This week is a free week for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness. I took my inspiration from Brian’s MM post on cemeteries. I decided to share some of the cemeteries my ancestors are buried within. They are spread from coast to coast and from sea to shining sea.
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Point Loma, San Diego, California, USALaurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Deep Gap, Watauga County, North Carolina, USASt Thomas a Becket’s Church, Hampsthwaite, North Yorkshire, EnglandOld DuQuoin Cemetery Du Quoin, Perry County, Illinois, USARoscoe Cemetery Coshocton, Coshocton County, Ohio, USAGreenlawn Cemetery Great Falls, South Carolina, USABrannon Family Cemetery Bethune, Kershaw County, South Carolina, USAGreenwood Memorial Park; San Diego, California, USAGreenlawn Cemetery Great Falls, South Carolina, USABrannon Family Cemetery Bethune, Kershaw County, South Carolina, USA
Location: Gardens of the Waxhaw; Andrew Jackson State Park; Lancaster, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Have a fantastic week. 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). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme is CWWC: Any Which Way (Your Choice). 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.
Coleman on a wooden path crossing Lake Haigler
For this week’s Which Way Challenge I have chosen to share a Which Way Coleman and I hiked back in 2022 when he was three years old. The hike along Lake Haigler Loop Trail at Anne Springs Close Greenway came up in my photo memories, so I thought y’all might enjoy seeing it as well.
Here are my entries …
Cee’s Which Way Challenge (Your Choice) Coleman on Lake Haigler Loop Trail Anne Springs Close Greenway
Click on each image to enlarge.
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.
Location: Lake Haigler Loop Trail; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
*** Note: Next Week we will be exploring and sharing the theme of CWWC: Any Which Way with Signs [05.15.2026]. This will also tie in with Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – Informational Signs. Feel free to link to his post as well next week. ***
This week’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge is hosted by Beth from Wandering Dawgs. She has chosen to have us Look Back to John’s LAPC #155 – On the Water. (I know I’m a little late posting for this challenge, having a grand-baby to take care of during the day hinders my ability to search through my archives for photos depicting “On the Water.” I finally managed to find a selection I hope you’ll enjoy.
I wonder, Does in the water count as well as on the water?
Springs Park Lancaster County, South Carolina
How about a hydroelectric plant?
Great Falls hydroelectric plant Great Falls, South Carolina
This one may or may not count …
Fishing on the shore of the Catawba River (In Great Falls, SC) with Fishing lines Cast on the water.
If that doesn’t work, then I know this one will …
Fishing from a Kayak on the water Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SC
And lastly, let’s take a look at other recreational activities on the water …
Recreational “boating” on the water in Lake Wylie seen from McDowell Nature Preserve Charlotte, North Carolina
God Bless. Take time to enjoy nature on or off the water. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: The Cultural Center Trail; Catawba Nation Greenway Trail; Carolina Thread Trail; Catawba Indian Nation; Catawba Reservation; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless Enjoy Nature. Hug a Tree. Peace be with you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Shining Star Fellowship Church is a Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) affiliated church whose focus is on equipping believers and leading community members to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Shining Star Fellowship Church 301 Palm Street Abilene, Texas
This church is located a few short blocks from my maternal aunt’s home where I visited in the Spring of 2020. This is one of many churches I saw as I walked about my aunt’s neighbourhood.
The Republic Textile Mills Company was founded in Great Falls, South Carolina around 1905-1910 by the Southern Power Company (later became known as Duke Power Company). It was founded to capitalize on Catawba River water power. The Republic Textile Mills Company expanded to three mills by 1923.
Republic Textile Mill #3
[My paternal grandfather worked in the #3 Mill located on Argonne Avenue kitty-corner from Walnut Street where my paternal grandparents lived. When he worked there the Mills were owned by J. P. Stevens and Company.]
