2024 CosPhoChal: Wide Open Spaces

— In Monochrome —

Cosmic Photo Challenge-Wide Open Spaces

Photo Credit:©️Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: 1 & 3) iPhone 14 Pro Max; 2) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 CFFC: Cars – new, vintage, toy, etc.

A Variety of Cars Through the Years

Race Cars:

At a Car Show:

Toy Cars:

Son’s Cars:

Antique Cars:

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Cars – new, vintage, toy, etc.

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

2024 OWS: Shadow

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

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Shadow

Photo Credit: ©️2023/4 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: 1-4) iPhone 14 Pro Max; 5) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

Locations: Various sites in North and South Carolina, USA

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

Monday Portrait: 02.26 — A Thirsty Horse

— At the Greenway

Monday Portrait

Macro Monday 

Photo Credit: ©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max — Telephoto lens.

Location: Horse Stables; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA. 

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

Dreaming of Hiking the Trails

GARDEN OF THE WAXHAWS TRAIL

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Photo Credit: ©️2015 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved. 

Camera: iPhone 6 Plus

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

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

2024 CWWC: Roads with any sign

On the Road or on the Trail Signs let us know where we are, where we are headed, and Which Way not to travel.

My entries for this week’s CWWC

Cee’s Which Way Challenge- Roads with any sign

Photo Credit:©️Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

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

Lovingly Spreading My Wings For You

Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge 2024 Week  7

Six Word Saturday

Water, Water, Everywhere

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

2024 Thursday Doors: 02.22

Mobile Unit Doors

Normally, most people would only think about wreaths and or the laying of wreaths at cemeteries around the Christmas holiday season. The Christmas Season being the annual time for wreaths to be laid in the Arlington National Cemetery as well as other cemeteries across America.

Wreaths Across America
Mobile Unit

Wreaths Across America was formed in 2007 by the Worcestershire Family with the support of Veterans Organizations and a variety of other groups. These groups had previously helped with their annual wreath ceremony in Arlington. Wreaths Across America was formed as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, to continue and expand this effort, and support others around the country who wanted to do the same. 

Welcome Home
Wreaths Across America

The organization’s mission which was established is to Remember. Honor. Teach.

WELCOME HOME
[Sign above Door]

Wreaths Across America is dedicated to teaching all generations about the value of their freedoms, and the importance of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect those freedoms. 

THANK YOU
FOR YOUR SERVICE

In 2022, the organization launched its expanded TEACH Program and collaborated with like-minded organizations focused on character development and service projects for young people of all ages, with lesson plans for all grade levels and learning abilities.

POW-MIA
WELCOME HOME
Wreaths Across America

The Wreaths Across America (WAA) continues its commitment to remember our fallen servicemen and women all throughout the year. One way they do this is with the Remembrance Tree Program.

The Remembrance Tree Program was established as another way to remember and honor our veterans. WAA established this program for families of veterans to provide a living memorial to their lost loved ones.

Wreaths Across America
Mobile Unit

The Remembrance Tree Program is a part of the Wreaths Across America organization that we ( my daughter and I) had not been familiar with prior to visiting the Wreaths Across America Mobile Unit when it came to Fort Mill, South Carolina.

The WAA purchased their own dog-tag machine which allows feed families of the veteran the ability to customize their message for the dog-tag. The family or their representative is taken out to the balsam tip land, in Harrington, Maine, to find a tree that will become a living memorial to their loved one. The dog-tag is then placed on the trunk of an evergreen tree of their choosing and a red marker is placed on the tree to show that it has been chosen as a memorial. 

One of the Volunteers with Wreaths Across America was kind enough to inform us of this special program and gave us the opportunity to provide the information for a dog-tag to be made. The information has been given and we are waiting to hear when it will be placed on a tree as a living memorial to my late husband and father to my children, Sgt. Terry Leon Wilson Vietnam Veteran (1954-2018).

“To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen… to be forgotten is the worst.”

— Pierre Claeyssens (1909-2003)

The WAA is continuing doing all they can to ensure that no veteran is ever forgotten. They have been traveling all across America with their mobile unit to provide support and assistance to honor their commitment to Remember. Honor. Teach.

To all who have served and or are serving, Thank You for your Service. To all Vietnam Veterans, Welcome Home!

