It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside. ~Maud Hart Lovelace, Betsy-Tacy and Tib, 1941
Brian from Bushboys Worldhosts a monthly challenge called Last On the Card. His rules are simple to follow if you’re interested in participating.
Here are The rules: 1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 30th or whenever your last photo was taken. 2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate. 3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do 4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments 5. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard
Here are my contributions …
From my Canon EOS T7 (2000D):
The Pond The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NC
Tina with Travels and Trifles is this week’s host for the Lens Artist Photo Challenge. She has chosen a. Theme of The Rule of Three, not to be confused with The Rule of Thirds. I quite frequently post for Carol’s Thursday Trios so finding groups of three’s isn’t difficult for me. Whenever I am out and about I always look for possible three’s to use later on. For this challenge I am foxing The Rule of Three’s in Floral settings.
Canna discolor (aka Achira or edible canna) Gastonia, NC
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) Native to the Eastern North America Official Flower of Tennessee
Oakleaf Hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia The Farm at The Schiele Museum of Natural History
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.
Visiting the Anne Springs Close Greenway, sometimes it’s nice to shoot in black and white instead of always in colour. The effects can be just as striking if not more dramatic and impressive.
These first images were taking while hiking along the trail towards and at Lake Haigler.
Lake Haigler Lake Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway
The next set of images were taken while Coleman was playing on the climbing structure in the Schroering Forest Playground.
Schroering Forest Playground Lake Haigler Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, South Carolina
Coleman sitting on the Climbing Structure Repositioning Resting before #PullingUpaSeatDoes Laying on the Structure count? Not exactly Sitting, Oh well. Never know How or When Coleman will choose to Pull Up a SeatColeman #Pulling Up a Seat on the Central Climbing Structure
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Schroering Forest Playground; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. May you have a lovely week filled with love, joy, and laughter. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Unlike Terri or Brian, I have not seen any dogwood trees lately. I have, however, recently visited the Garden inside The Farm at The Schiele Museum of Natural History with a lovely variety of plants and flowers. I am focusing on the beautiful Echinacea purpurea, more commonly known as Purple Coneflower or Eastern Purple Coneflower.
One Purple Coneflower
Coneflowers are a popular native floral in a number of gardens (both private and commercial) in our part of the Eastern United States. They are a drought-tolerant perennial with daisy-like flowers. (It is a good thing these plants are drought tolerant since we are currently under water restrictions due to insufficient rainfall (even though it has rained here all week).
Two Purple Coneflowers
The coneflowers thrive in full sunlight and well-drained soil. All the plants and flowers in this garden are well cultivated and cared for. They have a long lasting blooming season from Summer throughout Autumn. Even though it is still Spring in our area, we have had summer-like weather and the coneflowers and other plants are thriving.
A Trio of Purple Coneflower
This year the garden’s Purple Coneflowers are in abundance and are a delightful attraction for pollinators (like butterflies & the bees in residence at the Farm) and provide seeds for birds. Coneflowers classic colour is purple, however, they also come in a variety of shades of pink, yellow, white, and orange.
A Gallery of Purple Coneflowers in a Garden
An interesting fact about the coneflowers is that every part of the plant is edible. Now I have not tried eating them as of yet, but the vibrant petals are said to have a mild, sweet , floral flavour. They make a colourful garnish for salads, desserts, or charcuterie boards. The young. tender leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked similarly to spinach. While the coneflowers are considered safe and nontoxic for humans and pets, you would want to avoid high doses due to the fact it is possible for them to cause upset stomachs. For further information about its culinary and medicinal uses check out Eat the Planet.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
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. 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 for the Which Way Challenge is CWWC: Any Which Way Along a Nature Trail (Paved, Unpaved, or Natural surface). The Which Way can be any trail found in nature 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.
A Nature Trail can be found in Greenways, state or national parks, and even in some city parks. They can be paved or unpaved natural surfaces or even graveled. Wherever you find to walk or hike amongst nature are fantastic places to show your Which Ways this week. Coleman and I love getting outdoors hiking in nature amongst the trees, rivers, and lakes.
