My neighbours home across the road has been gutted and under renovation for the past couple of months. Just this past week the brand new windows were installed.
There is more renovation work to be done on the home, however, progress is being made slowly.
I am almost positive new exterior window shutters will be installed before too long. I know the homeowners are anxiously awaiting completion of their home renovation project and will be thrilled and excited to be able to get back into their home.
Hello Everyone! Welcome to my World. My name is Wish. I am an American Angus and Holstein crossbreed, born on February 18, 2020 at Anne Springs Close Greenway.
I lost my mom, Annabelle in September 2020 making me an orphan needing the help of humans to survive. Thanks to the staff at AnneSprings Close Greenway I grew up with human friends and horses in the Greenway’s Dairy Barn pastures.
Being a tenderhearted cow, I helped raise and nurture Billy. He was also orphaned and bottle fed by the Greenway staff.
In April of 2024 I was moved to the Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm at the Greenway’s Stables and Farm Entrance. I have made new friends both four-legged and human. My best friend is Clarabelle, a black and white Holstein cow.
I am really excited and waiting patiently to see y’all at Anne Springs Close Greenway’s Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm.
The Caladium bicolor(AkaHeart of Jesus) is typically grown as a houseplant for its large, heart or lance-shaped leaves with striking green, white, pink, and red blotching. [These Plants were planted in large landscape planters in and around Centennial Center in Downtown Cramerton.] It is alright to plant it outside in USDAHardiness Zone 10 as an ornamental.
The Caladium bicolor, called the Heart of Jesus, is named such as a nod to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a symbol of divine love in Christian tradition. The plant’s heart-shaped leaves echo the symbol of the Sacred Heart, making it a living embodiment of this spiritual icon.
Caladium x hortulanum (fancy-leaved caladium)
Caution: Caladium bicolor contains calcium oxalate crystals, making all parts of the plant poisonous to humans, livestock, and pets. If its sap comes in contact with the skin it may cause skin irritation. Ingestion of this plant may cause burning and swelling of the lips, mouth, and tongue, as well as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Be aware that if your pet consumes caladium your pet may exhibit vomiting. Other symptoms a pet may exhibit are drooling, pawing at mouth or face, and decreased appetite.
Caladium bicolor (Heart of Jesus) is pretty to look at, but it is extremely toxic if chewed or swallowed.
On Sunday, Coleman and I took a detour on our walk home from church. We stopped by the local Goat Island Park and Greenway to get a short hike in and permit him to play for a little while before heading back home.
A Stop at the Goat Island Playground
Instead of just using the main camera on my iPhone, I decided to use the fusion camera to do a bit of black and white photography.
The Calmness of the South Fork Catawba River
On Early Sunday afternoons we experience the Silent peaceful serenity surrounding the River and Trails.
Coleman sensing silent reflections in the South Fork Catawba River
While crossing the bridge over the river one can see the small white church we attended. All is calm and quiet as almost everyone has gone home.
Cramerton Independent Presbyterian Church as seen from the Goat Island Bridge
I have not been to the ocean in years, but we venture to lakes and rivers which are nearby. Here’s a look 👀 at our “Seasides”.
Myrtle Beach SeasideRankin LakeAndrew Jackson State Park Lake w/AlonaAndrew Jackson State Park Lake w/ColemanColeman by the South Fork Catawba River Riverside Park and Greenway
Location: Horse Stables Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike. Visit a Farm. 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.
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 Dirt roads or dirt pathways or trails [Bonus if RED is included]. They can be any type of Dirt Road, Dirt Pathway or trail you travel as you take a walk/hike. Remember your Which Ways should be clearly discernible. Since the month is #SimplyRED for Becky’s Squares, I’ll be checking to see if y’all have any RED in your Which Ways. 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 …
Coleman wearing RED on the dirt trails. Notice the RED on the Trail Signs.