Dan’s Thursday Doors

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Wreaths Across America Mobile Unit: In front of Cabela’s; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 CosPhoChal: Bare Trees

Along the Trails

Cosmic Photo Challenge-Bare Trees

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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.

Words for Thought #6 – 02.21.24

Think About It Tuesday

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone Pro Max

Location: Warlick Family YMCA; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

2024 FOTD: 02.19

— Potted Perennials

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge-02.19

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Take time for yourself, take a walk, smell the flowers and enjoy your week. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

2024 Monday Portrait: 02.19

Wanna Share a Bite?

Mike and Lucky
Galloway cattle (Cows)

When Coleman and I visited The Farm On at The Schiele Museum on Tuesday Mike and Lucky were busy chomping away. It was feeding time and they were hungrily munching their food to their hearts (and belly’s) contentment.

I do not believe I would partake in their diet, however, they did appear to enjoy it themselves.

Monday Portrait

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Silent Sunday: February 18 —- Daffodil Bulbs

Silent Sunday

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Garden in The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

In the YMCA Woods – Let’s Sit & Rest …

Coleman
on
Outdoor Exercise Equipment
Coleman
on a
Tree

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2024- Week 7

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max – Telephoto lens.

Location: Green Trail; Warlick Family YMCA; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Floral Friday: Colouring Flowers #6

Coloured by me
Via Zen Color
iPhone App

Cee’s Flower of the Day 

Floral Friday

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

2024 CMMC: February —

Walnut Brown Color

A Greenway Horse
Anolis carolinensis  
Carolina anole
Old Rustic Doors
A Greenway Horse
Key Chain
Made in Brazil

Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge-Walnut Brown Color

Thursday Doors-02.15.24

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

2024 CFFC: Weathered Wood

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
Weathered Log
Floating in
Robinwood Lake

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Weathered Wood

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: 1-2) iPhone 14 Pro Max – Telephoto Camera; 3-4) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens

Location: Green Trail/Quartz Loop; Warlick Family YMCA; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA.

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

2024 Share Your Desktop—February

On My Laptop:

On My iPhone 14 Pro Max:

Naturally, my desktop wallpapers include my beloved Coleman, my favourite subject, my heart, my love.

Share Your Desktop-February 2024

Photo Credit ©️2023/4 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

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

2024 Sunday Stills: The Colours of Life – Red & Pink

Red Cab of 18-Wheeler
Life Breadth of America
The American Trucker
Red Hood
on Coleman’s Spidey Jacket
My Life, My Heart
Pink Dianthus caryophyllus
AKA Carnation or Clove Pink
Red Heart “Plant”
Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sunday Stills-Red and Pink, the Colors of Life

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

2024 Wordless Wednesday— 02.14

“This table is reserved to honor our missing comrades in arms. The tablecloth is white —
symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call of duty. The single red rose,
displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing and their loved ones and friends
of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers. The vase is tied with a red ribbon,
symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing. A pinch of salt symbolizes the
tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers. The Bible represents the
strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under
God. The glass is inverted — to symbolize their inability to share this evening’s toast. The chair
is empty — they are missing.”

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L.Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Wreaths Across America Mobile Exhibition; Cabelas; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank a Veteran. Remember the Fallen. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

2024 LAPC: 02.12 — Weather

Today was rainy again but we had some beautiful weather with clear blue skies over the weekend at the

Anne Springs Close Greenway.

Lens-Artists Challenge-Weather

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

Words for Thought #5 – 02.13.24

Think About It Tuesday

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max – Main Camera

Location: Airport Pond; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. May you gain insight into your purpose and may your heart be blessed throughout life. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.

Windows Under Construction #4

School Construction — Slow Progress

The construction on the new school next to The Schiele Museum is making extremely slow progress. However, I think with spring being on the way the construction progress may increase as the weather starts to improve.

Ludwig’s Monday Window

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: 1) iPhone 14 Pro Max; 2-4) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.

Location: Shot from Parking Lot; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

2024 Monday Portrait: 02.12

A Highland Cow

(bos taurus taurus)

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!

