#GetOutdoors – Page 7 – Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

2025 Thursday Doors: 21 August

*Ritva at*
*Ritva Sillanmäki Photography*

Police Polaris

*Cramerton Police Off-Road*
*Law Enforcement Vehicle*

The Cramerton Police Department operates many different types of vehicles to maintain order in the Cramerton area. Besides Police cars, SUV’s and a Police boat; it also operates a Polaris Government and Defense vehicle which delivers performance and reliability for mission-driven demands regardless of what the need or terrain might be.

The Polaris off-road defense vehicle helps our Cramerton Police Department to protect our town and its residents safe. It is fully equipped with sirens, emergency lighting, and a PA system. The Polaris Police Off-Road vehicle is able to go places where a regular police cruiser wouldn’t be able to and is an excellent addition to our Police Department, especially in a town surrounded by the South Fork Catawba River and several Greenways out trails.

***Cramerton Police Officer Demonstrates the Cramerton’s Police Polaris Off-Road Law Enforcement Vehicle prior to the Town Concert***

The Police and the Polaris Police vehicle presence was highly visible out our Town Concert last weekend. The Policeman was kind enough to give some young curious Concert attendees a demonstration of the Polaris Police Off-Road vehicle and even allowed them to sit in the vehicle while he demonstrated all the vehicles amazing features. For his kindness I am eternally grateful. (If you look closely, Coleman is seated in the driver’s side of the vehicle.)

Dan’s Thursday Doors: 08.21.2025

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge

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. Have a fantastic weekend. Hope to see y’all on Friday for the Which Way Challenge. This week the Which Ways will be CWWC: Which ways on a cloudy or stormy day. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 08.20

Nocturnal Visitor

*Seen strewn across our*
*front porch posts*
*Crab spider*

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday- 20 August 2025

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 CFFC: August 19th — Time of Day_Evening

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-Evening.

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.

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.

Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Evening

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.

2025 Numbers Game #86-208

Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game. This week’s number is 206. 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.

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Here are my entries …

***2020 Cruise ++ California Cruise Liner 1979***

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Judy’s Numbers Game #86-208

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 Flower of the Day: 19 August

Lagerstroemia speciosa

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take time to admire Nature’s Beauty. Smell the flowers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

Floral Macro Monday: 18.08.2025

Hibiscus moscheutos

Click on images for enlarged Viewing

Macro Monday (MM)

Macro Monday

Cee’s/Chris’ FOTD

Cee’s FOTD

Photo Credit:©️2025 Deb L. Waters

Camera:Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; 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 Sunday Stills: Wings and Feathers

Spreading Wings

And

Ruffled Feathers

Terri’s Sunday Stills-Wings and Feathers

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

2025 OWS: 17 August — Litter

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace means to carry out what you bring in to nature. Minimize your impact on natural environments. Leave an area as pristine as possible (even better than you found it). The idea is to ensure that the next visitor would barely know anyone else had been there.

Not everyone practises Leave No Trace as is recommended. Too often when we go hiking on various trails, regardless of whether the trails are in Greenways, Local, State, or National Parks, people will leave Litter by the side of trails, amongst the trees, and around campsites.

*Worrells Walk,*
*Carolina Thread Trail;*
*Seven Oaks Preserve;*
*Belmont, North Carolina*

*Carolina Thread Trail;*
*Goat Island Park and Greenway*

“Please Take Nothing
But Pictures
Leave Nothing
But Footprints”
Quote Origin disputed – Chief Seattle or James Brewer, or National Geographic Society

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Litter

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF75-300mm and EF-S55-250mm lenses.

Location: As Stated in captions.

God Bless. Please be sure to Leave No Trace, no Litter left behind. Take only Pictures, kill nothing but time. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Silent Cell Pic Sunday: 08.17

Click on image to enlarge.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Silent Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: AJSP Lake; Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike. 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.

Kazoombie Kazoo — Great American Kid Show

*Cramerton’s Kids Show*
*& Concert Series*

Rick Hubbard’s Great American Kid Show was the pre-show for Friday night’s Concert Series in Cramerton, North Carolina on August 15th.

Rick Hubbard has performed nationwide in country, rock, folk, and jazz bands.
He’s performed across the USA as a stand-up comedian in clubs, colleges, and cruise ships. ‍
His family entertainment show, “The Kazoobie Kazoo Show” has appeared at festivals, events, theaters, and resorts, including Disney World, The Seattle International Children’s Festival,
and The Kennedy Center.
‍
In this show every kid gets a chance to be on stage, and for the grand finale, everyone gets a free kazoo and joins Rick’s marching kazoo band. It’s Kazoobie!

