The Roman Pool at Hearst Castle is astonishing with its incredible mosaic tiles which were designed to evoke the feeling of ancient Roman and Greek baths. It is covered from floor to ceiling with eight types of mosaic tiles. Some of those tiles included elaborate designs depicting marine creatures and mythological figures.
Roman Pool Hearst Castle San Simeon, California
The Pool was created using more than a million glass and gold tiles which creates a beautiful shimmering effect. It was built for William Randolph Hearst by architect Julia Morgan. The construction of the Roman Pool was primarily undertaken during the late 1920s and early 1930s, culminating in its completion in 1934.
It is a stunning sight to see and learn about all the intricate design details and the length of time it took before completion. It’s amazing to see the reflections of the windows and statues captured by my dad with a 35 mm camera back in 1979.
Beth from Wandering Dawgsis this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. She is asking us to select our favourite Bridges to share. She states that they “ any kind of bridge: natural bridges, foot bridges, swinging bridges, highway bridges, stone bridges, railroad bridges, or any other kind of bridge you can think of.” I’ve gathered a selection of Highway Bridges, Foot Bridges, Trestles, and a Swinging Bridge that I hope y’all will enjoy.
Swinging Bridge at Anne Springs Close Greenway can be trip to cross or fun depending on your outlook.
Swinging Bridge Lake Haigler Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina
Foot Bridges oftenconstructed to accommodate crossing a creek or river to be easier and more accessible for animals, and humans. Coleman and I hike over these types of Bridges quite frequently.
Baxter Village Trail with Alona & Trisha Fort Mill, South Carolina
Glencairn Garden Rock Hill, South Carolina
Goat Island Park and Greenway crosses over South Fork Catawba River Cramerton, North Carolina
Trestle Bridges are made of many short spans supported by close frames. The purpose is usually to transport trains/train lines across a deep valley (like rivers and lakes) or ravines.
Showing both a Trestle and Highway Bridge Situated over the Catawba River Along the Piedmont Medical Center Trail from the Catawba River Trailhead Rock Hill, South Carolina
Other Trestles over the Catawba River …
Trestle Bridges Over the Catawba River Piedmont Medical Center Trail Rock Hill, South Carolina
Trestle Bridge over the Mississippi River …
Trestle Bridge viewed from the Tennessee Welcome Center after crossing the Mississippi River
Highway/Road Bridges are designed to a road and its traffic over an obstacle such as a river, a valley, or even another road. First, we’ll look at a Road Bridge that crosses over a creek and a trail. The trail is the Blue Star Trail, part of which runs parallel to Steele Creek and under a Road Bridge. The Blue Star Trail in one of 25 unique trails which allows hikers, bikers, and equestrian riders to explore over 40 miles within the Anne Springs Close Greenway.
Road Bridge over Steele Creek and Blue Star Trail
Now on to California Highway Bridges …
In the San Francisco-Oakland Area …
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California San Francisco-Oakland Bay BridgeSan Francisco Bay BridgeSan Francisco–Oakland Bay BridgeGolden Gate Bridge, San FranciscoSan Francisco Bay BridgeSan Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, a double suspension bridgeLAPC – Bridges California’s San Francisco Bay Bridges All taken in April 1979 by my dad.
And last, but not least, the amazing San Diego-Coronado Bridge which connects San Diego with the city of Coronado. Construction on the Bridge began in February of 1967 after years of debate over the need and logistics of a bridge being built to cross the bay. The Navy feared a bridge could collapse due to an attack or an earthquake thus trapping navy ships stationed at Naval Base San Diego. The Navy finally, in 1964, agreed to support a Bridge if there was a minimum of 200 feet (61 Meters) of 660 feet in the main span for sufficient clearance for the Navy ships operating out of Naval Base San Diego to pass underneath it. [Side Note: Before the Bridge was constructed the only way to Coronado from San Diego or vice-versa was by Ferry.]