J.P. Stevens Mill #3 (previously known as Republic Textile Mills Company)
The Republic Textile Mills Company operated as a major textile producer in the region, complete with a company town, before being sold to J. P. Stevens and Company in 1946. The #3 Mill opened in 1923. The company town included a company store, where workers could charge goods against their wages.
Republic Textile Mill #3 (Aka JP Stevens Mill #3)
The Mills ceased all operations due to the broader decline of the textile industry. The last of the Mills closed its doors around 1985.
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Love & Peace to y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan from No Facilities hosts the Fun Foto Challenge at and this week he is asking for our Something that Took You Higher. I have gone into my archives to see what I could locate to best represent this week’s theme. Approximately half of the images are within this decade, while the rest are more on the vintage side.
Here are my entries …
American Eagle Flying High Charlotte, NCColeman swinging higher at T Jeffers Center & Park Gastonia, NCCarowinds Charlotte, NCLineberger Park Gastonia, NCSwinging Rope (my mom’s Swinging) Hume Lake Christian Campground Hume, CaliforniaColeman climbing higher and higher to reach a deer stand Lake Wylie, SCColeman being Lifted Higher by his mom’s feet Lake Wylie, SCFerris Wheel Myrtle Beach, SCSky Whirl Triple Ferris Wheel California’s Great America Santa Clara, CaliforniaBuck Rock Lookout Campground in Hume, California ( My dad’s in the yellow shirt)Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge Something that Took You Higher And Higher From Hereand Over Yonder
These images are from last year. This year’s Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies are not in full bloom yet. The Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies bloom each year along the Catawba River and can be viewed from Landsford Canal State Park. The best time of year to view the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies is from May through mid-June. To view them from land, you may choose to hike the 1.5 mile, round-trip down either the Nature Trail or the Canal Trail to the overlook. There is another option to view the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies, that option would be to kayak the Catawba River and wind your way through the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies where you’ll have an upclose view.
Aka Cahaba lily, Shoal lily, or Shoals Spider-lily
The latest report on the Lily Watchis that the green leaves are reaching full growth and the Rocky Shoals in the river are looking lush. There are a view early bloomers out in the Catawba River with more flowers coming into full bloom soon. This year the rainfall has been insufficient, however, the plants still are looking healthy and are expected to reach peak bloom around the middle or end of May.
Location: Landsford Canal State Park; Catawba, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Location: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Enjoy the Spring Florals. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Love & Peace to y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Ports O’ Call Los Angeles; San Pedro, California, USA
God Bless. Have an adventurous week filled with love and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Lower Trailhead; Stone Mountain State Park; Roaring Gap, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Capture the beauty all around you. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains; Wilson Hwy; Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Playing around with an old image from the 1960’s …
Original Digital scan of a photo ~ Approximately 1968 in San Diego, California
Adjusted contrast & slightly blurred background
Increased warmth of image
Adjusted lighting, contrast, and added color to the girl’s sweater
Enhanced image. Strengthen quality. Adjusted lighting and contrast. Also changed the background to one of my favourite places of my youth, Mission Beach.
This week PR from Flights of the Soulis the host for the Monochrome Madness Challenge. For information about the challenge check out Leanne’s Page about how to participate in Monochrome Madness by clicking here.
PR has chosen a theme of Minimalism for this week’s Monochrome Madness theme challenge.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Catawba River; Landsford Canal State Park; Catawba, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Love & Peace to y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
When I think about Easter, I do not think about the Easter Bunny, Egg Hunts, or Easter Baskets. What do I think about? I think and reflect on the real reason for the Easter season.
Beginning with Good Friday, remembering the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot with a kiss. Reflecting and Remembering Jesus willingly took my place on the cross to die in my place. Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Man, who knew no sin (no wrong) gave up his life so I might live abundantly.
Who else would ever be willing to trade their life for mine? No one comes to mind that would be willing to make that sacrifice.