It’s Kazoobie!

Exceptional
Fun
Involving Everyone

Rick Hubbard puts on a show in Centennial Center entertaining kids and adults alike. He believes in KAOS. What does he mean by Kaos?

Kids
Appearing
On
Stage

Rick plays two guitars, a banjo, and a kazoo not all at the same time, but sometimes more than one at once. He is a talented entertainer who interacts effortlessly with his audience involving them in his show.

Cramerton’s kids being apart of his Great American Kids Show …

***Coleman and other***
**Cramerton kids**
**following Rick’s instructions**

While Rick is entertaining kids and adult audiences he is also educating them in word meanings, guiding them through his music about being friends and following directions.

In the last part of this Rick Hubbard’s Great American Kids Show he informs everyone about what a Kazoo is, where it is made, and how best to play a Kazoo.

***Coleman***
**and other Cramerton kids**
**playing Kazoos on stage**
**with Rick Hubbard.**

Every kid in attendance received a free Kazoo they could keep after playing them as part of the show’s Grand Finale Kazoo Band.

Click on images for enhanced enlarged viewing.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

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. Have a funtastic weekend. Enjoy the great outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Flower of the Day: 08.16

Sunflower

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

God Bless. Have a Sunshiny weekend. 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 Thursday Doors: 14 August

Reed Gold Mine

State Historic Site

The Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States. The discovery of gold from this mine gradually influenced gold mining to nearby counties and eventually into other southern states. During the gold mining peak years, it was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed. The estimated value of gold recovered reached over one million dollars a year. North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California.

The Reed Gold Mine is located in Midland, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and has been designated a National Historic Landmark because of its importance and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At this location there is an underground mine that is open for self-guided tours, historic structures, a visitor center, trails, monuments, and outdoor exhibits.

Dan’s Thursday Doors: 08.14.2025

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

Location: Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site; President James K. Polk State Historic Site; Pineville, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Have a fantastic weekend. Hope to see y’all on Friday for the Which Way Challenge. This week the Which Ways will be your choice. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Flower of the Day: 14 August

Coreopsis auriculata

Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take time to smell the flowers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 13 August

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday-13 August 2025

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy all of Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. 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.

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

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 A Welcoming Bench in a Garden

Roscoe Village

Memorial Garden

Looking back to a trip my daughter and I took to visit (meet in person) cousins from my mother’s side of the family in Coshocton, Ohio.

There is an area in Coshocton known as the Historic Roscoe Village. The Historic Roscoe Village is an 1830 Restored Canal Town. Roscoe Village began as a small port town in 1816 after a bankrupt merchant bet that rural farmers would rather do business there than have to shell out 25 cents for the ferryboat to Coshocton.

Today, the restored Roscoe Village stands as a testament to Ohio’s bygone Canal era.

*My daughter*
*relaxing on a*
*Welcoming Garden Bench*

The Frances Montgomery Memorial Garden is one of nine gardens in Roscoe Village and is located near the Visitors’s Center. This Garden is dedicated to honor Mrs. Frances Montgomery and her passion for gardening. The Gardens are planted throughout this restored 1800’s canal town.

The flower beds were created in the early 1970’s by Frances Montgomery out of her love for gardening. Many of the gardens have historical significance and assist in the education mission of Roscoe Village.

Click images to enlarge.

Jude’s Bench Challenge

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 32

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

One Little … Two Little Gliding Ducklings

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Camera: Motorola Photon MB855

Settings: f/2.6 • 1/909 & 1/769 • 4.73mm • ISO100

Location: Central Ohio Technical College (COTC); Newark, Ohio, USA

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

2025 Thursday Doors: 07 August

Moses Cone Carriage House

The Moses Cone Carriage House is a significant historical structure located within the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and just a short hike from the Cone Manor.

The Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and the Moses Cone Carriage House is located near Milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Cone Carriage House was part of the expansive Flat Top Manor estate, built by textile magnate Moses H. Cone and his wife Bertha at the turn of the 20th century.

The estate included the manor house, about 500 acres of farmland, Flat Top Mountain, Rich Mountain, and a vast system of carriage trails.

