Dan Antion hosts theThursday Doorschallenge every Thursday. All you need to do to participate is post a picture(s) of a door(s) and leave a link to your post on his current post.
For this week I am posting images of Doors in and around the Kings Mountain National Military Park Visitor Center & Museum.
First, we begin at the entrance to the Visitor Center …
Entrance Doors to the Visitor Center and Museum
Now let’s look at a couple of doors inside the Museum.
Not sure what this door, that Coleman found, was used for. However, He opened it up to check it out anyway.
Emergency Exit Only
And lastly, let’s check out to see what door(s) Coleman found outside near a trail.
Location: Kings Mountain National Military Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a great rest of your week and a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
First signs of Spring are slowly sprouting up out of the old dry branches of the hydrangea bush in front of the house. It’s odd to see old and new life together, but it’s also wonderful and beautiful. It reminds me that God has made me a new creation …
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
“And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new!’And then he said to me, ‘Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.’”
God said it, and I believe it. He makes everything new, even the plants, flowers, … when He said everything, He meant absolutely everything is made new.
Location: Home Garden; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. May you be blessed with new adventures, new friendships, and an abundance of happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coleman and I had the opportunity to hike Battlefield Trail (more on that later) on Saturday, March 7th. The day started out gloomy and overcast with the possibility of rain. Luckily the rain held off until we were back home. It ended up being around 76°F and humid. Not too bad for hiking weather except my glasses kept fogging up making it hard to see.
Below are the windows we saw as we were approaching the backside of the VisitorCenter upon completing the 1.5 mile Battlefield Trail.
Windows on the Backside of the Visitor Center
Kings Mountain National Military Park Visitor Center and Museum
National Park Service Visitor Center Kings Mountain National Military Park & Museum
Camera: 1-2) Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; 3) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Kings Mountain National Military Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Our neighbours have several breeds of chickens in their backyard. They don’t always stay in his yard, sometimes they come a visiting. He has two or three Rhode Island Reds like this one and they tend to fly short distances until they are able to “jump” over the wire fence. When they do they are more than likely going to be caught by Coleman.
Our Neighbours Rhode Island Red
The Rhode Island Red is a popular, hardy American chicken breed (a friend in Texas as some as well). They are known to be excellent producers of large brown eggs (approximately 6-7 eggs per week). Even though most individual chicken owners raise them for their eggs, they are also an excellent source of high-quality meat. It is said that the Rhode Island Red Roosters could be aggressive and not ideal for small children or neighbours. (I think our neighbours Rhode Island Reds must be hens, since hens are more friendly and they haven’t pecked Coleman yet.)
God Bless. Keep your eyes open for interesting photography opportunities. They maybe lurking about in the least likely places. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Cramerton Drugstore Landscape; Cramerton, North Carolina. USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Our new neighbours have chickens in their backyard. Sometimes they fly over the fence and wander around our backyard. While visiting with the neighbours, Coleman chased the chickens in between jumping on their trampoline. As you can see after several tries, Coleman caught one of the chickens. This one is a Silkie chicken; they are known for their fluffy, silk-like plumage. They are flightless, but they sure can run when being chased by a little boy.
Location: Neighbours Backyard; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take Care. Be Peaceful, Mindful, and Kind. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
We visited a new playground for Coleman … The T. Jeffers Center in Gastonia 1 mile away (3 minutes by car or 21 minutes walking) away from our new home.
T. Jeffers Center & Park
He ran around from here, there, and yonder so quickly it was hard to keep visual tracking of his whereabouts.
Playground at T. Jeffers Center & Park
Where in the Playground is Coleman? Can you spot him? If so, let me know where you see him.
Location: The T. Jeffers Center and Park; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take time to enjoy a few adventures. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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. As always signs are always welcome. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
Here are my entries …
Entering the Carolina Speedway …
Carolina Speedway SignThe long line to entering the parking area. Walking to the Seating area at the TrackWalking to the Seating area at the TrackCee’s Which Way Challenge Any Which Way (Your Choice)
In between the regular Monster Truck Wars competitions the event held a Power Wheels Truck race featuring the littlest and youngest “Monster Truck” drivers. These images are from the Power Wheels Truck race.
Enthusiastic young driverMini Grave Digger Truck & driver Slowly approaching starting lineLining up & waving to crowd (Trio of Power Wheels)Roaring and rolling They are off … One, Two, Three … (not final order)Nearing the finish lineThursday Trios & CWWC
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.
Dan Antion from No Facilities, the host of Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)has chosen to start a new series of related themes dealing with Tools and Equipment. This is the fourth week of the new series for Cee’s Fun FotoChallenge with Inventions which has a feature of Tools and Equipment.