Coleman wearing a RED South Carolina Gamecocks shirt while hiking on the North Steele Creek Trail
Coleman running back and forth on the Blue Star Swinging Bridge wearing a RED Shirt
Coleman and Trail Signs with RED
RED Jacket, RED backpack, RED on Trail Signs, RED Horse Blanket, and a RED car at Anne Springs Close Greenway
Coleman wearing a RED shirt in ASCG
Quite a number of my collages have RED in Squares so I figure this counts as Double as also included in #SimplyRED-Becky’s Squares
Location: Greenway Stables; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the rest of your week and have a marvelous weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
One of my favourite places to visit for hiking and camping is Andrew Jackson State Park (AJSP) in Lancaster, South Carolina. It is considered a small State Park when compared to some others, however, it is beautiful, inviting, picturesque, and a wonderful peaceful environment to relax and explore nature.
When you arrive in the upper parking lot one of the first things you’ll do if you are planning to camp is to check in at the Office to confirm your reservation and your campsite is ready for you.
AJSP Office & Museum
Later, after you settle into your campsite or if you’re visiting for just the day you’ll want to be sure and check out the Museum and the School. They both are filled with historical relics and information about President Andrew Jackson and his history within the Carolinas.
One Room School House Lancaster, SC
The Meeting House (Aka the Community Building or Chapel) is styled after the churches or “kirks” of the Scotch-Irish in the late 18th-century. It is ideal for groups of up to 60 people and includes a kitchenette.
Chapel/Meeting House
Besides the history and historical artifacts located within the Museum and School, the AJSP has an historical garden. The Park holds two living history programs
#SimplyRED Coleman hanging out at the Playground Canada Geese at AJSP LakePanoramic View of AJSP Lake & Fishing PierAndrew Jackson State Park
Visiting Andrew Jackson State Park is a family friendly experience waiting to happen. Be sure to visit during the Andrew Jackson Birthday Celebration in March and/or the Life of the Waxhaws Lantern Tour in November.
Camera: Apple iPhones X, XR, 11 Pro Max, 13 Pro, & 14 Pro Max
Location: Andrew Jackson State Park (AJSP); Lancaster, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
H’s were not hard for me to locate for this week’s MM challenge. Why was it so easy? We just recently took Coleman to visit the Horses at Anne Springs Close Greenway. He loves to visit and spend time loving on the Horses.
H is for Horses, Horse Stables and Hay …
Horses at Anne Springs Close Greenway
Naturally, where you find Horses you’re sure to find plenty of Hay and Hay bales when you visit the Greenway Stables.
H is for Hay and Hay Bales …
Round Hay Bales at Anne Springs Close Greenway
Now for a visit to one of the other four entrances to the Greenway. What’s a visit to the Lake Haigler entrance without a hike down to gaze over Lake Haigler.
H is for Lake Haigler …
Lake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway
However, to visit all of Lake Haigler you’ll need to go on a Hike on Haigler Loop.
Location: Greenway Farm and Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, 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.
Location: School Playground; Gardner Park Elementary; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Keep Squaring. Think Red for your Which Ways on Friday. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cameras: 1) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens; 2-3) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 4) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max; 5) Minolta XG-7
Locations: 1-3) South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina; 4) Lake Haigler Spillway; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina; 5) Springs Pool; Springs Mill Recreational Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, 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.
Location: Greenway Farm and Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have Fun. Enjoy Nature’s beauty in the great outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Bos Taurus is the scientific name for Texas Longhorns also referred to as American Longhorn. They are a domestic breed of cattle known for their characteristic horns which can extend up to five feet, from tip to tip.
The breed was developed originally as a result of cross breeding between feral and domestic cattle. They are a result from hybrid breeding of Spanish retinto (criollo) stock and English cattle.
Anglo-American frontiersmen brought the English cattle to Texas from southern and midwestern states in the 1820s and 1830s.
The colouring of the Longhorn is the most spectacularly of all cattle. They have shadings and combinations so varied that no two are alike.