The Carriage House housed carriages and other equipment used to maintain the estate’s approximately 25 miles of carriage trails. The Carriage House has been preserved as a historical structure within the park, it might possibly be used for maintenance or interpretive exhibits related to the estate’s history.

The Carriage House may not be a prominent visitor attraction on its own, however, it contributes to the overall historical and natural experience of the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, which also includes the Flat Top Manor (the Cone’s former residence), orchards, lakes, and extensive carriage trails.

Note: This section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is open for the public.

Dan’s Thursday Doors: 2025.08.07

Throwback Thursday

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Location: Moses Cone Carriage House; Moses H. Cone Memorial Park; Milepost 294; Blue Ridge Parkway; Watauga County, 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.

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 Flower of the Day: 07 August

Silphium perfoliatum

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Location: Ohio State Fair; Columbus, Ohio, USA

God Bless. 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 Wordless Wednesday: 06 August

Hidden Between Green and Brown

*Look* 👀 *Closely*
*to see who’s Hidden*
*at Andrew Jackson State Park*

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday-06 August 2025

Camera: Apple iPhone XR

Location: Andrew Jackson State Park, Lancaster, South Carolina, USA

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

2025 CFFC: 28 July —Time of day_Morning …

Hike in the Mountains

Dan Antion is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. This week he is continuing with a perspective theme of Time of Day focusing on Morning.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)-Morning

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus Wide and Telephoto Cameras

Location: Bluff Mountain Overlook; Blue Ridge Parkway, 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 Monday Window: 04 August

Kitty by a Window – 2
— AI creation by PR

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

The Yaquina Head Light, also known early in its existence as the Cape Foulweather Lighthouse is a lighthouse on the Oregon Coast of the United States, established in 1873. The tower stands 93 feet (28 m) tall, and is the tallest lighthouse in Oregon.

The Lighthouse was made in Paris in 1868 and shipped to Oregon. The Yaquina Head Light was initially lit on August 20, 1873 and it was automated in 1966. It is active with an identifying light characteristic of two seconds on, two seconds off, two seconds on, and 14 seconds off.

*Yaquina Head Lighthouse*
*shot from the Rear*

Yaquina Head typically had three lighthouse keepers under the U.S. Lighthouse Service; a Head Keeper, and First and Second Assistant. In 1939 the U.S. Coast Guard took over the management.

The lighthouse lantern is operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitors offshore bird rookeries and wildlife. The lighthouse still uses its original 1868 French-made, 1st order, Fixed Fresnel lens, visible 19 miles (31 km) out to sea.

Monday Window

See Monday Window posts in Reader

Location: Yaquina Head Light; Newport, Lincoln County, Oregon, USA

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

2025 Pull Up a Seat (Outdoor Dining)

THE GREEK GRILL

On a beautiful sunny summer day, who wants to eat indoors? Why not enjoy the beautiful weather and enjoy the delicious Greek Gyros at a dining table outside?

That’s exactly what we did. We went inside, ordered our Greek Gyros with Grilled Veggies and went outside to enjoy our food under the shade of an umbrella in the beautiful sunshine.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 31

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: The Greek Grill; Tega Cay, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get out and enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Sunday Trees: 03 August

Lagerstroemia Indica “Whit II”

The Lagerstroemia Indica “Whit II” is noted for its true red blossoms. It is a splendid, upright, deciduous tree with a profusion of large clusters, packed with crinkly , cherry red flowers at its branch tips.

The Dynamite Crape Myrtle is a long blooming summer flowering tree. [The one pictured here began blooming near the end of July across the street from us.] It will bloom through early autumn.

The Lagerstroemia Indica “Whit II” – Dynamite Crape Myrtle is an attractive ornamental shrub or small tree with smooth, peeling bark. The fiery red summer flowers with gradually change to vibrant orange-red fall foliage. Even after the leaves drop, the display is not over. Smooth but mottled bark showcases an attractive range of tan, gray, and brown which covers the trunk and branches of the Dynamite Crape Myrtle.

Sunday Trees

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy the Outdoors. Have a rest under a shade tree. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 OWS: 03.08 — Green (Seen from Trails)

Hiking along the Riverlink Greenway Trail at Goat Island Park and Greenway we tree y to observe everything around us. The objects along our foot path regardless of whether they are on the trail or along the side of its side.

*Tree Leaves*
*near the edge*
*of a Trail*

The sun bounces off the leaves differs slightly from one spot to another giving interesting contrasts that seem to stand out calling you to take a closer look.

