Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Winter, Summer or Both. Lately our weather has been so cold and extremely windy that it feels like winter. Yesterday morning our low was down to 14°, which for me, extremely freezing weather with the wind chill making it feel even colder. Our lowest temperatures of the day are when I need to wait with Coleman at the school bus stop. His bus always runs late, so I am always chilled to the bone by the time I get back to the house.
Enough talk about our current “Wintry” weather conditions and let’s move on to showing you some images from last Winter.
Here are my contributions for this week …
Northern Mockingbird February 2025Footprints in the Snow 02/2025Snow/ice covered plants 02/2025Deer eyeing me December 2024Christmas Lights December 2024Coleman enjoying the Snow ❄️ 02/2025Would you go barefoot in the Snow/ice? January 2025Coleman entering Goat Island 12/2024Coleman by the South Fork Catawba River December 2024Nativity Scene with extra figurine (aka Coleman) 12/2024CFFC – Looking Back Upon Winter
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: You might want to take a look at this Friday’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) (another one of Cee’s challenges) to see the new ideas for the new theme of Any Which Way with a Holiday theme. — Part 2 which will go live on Friday 12/19 just past midnight EST.
Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Autumn or Spring — or Both. It may still be officially Autumn, however, lately our weather has been so cold and extremely windy that it feels more like winter. Therefore I rummaged through my archives to add to my few Autumn 🍂images that I hadn’t already used for one post or another.
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: You might want to take a look at this Friday’s (Today’s) Which Way Challenge (CWWC) (another one of Cee’s challenges) to see the new ideas for the new theme of Any Which Way with a Holiday theme. — Part 1 which Will run for two (2) weeks.
Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Travel Hubs. Looking through my files I did not find many actual Travel Hubs, but just maybe what I did find might somewhat be along the lines even if they’re not actually hubs.
Here are my contributions …
Are Ports Hubs?
San Diego Ferry DockCruise Ships Ports and a Ferry Dock
Bus Stations …
Gastonia Bus Station Gastonia Bus StationCharlotte Greyhound Bus Station and local Gastonia Transit Station
Now how about let’s take a look at Trains. These aren’t actually Train Stations where you would board a train, but you could.
New Braunfels Train Museum (and yes they do offer train rides) New Braunfels, TexasNorth Carolina Transportation Museum Bob Julian Roundhouse & 100-foot Turntable Old Trains at the NC Transportation Museum Both of these Train/Transportation Museums offer Train Rides
And last but not least, let’s look at views of the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport Charlotte, North Carolina
Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Professional Offices. Looking through my files I did not find many professional offices that I had not already posted previously for other challenges. I did find a few though.
Here are my contributions …
The Enterprise Tower Abilene, TexasThe Department of Social Services facility Gastonia, NCGaston County Veterans Services NCGaston County Veterans Services NCThe Old Courthouse St. Louis, Missouri Taken 1985 by Nornal H. Waters (my dad)
Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Sporting Venues (actually I’m a week late), a specific type of Cultural Venue. Here are my contributions …
Typical Sporting Venues …
Stadiums …
Ohio State University Stadium Texas Rangers Stadium Old San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium
The top two (2) stadiums are ones my cousins and nieces attend to watch their local sporting events. The third (3rd) stadium in San Diego is the old stadium which served as a venue for both the San Diego Padres and the San Diego Chargers. I only attended Padre games here.
Non-typical Sporting Venues …
Racetracks …
Cajon Speedway El Cajon, California
My dad loved watching car races. He grew up watching NASCAR races. The Cajon Speedway was an oval racetrack near El Cajon, California. The racetrack was originally a 0.25 mile dirt oval track which opened in 1961. In 1964 the track was expanded to a 0.375 mile dirt track and then was paved. The track was located between Gillespie Field and the San Vicente Freeway. The track held many Stock Car races throughout the years. Some of the more notable events were USAC National Midget Series, NASCAR Winston West Series, NASCAR Southwest Series, and the USF2000.
The Cajon Speedway ceased operations after the 2004 season and was demolished sometime after the lease ended in 2005. At this time it is unsure if or when a new NASCAR short track will be built on the property.