Even though Texas Longhorns are primarily associated with the history of Texas, they have a lesser known connection to South Carolina’s past.
Spanish cattle, including those that would eventually be known as Texas Longhorns, were brought to Florida by Spanish settlers. These cattle, along with others brought by British settlers, were captured during raids and taken to South Carolina, where they interbred with existing British breeds. This interbreeding resulted in a distinct cattle population in South Carolina with characteristics that reflected both Spanish and British influences.
Holstein Friesian and Bos taurus Anne Springs Close Greenway
Location: Horse Stables Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike. Visit a Farm. 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.
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura CPL & 6-Star filter attachments.
Location: Riverside Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take a Hike. Enjoy Nature. Admire the Beauty all around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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 atAny Which Ways with Any Type of Sign(s). They can be street signs, trail signs, or any type of sign you see in your Which Ways as you meander around your pathway or roadway.
Trail Signs at Carolina Thread Trail; Daniel Stowe Conservancy …
Signs on Side of Trail at Anne Springs Close Greenway …
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.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOD Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens.
Location: As Stated Above
God Bless. Take a hike. Enjoy a stroll through nature’s beautiful pathways and parks. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the rest of your week and have a marvelous weekend. Take time to admire the flowers wherever you may wander. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Brian from Bushboys World host Last on the Cardat the end of each month. His rules for posting the Last Photo are simple just follow his suggestions and you’ll be fine.
The rules are simple: 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’s my Last Photos for June.
From my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max …
Help us keep our rivers and parks clean! an! Grab a bag, pick up litter, and dispose of properly. Thanks! Project by the Cramerton Community Committee
From my Canon EOS Rebel T3i …
Coleman playing in the Sand at Riverside Park and Greenway
Summer for me used to be about Church Camp, Family Vacation, Beach Volleyball, Waterskiing with friends, however, times change … Life changes with the times.
Now Summer is all about Coleman (actually all my days are with Coleman), hiking in the woods, attending Downtown Concerts, watching Coleman playing with water in his Turtle, running thru the sprays of water from a hose trying to keep cool 😎.
Summer …
Water 💦 Play
Coleman in his Turtle
Fireworks
Cramerton Fireworks
Hiking & Sand Funtime
Coleman hiking through the woods to the Big Sand Area for Sand Playtime
R. Warren Cramer is the grandson of Stuart W. Cramer, founder of the Town of Cramerton. He is co-authoring a historical fiction trilogy about the Cramer family and the Town of Cramerton. The trilogy delves into the history of the Cramer family and their achievements.
R. Warren Cramer has been (and continues to be) involved in preserving and sharing the history of his grandfather and the town of Cramerton, North Carolina, which Stuart W. Cramer founded. He has collaborated with author Dixie F. Abernathy on “Cramerton: A Trilogy,” a book series detailing the history of Cramerton and the Cramer family. He provided the research and family history regarding the Cramer family and their significance in American history and culture. He is one of four editors for the “Cramerton: A Trilogy”.
The concept for this book has been developed over decades. When he graduated Duke University in 1981 his father George Cramer encouraged him to write a book about his grandfather, Stuart W. Cramer. The accumulation of efforts to bring the book to fruition began in 2016 with a Cramerton native, Jeff Ramsey introduced author Dixie Abernathy and local historian R. Warren Cramer.
On Saturday, The Cramerton Historical Society Museum held a book signing for the Promise of a NationCramerton: A Trilogy Volume I with author Dixie F. Abernathy and R. Warren Cramer.
Promise of a Nation Cramerton: A Trilogy Dixie F. Abernathy R. Warren Cramer
They shared the ideas behind the trilogy project, the vast number of edits & rewrites and enough to entice interesting buying and reading the first book of the trilogy about the Cramer family and the Town of Cramerton. I look forward to reading it once the ebook is available on the Fourth of July (advanced paperback copies were available at the book signing).