The glistening rays reflect varying shades of green in the river below. What captured my attention, at first, were the broken tree branches strewn across the waters of the South Fork Catawba River. The water reflections were an added bonus.

Skipping down the road to another Greenway in town; (also apart of the Carolina Thread Trail) the Riverside Park and Greenwaywe encounter interesting plants and trees along the trail pathway.

Taxodium distichum Seed Pods
(baldcypress, bald-cypress,
bald cypress, swamp cypress)

I found these seed pods fascinating. I was not sure what they were when I first saw them, but they stood out and begged for me to capture them. Looking them up, I discovered these are Bald Cypress seed pods. The Bald Cypress trees are native to the Southeastern United States of America.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Green

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #274

Cameras: 1-3) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; 4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Locations: 1-3) Riverlink Greenway Trail; Carolina Thread Trail; Goat Island Park and Greenway; 4) Riverside Park and Greenway; Carolina Thread Trail; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

2025 Silent Sunday: 03 August

Smokey at the Fair

[Click on image for enlarged/enhanced viewing]

Silent Sunday-2025.08.03

Photo Credit:©️2025 Mark Watson

Location: Ohio State Fair; Columbus, Ohio, USA

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

Do Low Water Levels Prevent Splash-time?

We have been having so many days of extreme heat and humidity that what rain we have had has not been enough to sustain or elevate the water levels of our lakes, rivers, or spillways.

*Coleman*
*on his way*
*to the Spillway*

Do you think that the low water levels would hinder Coleman from enjoying splashing around in the Spillway? Definitely not.

Normally the water levels would be so high you’d be able to see the water from where Coleman is located. The water is usually all the way across the Spillway and flowing down stream.

Coleman deciding
whether we are ***crossing***
the Swinging Bridge before
he enters the water.

This is the Greenway’s Swinging Bridge, the main access to the other side of the Spillway.

*Coleman is almost*
*across the Swinging Bridge*

The view of the Swinging Bridge from the top of the stairs. Normally the plant growth is not high enough to intertwine with siding along the Swinging Bridge.

*Coleman begins*
*splashing back and forth*
*with his feet.*

As you look at the pictures below you’ll be able to see and understand the extreme drought we are experiencing. The extremely low water levels caused by insufficient rainfall is disappointing to see. Ordinarily the water would rise above Coleman’s knees and you would not be seeing all the dirt, red clay, and mud which you can observe here.

Anne Springs
Close Greenway
Spillway with Coleman

Even though the water levels were extremely low it did not prevent Coleman from having a Splashing Good Time running back and forth, to and fro, as well as up and down the length of the Spillway.

Debbie’s Six Word Saturday

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Crossing

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #274

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

God Bless. Stay Cool. 😎 Take Care. Get Outdoors whenever possible. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Skywatch Friday/Weekend Sky —02 August

The Black Clouds rolling in and the winds kicking up before the rain and thunderstorms arrive.

Cloudscapes & Wind Activity
seen from the Backyard

Skywatch from the Front Porch of the thunderstorm prior to the rain pouring down upon the land.

***Early Evening Cloudscapes***
***alert pending Thunderstorms***

Lightening and Raining has begun …

And just as quickly it ended to begin again in another hour or so.

Skywatch Friday

Hammad’s Weekend Sky

Weekend Sky

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Enjoy your weekend. 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 Monochrome Madness (MM) — Scenes from a Playground

Schroering Forest Playground

Anne Springs Close Greenway

Good Day! This being an off week for Monochrome Madness I am doing my own thing, not following with Sand patterns or fence posts like Leanne or Brian. Hope you will not tire of seeing my grandson, Coleman.

Today I am continuing the Coleman’s adventures in the Greenway from his birthday adventures. After cooling off in the Spillway, it was drying off time which (for Coleman) meant playtime in Schroering Forest Playground.

The Schroering Forest Playground is nestled amongst trees a short distance from the Domtar Forest Porch (featured here) where we relaxed sipping cool refreshing water.

*Climbing Structure*
*for ages 5 and Up*

The climbing structure is Coleman’s favourite area to play in the Schroering Forest Playground. He has always loved to climb and is not afraid to climb anything (even though, I think his mom is sceptical). She’s probably worried he’ll fall, however, I’m not worried he climbs anything and everything anytime anywhere.

The Schroering Forest Playground was constructed in the Lake Haigler Entrance to Anne Springs Close Greenway in 2024. The intention of this unique playground is to reteach children how to play in the woods.