I recall the trial of Jesus, the thrashings Jesus took, and his carrying his own cross. That must of been a hard agonizing experience. He would have already been in excruciating pain from his harsh treatment and exhausted. He never gave up. He willingly endured the heavy weight of the cross for over approximately seven hundred (700) yards all the way to Golgotha. His Enduring the crowds and the people mocking him the entire way.
I remember Jesus’ Resurrection, sorrow turning to joy. He is Risen! I remember reading about Mary Magdalene discovering the empty tomb where Jesus was laid. I recall the Angels reassuring Mary Magdalene and the other women at the tomb to not be afraid. The angels saying “He is not here; He has Risen.”
When we/I celebrate Easter, I celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. I believe Jesus lives. I do not celebrate the Easter Bunny (even though many do). I do allow participation in Easter Egg hunts (they are fun activities for children), but I also try to explain about Jesus and his sacrifice as the real reason Easter is celebrated.
I also recall early morning sunrise services at the cross. For 109 years, Mt. Helix Park in La Mesa, California (located within San Diego County) has held an Easter Sunrise Service beginning at 6 am.
The Memorial Cross atop Mt. Helix in La Mesa, California
The sunrise service atop Mt. Helix began in 1917, long before the amphitheater was ever built. The amphitheater was created around 1924-1925 by the Yawkey and Fletcher families. The first sunrise service to be held in the amphitheater in Mt Helix Park was in 1925. The Mt. Helix Sunrise Easter service is the second longest-running Sunrise Easter service in the United States of America. The service is an historic celebration and also has an awe-inspiring beauty as you face the rising sun and the panoramic views of the city, the mountains, and the Pacific Ocean.
The Memorial Cross is situated directly above the amphitheater on the summit. The Cross is made out of stone and is thirty-five (35) feet in height. It is Mt. Helix Park’s most prominent landmark and is visible from the amphitheater seats. I have never been to another sunrise service that ever came close to the experience of an Easter Sunrise Service atop Mt. Helix Park.
God Bless. Happy Easter! Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Get Outdoors. Have a fabulous week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
First off, let me tell you I don’t do public transportation that often and when I do it is rare.
Let’s look at Past Public Transportation…
San Francisco Trolley (Not exactly a Bus, but still Public Transit)
Inside a Charter Bus
Looking at a Charter Bus from another Charter Bus
Now to see what can be seen from a Greyhound Bus …
Seen from a Greyhound Bus Passing through Louisiana
Moving on toward the Present …
Waiting Riding the Gastonia Public Transit
Coleman and I rode the Gastonia Transit Buses for approximately two (2) years before Gaston County disbanded the County Transit system and replaced it with Gaston Go Vans (which I still haven’t figured out how to arrange rides on them). The Buses were really convenient for Coleman and I to hop on and off (reduce fair for under 5 (under 3 was free) and seniors. We used to ride the buses all over Gastonia to various destinations such as: the library, The Schiele Museum of Natural History, Lineberger Park, Edwin Center, Warlick Family YMCA, Avon and Catawba Creek Greenways, and even to Walmart or Food Lion if we desired.
Last, but not least …
Coleman’s First Grade Class Edward Sadler Elementary Field Day Photo In front of Gaston County, North Carolina Public School Bus
Cameras: 1st Set: Minolta XG-7 35 mm; 2nd Set: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max; 3rd Set: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
God Bless. Can you spot Coleman in the last picture? 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.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week we are continuing with thetheme – Any Which Way with Spring or Autumn Which Ways [2nd Week — pm04.03.2026]) for this week’s theme. The Which Way can be any Dirt trail, road, pathway, sidewalk 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.
For my entries this week I am going way way back to April of 1979 when I visited Hearst Castle with friends and family …
Hearst Castle “La Cuesta Encantada” Built by William Randolph Hearst San Simeon, San Luis Obispo, California
Click on each image to enlarge.
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.
Location: Hearst Castle; San Simeon, San Luis Obispo, California, USA
God Bless. Blessings on Passover. Happy Easter! May you be blessed with Sunshine, Happiness, and Peace. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: Next Week’s Theme will be combined with Dan’s CFFC for a theme of – Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way with Views from a walk or hike.