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura ND & 8-Star filter attachments.
Location: Centennial Center; Downtown; Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Happy Independence Weekend America! Thankful for our Freedoms. Enjoy some fireworks if you’re able. [Coleman enjoyed Cramerton’s Fireworks]. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Cramerton Historical Society Museum; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Take time to Remember and Be Grateful for our Freedoms. Happy Independence Weekend America! Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Continuing with Coleman’s Choices of Pulling Up a Seat at the Daniel Stowe Conservancy, we uncover a variety of seating arrangements Coleman selected to Pull Up a Seat. This week’s Coleman’s Choices are within the Gazebo at The Trailhead Store on the grounds of The Village at Stowe.
Coleman’s Bench Pull Up a Seat Choices within the Gazebo
Click on each image for enhanced enlarged viewing.
Stay tuned next week for the continuing saga of Coleman’s choices of Benches, Chairs, and Other seating Part Four-The Farmhouse Seating Choices.
Good day! I trust everyone has had a wonderful week so far. Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). The theme isAny animal in your which way. Let’s see the amazing Which Ways y’all can come up with to display Animals in your Pathways, Sidewalks, Trails, Roads, or in any Which Way You Choose. Here are my entries …
Dogs on Trails or Pathways:
Turtles on & Seen from the Trail:
Bugs Encountered on Trails:
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.
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Locations: 1-9) Rocky Branch Trail; 10 & 12) Goat Island Park and Greenway; 11) The Trailhead Store, Belmont; 13-15) Seventh Street; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Get Outdoors and enjoy nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
We didn’t do anything different on the 20th than we would normally do on any other day. Coleman and I enjoy being outdoors and wander through the woods whenever we possibly can. Right now in our area the weather is in the mid to high 90’s, much too hot to be out in the sun for any length of time.
With the heat advisory regarding the extreme heat temperatures, we only go out for short periods at a time. In those short periods Coleman likes to check to see what new blossoms have started blooming. These are some of what we have seen within the past week till now.
This week I have chosen to combine Dan’s CFFCwith Judy’s Numbers Game. After all Judy gives the option (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.) Dan’s theme this week is View from Below—High Angle combining some of his chosen photos with my CWWC—Any animal in your which way.
My entries for Dan’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge are a hodgepodge of photos shot from below (looking up) from various places and years.
Canada Goose flying over the South Fork Catawba RiverLancaster, South Carolina Over the Fort Mill Dam Fort Mill, South Carolina Coleman on top of a Cairn Cramerton, NCColeman on top of a Cairn Cramerton, NCColeman on top of a Cairn Cramerton, NCAmerican Airlines Airplane Over Charlotte, NCAmerican Airlines Airplane Over Charlotte, NCAmerican Airlines Airplane Over Charlotte, NCAmerican Airlines Airplane Over Charlotte, NCColeman up a tree Cramerton, NCColeman walking on a low tree branchColeman up a tree Cramerton, NCLooking up at a construction site from the CTTUnderside of a Bridge Goat Island Park & Greenway Coleman on a Swinging Bridge at ASCGRailroad Trestle Piedmont Medical Center Trail Rock Hill, SCRailway Trestle ASCG Fort Mill, SCAlona on top of a tunnel Baxter Village Trail, Tega Cay, SCAlona & Coleman on top of a tunnel Baxter Village Trail, Tega Cay, SCAlona on top of a tunnel Baxter Village Trail, Tega Cay, SCLooking up through the Trees Belmont, NCUnderside of Gazebo Roof Belmont, NCCee’s Fun Foto Challenge Dan Antion Perspective-View from Below Judy’s Numbers Game Cee’s Which Way Challenge
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week Terri has chosen a theme of Sunday Stills: Capturing the #Sun in Public Parklands in the Great Outdoors aiming to celebrate the summer and winter solstices which occurred on the 20th of this month.