*A mom (aka Coleman’s mom)*
*watching her son*
*enjoying the Playground.*

The playscape and structures are specially crafted to help activate sensory skills, foster creativity and problem-solving through free play, reduce stress, increase physical activity, develop confidence in the outdoors, improve cognitive abilities and facilitate outdoor learning. Key features of the Schroering Forest Playground include a central climbing structure for older children and a corresponding structure for younger guests.

I’ve been taking Coleman to play in the woods and interact with nature since he could walk. He prefers being outdoors and in the woods over being in the house any day. He enjoys hiking all the trails in Anne Springs Close Greenway and if he can combine hiking with playing all the better as far as he is concerned.

[Click on each image for enlarged viewing.]

Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

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

2025 #SimplyRED #31 – Final Day for Red Squares

Throughout the month of July we have seen many Red Squares to pique our interests and delight us uplifting our spirits. Keep Calm you still have a few hours yet to join in and share your Red Squares.

*Keep Calm Sign*
*at Señor Frog’s*
*in Cozumel, Mexico*

I know myself and others have shared Red flowers in honor and in memory of Cee Neuner. What a beautiful way it has been to remember Cee in Becky’s #SimplyRed challenge.

Please don’t have a cow …

Call a friend and have some fun. Squaring may be almost over for now, but alas Becky will host another Square Challenge again before you know it. The time will pass quickly, however you can still join in on this one for a few hours more.

*Pay Phone in*
*Stone Mountain State Park*
*Roaring Gap, North Carolina*

Stop and enjoy a beautiful Red Sunrise …

*Andrew Jackson State Park*
*Lancaster, South Carolina*

And Raise your flags proudly over the land …

*United States of America Flag,*
*North Carolina Flag & Gastonia Flag*
*Warlick Family YMCA*
*Gastonia, NC*

Thank you Becky for hosting the Squares Challenge and challenging us with this month’s #SimplyRed theme.

Becky’s #SimplyRed #31

Cee’s FOTD

Thursday Trios

God Bless. See ya Red. Till next time Squares. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Thursday Doors: 31 July

Garrison-Webb Grist Mill

Located on the property of Anne Springs Close Greenway is the Garrison-Webb Grist Mill. The Garrison-Webb Grist Mill was established in 1780 and operated for approximately one hundred (100) years.

The mill was located along the banks of Steele Creek by Isaac Garrison and Theodoric Webb, who bought the land from Thomas Spratt. The mill was located near the first of four sanctuaries of Unity Presbyterian Church, a log structure built in 1788. This small collection of homes and other structures was named “Little York.”

In 1830, it was decided to name the town Fort Mill referencing the Indian Fort near the Catawba River and the mill, referring to the Garrison-Webb Grist Mill along Steele Creek.

*The Rear of the*
*Garrison-Webb Grist Mill*

After extensive research archaeological evidence of the gristmill was found in the northwest section of the Anne Springs Close Greenway. Over the 100 years the mill was operational its ownership passed through to several owners, including John Springs and William E. White. The original mill burned down in 1889, and it is unclear if it was ever rebuilt.

*The Spinning Water Wheel*
*of the Grist Mill*

In 2008, the Anne Springs Close Greenway began efforts to recreate the mill in its original setting. The mill was designed to have a moving water wheel, but the wheel was not attached to any gears and was never intended to actually grind grain. The Greenway was mainly intended as a learning opportunity and to honor the history of the industry in the region.

Visitors to the Anne Springs Close Greenway may visit the Garrison-Webb Grist Mill by hiking the Blue Star Trail beginning at the Blue Star Entrance to the Greenway. Once on the Blue Star Trail you’ll cross foot bridges and Steele Street (a paved public road) and continue down a hill to the mill, which was constructed in 1780.

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Location: Garrison-Webb Grist Mill; Blue Star Trail; Blue Star Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South 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.

2025 Pull Up a Seat on a (Jude’s) Bench, Chair or Rocker— 27 July

Domtar Forest Porch

Lake Haigler Entrance

Anne Springs Close Greenway

The Domtar Forest Porch is located adjacent to the Greenway Gateway (often referred to as the canteen) and alongside the historic Nation Ford Road. It is surrounded by a canopy of trees which provides much needed shade and sometimes a cool breeze for a bit of rest and relaxation to bone weary hikers to enjoy.

