’s hike. After completing each day’s hike, he would lift his hands up and yell “I did it.” He really loves hiking and would do it every day if he could.
Congratulations Coleman! You did it. I am proud of you, your love of hiking, the outdoors, and your determination to succeed.
God Bless. Thank You for stopping by. Take time to enjoy the outdoors. Take a hike, a walk, admire God’s creations along the way. I appreciate y’all.
Coleman: Birthday Boy Turned Three
Coleman 🎉
3 Years Old
Today 🎈
Black & White
Portrait
Collage
Birthday
Expressions
My Heart ♥️
My Love
My Grandson
Investigating
His Presents 🎁.
Bat, Ball, Puzzles, Pound Puppy
and Thomas the Train 🚂
God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
ASCG:Greenway Stables Entrance-Part Two_Dogwood/Blue Star….
For our second day of hiking Dogwood at the Anne Springs Close Greenway Stables Entrance, we began on the Dogwood Trail on the right side after passing through one section of the horse stables.
But before we began hiking, we stopped to enjoy the Sweet Black Eyed Susan Seeds and the honeybees feasting on their nectar behind the Gibson House.
and Sunflowers
@Greenway Stables
Gibson House
Shortly after we began hiking along the Dogwood Trail, we came upon the Airport Pond. We enjoyed the views of the water and the reflections within the water. Whenever possible my grandson loves to play in the water either with his hands or his whole body. Luckily on this day it was just his hands.
Stables Entrance
Airport Pond
off Dogwood
After snapping a few pictures, we hiked on further down on Dogwood. My grandson, Coleman, loves to have his picture taken at the Trail Posts. The Trail Posts serve the purpose of letting people know where they are along the trail and which trail they are hiking on. Keeping track of the numbers on the trail posts allows us to know exactly where we are at and how much further we need to travel.
Dogwood Trail
Coleman hiking
leading the way
We proceeded onto the Blue Star after we had been hiking for approximately 1.4 miles. This trail contains several mushrooms of varying heights and sizes. I have to watch Coleman, or he’ll swipe at them breaking them apart. O try to teach him about varying things along the trail and that we shouldn’t disturb them. Also, that what is in the park should remain in the park and what we bring in, we must also take out with us. Leave No Trace.
Coleman
checking out his map
and the Trail posts
for directions
The Blue Star trail is mostly natural surface with some plank bridges and a couple of swinging bridges. At Blue Star H27, Coleman stops to check his map. He likes to carry his own map instead of just looking at mine. We venture off of Blue Star and onto Hickory Trail which leads us back to Dogwood.
Dogwood
and
Hickory Trails
Which way should we go?
Once back on Dogwood, the trail leads us back to the horse stables and eventually back to our car (Mommy’s car as Coleman would say since I use her car to take him places.)
(Not the same stables as we first entered)
Greenway Stables Entrance
loving on the horses.
The horses
instinctively
come straight
up to him.
They know
he is not afraid
and loves them.
My Heart ❤️ My love
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy a hike, a walk, or any adventure communing with nature. Thank you for visiting. See you next time. Remember I appreciate y’all.
Plants 🪴 and Flowers 🌺: ASCG – Ford Gap_Lake Haigler Entrance
coreopsideae
on Golden
Sulfur Cosmos
Sulfur Cosmos
Jane Spratt McColl.
Wildflower Meadow
God Bless. Thank you! Remember I appreciate y’all.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 