Here are my entries …
Ridgid RB40 Jobsite Toolbox seen along the Rocky Branch TrailDewalt DWE7491RS – Job Site Table Saw w/ Rolling Stand, 10″, CompactStorage of Fire Extinguishers & other equipment Construction Equipment hard at work by The Schiele Museum Construction Equipment at Anne Springs Close Greenway CATERPILLAR 349F Crawler ExcavatorsVancer CWX20 HI-RAIL EXCAVATORCee’s Fun Foto Challenge Tools and Equipment
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Make some funtastic memories. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Monday was Coleman’s first day at his new school, Edward D. Sadler Jr Elementary. The school is named after Dr. Edward DeWitt Sadler, Jr. (1947–2018). He served as the first African-American Superintendent of Gaston County schools. He believed ‘All Children Can Learn.’
The school’s mascot is the Gators. The school celebrates diversity through their international teachers, who share their cultures and languages with students.
Coleman’s new school
This year the entire school is reading ‘The One and Only Ivan’ by Katherine Applegate. The school is encouraging families to read and discuss the book together as a family. The students will also discuss in their classrooms at school. Sadler Elementary encourages students to dream big, work hard, and celebrate what makes them unique.
After only a couple of days of Coleman being at the new school, we can already see an improvement in his attitude towards school, the encouragement from his teachers, and his confidence for learning has increased.
Location: Edward D. Sadler Jr. Elementary School; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a great rest of your week and a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Inside Chick-Fil-A; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stop and smell the Flowers. Bring a Ray of Sunshine’s Beauty inside. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Brian from Bushboys Worldhosts a monthly challenge called Last On the Card. His rules are simple to follow if you’re interested in participating.
Here are The rules: 1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 30th or whenever your last photo was taken. 2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate. 3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do 4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments 5. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard
Here are my contributions …
From my Canon EOS T7 (2000D):
T-Rex Driver Monster Jam 2026 Carolina Speedway
From my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:
Coleman not to thrilled to meet his Grand Uncle Larry (aka my brother) at CLT Airport
God Bless. Enjoy your Winter/Summer days. Stay safe. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
I received a good morning text from my brother out of the blue this morning. However, that was not the surprise. The surprise was that he was out he my neck of the woods.
He flew in from Texas for my Aunt’s Dalline’s funeral. (I missed the funeral dye to a prior commitment that was scheduled at the same time.) I respond back with a “Good Morning,” but was wondering why he was texting me this morning. (Not something he would normally do except for birthdays and holidays.)
You see, I didn’t know he was flying out here for the funeral and he didn’t realize we had conflicting schedules and wouldn’t make it to the funeral. He texted and asked where he should send a sympathy card, so I thought he wasn’t coming. And he didn’t tell me he was here until shortly before his flight back home to Texas.
Hey sis, Surprise I’m in Charlotte. Then he tried to tell me there was no need to meet up. That didn’t sit well with me. My daughter (who works at CLT airport) wasn’t satisfied with that comment either.
Therefore, Surprise Larry. We’re coming to the airport to see you before your flight takes off. (That’s what my daughter told my brother.)
My brother, Larry Dean Waters @Charlotte-Douglas International Airport
How’d you like that for a Surprising day. What else was Surprising was Coleman’s reaction to seeing my brother. (You have to understand, normally Coleman doesn’t meet a stranger he won’t speak to and be friendly and courteous. Coleman normally is not shy around people. So, his reaction to meeting my brother was a major Surprise to me. For the longest time, he would try to hide behind me, wouldn’t say hi, or say anything to him. (He’d talk to other people all the time he didn’t know.) I had a hard time understanding why he was refusing to sp to my brother.
Before we left the airport, Coleman finally agreed to say hi and partake in a family hug. (He stood for the photo with me and my brother under protest.) After the family hug, the only thing he was interested in saying was bye Uncle Larry. Not how much he enjoyed the Monster Truck Jam, or how Shark Attack blew its motor, nothing until Bye. That was a big surprise to me.
Location: Carolina Speedway; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take Care. Be Peaceful, Mindful, and Kind. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Today we moved part of our stuff into a “new to us” house across the county approximately 9.1 miles away from where we were living for the past couple of years.
Moving Totes
This means a new school for Coleman, a need to find a new church home, and new adventures roaming the neighbourhood and surrounding areas. Also new neighbours, new friendships to build.
Our (Coleman & mine) Entertainment for the Evening
However, with packing and moving tensions between family heightens and misunderstandings occur. Even with all that, Coleman and I are looking forward to new adventures the new neighbourhood and city can bring us.
Location: “New Home”; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take time to enjoy a few adventures. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge Cee’s Which Way Challenge
Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Week’s Which Way Challengeare theme is Any Which Way on Dirt Trails, dirt pathways, or dirt stairways in Monochrome. They can be Any Which Way on any Dirt Trails, dirt Pathways, or dirt Stairway, as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. As always signs are welcome anytime.