Sunrise Sunset reminds me of an old song sung by Perry Como entitled Sunrise Sunset. [My dad loved to listen to Perry Como on 45 rpm records, of which I now own].
“Sunrise sunset, sunrise, sunset Swiftly flow the days Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers Blossoming even as they gaze Sunrise sunset, sunrise, sunset Swiftly fly the years One season following another Laden with happiness and tears”
The Sunrises and Sunsets flow from day to day and throughout the Years. One season following another, where does all the time go? Days, Years, and Seasons swiftly fly by filled with happiness and tears Like Sunrise Sunset.
Here are a few Sunrises and Sunsets from throughout the years …
2017
Sunset Pisgah Inn Pisgah National Forest Canton, North Carolina
2019
Sunset Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SC
2020
Sunrise From a Caribbean Cruise Ship in the Gulf of Mexico (now called Gulf of America)Sunset From the 49 in Charlotte, North Carolina
2022
Sunset Seven Oaks Preserve Trail Belmont, North Carolina
2025
Sunrise Cramerton, North Carolina
For enhanced viewing click on each image to enlarge.
God Bless. May your week be filled with love, and Happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This theme challenge to see time to think about what to reflections to use, especially since I just recently posted a water reflections post. Looking through my archives I realized the majority of my reflections are water reflections. So what to use, um, um, what should I use?
Let’s go ahead and show a few of my favourite Water Reflections …
Lake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCGateway Arch St. Louis, MissouriPond Reflections in San Antonio, TexasReflections
Now let’s explore other objects that may at times reflect images …
A Horse’s Eye
Sunglasses
A Car Hood & Windshield
How about looking at Window Reflections …
Fire Station Window Reflections
And lastly, Ever think about Reflections in your Television Screen?
The Plestiodon fasciatus, also known as the American Five-lined Skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to North America. It is one of the most common lizards in the eastern U.S. and one of the six native species of lizards in Canada.
Calling it the American five-lined skink to distinguishes it from the African skink Trachylepis quinquetaeniata (otherwise known as five-lined mabuya).
They are small to medium in size, growing to approximately 12.5 to 21.5 centimetres (4.9 to 8.5 in) total length (including tail). The young American Five-lined skinks are dark brown to black with five distinct white to yellow stripes (this one’s are yellowish) running along the body and a bright blue tail. The blue color fades to light blue with age, and the stripes also may slowly disappear.
The range of the American Five-lined skink extends in the north to southern Ontario, Michigan and eastern New York. The western border is in Minnesota, Missouri and eastern Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and Texas.
P. fasciatus is inclined to be most abundant on the coastal plain in the southeastern United States and along the Gulf Coast.
The American Five-lined skink is a ground-dwelling animal. It prefers moist, hardwood areas with a permanent water source such as rivers or streams, as well as sites to bask in the sun. [The church this skink visited sits along the South Fork Catawba River, so it didn’t have to wander to far to meander inside.]
The common five-lined skink’s diet consists primarily of a variety of arthropods, particularly spiders, crickets, beetles and other insects. However, they have been reported to also eat newborn mice, frogs, and other lizards. [Tiny frogs, beetles, spiders, and other insects are easily found along the banks of the South Fork Catawba River, easy feasts for skinks].
Location:The Center; Town of Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Take time to admire the beautiful flowers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Good day! I trust everyone has had a wonderful week so far. Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have decided to combine the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) with the Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC).The theme is Any animal in your which way Viewed from Above (CFFC). Let’s see the amazing Which Ways y’all can come up with to display Animals in your Which Way as Seen (Viewed) from Above.,
As you are walking/hiking along throughout your day it is amazing all the many different animals you might encounter on your journey if only you look down occasionally. There are so many incredibly interesting animals that you could possibly find along your path that I have elected to run this theme for two weeks.
