Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography
This blog is for my insights on life, the Bible, hiking adventures with my grandson and whatever is important to me
WHATSOEVER IS LOVELY CHALLENGE-2023 WEEK 17
Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
Photo Credit: ©️Mischelle Oyko (Shared with me from friend in hiking club)
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time & thoughts. Hope you enjoyed the Spider Lilies. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i
Settings: f/5.6 • 1/200 130mm ISO 100
Taken: 2023 February 18 12:04 pm.
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time. I appreciate y’all.
It was a lovely day watching the birds in flight going back and forth over the Catawba River by the Fort Mill Dam.
Such a beautiful sight to behold, the majestic scene soaring above our heads. We were in awe of the wonder and were amazed how they would maneuver across the clear blue skies.
Whatsoever is lovely blog challenge
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Copyright: (c)2023@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time. I appreciate y’all.
Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2023-Week 2
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Copyright: ©️2023@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Pull Up a Seat and enjoy your day. Remember I appreciate y’all.
…. Coleman goes with me, either beside or in front leading the way.
Over the weekend, Coleman and I enjoyed a beautiful sunshiny day hiking 🥾 along the Catawba River by the Fort Mill Dam. We’ve had a lot of rain lately and Coleman does not like to be cooped up in the home all day. It is always a joy to be able to take him out in nature where he can be free to run.
God Bless. Thank you for sharing our hike. I appreciate y’all.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters
Copyright: ©️2023@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Enjoy your Sunday. Thank you for viewing my skyline. I appreciate y’all.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
My Screensaver:
My Wallpaper:
Posted as part of Clare’s Share Your Desktop Photography Challenge.
Photo Credit: (c)2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Enjoy your day. I appreciate y’all.
Ageratum houstonianum, is a cool-season annual plant often grown as bedding in gardens. Location for these flowers are alongside the Catawba River in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Posted as part of Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Posted as part of Jez’s Water Water Everywhere Photo Challenge
# WWE. #WaterWaterEverywhere
God Bless. Enjoy nature. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
God bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.
God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
God Bless. Have a funtastic day. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.
These entries are from my hike along the Catawba River. The flowers I notice along the river are not always the same. Different ones catch my eye at different times. The wildflowers are beautiful to observe and enjoy .
My entries for Cee’s FOTD Challenge from 8/22. Hope y’all enjoy.
God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Couldn’t pick just one. Catawba River and Coleman. Love ❤️ them both.
God Bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.
God bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
For our Wednesday Wanderings, Coleman and I visited a different local trail we had never hiked before. I had heard about the trail, and it really wasn’t that far away from us. I decided that we should change up our routine and hike something different, see what other trails existed in our area. With the yearning to change things up a bit, I drove us to the Catawba Indian Nation Greenway Trail.
The Catawba Inian Nation Greenway Trail is located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The trail is a natural surface trail which runs along the Catawba River through the Catawba Indian Nation Reservation. The trail is open to the public to enjoy and learn about the area’s Native American Tribe. The Catawba Indian Nation is the only federally recognized tribe in South Carolina.
The Catawba Indian Nation Greenway Trail is a part of the Carolina Thread Trail. There are three trails on this reservation that connect to each other. One trail begins behind the Cultural Center called the Cultural Center Trail or the Yehasuri Trail. The Loop Trail leads towards the Government Center before the Greenway Trail ends. The third trail is the Catawba Indian Nation Greenway Trail. This third trail is the one Coleman and I hiked. It begins at the Government Center. The trail has benches located in various areas along it for a chance to rest a bit or to just sit, relax, and enjoy the views of the Catawba River. Parts of the trail are packed with gravel; other parts are a natural surface. When we hiked the trail, the natural surface portions were muddy after the previous days rain. One had to be careful not to slip and fall in the mud.
The Yehasuri Trail hosts interpretive signage about the importance of the land to the tribe’s cultural as well as Catawba dwelling, a bark house, dugout trees, story circle and active archeological dig. The Catawba Indian Nation Trail is 1.6 miles in length. This trail follows alongside the Catawba River. There are plenty of spots along the trail to not just view the river, but as my grandson loves to do, get in the river and play around. The Loop Trail is 0.3 miles long. If you begin at the Government Center, you hiked down a long green grassy meadow for approximately 0.6 miles bringing you down to the river and the Catawba Indian Nation Greenway Trail.
While hiking the trail we came upon an area containing a balance beam of sorts, bars to lift up on or in the case of my grandson, Coleman, swing on. A little further down the trail Coleman spotted a slide. I’m not sure the slide was actually on the trail or on private property. I wasn’t actually sure. After I allowed Coleman to have fun sliding down the slide and left the area, that’s when I thought it might have been on private property adjoining the trail.
