On one of our recent hikes we noticed the water streaming down the creek. Coleman laid down on the bridge above and stretched his single stick downward towards the creek trying to stretch it into the water below.
This next shot is not so clear, however, it depicts his lone stick floating in the water. He had lost his grip and it wasn’t within his reach to retrieve it. He was disappointed, but not for long (he always finds sticks along trails.)
Cee’s allowing us to post any road, path, step, bridge, or sign this week for her CWWC. For my selections I chose some from Coleman & my adventures this past week.
Car Driving on Bridge Shot from the Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway Gastonia, North Carolina
Coleman Walking on Sidewalk New Hope Road; Gastonia, North Carolina
Coleman Walking on Brick Ledge The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, North Carolina
Coleman Climbing on Playground Equipment Ladder Steps Erwin Center Recreation and Park Gastonia, North Carolina
Coleman Sock Skating The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, North Carolina
My entries for this Cee’s CMMC this week are a variety of new and archive photos I hope you enjoy. There were taken at The Schiele Museum of Natural History and the Warlick Family YMCA in Gastonia, North Carolina as well as at Andrew Jackson State Park (three of our favorite places to go hiking and relax out in nature.
Brown, Green, Layers, Landscape Green Lettuce on a Bed of Brown Bark Heritage Garden; The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
Brown, Green, Teal, Water, Landscape, Layers Spillway; The Nature Trail; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
Blue, Water, Green, Lake, Layers, Brown Robinwood Lake; Warlick Family YMCA; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
Blue, Brown, Green, Landscape, Water, Lake, Layers The Lake at Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA
… at Robinwood Lake… at the Cherry Blossoms … at the Sand under the Bridge …at the Sky between the Bridges … at Me through the Ladder Rails… at Coleman through the Railcars
Coleman Hiking & Playing Along the Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway
The hiking adventures with Coleman are always fun and interesting. He doesn’t always stick to actual pathways or trails, however, he always gets to where he wants to go and has a fantastic time along the way.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL filter.
Location: Avon Creek Trail; Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy your week. Smell the flowers. Spring is almost here. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
My entries for this week show pathways and signs in and around The Schiele Museum. Enjoy the walk with Coleman and I as we show you some scenes of our recent visit.
These close-ups were all captured during mine & Coleman’s latest visit to (I was so worried you lay down. You don’t just – Apple iPhone’s Siri trying to type what was said to my grandson, oops) our local museum’s nature trail.
We started this visit with a walk through the Dinosaurs Exhibitions …
Stegosaurus Plates
Then we moved on the Nature Trail and a walk around the Pond …
Turtles & their Reflections
And ended our visit with a stroll through the Garden in The Farm …
Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
New life is slowly starting to arrive and in the next few weeks new growth will begin to emerge in abundance.
It is almost guaranteed that while Coleman and I are out hiking along a trail, he’ll decide to sit and rest a second or two before moving on. He can choose to just plop on the ground or hop up on one of the benches scattered along the trail. On this day we chose to hike around Lake Haigler at the Greenway.
Yesterday was a loving day to spend hiking in the Greenway. Unlike the day before when it rained all day and all night. The trails were a bit muddy, however, the views were beautiful with gorgeous skylines and amazing reflection.
Hope y’all had a pleasant Leap Day. I know Coleman and I did. First day in a while with no rain, so it was a good day to venture outside and visit the Schiele Museum, one of Coleman’s favourite places.
Conveniently, it gave me an opportunity for capturing some interesting moments on this Leap/Last Day. Therefore, here are my last on the card shot for February.
Shadows can be seen everywhere, at least when the sun is shining brightly. Shadows materialize along walkways, piers, and trails as well as anywhere imaginable.
Here are my entries for Debbie’s OWS Challenge this week which calls for us to show our SHADOW.
Shadows of Bushes, Trees, & Coleman Warlick Family YMCA
Shadows of the Fencing & Coleman Warlick Family YMCA
Shadows of Trees The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Shadows of Trees, Coleman, & Myself Anne Springs Close Greenway
Shadows along the Pier & in the Lake Anne Springs Close Greenway
My entries for Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge this week were all taken at Goat Island Park & Greenway along the South Fork River Trail, a part of the Carolina Thread Trail System one year ago in February 2023.