Here are my entries …
Sauntering through
Crowders Mountain State Park
Coleman and I enjoy hiking whenever and wherever possible as long as it’s not too cold and windy. We saunter around parks and along trails at our own pace leisurely observing nature’s beautiful scenery. As usual, Coleman is up ahead of me as I keep on sauntering along snapping pictures here, there, and yonder. Come saunter along with us through Crowders Mountain State Park.
Which Way Challenge (CWWC) Dirt Trails, Dirt pathways, or Dirt stairways in Black & White Monochrome
Click on each image to enlarge.
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.
Back in 2020, I stayed with my maternal aunt for a couple of months before returning to the Carolinas after a Caribbean cruise I had taken in late February. While visiting my aunt, I would periodically take long walks accumulating more than 10,000 steps per walk.
On this particular day I came across this old building that piqued my curiosity. Naturally, I used my phone to look up information on what the building had been used for in its heyday.
Abilene Eagles Nest
Turns out the building was originally Abilene High School in Taylor County, Texas. The school was constructed in the Late Gothic Revival style in 1923. There were four additions made to the building in 1927, 1928, and 1941. In 1955, a new high school was built and this building became Lincoln Junior High School. Later on, it became Lincoln Middle School. In 2007, the school was closed … no more rambunctious teenagers roaming the hallways … forever remembered as the Historic AbileneHigh School.
Location:Historic Abilene High School; Abilene, Texas, USA
God Bless. Have a fascinating weekend full of exciting adventures. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
For the Lenten Season which began on February 18th, I decided what better selection than the Narcissus pseudonarcissus to post. The Narcissus pseudonarcissus, is commonly referred to as the wild daffodil or Lent Lily.
Lent Lily
I captured this Lent Lily with my iPhone in February of 2024 (during the Lenten season) at The Schiele Museum of Natural History. It was growing in The Farm area near one of the historic cabins.
Location: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take time to observe the Flowers and nature’s beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coming out of the U.S. Postal Service building what caught my eye was not the building itself, but what was displayed in the corner of the landscaping in front of the building.
U. S. Flag (not in image) and a POW * MIA Flag
From my sidewalk view … left of the flagpole stood a military cannon. [I didn’t expect to see the cannon on display at the post office.]
Military style cannon U.S. Postal Service property Gastonia, NC
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Parasaurolophus is a large, herbivorous, duck-billed dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period.
The Parasaurolophus is a North American dinosaur which could walk on either two or all four legs. It grazed on plants like pine needles and leaves. Its name means “lizard crest”, (A Crest is a hollow, bony tube extending from the back of its skull.) it uses its crest for producing low, trumpet-like sounds to communicate, attract mates, or warn of danger.
No matter if you’re hiking the Nature Trail, having a group meeting, or just need a short break; there’s a bench for you to Pull Up a Seatand rest a spell.
Amphitheater Amphitheater Benches Wood & Metal Bench Cement BenchCement BenchA Trio of Benches Gazebo Benches Gazebo BenchesAmphitheater BenchesAmphitheater BenchesWooden Bench Pull Up a Seat along a Nature Trail The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Week’s Which Way Challengeare theme is Any Indoor Pathway, Hallway, Corridor, Or Stairway. They can be Any Which Way on any Pathways, Hallways, Stairway, or Corridor as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. As always signs are welcome anytime.
Walking the Hallways and Corridors
inside the
Schiele Museum of Natural History …
Here are my entries …
Coleman Walking the Hallways & Corridors of The Schiele Museum of Natural History. CWWC Cee’s Which Way Challenge
Click on each image to enlarge.
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.
While visiting The Schiele Museum of Natural History, we paused to check out the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake .
The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is also known by Crotalus adamanteus (its Binomial name).
It is a species of pit vipers belonging to the family Viperidae. They are indigenous to the Southeastern United States of America.
It is the largest rattlesnake species and one of the more heavily venomous snakes in the Americas.
This Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is safely encased behind a large glass window and is accessible by the staff. The staff do occasionally bring out various snakes and other animals for educational purposes.
Yesterday, I shared some unique benches inside Amber Jack Seafood & Steak Restaurant. Today, I am letting you have a glimpse of the Windows we viewed from our table.
I loved seeing the reflections in the window from across the room.
This is a vertical window reflecting what was showing on the TV screen in another portion of the room.
Interesting Displays in the foyer of the restaurant.
Dining at Amber Jack Seafood & Steak Restaurant we noticed these unique benches in the foyer. The sign attached to the benches state “Please Do Not Sit.”
They may look inviting, but the owner insists on you refraining from sitting on the benches. Admire only.