San Diego-Coronado Bridge
The Bridge itself is 11,179-foot-long (3,407 m or 2.1 mi) and ascends from Coronado at a 4.67 percent grade before curving 80 degrees toward San Diego. The Bridge was finally completed and opened to the public on August 3, 1969. It opened during the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the founding of San Diego. When it opened, a toll of 60¢ was charged in each direction. The toll charges were supposed to end when the bond was paid, but continued until 2002. This Bridge has five lanes, two eastbound, two westbound, and a reversible middle lane which could switch to correspond with traffic needs.
An interesting fact: Before its official opening to vehicular traffic on August 3, 1969, the Coronado Bridge had a special “Bridge Walk” on August 2, 1969. Thousands of people, including many bicyclists, participated in this dedication event, getting a unique chance to experience the bridge on foot and by bike before cars were allowed on it. I had many friends that road their bicycles across the San Diego-Coronado Bridge on that special day celebrating the bridge’s completion and opening.
God Bless. Be Happy. Be Cool. Be a Blessing to those around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The “Birth of Venus” (Naissance de Venus) sculpture
Back in 1974 my family toured Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. This trip was was approximately 5 1/2-6 hours long. The tour last around 60 to 75 minutes which doesn’t include the shuttle time from the visitors center to the hilltop. I’m not going to go into everything that is included in the tour for you to see. I’m only going to to tell you about the The “Birth of Venus” (Naissance de Venus) sculpture located in the Neptune Pool.
The “Birth of Venus” (Naissance de Venus) sculpture is a 20th-century Carrara marble work created around 1930 by French sculptor Charles-Georges Cassou. The sculpture was commissioned by William Randolph Hearst in 1927. Charles Cassou’s original marble group was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1930 prior to being installed on the lower terrace of the pool opposite the Roman temple façade.
The “Birth of Venus” (Naissance de Venus) sculpture depicts Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, emerging from seafoam while balancing on a scalloped shell. Cassou’s Birth of Venus serves as a focal centrepiece in its own fountain alcove against the hillside background. It is set apart from the Roman temple façade which features an older 17th-century relief of Neptune and two tritons.
God Bless. Have a lovely weekend filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
John from Journeys with Johnbois this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. He is asking us to look at water a little differently to focus on the landscapes, structures, and stories that they might tell. John commented on my Cell Pic Sunday photo and suggested I could use it for this challenge. I opted to use it as my header image. It shows the landscape of trees surrounding Lake Haigler at Anne Springs Close Greenway.
I searched through my photos to determine which photos I wanted to use for this challenge. Let’s take a look at my selections.
The Blue Mesa Reservoir Curecanti National Recreation Area Gunnison County, Colorado
In May of this year my daughter flew out west to see her dad’s grave in Boulder City, Nevada. After meeting with her uncle (her dad’s brother) at the cemetery, she drove east into Colorado where she hoped to get a transfer (that didn’t work out for various reasons). She drove north on the I-15 leaving Nevada into Utah and transferred to the I-70 East and on towards Colorado. While driving she was kind enough to oblige me with stopping at a few site seeing spots along the route. One of those sites was The Blue Mesa Reservoir. It is a part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area. It is the largest body of water in Colorado and a crucial part of the Wayne N. Aspinall Storage Unit. This reservoir was formed by the Blue Mesa Dam on the Gunnison River. It is a focal point for recreational activities like fishing and boating. In addition, it plays a vital role in providing water and power to the region.
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Going backwards through the calendar year, my family and I took a mini-vacation for New Year’s weekend. We drove down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and stayed for almost a week. Having not been to the beach in years and the kids first time to the beach, we took in some “touristy” activities. One of our first activities was to drive down to Murrells Inlet and go on a Dolphin Excursion via the Crazy Sister Marina. Pictured here is a portion of the boat dock to the left of the Crazy Sister’s boats. That was a fun adventure, one Coleman really enjoyed.