Horse Shows …
Horse Shows
The top two (2) are from a horse show held on the grounds of the Lake Haigler Entrance for Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The third (3rd) is of a horse show held at the San Diego Wild Animal Park (now known as the San Diego Safari Park) in 1978.
Water Sport Venues …
Water Sport Competitions
The first two (2) are of my eldest son’s high school CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) swim finals competition held in 1998 in Long Beach, California. My son competed in the butterfly event and the 4 x 100 meter medley and the 4 x 400 meter medley relays. The third (3rd) is from a paddling competition at the Port O’ Call, San Pedro, California.
Youth Baseball/T-ball Venues …
Here we have Coleman at his T-ball practice and one of his games on the local T-ball field. The last is of our local high school’s baseball field.
This week Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Churches, a specific type of Cultural Venue. Here are my contributions …
Galilee Baptist Church 1011 Briarwood St Abilene TX 79603 The Galilee Baptist Church was built in 1963.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Gastonia, North Carolina, USASt. Joseph Catholic Church Former Heritage USA Church Forest Hill Church Fort Mill, SCThe Church of the Holy Spirit (German: Heiliggeistkirche) is the largest church in Heidelberg, Germany.First Baptist Church of Abilene Abilene, Texas Located Third Street near my maternal aunt’s home.First Baptist Church of CramertonChurch of Christ 5th and Grape St Abilene, TexasCramerton Independent Presbyterian Church 51 8th Ave, Cramerton, NC 28032, USAThe Westfield Presbyterian Church Westfield, New JerseyGrace Church San Diego Formerly Known as Scott Memorial Baptist Church 4637 Oregon Street San Diego, CA 92116The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest Abilene, TexasUnion church on Big Horse Creek, Ashe County, North Carolina. Trinity Baptist Church Abilene, TexasFirst Methodist Church Abilene, Texas South Side Baptist Church Abilene, Texas
Note: This Friday’s Which Way Challenge we will be continuing with Any Which Way in Black and White in memory of Cee and her Black and White Challenge (CBWC).
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan Antion our host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge has chosen a theme of Libraries and Bookstores for the challenge. I’m including Little Libraries as well as a few Libraries.
Here are my entries …
Castle Hearst Library Billy Graham Library Little Library Anne Springs Close Greenway Baxter Village Library Fort Mill, SC Baxter Village Library Fort Mill, SCHalloween Library Display Fort Mill, SCLittle Library Anne Springs Close GreenwayLittle Library at the South Fork Trail McAdenville, NCLittle Library Rankin Lake Park Gastonia, NCGaston County Library Gastonia, NCLibrary in the Schiele Museum Gastonia, NCThe Schiele Museum Early Explorers Gastonia, NCThe Schiele Museum Early Explorers Gastonia, NC
God Bless. Have a fantastic rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Noteworthy News: This week’s Which Way Challenge on Friday, November 7th, we’ll be joining Dan Antionfrom No Facilities(https://noFacilities.com) and Marshafrom (https://alwayswrite.blog/), to post Black and White photos to remember Cee on her birthday. For the Which Way Challenge they can be Any Which Way in Black & White in memory of Cee’s Black and White Challenge (CBWC). It would be fantastic if you could include Bridges and/or Old Barns as Cee loved photographing them. If you desire include a thought or memory about Cee or your experiences with her challenges. You may also include flowers in your Which Way for this challenge.
Dan Antion our host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge has chosen a theme of Cultural Venues for the challenge.
Here are some of my intakes on Cultural Venues we have enjoyed at one time or another. Some venues are close by while others are further away, but all are in my opinion interesting Cultural Venues.
Here are my entries …
Let’s first take a look at some Cultural Venues in our surrounding area …
The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NC
The Daniel Stowe Conservancy Belmont, NC
Charlotte Symphony in the Comporium Amphitheater at Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SC
President James K. Polk Birthplace Visitor Center-Museum Pineville, NC
The Billy Graham Library Charlotte, NC
Now let’s wander a bit further out and a few other Cultural Venues of interest around the country.