This week being a free week I thought I’d take you on a virtual journey through Kings Mountain State Park not to be confused with Kings Mountain National Military Park both of which are located in Blacksburg, South Carolina. The two are located right next to each other. The State Park is different and offers many more opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, and picnicking.
These are from a hike Coleman and I undertook back in 2020 when he was 11 months old. He is a trooper, for sure and for certain. We hiked down to the Waterfall at Lake Crawford.
Lake Crawford Kings Mountain State Park Blacksburg, SC
The Waterfall is an enormous staircase waterfall which is the overflow spillway for Lake Crawford. Lake Crawford is just one of two lakes within Kings Mountain State Park. The other lake is named Lake York which we have not hiked around as of yet.
The Staircase Waterfall & Spillway Kings Mountain State Park Blacksburg, South Carolina
The State Park offers more than twenty (20) of hiking trails and an additional thirty (30) miles of equestrian only trails. It also has one hundred fifteen (115) campsites equipped with water and electricity plus fifteen (15) equestrian campsites.
Kings Mountain State Park and Spillway were built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It contains approximately nearly seven thousand (7,000) acres for the enjoyment of all who wish to visit.
The Otherside of the Waterfall & Spillway Kings Mountain State Park Blacksburg, SC
God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Have a fantastic week. 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 for thetheme – Any Which Way with Spring or Autumn Which Ways (Will Run for Two (2) Weeks [03.27-04.03.2026]) for this week’s theme. The Which Way can be any Dirt trail, road, pathway, sidewalk 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 …
I’m starting off with a Springtime hike at Crowders Mountain State Park in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. We entered Crowders Mountain State Park from the Boulders Access Point. After parking and gathering our backpacks with our water and snacks we checkered out the trail map.
We decided to hike the Ridgeline Trail. The Ridgeline Trail connects three parks, namely Crowders Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain State Park, and Kings Mountain National Military Park. The total length of the trail if you hike to all three is 15.1 miles with an elevation gain of 2,411 feet. The Crowders Mountain State Park section of the Ridgeline Trail is 6.2 miles long.
Coleman and I only hiked the Crowders Mountain State Park section of the Ridgeline Trail and then hiked back to the Boulders Access Point parking area.
Ridgeline Trail Boulders Access Point Crowders Mountain State Park Kings Mountain, North Carolina
Now that we’ve seen one of our Springtime hikes, let’s take a look at a variety of Spring Florals seen while hiking on various hiking trails.
Spring Florals on Trails
Click on each image to enlarge.
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.
God Bless. Enjoy a stroll in the vast outdoors. Have a funtastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: The theme for the next will be a continuation of CWWC: Any Which Way with Spring or Autumn Which Ways ( Will Run for Two (2)Weeks [03.27-04.03.2026]
Brian from Bushboys Worldis this week’s host for the Monochrome Madness challenge. He is challenging us to depictblack and white images of what we see when we look upon Roofs/(rooftops).
Well, what do you know, there are lots of different kinds of things that you can see on Roofs if only you Look Up.
Here are a few examples of what I have seen on Roofs when I have chosen to Look Up …
Including … Cats
Cats 🐈 on Rooftops (no one said it had to be a building roof) Lancaster, South Carolina
… Gardens
Coleman checking out the Schiele Museum’s Rooftop Garden
These two Images are of the Garden on top of the Roof at The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina. On one of our many visits Coleman wanted to go up in the elevator to see what it would lead. So, we went. They grow many succulents in their Rooftop Garden.
… Birds of all kinds
Birds love Perching on Roofs
… Raindrops and Vents
On the Roof of a portion of Captain’s Quarters Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
… Men on Rooftop
Roofers on Rooftop Repairing a Roof
… And now for a Goat
Goat on Roof (Hey, it’s a building roof) Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina
God Bless. Look Up. Be Observant. Amazing and beautiful things to see all around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Judy from Life Lessons blog hosts a weekly photo challenge called The Numbers Game.This week’s number is 239. Her instructions for playing along are listed below …
To play along, go to your photos file and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find under that number and include a link to your blog in Judy’s 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.