Lake Norman, Ramsey Creek Park Cornelius, North Carolina
Heading back another month to November of 2025, we went to Charlotte to try out a pizza place that served a specialty pizza known in some entices to induce labour. In my daughter’s case it didn’t have the expected outcome she was hoping for. The pizza was delicious despite that fact. After leaving Charlotte we decided to stop at Ramsey Creek Park to walk off our lunch and give Coleman time to run around and burn some excess energy. (He always has an abundance of energy). Ramsey Creek Park is a beautiful spot along the shores of Lake Norman in Cornelius, North Carolina. Lake Norman is North Carolina’s largest man-made lake. It is often referred to as “the Inland Sea” due to its vast size. While there Coleman and I walked along the lake shore and along the trail. (He loves to hike.) My daughter didn’t do as much walking (being about 36 weeks, she wasn’t up to much walking). It was a fun outing and a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the afternoon.
South Fork Catawba River Goat Island Park & Greenway Cramerton, North Carolina
In October, Coleman and I walked to Goat Island Park and Greenway for a bit of hiking and Funtime on the playground. This shot was taken from the Goat Island bridge looking back towards town. Once on the Greenway, Coleman hiked along the trail spotting the Autumn colours of the leaves and enjoying spending time together. Now of course, after a hike a boy still needs to burn off even more energy, so a stop at the playground was a must.
Coleman walking along the edge of Robinwood Lake Warlick Family YMCA Gastonia, North Carolina
Back in early 2024 the Gastonia Transit system still ran. In February, Coleman and I rode the city bus to the Warlick Family YMCA. The Warlick Family YMCA has three different hiking trails; Blue, Yellow, and Green. On this day, if my recollection is correct, Coleman and I hiked the Green Trail. The trails start near Robinwood Lake (pictured above). Robinwood Lake is a scenic 34-acre freshwater lake which the YMCA allows kayaking, paddleboarding, bank fishing (largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish). In order to fish in Robinwood Lake, you’dneed to purchase a North Carolina inland fishing license for anyone age 16 or older to fish. Coleman and I live to walk along the lake shores and enjoy its natural beauty.
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USS Consolation US Naval Port
This final image is of the USS Consolation. It is not a ship I have seen or visited other than in my dad’s photo album. Why is it so special to me? It is special because this is the hospital ship my dad was stationed on during his Korean War service in the United States Navy. I’m not sure which Naval port it was taken at, possibly in San Francisco, but really could be any U.S. Naval port. I like the visibility of the mountains behind the U.S. Naval ship.
God Bless. Be Happy. Be Cool. Be a Blessing to those around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This weekend in the United States is Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately, some people still have to work on Labor Day (which is celebrated on Monday). Who really wants to work on a holiday during the Summer or for that matter any other long weekend.
Impressive catch of freshwater Bullhead Catfish, Crappie, and Bluegill
I am remembering a Summer in 1963 (not in September, but in July) when I was vacationing in Great Falls, South Carolina with my family. We drove out from San Diego, California to visit my paternal grandparents and my dad’s brother and sister.
Pictured from left to right: My Brother, Larry; my Uncle Eddie, and my dad.
On this particular weekend the men and boys went fishing 🎣 along the Catawba River in Great Falls, South Carolina. Why is it that the majority of times (at least back then) they never asked the girls or women to go fishing? However, they expected the women to cook up whatever fish they caught and brought home.
My brother with his River Catch
The Catawba River is just a short drive from my grandparents home. The “men“ landed an impressive catch of freshwater fish including Bullhead Catfish, Crappie, and Bluegill.
My dad and brother displaying their catch of the day.
I do not recall which one actually caught the most fish or if this was my brother’s first time fishing or not. I do know they definitely made sure to capture their catch with a camera for prosperity or probably to remember the funtastic time they had spending the day together.
My Uncle and brother holding up a string of freshwater fish.
Regardless of who caught what, or who caught the most, what mattered most was the quality time they had together. You better believe we had us a feast of fried catfish and other freshwater panfish for supper that night.