Yellow, Green, Brown, Pair, TwoYellow, Green, Brown, Two, Pair, Two people playing Disc Golf in the Park Bird House Canada GeeseBird, Water, River (close to pond), Two, Pair of Canada Geese, Floating (no ducks in area), Brown, Green, Yellow
Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take a hike. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting the Greenway and for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
I bought a Sedremm Compatible with 58mm Star Filter set containing 4 Points, 6 Points, and 8 Points for my Christmas present to myself.
On this week’s visit to the Warlick YMCA I tried out using the 8 Point Star Filter attached the my Canon EF-S55-250mm lens on my Canon EOS Rebel T3i. I think some of the shots came out pretty cool looking, mind you I am only barely learning to use the Star filters.
With the weather somewhat improving and a bit warmer (still not warm enough – jacket weather), Coleman and I are able to venture out on the trails for some delightful hiking. The trails are pretty muddy due to all the strong rainstorms we’ve been experiencing. Some of the trails are blocked off as closed for maintenance due to the damage occurring from the storms.
However, we managed to observe some amazingly beautiful sights ( not posted here.) Since we always hike in the woods, we (I) were able to capture a variety of weathered wood for this week’s challenge of Cee’s CFFC.
Weathered Wood Inside a Tree Trunk Bird HousesWeathered Log Floating in Robinwood Lake
Hey, You Looking at Me?Maybe You’d Like a Frontal Snapshot?Or Perhaps I Should Come a Little Closer?Is This Close Enough? Let’s Make a Deal, I’ll Give You One More Shot … This is My Final Pose!
National Park Service Doughton Park Visitor Center
In front of the Doughton Park Visitor Center are welcoming chairs and a table to rest a bit and enjoy the view or perhaps to wait for the Park store to open if you are camping in one of their many campsites.
Doughton Park is located off of the Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 238.5 – 241. Besides the beautiful scenery surrounding this Park one may choose to explore The Brinegar Cabin, observe craft demonstrations, and talk a gander down one of several diverse hiking trails.
This area has one of the Parkway’s largest campgrounds, a popular picnic area, and more than thirty (30) miles of hiking trails where one may access forested slopes, streams, and backcountry in Basin Cove.
Doughton Park Legend
Originally called The Bluffs, 6,000 acre Doughton Park was created in the 1930s when the Blue Ridge Parkway was routed through this part of North Carolina. It was one of the first parts of the Parkway to be completed and remains its largest recreation area. In the 1950s, it was renamed for Robert Lee Doughton (1863-1954), a local landowner and politician, who was instrumental in getting the Parkway built. Mr. Doughton lived in the nearby Laurel Springs, North Carolina. [Note: the Laurel Springs area is also the area where my maternal grandfather grew up.]
The northern and western borders of Doughton Park are formed by the Parkway itself, which here follows the crest of the mountains, traveling at more than 3,000 feet above sea level through rolling highland meadow. The other borders of the Park are traced by steeply descending mountain ridges: Flat Rock Ridge along the southern side of the Park and Cedar Ridge along the eastern side. Within these borders is the rugged and remote watershed of two mountain streams, Basin Creek and Cove Creek. Together, the double valley – or double gorge – is known as Basin Cove.
In October of 2017 my eldest son and I took a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway meandering the scenic route enjoying the beautiful Autumn colours. I allowed him to drive as he had never previously driven the Parkway. We stopped at several mileposts along the way observing the beautiful landscape. At various mileposts including Milepost 238.5 – 241, we stopped, stretched our legs, and proceeded to hike along several of the many trails found along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I do not recall which trail we hiked at Doughton Park, however, I do know we visited The Brinegar Cabin. I encourage y’all if you are ever in the Western Part of the Carolinas to take a scenic drive along The Blue Ridge Parkway.
I have not seen any snow recently or in the past year, so I am going to let y’all see some of the WHITE which I have seen along the various trails that Coleman and I have hiked in 2023.