Here is our latest adventure hiking along Nature 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. 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’s theme: CWWC: Any Which Way on an Interstate, Highway, or Paved Road [06.05.2026]
It’s been amazing to visit Baby Horses born at Anne Springs Close Greenway over the years. I was lucky to have captured Murphy and Forest with their mothers.
Fern and baby Forest (Born in 2022)
Baby Alpacas …
Greenway Baby Alpacas
My Grand-babies …
Coleman (6 almost 7) and Sophia Ruthann (5 months)
God Bless. Treasure your “babies” always. Capture the memories. Love to y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Last Wednesday Coleman and I ventured over to Goat Island Park and Greenway for a relaxing afternoon after he got home from his final day of school for the year. We decided to take a walk along the Catawba River before heading to the playground to allow him some Funtime and to burn off excess energy.
You know what we saw? We saw a group of three Canada Geese enjoying themselves sunning and swimming along and in the South Fork Catawba River. We hadn’t seen the Canada Geese at the River since the freezing temperatures of winter came roaring in upon us. It was fantastic to see (at least a few of) them returning to the river and enjoying themselves in the waters of the Catawba River.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: South Fork Catawba River; Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy your Spring/Autumn Summer/Winter whichever the case may be. Get outdoors and commune with nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Egidio is this week’s host for the Lens-Artist Photo Challenge. She has asked us to limit our movement to within 10-15 steps in any direction from our focal point. Capture what we see from various angles and perspectives as we are Stuck in Place.
My images are all taken from within a few steps from Lake Haigler on the Haigler Loop Trail while hiking with Coleman.
I began taking pictures while Coleman sat on a bench looking out upon Lake Haigler.
The Spillway lock at Lake Haigler
Looking up from the same spot to capture what was hanging from the trees above the lake.
Fishing Bobbers stuck in the tree.
Then I turned around and saw interesting shoe prints on the trail. Here’s a comparison of the shoe print with Coleman’s shoe.
Coleman’s shoe next to a Horseshoe imprinted in the trail
Turning to the left and to the left we acquired these interesting views …
To the left …
A sign indicating the direction to the Lake Haigler Spillway
And to the right …
Where is Coleman going? Not to the bridge, but where?
Still to the right …
The Lake Haigler Spillway Where’s the water? The Spillway is so dry. Insufficient rain, no water is flowing from the Spillway.
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens & Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Haigler Loop Trail; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South 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.
Dale, the host of theCosmic Photo Challenge, has challenged us to show areas we have found Shade during the hot, scorching days. Last week we had high’s in the high 80’s and low 90’s. The weekend brought about thunderstorms that are lingering around all week. I’m glad I was able to get out and enjoy visiting a few places with Coleman last week.
The following are a few of the places we found shade …
At Goat Island Park and Greenway …
Shaded by the trees while looking at the South Fork Catawba River
Covered Picnic Shelters provide Shade for a respite from the Hot Sun
Sitting in a Shaded Picnic Shelter Looking out at Shady areas on the Playground
Coleman seeking Shade in the Playground
Coleman and a friend find Shade at the Swings
At The Schiele Museum of Natural History …
A Pig enjoys the Shade of the Pigsty
Coleman resting on a Shaded porch in the Catawba Indian Village at The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Shade at the Covered Picnic Shelter along the Nature Trail at The Schiele Museum of Natural History
As you can see Shade can be found just about anywhere if you’re Looking for Shade. Most everywhere Coleman and I hike there are shaded areas if you desire to get out of the sun. Where do you Look for Shade?
Common Salsify Aka Vegetable oyster, Purple Goat’s beard, Jack go to bed
The Common Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius), is a biennial root vegetable which can be grown alongside parsnips and carrots. The plant produces grass-like leaves and thin, carrot-shaped taproots that are typically 8-9 inches long. True Salsify features purple flowers that white roots.
Its white taproot yields a delicate savory flavour that is often compared to cooked oysters, asparagus, or artichokes. While we’re talking about flavour, when it’s cooked it has an earthy nutty taste which makes it highly prized by chefs for use in soups, stews, and purées. You may cook them in a variety of ways from boiling, steaming, roasting, or mashing them. Besides cooking them, the young, tender roots can be sliced or grated for salads. The young shoots, leaves, and even the flower buds can also be eaten raw. If you choose to eat them raw, do not overeat them since they may lead to gas or bloating.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
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. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Teasel pictured here are grown in a garden at The Farm at The Schiele Museum of Natural History. The Garden also has purple coneflowers, Oakleaf hydrangeas, Roses, Wild Bergamot, Lettuce, Cabbage, and many more varieties some of which will be featured in later posts.