How do you like to spend a long holiday weekend? Do you get together with friends and family? Stay home and barbecue on the grill? Or just enjoy a relaxing weekend at home?
God Bless. Have a pleasant and peaceful weekend. May it be filled with love, happiness, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Historic Great Falls High School in Great Falls, South Carolina was built in 1928. It’s a beautiful example of early 20th-century school architecture, with its distinctive brick facade, large windows, and prominent central entrance. This was the building where my went to high school.. He was in the Class of 1947.
Location: Great Falls High School; Great Falls, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a lovely weekend filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Back in 1970 Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln was an incredible experience, it was a classic Disneyland attraction that was a great marvel for its time.
It first debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair as a highlight of the Illinois pavilion before Walt Disney himself decided it needed a permanent home at Disneyland in 1965. When we went as a family in June of 1970, the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln had only been at Disneyland for approximately five (5) years.
It was groundbreaking at the time because it featured one of Walt Disney’s first full-scale audio-animatronics figures, bringing President Lincoln to life with incredibly realistic movements and a powerful speech. The show combines a historical presentation with a speech delivered by the animatronic Lincoln, using recordings of his actual words. It aims to inspire guests with Lincoln’s legacy and the ideals of the United States.
Entering Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at Disneyland June 1970
Entering the beautifully designed theater, often called the Main Street Opera House, the anticipation waiting for the show to begin was part of the “Disney” magic. Then, President Lincoln’s figure, so lifelike with its movements and expressions, would rise from his chair and begin to speak. We were amazed at how realistic he looked and sounded, delivering a powerful address compiled from his actual speeches, focusing on themes of liberty, union, and the importance of preserving the nation.
The building itself is a fantastic example of Disney’s immersive theming. It’s designed to look like a classic turn-of-the-century opera house, perfectly blending into the nostalgic atmosphere of Main Street, creating a sense that you’re stepping back in time. Architecturally, the facade you see, which houses the attraction, is a brilliant example of Disney’s Main Street, U.S.A. design philosophy. It’s crafted to evoke a grand, late 19th or early 20th-century opera house or theater. This style, often referred to as Victorian or Edwardian, features ornate details, classical proportions, and a sense of historical grandeur, all intended to transport guests to a romanticized turn-of-the-century American town. The prominent marquee, the arched windows, and the decorative elements all contribute to this immersive illusion, making it feel like a real historic landmark.
This attraction was one of the very first to showcase Walt Disney’s revolutionary innovation. Audio-Animatronics are essentially sophisticated robots, specifically designed to mimic human or animal movements, with their actions precisely synchronized to pre-recorded audio tracks. For the Mr. Lincoln figure, this meant intricate hydraulics and pneumatics controlled the movements of his head, eyes, mouth, arms, and even subtle shifts in his posture, making him appear incredibly lifelike as he delivered his speech. The audio was meticulously matched to these movements, creating a seamless and convincing performance. This was incredibly advanced for 1964 and 1970 giving audiences an unprecedented experience of history brought to life through robotics, far beyond simple static mannequins. It was truly a marvel of engineering and storytelling that we enjoyed watching every time we visited Disneyland.
[I’m not sure where I was at the time (probably standing near my dad who took the picture), but the three prominent figures (two looking this way, at the camera, and the lady in the red and white tank top) are my mom, my cousin, and my brother.
The Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), the tall plant to the right of the rock, is a striking desert plant native to the Southwestern United States. This is located near Ocotillo Wells and Borrego Springs, California.
Location:Between Ocotillo Wells and Borrego Springs, California, USA
God Bless. Take time to enjoy the flowers. Get Outdoors and commune with nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Sometime when I open Google Photos it displays memories that it thinks I would be interested in seeing. That was the case this past weekend when it wanted me to see the black and white image shown in the second photograph.
Colorized version of a 1960’s photo
In seeing this photo it reminded me of my parents anniversary, they would have been married for seventy-five (75) years on Friday if they’d still been alive. They were married forty-five (45) years when my dad passed in 1996. My mom is also gone now and only memories remain alive.