The entire length on the trail is 2.5-miles one way. We did not quite hike the full 2,5 miles. We turned around shortly after hiking 2 miles one way and hiked back up to the Government Center and to the car. Whenever you hike make sure you bring plenty of water to drink, a hat to shade the sun, sunscreen on hot sunny days to protect your skin from burning, and possibly a scarf or rag to wipe the sweat off your face on hot and humid days.
God Bless. Take Care and stay safe. Get Out in Nature and Enjoy God’s Creation. Thank You for visiting. Looking forward to your next visit. I appreciate y’all.
Welcome to my blog. Today I’ll be talking about my Wanderings with my grandson, Coleman, yesterday. Coleman is 2 1/2 and loves to be out in nature and go hiking 🥾. He has been hiking for over year and a half now. He’ll be turning 3 next month. I have pictures of him on hikes since at least March 2021. There is no place he’d rather be then out on a trail, out in nature, walking, running, or hiking 🥾. Anywhere, Anytime outdoors is where he would rather be.
Wednesday morning we left the house ( actually our apartment) by 10 am. Getting him and me both ready takes time. I’m not alert too early in the mornings any more. Not only do I need to get us both dressed, I have to make sure we eat a healthy breakfast and have plenty of drinks and snacks packed fir our day of hiking.
On this outing we went to our local Riverwalk Catawba Trailhead to begin our day of wandering through nature. Riverwalk has two entrances to choose from. One on the north side and one on the south side. We chose the one on the south side closest to the railroad trestle. He loves choo choo’s (trains).
Coleman is always ready for a hiking 🥾 adventure. He loves to have is picture 📷taken. As you can see, he also likes to climb. Shortly after we crossed through the covered bridge we were able to view the railroad 🚆 trestle.
Not only does he like to view the railroad 🛤 trestle, he also likes to go down to the water 💦 and watch the waters 💦 movements, and play in the water if he can get away with it.
He enjoys a good swing and will run to one any time he sees one along the trail. Continuing along the trail, he spots a log 🪵 on the ground and immediately decides to climb on it. He then walked along the top of it like you would a balance beam ( he’s never seen a balance beam).
Anytime there is an opening along the trail to go to the water 💦 or at least to view the water 💦, he is off and running 🏃♂️ towards it.
On the way back to the car, Coleman hears the train 🚂 whistle. He automatically says choo choo. I find an opening amongst the trees 🌲 along the trail for him to see the train 🚊 as it is moving along the railroad 🚞 tracks 🛤. He loves watching the train pass. He would have liked it better if we were closer to the railroad 🚞 trestle 🛤 , but he still hasn’t stopped talking about seeing the train 🚆.
We hiked for 2.6 miles round trip. This is one of his shorter hikes. If you have the opportunity, I would highly recommend you visiting a Greenway, a local park, a local trailhead and enjoy spending time hiking 🥾 (or walking 🚶♀️) and observing nature.
God bless. Thank you for visiting. Remember I appreciate y’all.
Yesterday, Sunday, 05 June 2022 we decided to try a different trail that I was told about on Saturday whil I was participating in the National Trails Day 1,000 Mile Challenge. The information was given to me by Debbie Zinsky Kiggans, the leader of the Anne Springs Close Greenway Hiking Club. She informed me about the Masons Ben Trail located in the Fort Mill area of South Carolina.
Following directions, we found the parking area to the Founders Trailhead, however, we did not locate the Masons Bend Trail. Afterwards, I looked at the trail map and it appears we did not hike far enough to venture off onto the Masons Bend Trail which appears to be a jaunt off of the Founders Trail.
The Founders Trail is a 2.3-mile mostly natural surface trail provides connectivity between the Piedmont Medical Center Trail, (AKA Riverwalk), and the Masons Bend Trail. It follows a beautiful stretch of the free flowing Catawba River.
From the North, users can utilize the trail parking at the end of Weir Court in the Masons Bend Neighborhood development. When you follow the trail southward, the trail runs along the River and provides a series of bridges and boardwalks. In various locations along the trail are strategically placed benches which allow hikers and other visitors to take a break and view the river. There is an overlook at the north end of the trail affording opportunities to be inspired by the marvelous views of the Catawba River. [We evidently did not go far enough along the trail, since we did not encounter the overlook.] The overlook area is stated to be around 1.9 miles into the trail. [We went 1.7 miles today before turning around to meet my daughter who just arrived at the trailhead.]