First up is a hike with the Anne Springs Close Greenway Hiking Club where some of the hikers are wearing white. Everybody was not ready for the photo; I like to catch people unaware when I can. you may also notice the white in the Archers Loop sign and the white clouds in the sky. It was a beautiful, picturesque day.
Archers Loop Adventure Road Anne Springs Close Greenway Hiking Club Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
Next up is the white Riverwalk Bridge as seen from the Piedmont Medical Center Trail that we have hiked with the hiking club and on our own. Coleman loves to hike along the Catawba River whenever we get the opportunity.
Riverwalk Bridge over the Catawba River Riverwalk Trailhead Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA
Below is capturing a hike we were able to do with Coleman’s mom and sister. It is near one of the locations his mom works at sometimes. Here we are on the Baxter Village Trail, a part of the Carolina Thread Trail System.
Baxter Village Trail Carolina Thread Trail Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA Baxter Village Trail Carolina Thread Trail Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
This next trail is one Coleman and I hiked on our own. I parked at the Boulder Access Parking lot, and we found the entrance to the trail. We hiked approximately two and a half miles before we turned around and headed back to the car. The trail goes on for miles crossing from North Carolina into South Carolina. We were not prepared to go that distance on this hike.
Boulders Overlook Boulder Access Area Crowders Mountain State Park Kings Mountain, North Carolina, USA
For another hike we stopped at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden to hike and enjoy the many marvelous flowers grown there. This is the covered walkway leading into the gardens. Notice the vines growing around the white pillars and Coleman trying to balance on the brick edging along the walkway.
Coleman at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Belmont, North Carolina, USA
Lastly, I know you cannot see the trail, but I wanted to leave you with a beautiful white flower of Queen Anne’s Lace to enjoy.
Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucas carota) Lake Haigler Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for tagging along with us as we remembered our amazing hikes. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
2024 is a bright new year, hopefully more optimistic and positive than the past couple of years. I have been consistently blogging daily for the past five hundred twenty-one (521) days. To me, that is a tremendous achievement. This past year I broadened by blogging horizons by participating in several different challenges. Monday Window is just one of many I have tried to participate in on a regular or semi-regular basis. I hope to continue participating in the various blogging challenges and posting various activities with my grandson.
The first Monday Window for 2024 was taken along the Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway while hiking with my grandson, Coleman.
Apartment Complex Windows Looking Up from the Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway
Photo Credit: (c) 2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Looking Up from the Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway; Icon on the Greenway Apartments; Gastonia, North Carolina , USA
God Bless. Have a Blessed New Year & Keep Photographing, Writing, and/or blogging sharing your thoughts and artistic talents with the world. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Greetings, Christmas Day maybe over , but not necessarily the celebrations and we still have the new year a coming. Since we’ve been sick and not out much I’m choosing to make my selections from the last time I was able to get out ( this respiratory infection, RSV, doesn’t seem like it was to disappear.)
I’m taking you on a walk through The Farm ( one of Coleman’s favorite places) at The Schiele Museum of Natural History.
Entering The Farm …
Shapes, sign, green, lines
Turning Right past the farm you enter the Nature Trail. This directional sign points the way.
Poles, Signs, Green, Black, shapes, bushes (and trees in background)
Now let’s enter The Farm and have a look around…
Fences, Gates, Green, Lines, Signs (& Coleman)
Let’s take a look to see what we can find growing in the garden …
Beautiful Yellow and Green Flowers (a bit or orange too, but that doesn’t count here.) Lines and shapes as well.
Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge-December Pick a Topic from my Photo
When I think of Gold or Silver I think about a Scripture verse in the Holy Bible. It is actually the first portion of Acts chapter three verse six.
“Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: …”
Acts 3:6 NKJV
Gold, especially, was a symbol which stood for anything of great value. There are many things considered to be more valuable than gold or silver. The things to which I am referring to are not tangible, but still extremely important and valuable. These things are (in no particular order):
Friendship
Love
Faith
I/You are Valuable
Wisdom
The Word of God
Good Health
Y’all are precious to me. I value your friendship, kindness, wisdom, and encouragement. Below is my selections for this week’s challenge I choose to share with y’all on my insights for GOLD or SILVER.