Original image uploaded to files via Wolverine Digital Converter
This is the first house I can remember living in even though it wasn’t the first house my family called home. We moved into this house about 1961. The front window you see would have been the window in my parent’s bedroom. The bedrooms were all on the right side of the house. Mine was in the middle between their’s and my brother’s bedroom.
I lived in this house during my entire childhood elementary school days (Kindergarten through Sixth Grade). It holds so many memories, to many to share. When we walked past the windows behind my mom and dad we’d enter the living room. To me in was a large area we gathered to watch programs on our black and white console television. The kitchen and dining rooms were to the left of the entrance with a door in between that led to the garage. We always sat at the dining table as a family for our meals.
Even the windows of an ordinary house can bring fond memories of happy times of love, laughter, and togetherness.
Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game.This week’s number is 749. Her instructions for playing along are listed below …
To play along, go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find under that number and include a link to your blog in Judy’s 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.
Here are my contributions …
MistyNew Braunfels Railroad MuseumUncle Art & Aunt SophieColeman AlonaPlaying Praying in the Mud Who’s behind the Lattice? Lighting of the WaxhawsLighting of the WaxhawsGreenway Horse Coleman on the TrailWatching a PlayMallards Dinner TheatreBabyland General Hospital Cleveland, GeorgiaUncle ShortyUncle MarvinJudy’s Numbers Game #132-749
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I look forward to seeing y’all’s pictures forJudy’s Numbers Game. I appreciate y’all very much.
In 1978, my parents and I took a trip north on the I-5 and switching over to Highway 101. We went up the coast of California to a small Danish-inspired village called Solvang. Solvang is located approximately a half-hour north of Santa Barbara, California. Solvang is known as the “Danish Capital of America.”
Solvang, California
It was founded by Danish immigrants in 1911. The village is prominently known for its authentic half-timbered architecture, iconic windmills, and world-class Danish bakeries. It has a unique offering of a slice of Scandinavian culture blending with the Central California sunshine.
Location: Hume Lake Campground; Sequoia National Forest; Hume, Fresno, California, USA
God Bless. Be Gentle as the ‘Gentle Giant’. Be Passionate, with soft and nurturing words towards all. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
For this week’s Monday Window I went searching through my archives, specifically my dad’s old slides to find an image I might could consider using for today’s post. Well, I found one I sharing with y’all. However, I could not locate any information on the location or history of the place. The only information I could find was that it was taken by my dad in February of 1965.
In Monochrome
It was hard to distinguish the original colours from the digital conversion of my dad’s old slide. The house number is 720, but I have no idea what street it was on, what city or town it was in, or even which state it was located. I know the in February of 1965 we lived in San Diego, California. We visited Tecate, Baja California during this time period as well as other places.
God Bless. Open up the Window of your mind to unique opportunities for creativity. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
My dad, Nornal H. Waters, grew up in Great Falls, South Carolina. Before he joined the U.S. Navy he worked for this Ford Dealership in Great Falls. He also worked here again for a couple of years after he married my mom after his service was completed.
Bradley Motor Company Great Falls Ford Dealership
These images were taken in 1963, by my dad, on a trip home to visit his parents and siblings. Our family had moved to San Diego, California in 1958 when I was 2. This was our first trip back to the Carolinas since moving to California. (I would have been seven (7) years old during this time period.)
Bradley Motor Company Your Friendly Ford Dealer Great Falls, South Carolina
Can you name the make and models of all these cars? I’m not sure that I am capable of naming them. For a small town, a population of approximately 2,875 residents, the dealership did a thriving business maintaining the needs of its residents.
Digitization done via Wolverine Digital Converter by Deb L. Waters in 2020.
Location: Bradley Motor Company; 721 Chester Avenue; Great Falls, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic rest of your week and weekend ahead. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with w. I appreciate y’all very much.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 