Location: C.B. Huss Recreation Center; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. May you be filled with love, joy, and peace today and throughout the week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
My daughter has occasionally sat or hung from a tree since she was a teenager. When visiting the Playscape at The Schiele Museum of Natural History a she decided to try to sit in the tree with Sophia.
Here are a few of her Pulling Up a Seat in a tree …
We are very much still in winter even though we haven’t had anymore snow as of yet. We have had many freezing temperatures in the evenings and early mornings. The past couple of days warmed up, however, chilly days and rainy days are still in the foreseeable forecast.
Since Spring has not yet sprung this year I decided to look back upon a delightfully sunny Spring day in 2022(spring ended on June 21st in 2022). On this spectacular Spring day, Coleman and I hiked along the Catawba River in Rock Hill, South Carolina. We hiked along the Founders Trail which runs parallel to the Catawba River. And before you ask, Coleman did enjoy some refreshing playtime in the River.
Look closely to see people tubing down the River.
Kayakers enjoying the Catawba River.
Coleman wading, playing, & watching the tubers floating down the Catawba River.
Location: Catawba River; Founders Trail; Carolina Thread Trail; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Here’s wishing for Spring. Have a delightfully wonderful weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to the Which Way Challenge. This Week’s Which Way Challengeare theme is Any Which Way Capturing People Unaware. They can be Any Which Way on any Road, Pathways, Walkways, Sidewalks, Stairs, Trail or Dirt Path etc. as long as your Which Ways are clearly visible. As always signs are welcome anytime.
Here are my entries for this week …
CWWC Capturing People Unaware
Click on each image to enlarge.
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.
Tuesday was another free night at the Museum. Free nights are on the second (2nd) Tuesday each month curtesy of Duke Energy. I captured these doors with my iPhone as we walked through the museum.
Venus Flytrap Door Decor
We walked through every hallway and corridor viewing everything even though we’ve been there several times before.
Emergency exit door
Coleman zooms around every corner and nook and cranny faster than I can possibly imagine catching up with him.
Interpretation Division Staff Only
Soaring past this doorway and that doorway all the way to the final door to exit the museum.
Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fascinating weekend full of exciting adventures. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Good Day y’all! This week Dawn from The Day Afteris the host for Monochrome Madness. She has chosen a theme of Circles. One may find circles or circular objects just about anywhere you look. Circles are all around us, from wheels, to bubbles, to water ripples, you name it circles are everywhere.
Here are a few circles of circulars I have found …
Circles in a Color AppMetal WheelJupiter Balloon ride at Carowinds Coleman trying to catch Bubbles Sculpture in Abilene, TexasCircles/Circular Water Ripples Coleman’s Toy Monster Truck Wheels
God Bless. Stay Warm. Stay safe. Take Care of yourself. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The National Cash Register Company (NRC) was founded by John H. Patterson in 1884 in Dayton, Ohio. He pioneered the mechanical cash register to stop employee theft.
And even further back …
Letterpress on the USS North Carolina
The letterpress printing machine was invented way back around 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany. The letterpress printing machine enabled mass production of books, revolutionizing the spread of information. It was a dominant printing method for over 500 years.
Quote by Charles Kettering
On to other inventions seen at various museums …
Robots anyone?
Early Robots as seen in The Discovery Center in Abilene, Texas in March of 2020.
The Joe Steinlauf Bed Bike
The Joe Steinlauf Bike, often referred to as the Bed Bike, is on display (at least it was in August of 2021) at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina. The Bed Bike is an unconventional contraption designed by using a metal headboard.
“One rule of invention; before you can invent it, you have to imagine it. By James GunnOlympia typewriter
The Olympia Typewriters were produced by the German company Olympia-Werke AG (founded 1903 in Wilhelmshaven). This typewriter was donated to the St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum (St Simons, Georgia) in 1970 by Eileen Humphlett. It was one used by the author Eugenia Price.
God Bless. Stay Safe. Take Care. Have an adventurous week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Over the weekend my daughter treated us out for supper at the Taxco Mexican Grill. This was a new (to us) location of the Mexican restaurant chain. Normally Coleman won’t eat meat except for vegetarian “meat.” However, he decided he wanted to try the grilled chicken strips off the kids menu and loved them.
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Take time to relax and enjoy nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
We have had a few weeks of freezing weather producing Ice and Snow storms with little sight of the Sun.
Sunrise 7:21am
So far when the Sun has tried to peeked through the rain clouds have covered it up.
Hopefully the Sun will bring a little warmth to our area. However, even though 45°F is warmer than our freezing 9°F lows it is still not what I consider a warm day.
Location: Shot from Porch; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Here’s praying for warmer days, brighter tomorrows, and love & peace for y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 