A adult female pig who has given birth is referred to as a Sow. Not sure if either of these pigs are female or have given birth, but maybe you’ll enjoy the pigs anyway.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250 mm lens
Location: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Happy Blessed Passover! Happy Easter! Have a wonderful day and week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Location: 1508 S Waccamaw Dr.; Marlin Quay Marina, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, 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.
Brian from Bushboys Worldhosts a monthly challenge called Last On the Card. His rules are simple to follow if you’re interested in participating.
Here are The rules: 1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 30th or whenever your last photo was taken. 2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate. 3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do 4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments 5. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-25mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment
Location: Lake Crawford Trail; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature. 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 Capturing People Unaware. 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.
I hope y’all have had some lovely weather for getting out and about enjoying nature and capturing its amazing beauty. This week’s focus is on Capturing People Unaware in our pathways, the trails we explore, or wherever you may encounter them while you walk or hike in the vast outdoors. My Capturing People Unaware are on the trails Coleman and I hiked in Kings Mountain State Park and in Kings Mountain National Military Park. Enjoy.
Kings Mountain National Military ParkKings Mountain National Military ParkKings Mountain National Military Park Kings Mountain National Military ParkKings Mountain State ParkKings Mountain National Military ParkKings Mountain State Park Kings Mountain National Military ParkKings Mountain State ParkKings Mountain State ParkCee’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) Any Which Way Capturing People Unaware
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.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: The Living History Farm; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Hope it’s not too hot for all y’all. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-25mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: By Lake Crawford & Lake Crawford Trail; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature. 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 with Shadows . 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.
I hope y’all have had some lovely weather for getting out and about enjoying nature and capturing its amazing beauty. This week’s focus is on shadows in our pathways, the trails we explore, or wherever you may encounter them while you walk or hike in the vast outdoors. My shadows are on the trails Coleman and I hiked in Kings Mountain State Park. Enjoy.
Here are my entries …
Hiking Trails with Shadows Kings Mountain State Park
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.
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.
This week Monochrome Madnessis hosted by Sarah from Travel with Me. She haschosen to challenge us to post images which begin with the letter “P”. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t that difficult to find images in my archives which begin with “P”.
Here are my entries …
Let’s begin by walking out onto the Porch …
Front Porch
Next, how about a trip back in time …
Pennzoil Indy Race Car captured on 35mm at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in August of 1985 by my dad.
Now back to more current“P” images …
Playground at T. Jeffers Center
Pump House by the Catawba River & the Piedmont Medical Center Trail in Rock Hill, SC
Pig at the Children’s Farm in Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, SC
Patterson Pond – Canada Geese enjoying a swim Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SC
A Preserved replica of a Brown Pelican in The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NC
Pretty colourful Petunias The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NC
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.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: The Living History Farm; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Hope it’s not too hot for all y’all. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. 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 with Outdoor Steps or Stairs. 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.
This week I am continuing to show aspects of mine and Coleman’s hike in Kings Mountain State Park, beginning with the Steps to the Bathhouse and continuing along the Lake Crawford Trail and beyond.
Here are my entries …
StairsBathhouse Steps Bathhouse StepsBathhouse StepsStepping Stones Steps to Lake CrawfordSteps to Lake Crawford Stepping StonesSteps to Lake CrawfordSteps to Lake CrawfordCWWC 2026 Any Which Way with Outdoor Steps or Stairs Kings Mountain State Park
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.
When Coleman and I went hiking the other week, we hiked from the Bathhouse to The Living History Farm (from one end to the other end) in Kings Mountain State Park.The Living History Farm at Kings Mountain State Park is a replica of a mid-nineteenth (19th) century South Carolina yeomen farm.