Monday Portrait

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: 1) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens; 2-5) iPhone 14 Pro Max – Ultra wide Camera

Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 FOTD: 12 February

Wreaths Across America

Remember
Honor
Teach

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge – 02.12.24

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Wreaths Across America Mobile Exhibition; Cabelas; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 RDP: 02.11 — Affection

Horses Love and Show Affection

Ragtag Daily Prompt-Affection

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Greenway Stables; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

Silent Cell Pic Sunday: 02.11.24

Flags Flying
at
Wreaths Across America
Mobile Exhibition

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Silent Sunday

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Wreaths Across America Mobile Exhibition; Cabelas; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA

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

2024: Pull Up a Seat —

Coleman Style

… on a “Horse”
Giddy Up Coleman
… on a Fence
… on a Rock

One never knows where Coleman will decide to Pull Up a Seat for a spell. The first two are of places he chose to Pull Up a Seat at the Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia and the third one is of his selection in the Greenway.

XingfuMamas Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge: Week 6

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: 1 & 3) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens; 2) iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

2024 CFFC: Green

A Variety of Green Plants and Trees

Green Tree
with Lights at
The Farm
Green Collards
Green Plant
Green Trees
surrounding
the Creek

And I couldn’t resist throwing in a photo of Coleman with his Green eyes in his Green Camouflage Hoodie.

Coleman
wearing Green
Camo hoodie

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge -Green

Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge–Green

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters… All Rights Reserved.

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

Words for Thought #4

We all need each other to better understand, communicate, and hone our skills as well as become better individuals.

Think About It Tuesday

Cee’s FOTD

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L.Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

2024 OWS: Lines in Play

Coleman’s slide
Coleman’s
TYTAN Magnetic Tiles
Stacked Magnetic Tiles

Debbie’s One Word Sunday-Lines

Weekly Prompts Colour ChallengeGreen

Photo Credit:©️Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max — Main Camera

Location: Living Room; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

2024 Bloganuary 10

Describe an item you were incredibly attached to as a youth. What became of it?

The item I am most attached to from my youth is a stuffed monkey. Yes, I said a stuffed monkey. It is not just any ordinary stuffed monkey. It is a vintage red and white Mr. Bim The Monkey rubber face plush toy. I’ve had him since I was about five years old, (I really do still have him.)

The Mr. Bim The Monkey was a plush toy made to resemble a real chimpanzee from the 1947 children’s show Howdy Doody. (As a sign note, I still have a 45rpm with the Howdy Doody song.) In the 1950’s the Rushton Toys Co. produced a chimpanzee plush named Zippy Zip, which became popular with children. Mr. Bim Monkey stands roughly 18 inches tall. The majority of the 1960’s Mr. Bim the Monkey plush toys were black and yellow with red suspenders with a yellow banana in its right hand. The red suspenders had bells attached on them.

Above shows Coleman holding my Red and White Mr. Bim The Monkey. He is over fifty (50) years old. His suspenders have broken due to lots of love and play. His bells have long since vanished and he is a little dirty from lack of cleaning. However, he’s been a faithful companion throughout the years.

Bloganuary

Monday Portrait

God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us.

FOTD: 02.05.24 — Spring Flowers ’23

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Belmont, North Carolina, USA

Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge-02.05.24

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max — Telephoto camera

Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Welcome back Cee! Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all very much.

Oh Happy Day, Coleman’s Glad … Spring’s on the Way

Coleman playing outside

Yesterday was the first warm dry day we’ve had in months. Coleman was so thankful it wasn’t raining and he could play outside without being cold.

Enjoy your weekend! Get outdoors and have some fun.

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Silent Sunday-Almost

XingfuMama’s Whatever is Lovely Challenge: 2024-Week 4

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

2024 Weekend Sky: 02.03.24

Blue Skies/Cloudy Skies

Friday was the first day of 2024 without too many clouds or rainstorms. The first time since before winter that we could see the aircrafts flying over our area. Blue skies and semi-warm weather warms the body and the soul.

Weekend Sky

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max – Telephoto camera

Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

Cascading the Catawba River with Coleman

I was just thinking about the many times Coleman and I have enjoyed hiking together along the Catawba River when the RDP (Ragtag Daily Prompt) appeared showing the today’s prompt to be River. Our minds seem to be in sync on thinking about River.