Flat Top Manor Moses H. Cone Memorial Park Blowing Rock, North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway
New Braunfels Railroad Museum New Braunfels, Texas
Hall of Presidents Colorado Springs, Colorado It Once was a Wax Museum featuring Wax Figures of the Presidents of the United States. The Museum was opened in 1969 and closed in 1996
God Bless. Hope you enjoyed the tour. Have a fantastic rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: This week’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) will be focusing on Any Which Ways in Monochrome ( Monochrome doesn’t need to be strictly Black and White).
Dan Antion our host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge has chosen a theme of Retail for the challenge. This week’s challenge is focusing on non-food related retail businesses. At first I wasn’t sure if I had any non-food related businesses, but luckily while searching through my archives I found a few from here, there, and yonder which I believe fit in with this retail focus.
Here are my entries …
Inside a Walmart Rock Hill, SCColeman inside Walmart Lake Wylie, SCOllie’s Bargain Outlet Gastonia, NCRainbow Paint & Wallpaper Co. Gastonia, NCLehman’s Kidron, OhioLehman’s Kidron, OhioAntiques & other Shops West Jefferson, NCHobby Barn West Jefferson, NCThe Cowboy Way Saddles & Tack Abilene, TXHarry’s Gift Shop Kaiserslautern, Germany Hallmark House Gifts – Toy Shoppe Port O’ Call, Los Angeles, CA Pearson Ford Corner of Fairmont & El Cajon San Diego, CA (My dad worked in the Parts Dept. Here)Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – Retail
Dan from No Facilities hosts Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge each week beginning on Mondays with a new theme each week. Dan is doing an excellent job since taking over the challenge and is keeping it fresh and alive continuing Cee’s legacy. This week Dan has chosen the theme of Subjects Framed by Nature. He has given examples of doors, windows, bridges, and more that subjects can be used to be framed.
Here are my entries …
Lake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCLake Trail Crowders Mountain State Park Kings Mountain, NCSeven Oaks Nature Preserve Belmont, NCLake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCSeven Oaks Preserve Trail Belmont, NCRocky Branch Trail Cramerton, NCPrairie Trail Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCGreen Trail Warlick Family YMCA Gastonia, NC
Dan from No Facilities hosts Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge each week beginning on Mondays with a new theme each week. Dan is doing an excellent job since taking over the challenge and is keeping it fresh and alive continuing Cee’s legacy. This week Dan has chosen the theme of Subjects Framed by Things. He has given examples of doors, windows, bridges, and more that subjects can be used to be framed.
Here are my entries …
The Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco, California San Francisco framed by the Bay Bridge Looking through Alpaca Viewing area at Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCCovered Walkway at Catawba River Trailhead Rock Hill, SCRailroad Trestle over the Blue Star Trail at Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCSouth Fork Catawba River through the Goat Island Bridge Cramerton, NCPump House Seen through a Bridge & a Trestle in Rock Hill, SCColeman through Autumn display at Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCColeman on the Ropes in the Goat Island Park and Greenway’s playground Cramerton, NCColeman poking through the slide at Goat Island Park & Greenway’s playground Cramerton, NC
This week Dan of No Facilities, the host for the Fun Foto Challenge has chosen to continue with the theme of hobby/hobbies for us to continue show images of our hobbies we enjoy doing. This theme gives us a wide range of ideas about what we would like to post.
Last week I shared my hobbies of photography and hiking. I was glad to see some of Dan’s hiking adventures in his post this week. This week I’m displaying images of two different types of hobbies I enjoy.
The first one is my favourite, that of reading. I don’t normally have photos of my reading or of what I’m reading, however, I did find a few in my archives that should demonstrate sufficiently.
Reading is a Hobby enjoyed independently or shared with others.
The second on here is one I enjoy, but haven’t had much time for lately. It is one that requires a vast amount of time on the computer or out and about in family history libraries, cemeteries, reunions, or genealogical conferences. Have you guessed yet what this hobby might be? If you guessed Genealogy you would be absolutely correct. I love researching and finding out more and more about my ancestors and our family history.