Yeomen Farms were run by small-scale independent landowners who worked their own land primarily using family labour. [Much in the same way the Amish farmers work, or farmers in the time period of ‘Little House on the Prairie’.] Yeomen farmers focused on subsistence farming, livestock, and self-reliance.
Enough of the side jaunt about the farmers, now back to The Living History Farm. It is an opportunity for visitors to explore an immersive look into the self-sufficiency lifestyle of the post-Revolutionary War era. It shows the period-appropriate buildings, heirloom gardens, and holds live demonstrations to illustrate how the farmers and their families lived and worked together during the post-Revolutionary War era.
These here are a fraction of the authentic replicas at The Living History Farm.
Anyone ever use one of these?
Outhouse
A Visiting Dog (not apart of the historical replica)
Under this building is a wagon and other equipment used on a yeomen farm.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.
Location: The Living History Farm; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week and weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: This Friday’s CWWC theme will be Any Which Way with Outdoor Steps or Stairs. The Steps or Stairs maybe on any pathway, nature trail, or any other walkway or footpath. Be sure your Which Ways are clearly visible. Thank you for your participation.
The Historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Bathhouse sits on the shores of Lake Crawford in Kings Mountain State Park. The Bathhouse was the location where Coleman and I began our hike. The height of usage for the Bathhouse was between 1930’s until the 1990’s. In its heyday it was an essential hub for park activities.
Side of Bathhouse
Currently, the Bathhouse is abandoned and in a sad state of disrepair. The exterior ofthe Bathhouse is available for viewing via the Farm Trail (or in our case, we parked in the parking area where the Bathhouse is located.
From the Backside
The Historic CCC Bathhouse is primary historical landmark within Kings Mountain State Park. It is known for its intricate craftsmanship.
Rear-side of Bathhouse
When you approach the main doors (currently locked) there is a QR code you may scan that will give you information about how to donate to the ongoing Bathhouse Donation Project to help aide in the Revitalization Efforts for the renovation of the Bathhouse.
The Bathhouse Backside
Once the Bathhouse is restored, it is intended to serve as a central visitor information hub. It will also allow the Lake Crawford swimming area to be reopen. Swimming has not been allowed in Lake Crawford since 2002. For over 20 years swimming in Lake Crawford and Lake York have been prohibited. Even though swimming is not allowed (hopefully it will be when the Bathhouse is renovated and reopened); there are other recreational activities which may be enjoyed … such as fishing, boating, and sightseeing.
XingfuMama hosts the weekly challenge Whatsoever Is Lovely. The challenge is simple. Just reflect back over your week and see what is lovely, whether a thing or a moment, share in a post what is precious and lovely to you.
Last Thursday, Coleman and I had an early morning adventure (dropped off at 8am) hiking in Kings Mountain State Park. Coleman loves the being out in the great outdoors surrounded by nature’s beauty.
We were dropped off near Lake Crawford and proceeded to hike down to the lake. We hiked along the Lake Crawford Trail and stopped for a short break to observe the Spillway. Watching the water flow from one side to the other is fascinating and captivated Coleman’s interest.
He hopped from rock to rock to cross the water slowly flowing from the Spillway. I, on the hand, crossed over via the bridge.
Here are the views Coleman and I thought were lovely and the memories we made are extremely precious.
The Spillway at Kings Mountain State Park Whatsoever Is Lovely Challenge 2026 – Week 15
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens & Altura UV Filter attachment
Location: The Spillway; Lake Crawford; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Isn’t it lovely to Enjoy Nature. Admire Nature’s beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens & Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: The Living History Farm; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
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.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Lake Crawford; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South 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.
This week I’m starting a new series for XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seatthat will last approximately eight (8) weeks more or less. As you can see from the title it will be on Coleman’s Style (of Pulling Up a Seat) in a State Park. This series will all be Coleman’s Style at Kings Mountain State Park.
This is an excellent week for combining The Flower Hour, Spring Festival 2026 Week 4, while remembering Bren’s Floral Friday and Cee’s Flower of the Day challenges. As stated in my CWWC/CFFCpost Coleman and I hiked the Lake Crawford Trail at Kings Mountain State Park. The trail was displaying an impressive array showing colourful signs of Spring.