We spotted this Northern Cardinal when we first departed from our home to begin our adventure …
Northern Cardinal
We walked down the road towards Goat Island Park and Greenway where we started hiking along Riverlink Greenway. After hiking merely a short distance along the trail, Coleman spotted several Cricket frogshopping and jumping. Their jumping style is unique due to the fact that they perform a series of jumps and “belly flops” as they move across the water or land (as we observed).
Acris crepitans Cricket frog
Further down the trail Coleman spotted this little creature, a nymph Threecornered alfalfa hopper. For Coleman he had get closer and look up on the fence railing to get a better view, while I zoomed in looking down upon the little green nymph.
As we kept moving forward Coleman noticed this small Land Snail crawling across the trail …
Zonitoides arboreus aka Quick Gloss Snail a species of small air-breathing land snail
On this hiking adventure we observed a wide variety of animals; small ones, medium sized ones, and a wee bit bigger ones. This next one seemed to have seen better days. As this Worm might be great as fishing bait on a previous day, he would not catch much with his lack of viability on this day.
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.
To play along, go to your photos file folder and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find that include that number and post a link to your blog in my Numbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title. This prompt will repeat each Monday with a new number. If you want to play along, please put a link to your blog in comments below.
Here are my contributions to the Numbers Game Challenge … Click on photos for enlarged and enhanced viewing.
The Rocky Branch Park Trail was developed by an enhancement project in partnership with the non-profit trail advocates the Tarheel Trailblazers, the City of Belmont and Town of Cramerton. [2 Towns]. The project transformed a public open space in the City of Belmont into an urban trail system for mountain biking enthusiasts, runners, hikers, and walkers that extends into the Town of Cramerton.
Coleman seating on top of a Cairn
The progressive trail system created beginner, intermediate and advanced trail features, fun for a diverse range of interest and skill levels. The park now features three entrances, two feature trail heads marked by a 6-foot cairn. [2 Cairns].
1 Cairn – Cramerton Trail closed
The first is located in Belmont, NC on Sacco St just one mile from Main Street shops and restaurants and 12 miles west of uptown Charlotte. The second is in Cramerton, NC on Eagle Rd just one mile from Center Street and its shops and restaurants.
A CairnA Cairn
Coleman and I begin our hikes at the lower Cramerton entrance, hike to the Cramerton Trailhead with one of the Cairns and then proceed to hike The Rocky Branch Trail. Naturally, Coleman finds the need to climb the Cairn before we continue our hike.
2nd Cairn – Belmont
Hopefully you have guessed what a Cairn is, but if not let me explain. A Cairn is a human-made pile (or stack) of stones. The purpose for the pile of stones (rocks) as a marker (in this case) or burial mound. Cairns have been used for centuries as trail markers, especially in mountainous regions or across challenging terrain.
The Rocky Branch Trail [1 Trail] connects the city of Belmont and the Town of Cramerton, weaving through forests and offering over 4 miles of mountain bike trails for cyclists of all experience levels.
Cameras: 1, 4-5, 8-9) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; 2-3, 6-7, 10) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Rocky Branch Trail; Belmont/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 us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Northern Sugar Maple is a deciduous tree in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae) native to Eastern and central North America from Canada south through the Appalachian Mountains to Georgia and west to Minnesota to northeast Texas.
Aka Hard Maple
Here in North Carolina, it is found in the mountains and sporadically in the Piedmont region. Northern Sugar Maple trees may reach around fifty (50) to one hundred twenty (120) feet tall with a dense, spreading crown that provides heavy shade and grows slowly to medium, although it may grow faster in open areas. It tends to grow best in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic, fertile soil in full sun, but it tolerates average well-drained soils in sun to part shade.
Aka Northern Sugar Maple
This particular tree is located on the grounds of The Trailhead Store, a property of Daniel Stowe Conservancy. It provides shade for visitors to enjoy a respite from the hot sun and humid heat of a sunny summer day.
Location: The Trailhead Store; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, 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.
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