If one chooses to head north on the Founders Trail, it will connect directly into the Masons Bend Trail allowing the user to travel an additional one and a quarter mile along the river.
If one chooses to begin at the south end, trail users can utilize the trailhead of the Piedmont Medical Center Trail. Follow the trail north on Route 21. from there, the Founders Trail begins as a sidewalk along the Route 21 Bridge over the Catawba River. The sidewalk section runs for approximately 2000′ and transitions by making a “U-turn” to the right just after the guardrails and follows the old road back and travels underneath the Route 21 Bridge.
The Founders Trail consists of Natural surface, Gravel/stone, Boardwalk, Sidewalk, and Pavement. [ we never encountered the sidewalk or pavement on this hike.] The Trail is located both in the Rock Hill and the Fort Mill areas of South Carolina. The difficulty level of the Trail is designated as easy. [It was fairly easy for my two-year-old grandson.] Dogs are permitted on the trail with a 3-foot leash. If you choose to bring your dog, be sure to pick up after them. Remember to Leave No Trace, what you pack in, Pack out with you.
The Founders Trailhead has no restroom facilities, so it would be wise to plan ahead. The Trail is open from Dawn to Dusk. Parking is limited, only 15 spots available. [Parking was not crowded, and neither was the trail. So, if you which to practice social distancing that is not a problem along this trail.
I encourage you to find a local trail and get outdoors and enjoy nature. God bless. Thank you for visiting. Till next time, Remember I appreciate y’all.
My grandson, Coleman, and I visited the Riverwalk area in Rock Hill, South Carolina for the second time today. We parked by the Pump House and hiked a portion of the Piedmont Medical Center Trail. We hiked at a leisurely pace, enjoying the views of the Catawba River. We took a slight detour off the asphalt pathway and onto a dirt and gravel trail which looped around back to the main pathway. Coleman enjoys hiking off the beaten path. We hiked 1.5 miles along the trail and turned around and went back the direction we came. Several spots along the way, Coleman ventured into the river for some fun time in the water. Once back at the car, we drove a short distance to the Riverwalk Park. There he enjoyed making “music”, swinging, and sliding.
God bless. Hope you enjoyed viewing our day. Make time to get outdoors and enjoy nature. Thank you! Remember I appreciate y’all.
The Riverwalk Greenway Trail is located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It is 2.25 miles of easy walking exercise. As you walk along the paved asphalt trail you can observe fabulous views of the Catawba River.
The Riverwalk Trail has been recently renamed the Piedmont Medical Center Trail. The asphalt pathway is approximately 10-foot wide. It is located just minutes away from I-77. This trail is key segment of the Carolina Thread Trail. The Carolina Thread Trail is a regional network of trails and greenways spanning 15 counties across North and South Carolina.
Along the trail you’ll encounter various historical landmarks informing you of some of the local history that is contained within the pathway of the trail. They mention the Nation Ford trestle, the usage during the Civil War, the usage by the Catawba and Cherokee Indians, and was even crossed by President Jefferson Davis in 1865.
Mile markers are placed at intervals along the pathway to help you keep track of how far you have walked, hiked, ran, or cycled. You have to remember that regardless of which trailhead you park at, it is 2.25 miles up and back. If you need a short break to catch your breath along the way you’ll encounter several metal benches, sitting areas made from tree trunks, and also a few swings. My grandson really enjoyed taking breaks anytime he came upon one of the swings.
The trail is accessible to anyone on foot, wheelchair, skateboard, or bicycle of any age and ability. Dogs are welcome to tag along, but must be on a 3-foot leash. And remember you must pick up after your dog. Leave no trace.
Located along the route are short dirt paths that you can venture on to enable you to have better views of the Catawba River. If you so choose from the north trailhead, you can launch a kayak, a tube, or raft and enjoy a leisurely trip down river.
Please note that the trail is located in a floodplain and during inclement weather you should use caution and avoid the trail during those times. All cyclists should observe the 10 mile per hour speed limit.
My grandson and I spent a couple hours leisurely walking along the trail and enjoying the fabulous views of the Catawba River. We went on Friday (1st day of a holiday weekend), and lots of people were out and about. The watering hole was crowded so he couldn’t get in the water, maybe he’ll be able to on another visit. We plan on going back on Wednesday. I’ve been informed that not so many people go there during the middle of the week. If you desire to avoid crowds, I’d suggest coming here on a weekday and avoiding the weekends.
God Bless. Enjoy nature. Get outdoors. Walk. Bike. Hike. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
God bless. Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate y’all.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 