Here are a few pics of Spring signs we saw on our Hike …
Terri’s The Flower Hour Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026 Week 4 Bren’s Floral Friday Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Lake Crawford Trail; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South 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.
Brian from Bushboys Worldhosts a monthly challenge called Last On the Card. His rules are simple to follow if you’re interested in participating.
Here are The rules: 1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 30th or whenever your last photo was taken. 2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate. 3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do 4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments 5. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard
Here are my contributions …
From my Canon EOS T7 (2000D):
Civil Air Patrol Cadets gather after hiking at Kings Mountain National Military Park
God Bless. Enjoy your Spring/Autumn days. Stay safe. Have a funtastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
U.S. Monument Kings Mountain National Military Park Blacksburg, South Carolina
The U.S. Monument in Kings Mountain National Military Park stands on the highest point in the park. It resides on Battleground Ridge in the northeastern part of the park’s and its highest point. It stands in line with the Centennial Monument (which you can learn more about by clicking here.
The U.S. Monument was constructed of white granite from the Mount Airy quarry in North Carolina. It towers eighty-three (83) feet high above Battleground Ridge and rests on a two-stepped marble base (16’ x 3” squared).
The obelisk’s interior is hollow and the white marble bricks are contrasted against black mortar. The diagonals of the obelisk approximately correspond to the four (4) cardinals of the compass. On each side of the Monument are bronze tablets that dedicate the Monument to the patriot victory at Kings Mountain. The bronzetablets discuss the significance of the battle, list the American and British commanders, and list the Americans killed in battle.
The U.S. Monument in Kings Mountain National Military Park was dedicated in 1909. Interestingly, the decision to erect an obelisk at Kings Mountain National Military Park reflects the cultural fascination with Ancient Egypt during the nineteenth century. Since the time of Ancient Egypt, the obelisk has been seen as a symbol of reverence, dominance, and patriarchy.
Each year on October 7th, the Park honours those who fought at Kings Mountain by holding a wreath laying ceremony at the U.S. Monument with a program held in the amphitheater at 3:00 pm, the time in which the battle began.
Click on image to enlarge. The featured photo shows the full length of the U.S. Monument in Kings Mountain National Military Park.
Cameras: Main image-Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; Featured image-Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: U.S. Monument; Battleground Ridge; Kings Mountain National Military Park; Blacksburg, South 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.
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.
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.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen for the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way with Paved Roads, Pathways or Sidewalks for this week’s theme. The Which Way can be any paved 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.
It’s great to get outdoors and enjoy a stroll. It doesn’t matter whether you stroll through your neighbourhood, a park, the beach, or whether you stroll via your car, bicycle, motorcycle, or on foot. It is refreshing to enjoy the warmth of the sun, the wonders of nature, or the calmness a stroll can bring.
Here are some images of areas we have explored strolling about here and there …
T. Jeffers Center & Park A Stroll around the Parking lot. Evening in the Neighborhood Myrtle Beach, SCTaking A Stroll waiting for momStrolling to T. Jeffers Center T. Jeffers Center Gastonia, NCTaking a Stroll through Kings Mountain Gastonia, NCMyrtle Beach, South Carolina Oh look, an Amazon Van Strolling down the road. Kings Mountain National Military Park Strolling through our Which Ways
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 Two Weeks will be CWWC: Any Which Way with Spring or Autumn Which Ways ( Will Run for Two (2)Weeks [03.27-04.03.2026]
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.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7(2000D) with Canon EF-S55/250 mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Carolina Speedway; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Let God direct your life’s speed and journey. 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 I have chosen for the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) 2026: Any Which Way on a Nature Trail (Dirt or Paved) for this week’s theme. The Which Way can be any dirt or paved 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 and I haven’t journeyed very far like some of y’all have, however, we do enjoy our adventurous journeys to Greenways, State Parks, and nearby National Parks. This past weekend we journeyed to Kings Mountain National Military Park for the sole purpose of hiking the Battlefield Trail.
The Battlefield Trail is a mere 1.5 miles long, but it seems a lot further when you’re hiking up hill on the trail, winding around the mountain, back and forth twisting this way and that way through the woods, hiking up and down continuously seems like you’re hiking forever.