Whether you come to the Greenway to hike, attend a concert, or just enjoy the beautiful outdoors, you might like to grab some grub at the Gateway Canteen and Pull Up a Seat in one of many Domtar Forest Porch sitting selections.

On Friday Coleman, his mom (Trisha) and I delighted in quenching our thirst with some iced cold water from the Gateway Canteen sipping them within the Domtar Forest Porch.

The Domtar Forest Porch serves as a gorgeous outdoor site for events nestled in nature. From wedding ceremonies, receptions and parties to picnics and retreats, this venue is perfect for gathering and enjoying the natural surroundings.

The Anne Springs Close Greenway hosts the Rooted Rhythm Concert Series every Thursday evening from the beginning of May through July. The Live Concerts provide a variety of musical artists and genres for guests to the Greenway to enjoy in the beautiful outdoors. There is a small charge for non-Members plus a small parking fee. Greenway members are free, however, if you’re parking at the Lake Haigler entrance you’ll still be charged the parking fee to help with the extra costs for the extra parking lot aides.

Domtar Forest Porch
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fort Mill, South Carolina

Jude’s Bench Anniversary Challenge

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 30

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Ultra Wide & Fusion Cameras.

Location: Domtar Forest Porch; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South 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.

2025 OWS: 27 July — Horse Crossing

Debbie’s One Word Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Lake Haigler Spillway; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South 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.

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 Thursday Doors: 24 July

Cramerton Fire Department

Rear Side Door

*Cramerton Fire Department*
*Rescue Boat*

*A Trio of Red Chairs*
*at the Rear of the*
*Fire Department*
*by the Rear Side Door*

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Thursday Trios

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2025-Week 29

#SimplyRED24 (Becky’s Squares)

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Location: Cramerton Fire Department; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Smile. You are loved. Take Care. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 LAPC #357 — Into the Woods — Through the Trees

… A Hiking we shall Go

in Kings Mountain State Park

Let’s take our hearts for a walk in the woods and listen to the magic whispers of old trees…
WILD WOMAN SISTERHOOD

Taking a hike through the woods surrounded by encompassing trees is one of the most invigorating and inspiring activities one could experience and one I truly love to undertake as often and as long as I am able to do so.

I find peace and tranquility while I am hiking through the woods. It is a fascinating opportunity to admire and explore all the beauty nature has to offer. It is a time to renew the(my) mind, relax one’s(my) body, and recharge the(my) spirit within you(me).

“Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
John Muir

All the ins and outs, the twists and turns of a trail remind me that my path in life is not always (or necessarily) meant to be a straight pathway on life’s journey. Only God knows what pathway I should be on and whether I venture off the path or not, God is always there to guide me through life’s trials and triumphs.

“It is a surprising and memorable, as well as valuable experience, to be lost in the woods any time.”
Henry David Thoreau

Whenever I go into the woods I seek to obtain peace and tranquility. The woods are an escape from daily routines and aggravation. The calmness I feel amongst the trees is overwhelming and enhances a sense of calming relaxation, reflection, and revitalization.

“In Every Walk
With Nature
One Receives Far More
Than He Seeks.”
— John Muir

This adventure into the woods was a solo (Coleman was on 11 months at the time) outing I took to get away from the stress and tension within my environment. I ventured onto the trails in Kings Mountain State Park for some time in the woods communing with God and nature.

I hiked along the Lake Crawford Trail twisting and turning along the natural path enjoying the beautiful views along the way. I especially liked viewing the spillway cascading downstream and the amazing views looking out over Lake Crawford.

Click on each image for enhanced enlarged viewing.

Egidio’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #357-Into the Woods

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere (WWE)

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Lake Crawford Trail; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy nature’s beauty. Thankful for the freedom to be outside and in the woods. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

2025 Wordless Wednesday: 23 July

After the Storm

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday-23 July 2025

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere (WWE)

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

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

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

2025 Sunday Stills: 20 (on 22) July — Cardinal Feathers

The Northern Cardinal is the official state bird of North Carolina. It was designated as such in 1943 by the North Carolina General Assembly. The bright red colour of the males feathers, black face mask and their distinctive crests make them easy to spot. The females are a duller reddish-brown with similar facial markings.

*Cardinals display at*
*The Schiele Museum*
*of Natural History*

The Northern Cardinals (also referred to as Cardinals or Redbirds) do not migrate and have adapted effortlessly to both suburban and city environments. They are the most abundant and cherished songbirds in North America.

