What makes me smile? My grandson, Coleman makes me smile. Spending time in any one of our Warm Places makes me smile. Spending time out in nature, especially with Coleman, makes me smile and feeling all warm inside. Coleman loves to spend time by the Catawba River. There are several different areas by the Catawba River we enjoy spending time at. This week we enjoyed spending time on a warm sunny afternoon at Riverside Park and Greenway. It makes me smile when I am able to watch Coleman having a Funtastic time playing by the Catawba River. On this day he was having a fabulous time playing in the sand along the banks of the South Fork Catawba River at Riverside Park and Greenway.
Here are a spattering of photos depicting some of what makes me Smile and Warm Inside in one of our Warm places.
For this challenge I decided to go with a holiday/Christmassy take on Unique. A different perspective on Christmas trees and a snowman for the winter season.
Display advertising upcoming family camping event at the Warlick Family YMCALobby Display The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, North Carolina, USA Discovery Center Abilene, TexasLejeune Memorial Gardens 109 Montford Landing Road Jacksonville, Onslow, North Carolina, USA
I normally try to take photos as we go hiking in our neighborhood, along the various trails and sometimes we hike more than one trail in a given day. As always my hiking buddy is my (recently turned 4) grandson, Coleman. He loves spending time outdoors especially when he gets to go hiking in the woods, along the creeks, rivers, and lakes.
On this particular day we rode the transit bus from near our home to the Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway. We hiked the Greenway seeing many amazing sights along the way. We hiked the entire 2.7 mile paved greenway. The Avon Catawba Creeks Greenway connects Lineberger Park to Ferguson Park. The Catawba Creek Greenway portion runs through wooded and open creek areas between several residential areas and junctions at the Avon Creek Greenway. Combined, the Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway is approximately 3 miles. We ventured over onto Robinwood Road from the Greenway and on down to the Gaston County Warlick Family YMCA to continue hiking some more after a bit of a rest and a snack while overlooking Robinwood Lake.
Photo Credit: (c) 2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens.
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time as we hiked along the Greenways to the Warlick YMCA. It was a pleasurable afternoon. We appreciate y’all and any thoughts you’d like to share.
Pull Up a Seat Noodles and Company Gastonia, North Carolina Butterflies encased in a Frame Schiele Museum Gastonia, North Carolina Lake Crandall Enframed by the Tree-lines Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina Coleman Lineberger Park Gastonia, North Carolina Coleman Encompassed by the Bridge & Trees Goat Island Park and Greenway Cramerton, North Carolina
The Misadventures to our Adventures began on Late Sunday morning, 2023 June 25th. Deciding not to use to much of my daughter’s gas (No car of my own), I chose to take my grandson to the South Fork Trail and Blueway Access to do some hiking. However, when we arrived, we encountered the Danger Trail Closed signs preventing us from hiking the South Fork Trail.
Upon seeing the Danger Trail Closed signs, we climb back into the car, and I search for where to go next to try to accomplish our hike for the day. I looked up the Carolina Thread Trail and it was closed for the day as well. The next stop on our Misadventure to Adventures was the McDonald Field at the Pharr Family YMCA. There didn’t appear to be a trail that we could hike at that location just a short Fit-Trail. Therefore, we decided to get back in the car and figure out where to try next.
Pharr Family YMCA(c)Deb L. Waters
After a short drive Coleman and I arrive at our fourth destination of the day, The South Fork River Park. This location looked more promising. So once again we climb out of the car, load ourselves with our backpacks (mine with camera equipment, his with snacks) and proceed to locate the trailhead. We found the trailhead with no problems and proceeded to hike on the natural surface trail which was approximately 1.25-mile loop trail and also included 800 feet of river frontage. The day was hot and humid; however, I believe Coleman enjoyed his time hiking by the riverfront.
Coleman enjoyed hiking by the river. He probably would have liked it better if I had allowed him to get in the river, but we were not prepared for that adventure. Even though this was a wonderful adventure, our day was not over yet.
On our way back to the car, Coleman heard some noise and thought we should investigate what was making the bleat or baaing sound. Located just across the road from the parking lot was a farm with several goats. I was not sure at first how close to allow Coleman to get to the goats. Turns out the farmer was out in the yard and heard Coleman approaching the gated area. The farmer was friendly and gave permission for him to pet the goats. He liked that idea but was a little shy about doing so.
This turned out to be a pleasant day even though it started out with a few mishaps. Once back in the car, the afternoon was still bright and calling for more adventure. I drove us to another park for more hiking and adventure. I will leave those tells for another day.
Chapel/Meeting House Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, South Carolina The Lake @ Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, South Carolina View from Fishing Pier at Andrew Jackson StatePark Lancaster, South Carolina Brannon Family Cemetery Bethune, Kershaw County, South Carolina [Cemetery for my paternal ancestors]
Fire ants 🐜 on Euphorbia rigida Common Name(s): Gopher Spurge Rigid Spurge Upright Myrtle SpurgeEastern Carpenter Bee 🐝 on Rudbeckia hirta, commonly called Black-eyed SusanBombus pensylvanicus, the American bumblebee, on Cosmos sulphureus , also known as sulfur cosmos and yellow cosmos. The differential grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis) is a species of grasshopper belonging to the genus Melanoplus. Leptoglossus oppositus a species of leaf-footed bug on a picnic table
Barn at Greenway Stables Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina Gazebo at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens Belmont, North Carolina Fort Mill Dam Fort Mill, South Carolina Old School in Watauga County, North Carolina [This is an old school my maternal grandfather & ancestors attended.]Elizabeth Freese Elementary School San Diego, California [This is the elementary school I attended from Kindergarten through sixth grade.]2912 E Street House San Diego, California [This is the home where I often visited my maternal grandparents]
Skyscape/Cloudscapes over Carowinds Charlotte, North Carolina (taken with an iPhone X in May 2018)Skyscape/Cloudscapes over Port of Galveston Galveston, Texas (taken with an iPhone 11 Pro Max in February 2020)Skyscape/Cloudscapes South Carolina Welcome Center Fair Play, South Carolina Looking at Lake Hartwell State Park landing (Taken with an iPhone 11 Pro Max in April 2020)Skyscape/Cloudscapes Dairy Barn Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina (Taken with an iPhone 13 Pro in December 2022)Skyscape/Cloudscapes Horse Road Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina (Taken with an iPhone 14 Pro Max on May 22, 2023)Today’s Cloudscapes from our Backyard Gastonia, North Carolina (Taken with an iPhone 14 Pro Max)
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 