The Battlefield Trail contains several story boards telling about the impact the Revolutionary War had on the Kings Mountain area and the Carolinas. It has monuments in various locations along the trail which have significant historical relevance to the Revolutionary War and the Soldiers who fought against the British. It is a semi-paved trail in natural surroundings.
After arriving at Kings Mountain National Military Park, Coleman and I checked out the museum prior to hitting the trail for our adventurous journey. Once we left the Museum/Visitor Center, we had to decide which way we wanted to go to begin our hike.
Do we go to the left or right?
We read the sign which indicated which way the Battlefield Trail was located. Therefore, we followed the signs directions and began hiking to the left. We ran across various signs along the way … some that instructed us on what not to do, some that told about a specific area, and a few that informed about park regulations or gave us hiking suggestions.
Battlefield Trail
Hiking along we see stone monuments dedicated to fallen soldiers, orange cones alerting us to dangerous areas, and Coleman discovers interesting places to Pull Up a Seat.
Sacred to the memoryof … Coleman Pulls Up a Seat on a logShoot Tree to TreeColeman Pulls Up a Seat on a Bench One of many Story BoardsBattlefield Trail
Hiking further up (and I mean uphill)along the trail we spot more monuments with information indicating their significance in history.
In Honor of the Three Known African-American Patriots…Coleman approaches the largest and tallest monument Coleman Pulls Up a Seat on a Monument This is a different monument Coleman is investigating In Honor of Lieutenant Colonel James Hawthorne …Coleman takes a break Pulling up a Seat on the TrailTo the Memory of Col. Patrick Ferguson …American Vanquished Battlefield Trail Directional SignThe end
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.
Coleman and I had the opportunity to hike Battlefield Trail (more on that later) on Saturday, March 7th. The day started out gloomy and overcast with the possibility of rain. Luckily the rain held off until we were back home. It ended up being around 76°F and humid. Not too bad for hiking weather except my glasses kept fogging up making it hard to see.
Below are the windows we saw as we were approaching the backside of the VisitorCenter upon completing the 1.5 mile Battlefield Trail.
Windows on the Backside of the Visitor Center
Kings Mountain National Military Park Visitor Center and Museum
National Park Service Visitor Center Kings Mountain National Military Park & Museum
Camera: 1-2) Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment; 3) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Kings Mountain National Military Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Coleman playing Hide-N-Seek … Behind the Monument Peek-a-Boo Coleman On This Site President Hoover Addressed An Audience of 75,000 At The Celebration Of The Sesqui Centennial Of The Battle Of Kings Mountain October 7, 1930
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: The Battlefield Trail; Kings Mountain National Military Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Take a hike and enjoy nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have chosen Any Which Way (Your Choice) for this week’s theme. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome. For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
Here are my entries …
Entering the Carolina Speedway …
Carolina Speedway SignThe long line to entering the parking area. Walking to the Seating area at the TrackWalking to the Seating area at the TrackCee’s Which Way Challenge Any Which Way (Your Choice)
In between the regular Monster Truck Wars competitions the event held a Power Wheels Truck race featuring the littlest and youngest “Monster Truck” drivers. These images are from the Power Wheels Truck race.
Enthusiastic young driverMini Grave Digger Truck & driver Slowly approaching starting lineLining up & waving to crowd (Trio of Power Wheels)Roaring and rolling They are off … One, Two, Three … (not final order)Nearing the finish lineThursday Trios & CWWC
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
Dan Antion from No Facilities, the host of Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)has chosen to start a new series of related themes dealing with Tools and Equipment. This is the fourth week of the new series for Cee’s Fun FotoChallenge with Inventions which has a feature of Tools and Equipment.
Here are my entries …
Ridgid RB40 Jobsite Toolbox seen along the Rocky Branch TrailDewalt DWE7491RS – Job Site Table Saw w/ Rolling Stand, 10″, CompactStorage of Fire Extinguishers & other equipment Construction Equipment hard at work by The Schiele Museum Construction Equipment at Anne Springs Close Greenway CATERPILLAR 349F Crawler ExcavatorsVancer CWX20 HI-RAIL EXCAVATORCee’s Fun Foto Challenge Tools and Equipment
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Make some funtastic memories. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.