Snowflake LIghting of the Greenway Lindsay Pettus Greenway Lancaster, South Carolina, USALIghting of the Greenway Lindsay Pettus Greenway Lancaster, South Carolina, USAGold Star ⭐️ Mothers Dedication Plaque LeJune Memorial Gardens Jacksonville, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for following, liking, and/or commenting on my posts. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. They/You are valuable to me. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Goat in the middle of the trio was getting a shot and medicinal cream for his eczema. It took two to hold him during the process he wouldn’t buck, sometimes precautions are necessary.
The Goats can relax and have fun now. Goat 🐐 Life at The Farm
The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium is our favorite place to go to in our city, however, the most favorite place we love to go, and hike is in a town called Fort Mill. Fort Mill has many interesting places to visit where you can hike, or just enjoy the scenery.
The place we like to go and hike the most is called Anne Springs Close Greenway. The Greenway has five (5) different points of entrance and one can hike any one of the many trails on the 2,100 acres of nature preserve. The trails cover thirty-six (36) miles of hiking pleasure for hikers, runners, walkers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders to enjoy. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.
Whenever we are able to visit the Greenway, we like to enter at a different entrance point every time. Visiting different entrances gives us access to the many different trails and beautiful scenery accessible at the various locations. The most popular entrance is the Lake Haigler Entrance and is used by guests frequently. The entrances are:
Lake Haigler Entrance/Greenway Gateway – activities my include hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing (free for members only, must have an SC Fishing License), or enjoy a meal at the Canteen. A new children’s playground is being constructed at this entrance.
Points of Interests: Greenway Gateway (Visitor Center), Gateway Canteen (Dining), Bruce Rush Pavilion, Historic Nation Ford Road, Kayak Launch, Swinging Bridge, and Scoville Dock.
Dairy Barn Entrance – hiking, close to the main Suspension Bridge and the Greenway Spillway.
Points of Interest: Founders Dairy Barn, Betsy McLean Plant-A-Row for the Hungry Garden, Comporium Amphitheater, Faires-Coltharp Cabin, Graham Cabin, and Swinging Bridge.
Adventure Road Entrance – hiking and mountain biking, fishing (members only), disc golf, dog park play (Add-on membership required).
Points of Interests: Bob Reid Field Trial Barn, Lake Crandall, Lake Frances, Marion Walsh Outdoor Classroom, Mary Warner Mack Dog Park, Stumpy Pond, Swinging Bridges (3).
Greenway Stables Entrance – hiking, horseback riding (Advanced registration required), visit farm animals, a new children’s farm is in process of being constructed. Coleman loves to visit the many horses and farm animals at this location.
Points of Interest: Greenway Stables, Farm animals
Blue Star Entrance – Mountain biking and hiking
Points of Interest: Garrison-Webb Grist Mill, North Tunnel
I encourage y’all if you are ever in the area to stop by and visit the Anne Springs Close Greenway. Beautiful Nature Preserve, Wildflower Garden, and many amazing sights to see and photograph. My grandson, Coleman, and I love to visit the Greenway any and every opportunity we receive. I highly recommend visiting.
Looking Down upon the Water 💦Looking Up at a Ray of Sunshine Peeking through the Clouds Looking Downward upon the Grist MillLooking Upward through the Trees to the Stormy Sky
Camera: (1-2) iPhone 14 Pro Max Main Camera (3-4) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EG-S18-55mm lens with Altura (for Canon) Macro Wide-Angle Fisheye Attachment
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.
When Coleman and I go hiking we rarely see animals along the trails. Sometimes they are to the side of the trail, in the water, or on the other side of a fenced off area. We have managed to see some Geese trying to cross the pathway…
Coleman’s mom’s dog, Chewy, along for the hike…
And a couple of Horses on and off the trail…
I have not seen any cows in the road for quite awhile now, my old landlord’s cow would get out of the pasture occasionally and wander along the roadway.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 