Genealogy is a Hobby I enjoy to learn more about Family History.
This week Dan of No Facilities, the host for the Fun Foto Challenge has selected a unique theme. He had chosen to ask us to show images of our hobbies. This theme gives us a wide range of ideas about what we would like to post.
I have chosen to combine two of my hobbies for this challenge. The selections are using my Hobby of Photography with my Hobby of Hiking. All of my photos I’m including are of my Hiking with Coleman (I know you won’t see me, but I’m in every picture as I’m the photographer).
Here are my contributions …
Coleman 2025 Goat Island Park and Greenway Coleman 2025 Goat Island Park and Greenway Coleman 2025 Rocky Branch TrailColeman 2022 Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman 2021 Dogwood Trail Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman 2021 Stables Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman 2022 Catawba Cultural Center TrailColeman 2022 Blue Star Trail Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman 2023 Archers Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman 2025 Riverside Park and Greenway Coleman 2022Coleman 2022 Piedmont Medical Center TrailColeman 2022Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman 2023 Lake Park Trail Crowders Mountain State Park Hiking and Photography Hobbies
The selections I chose were all taken at a recent town concert from early evening to mid-evening in Cramerton, North Carolina. The Town held a Back to School Kids Show and Concert. I discussed the Kids Show in my Six Word Saturday post you can check out by clicking here.For this CFFC post I’m mainly sharing scenes from the Evening’s Concert featuring the Caleb Davis Band.
Pre-Concert Centennial CenterKAOS Kids Appearing on Stage Kazoobie Kids Show Middle School Honourees Cramerton Mayor Honours Middle Schoolers Cramerton Mayor Honours Middle SchoolersCaleb Davis BandCaleb Davis BandCaleb Davis BandColeman with Neighbours Cramerton Concert 6pm —
The Caleb Davis with the Caleb Davis Band has an impressive musical background and training. According to his Facebook profile Caleb plays a wide range of musical genres and toured as a sideman with numerous Country, Gospel, and R&B acts. Around 2009 he formed the Caleb Davis Band with his long-time friend Justin Morehead. They have been working to form their own signature sound and groove.
Coleman and I only managed to stay for the beginning portion of the Concert featuring the Caleb Davis Band. Even though their background information states that they play a wide range of genres, the music we heard the band playing lean more towards the heavy metal genre style of music. That style of music is definitely not what I consider my favourite genre of music. It was so loud and blaring Coleman was covering his ears, it was extremely difficult to listen. After leaving the concert, the volume was so loud we could still hear it from our house several blocks away. Their musical style may be fine for some who like that type of music, however, we will not be listening to it again.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.
Location: Centennial Center; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the rest of your week. Hope to see y’all on Friday with the Which Way Challenge (CWWC). We will be discovering Which ways on a cloudy or stormy day for this Friday’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC). Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Let’s start off today by admiring our Sunday Afternoon Weekend Sky …
It was wonderful to enjoy an amazing afternoon with beautiful Skies after so many rainy days and with more rain expected.
Now on to capturing Coleman’s many antics and expressions as he meanders here and there through Goat Island Park and Greenway.
Coleman’s Meandering in Goat Island Park and Greenway
There is more to share of our adventurous Sunny Sunday afternoon, however, I’ll wait for Friday’s Which Way Challenge to share them. This Friday I am allowing y’all to choose your own Which Ways you’d like to share with us.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL Filter attachments.
Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Get Outdoors and enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
We have had several thunderstorms this week, so therefore we haven’t been out and about much. Instead I’m reminiscing about a trip I took a few years ago with my oldest son for his birthday adventure. Since he wanted to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, I was more than happy to ride along with him.
My entries for this week’s challenge are views from just one of our stops we sidetracked on during his Mountain adventure.
Taken at 10:54 am (late morning) in 2017
Bluff Mountain Overlook is located at Milepost 243.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a popular destination along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bluff Mountain is visible from the Bluff Mountain Overlook. It offers breathtakingly spectacular views.