Cardinals are believed to be beneficial by providing services for the environment, such as keeping farms and gardens free of harmful plants and insects.

Cardinals are seedeaters that also eat insects, larvae, sap, and many types of fruit. They enjoy feasting on berries (even dried berries, cranberries, and raisins) sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, peanuts and cracked corn.

They have strong beaks adapted for cracking seeds. They eat seeds from a variety of sources, including weeds, grasses, and trees. Sunflower seeds, in particular, are a favorite.

Cardinals also consume a variety of wild fruits and berries, such as dogwood, wild grape, blackberry, raspberry, sumac, and cherries. They get important nutrients and sugars from these. Interestingly, the red pigments in the male cardinal’s plumage come from carotenoids found in the fruits they eat.

Cardinals thrive in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, residential areas, and even parks. They are known for their loud, clear whistles and are territorial, often seen defending their space, even against their own reflection.

*Hey you,*
*I see you checking*
*out my Feathers.*

We often see Cardinals in our neighbourhood perching on wires, in trees, and checking out our bird feeder. Sometimes the wind will sway the feeder to and fro and seed will fall onto the porch railing or undeveloped planter box. This particular female Cardinal is enjoying a snack of sunflower seeds spilled onto the porch railing. Isn’t she just sitting prettily posing for me to capture her portrait?

*What ya doing to me?*
*This is not enough for my lunch.*
*Ya gotta do better than this.*

My high school mascot was Cardinals … these are recent renderings of the Cardinal for the Hoover High (San Diego) Class of 1974.

Terri’s Sunday Stills-July 20_Feather

#SimplyRED ( Becky’s Squares)

Birds of the Week CXXVI

Birds of the Carolinas

God Bless. Enjoy your week. Take time to commune with nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.

#SimplyRED in Floral Macro

Gaillardia pulchella

*Aka Indian Blanket,*
*Firewheel, Girasol Rojo*

Click on image for enlarged Viewing

Macro Monday (MM)

Macro Monday

Becky’s Squares-#SimplyRED #21

Cee’s/Chris’ FOTD

Cee’s FOTD

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Crowders Mountain State Park; Kings Mountain, 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 Monochrome Monday(MM)/Monday Portrait

Scavenger in the Park

While walking around Goat Island Park and Greenway Coleman spotted something in the trash can that definitely wasn’t trash.

This Eastern Gray Squirrel was scavenging through the trash to see what he could find that might possibly look appetizing.

Monday Monochrome

Monochrome Monday

Monday Portrait

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 Cell Pic Sunday: 20 July

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Fusion Camera

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

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

2025 OWS: 20 July — Emergency Vehicle Wee-oh Wee-oh Wee-oh

Also Posting for

#SimplyRED #20

Wee-oh Wee-oh Wee-oh, the sound Coleman makes every time he sees a Fire Truck cruising down the road.

Wee-oh Wee-oh Wee-oh, Engine 412 rolling down the street.

Cramerton Engine 412 cruising back to the station. Wee-oh Wee-oh Wee-oh.

Cramerton’s Emergency vehicle, the Engine 412 Fire Truck is always ready to save the day. Wee-oh Wee-oh Wee-oh.

Click on each image for enlarged viewing.

Debbie’s One Word Sunday (OWS)-Emergency

#SimplyRED #20 (Becky’s Squares)

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

Location: 8th Avenue; Downtown Cramerton; Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA

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

Police Polaris

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Nocturnal Visitor

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Lagerstroemia speciosa

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Hibiscus moscheutos

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Spreading Wings

And

Ruffled Feathers

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Leave No Trace

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It’s Kazoobie!

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Reed Gold Mine

State Historic Site

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Coreopsis auriculata

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Roscoe Village

Memorial Garden

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Moses Cone Carriage House

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Silphium perfoliatum

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Hidden Between Green and Brown

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Hike in the Mountains

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Yaquina Head Lighthouse

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THE GREEK GRILL

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Lagerstroemia Indica “Whit II”

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Smokey at the Fair

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Schroering Forest Playground

Anne Springs Close Greenway

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Garrison-Webb Grist Mill

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Domtar Forest Porch

Lake Haigler Entrance

Anne Springs Close Greenway

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Sixth Birthday Adventure

Happy Sixth (6th) Birthday Coleman!

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Cramerton Fire Department

Rear Side Door

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… A Hiking we shall Go

in Kings Mountain State Park

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After the Storm

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