Here are my contributions …
Please click on photos to enlarge.
From the Crazy Sister Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Live life to the fullest. Make lasting memories. Take Care. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
First I’m going to take y’all way back to 1974. We’ll be visiting the historic Queen Mary docked in Long Beach, California. (Dan, you didn’t say it had to be moving.) My family and I toured the Queen Mary the summer after my high school graduation. (Yep, that gives you a clue to how long I’ve been around.)
These are views from aboard the Queen Mary taken with my dad’s Minolta XG-7 35mm camera …
Aboard the Historic Queen Mary Long Beach, California
The next Views are from the Enchantment of the Seas Caribbean Cruise Ship taken with an Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max during a cruise in February of 2020.
Aboard the Enchantment of the Seas Caribbean Cruise Ship Gulf of Mexico (now Gulf of America)
Please click on photos to enlarge.
Hope you enjoyed our views from Ships on Water. Looking forward to seeing y’all’s.
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.
Scott Memorial Baptist Church Taken in February 14, 1976 San Diego, California
This image was brought up in my memories. It was taken at my friend’s wedding at the church we grew up in many years ago. Her and her husband have now been married for Fifty (50) years. Quite remarkable in this day and age. The church holds many memories for me, but the memories that are precious to me are the friendships that we made, the places we camped, the fellowships at Mission Beach & Mission Bay playing Volleyball. Those friendships have stood the test of time.
Location: Tunnel Trail; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the Great Outdoors. Take a walk/hike in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Location: The Rooftop Garden; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: The Garden in the Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan from No Facilities hosts the Fun Foto Challenge at and this week he is asking for our Views from a Car. I have chosen to take you on an adventure of Looking Forward while Venturing backwards in time to Past Views from a Windshield.
Let’s begin with the Current 2026 …
The View to the Carolina Speedway Gastonia, North Carolina
2025 View in Charlotte, North Carolina …
Driving through downtown Charlotte
Now to the Past Views from a Car …
2017 …
Beautiful Views while driving the Blue Ridge Parkway (NC) (taken from the passenger seat).
2012 …
Views In Ohio’s Amish Country
Now to Traverse even Further Back in Time …
1979 …
Views while crossing San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge in California, USA
1973 …
Fixing to stop at a Texas Toll Booth
1963 …
Approaching the Toll Booth, The Dallas/Fort Worth Turnpike in Texas.
Nowadays you don’t need to stop, due to the digital age they just capture your license plate & send you a bill.
God Bless. Take an adventure. See some beautiful sights. Capture the Memories. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Veterans Wall Glencairn Garden Rock Hill, South Carolina
Veterans Memorial Wall … Army … Navy … Air Force … Coast Guard … Marines … POW/MIA
Veterans Wall Glencairn Garden Rock Hill, South Carolina
The Glencairn Veterans Wall honors the men and women who served in the military. The City of Rock Hill, South Carolina holds an annual event as a Tribute to Veterans. The annual event is organized y the City of Rock Hill and the York County Veterans Advisory Council.
In Jacksonville’s Lejeune Memorial Gardens …
Beirut Memorial Wall Lejeune Memorial Gardens Jacksonville, North Carolina
Lejeune Memorial Gardens are located not far from Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. My eldest son and I visited the Memorial Gardens when I drove to visit him and my other son who was stationed at Camp Lejeune back in 2017.
Vietnam Memorial Wall Lejeune Memorial Gardens Jacksonville, North Carolina
Lejeune Memorial Gardens is a five (5) acre park which honors military service. The Gardens feature several memorials which include the Beirut Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Montford Point Marine Memorial, the 9/11 Memorial Beam, and the Corpsmen Memorial. We walked along the many walking trails as we were captivated be the various memorials. The memorials were tributes to significant events in United States history. To find out more about the Memorials and the Lejeune Memorial Gardens click here.