Foggy Morning Mountain View
On a clear day, Bluff Mountain’s visibility is remarkably satisfying and amazingly delightful to gaze upon from the Overlook. At this point in our adventure clear visibility was not to be had, but that did not deter ills from looking around or venturing on a short hike along the Bluff Mountain Trail which is easily accessible from the Bluff Mountain Overlook.
Alligator Back
Bluff Mountain Trail passes through grassy meadows and includes a challenging switchback ascent called Alligator Back. Alligator Back is a short twenty (20) minute walk from Bluff Overlook.
The Predators
Until recently Predatory Birds and Mammals, those which preyed on other animals or were in conflict with humans, were termed “Varmints” and killed on sight. Fortunately, modern Ecology proves the vital interdependency of all wild plants and animals. Today Hawks and Owls, Black Bears, Bobcats, Foxes and Snakes continue to roam Parklands like this and help preserve the delicate balance of nature. [Informational notice on sign.]
Panoramic View from Bluff Mountain Overlook
We hiked all around the overlook investigating the Predator area scenic views. To the right in the photo above and in the picture below is my eldest son, John. He is not normally into hiking, but he accommodated me in my thrill to explore the sights and perspective landscapes available to observe, explore, and admire.
My eldest son, John
As we drove further along the Blue Ridge Parkway our visibility improved dramatically unlike when we parked here at this location and the Air Bellows Overlook.
Air Bellows Overlook Parkway Milepost 236.9
Looking forward to checking out all your Morning Scenes. Hope to see y’all on Friday for the Which Way Challenge. This week we’ll be including Shadows in our Which Ways. Interested in finding more details about the Which Way challenge click here.
Dan Antion is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. He’s doing an amazing job keeping Cee’s passion alive and fun.
I haven’t taken any early morning dawn shots since before school got out for the summer. Therefore, I went searching through my archives to determine what I might find to fit the theme of Time of Day-Dawn.
Here are my entries for this week’s CFFC challenge …
Hey Dan, I know this is probably not what you are expecting or looking for in your Time of Day — Dawn theme for this week’s challenge, but with Coleman’s birthday this past Friday, the 25th I am still looking back over the Dawn of Time of Coleman in or with RED as he begins a New Dawn of New Beginnings in his life.
Looking forward to y’all sharing in the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) coming up on Friday. This week we are continuing with the theme of Any Which Way with Lines. In case you thought you missed joining in on the challenge, don’t worry there is still time to join in the fun of posting your own Which Ways with Lines.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. While you’re out and about enjoy having fun snapping pictures of your favourite objects and Which Ways. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cruise Ships by the Dock Cozumel, Mexico Kayaks by Lake Haigler Turtles in the South Fork Catawba River Water Reflections in a Bird BathOn the Queen Maryalongside the Pacific Ocean World War I Army Camp Harvey M. Watson Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge
Dan Antion from No Facilities blog host’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. This week he is continuing with his Perspective Challenges. This week is from a perspective of Up Close. This week I am combining CFFC with the Numbers Game using the Theme of Up Close.
Here are my Up Close photos I’ve pulled together for this week’s challenges.
Brown Bear Riverbanks ZooRiverbanks Zoo & Aquarium Columbia, SCCrotalus unicolor Aruba Island RattlesnakeColeman 2021 Lake Wylie, SCGalápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger)Plains Zebra (Equus quagga)Sea Lion underwater ASCG HorseSea Lion underwaterPisgah Inn (me) Blue Ridge Parkway OctopusColeman visiting Greenway Horses 2021Koala Brachiosaurus at Carowinds ASCG HorseZinnia elegansAmerican beechZinnia peruvianaRocky Shoals Spider Lilies Landsford Canal State Park Feral Cat ZinniaColeman 2021Coleman 2025ASCG HorseEastern tiger swallowtailRudbeckia fulgidaColeman 2021Ebony jewelwing Calopteryx maculataLineberger ParkCarowinds
To play along, go to your photos file folder and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find that include that number and post a link to your blog in my Numbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title. This prompt will repeat each Monday with a new number. If you want to play along, please put a link to your blog in comments.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 