We’ve had a tremendous amount of rainfall recently and so I’ve been remembering beautiful sunny days spent with Coleman at the Catawba River. I’ve had photos of the Catawba River come across in my Google photos app as memories.

These are some of the memory photos that I’ve enjoyed looking over this week.

Ragtag Daily Prompt-River

Six Word Saturday

Photo Credit: ©️2022 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Location: Catawba River; Piedmont Medical Center Trail; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 CWWC: Any Type of Road, Path, Step, Bridge or Sign.

Round Two

On the Way to & At the Museum

Steps, Path

Arriving at the Museum …

Along the Nature Trail …

Cee’s Which Way Challenge- Any Type of Road, Path, Sign, Step, or Bridge

Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Cameras: iPhone 14 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm and Canon EF-S55-250mm lenses.

Location: From Bus Stop on Stoneybrook Avenue; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

2024 Floral Friday: Colouring Flowers #4

Coloured by Deb
Via Zen Color App

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Floral Friday

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

2024 Last on the Card — January

Last on my Canon EOS Rebel T3i:

Grist Mill
Gastonia, North Carolina

Last on my iPhone 14 Pro Max:

Coleman’s hand

Last on the Card

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

2024 Wordless Wednesday: 01.31.24__LDS Gastonia

Bright Skies & Shadows

Manicured Landscape

The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

Hugh’s Wordless Wednesday

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.

Words for Thought #3

May the LORD be your Guide …

Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)
New International Version

Think About It Tuesday

Photo Credit: ©️Deb L.Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone XR

Location: Glencairn Garden; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.

Doughton Park Visitor Center and Store

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.

Ludwig’s Monday Window

Dan’s Thursday Doors

XingfuMamas Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge: 2024-Week 4

Photo Credit: ©️2017 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus — Wide Camera 28mm • screen f1.8 • 1/656s • ISO20

Location: Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 238.5 – 241

Doughton Park;

45338 Blue Ridge Parkway

Laurel Springs, NC 28644

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

2024 Monday Portrait: 01.29.24_Equus quagga

The plains zebra
(Equus quagga)
Riverbanks Zoo
Columbia, South Carolina

Monday Portrait

Photo Credit; ©️2017 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus — Telephoto Camera. 226mmf2.8 • 1/215s • ISO20

Location: Riverbanks Zoo & Garden; Columbia, South Carolina, USA

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

2024 Macro Monday: 01.29.24

The luna moth
(Actias luna),
aka the American moon moth

Macro Monday

Photo Credit: ©️2017 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 7 Plus — Telephoto Camera 284mmf2.8 • 1/60sISO20

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

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

My Weekend Sky — 01.27.24

We have been having a lot of rain throughout the year. This is today’s view of our rainy weather. I am thankful it is not as devastating here as for some of my friends in San Diego, California. I do long for a California visit to see old friends and acquaintances. It will have to wait for another time. In my dreams the weather is perfectly sunny ☀️, not too hot 🥵 , not too 🥶, but just right. No jacket or sweater necessary. A time to enjoy the beautiful beaches, take a hike in the desert or the mountains or possibly both. In my dreams, the days are filled with love and happiness surrounded my friends I care deeply about. Hopefully, one day it will come to pass.

Weekend Sky

Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

Silent Cell Pic Sunday: 2024 January 28 —–

John’s Cell Pic Sunday

Silent Sunday

XingfuMama’s Whatever is Lovely Challenge: 2024-Week 3

Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #206-2024 #4

Photo Credit: ©️2019 Deb L. Waters… All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

Location: Around the Lake; Andrew Jackson State Park

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

2024 Floral Friday: Colouring Flowers #3

Kingfisher Bird
on a Pink Flower
[Coloured by me
via Zen Color
iPhone app]

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Floral Friday

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.

Words for Thought #2

Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters

Think About It Tuesday

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.

2024 Macro Monday: Irish Eyes Coneflower

Halictus ligatus ( sweat bee)
on a Echinacea purpurea
‘Green Eyes’ coneflower

Macro Monday

Cee’s Flower of the Day

Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Main Camera — 24mm f/1.78 ISO64

Location: The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA

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

2024 Monday Window: Looking Out into the Night

Looking out my
Grandson’s Bedroom Window
Looking through
the Blinds

Ludwig’s Monday Window

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. I appreciate y’all.