Bill J. Motes, of Newport, North Carolina converted a Mazda Wankel Rotary Engine to use in a Coot amphibian aircraft in which he received recognition by the experimental aircraft community. Bill was satisfied with the engine’s performance, however, due to his developing crippling arthritis he was unable to fly his Coot aircraft for any extended period.
Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp Aircraft engine …
Twin Wasp Aircraft engine North Carolina Transportation Museum
The Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp Engine is an American air-cooled radial aircraft engine with 14 cylinders aligned in two banks of seven. The design for the Pratt & Whitney engine dates back to 1929, however, production didn’t begin until 1932.
An Interesting Note: The Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp Engine was used in eighty-nine (89) different types of commercial and military aircraft including B-24s, C-47s and the Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat, until it was phased out by Grumman.
Both of these Engines were engine’s Coleman and I saw during our visit to the North Carolina Transportation Museum in 2021.
Location: North Carolina Transportation Museum; Spencer, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have an adventure. Visit a museum. Take Care. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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.
Lost Hollow is a section in Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden specifically designed for children. It is also known as The Kimbrell Children’s Garden.
Trumpet pitcher Sarracenia
The garden incorporates nature-inspired play spaces that encourage exploration and interaction with the surrounding environment. The Lost Hollow features an amphitheater, sunken pond, Moonkeep, play spaces and more for the imagination. This garden has been expanded since we last visited. It now includes a 0.4 mile Adventure Trail and Prairie Castle Playground for children to explore and enjoy.
Sarracenia flava
Sarracenia (Trumpet pitchers) are carnivorous North American plants with hollow, trumpet-shaped leaves that trap and digest insects. They lure prey with nectar and bright colours by using slippery, downward-pointing hairs and digestive fluids to capture and absorb nutrients which helps to supplement their diet in low- nitrogen environments.
Yellow Trumpet
The Yellow Trumpets (Sarracenia flava) have tall yellow-green pitchers with red veins which can reach up to thirty (30) inches. Their colouring often changes from yellow-green to a bright yellow in the Springtime. These particular Yellow Trumpets grow near the pond in Lost Hollow.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens
Location: Lost Hollow; Kimbrell Children’s Garden; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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 Inventions and Gizmos. This is the third week of the new series for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge with Inventions which has a feature of Special Tools.
Here are my entries …
Hole Puncher on display on the USS North Carolina Battleship in Wilmington, North Carolina
Teletype Corp Model 15 New Braunfels Railroad Museum New Braunfels, Texas
The Teletype Corp Model 15 dates back prior to World War II and was utilized by Western Union for telegraph communications, news wire services AP) and business. This model was adopted by the U.S. military for its communications network.
Railroad Switch Stand
This type of Switch Stand contains Semaphore signals which were operated manually, with the position of the Red blade and the colour of the light indicating whether the track ahead was clear or occupied.
The Semaphore signals were crucial for communicating with train engineers regarding track conditions and movements, thus ensuring railway safety.
Specialized Tools on Display at Anne Springs Close Greenway …
Historic Small Hand Tools used throughout history on small farms and homesteads Blacksmith Tools Graham Cabin Anne Springs Close GreenwayCFFC – Special Tools
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.
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.
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.
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.
This week Terri WebsterSchrandt of Second Wind Leisure Perspectivescombines her Sunday Stills Challenge with her Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge for a theme of Amethyst. She has also created her The #Flower Hour post using shades of Amethyst flowers.
Spring has not yet sprung in our area as of yet, therefore, I perused my photo archives to find appropriate images to use for all three challenges in one.
Here are my contributions …
Platycodon grandiflorus; a species of herbaceous, Aka balloon flowerPurple PansyHydrangeaSeaside PetuniasViola bertolonii aka Bertoloni’s pansy
God Bless. Have a lovely week. Take time to observe nature’s beauty. 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.
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