Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Winter, Summer or Both. Lately our weather has been so cold and extremely windy that it feels like winter. Yesterday morning our low was down to 14°, which for me, extremely freezing weather with the wind chill making it feel even colder. Our lowest temperatures of the day are when I need to wait with Coleman at the school bus stop. His bus always runs late, so I am always chilled to the bone by the time I get back to the house.
Enough talk about our current “Wintry” weather conditions and let’s move on to showing you some images from last Winter.
Here are my contributions for this week …
Northern Mockingbird February 2025Footprints in the Snow 02/2025Snow/ice covered plants 02/2025Deer eyeing me December 2024Christmas Lights December 2024Coleman enjoying the Snow ❄️ 02/2025Would you go barefoot in the Snow/ice? January 2025Coleman entering Goat Island 12/2024Coleman by the South Fork Catawba River December 2024Nativity Scene with extra figurine (aka Coleman) 12/2024CFFC – Looking Back Upon Winter
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: You might want to take a look at this Friday’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) (another one of Cee’s challenges) to see the new ideas for the new theme of Any Which Way with a Holiday theme. — Part 2 which will go live on Friday 12/19 just past midnight EST.
Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Travel Hubs. Looking through my files I did not find many actual Travel Hubs, but just maybe what I did find might somewhat be along the lines even if they’re not actually hubs.
Here are my contributions …
Are Ports Hubs?
San Diego Ferry DockCruise Ships Ports and a Ferry Dock
Bus Stations …
Gastonia Bus Station Gastonia Bus StationCharlotte Greyhound Bus Station and local Gastonia Transit Station
Now how about let’s take a look at Trains. These aren’t actually Train Stations where you would board a train, but you could.
New Braunfels Train Museum (and yes they do offer train rides) New Braunfels, TexasNorth Carolina Transportation Museum Bob Julian Roundhouse & 100-foot Turntable Old Trains at the NC Transportation Museum Both of these Train/Transportation Museums offer Train Rides
And last but not least, let’s look at views of the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport Charlotte, North Carolina
Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Professional Offices. Looking through my files I did not find many professional offices that I had not already posted previously for other challenges. I did find a few though.
Here are my contributions …
The Enterprise Tower Abilene, TexasThe Department of Social Services facility Gastonia, NCGaston County Veterans Services NCGaston County Veterans Services NCThe Old Courthouse St. Louis, Missouri Taken 1985 by Nornal H. Waters (my dad)
Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Sporting Venues (actually I’m a week late), a specific type of Cultural Venue. Here are my contributions …
Typical Sporting Venues …
Stadiums …
Ohio State University Stadium Texas Rangers Stadium Old San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium
The top two (2) stadiums are ones my cousins and nieces attend to watch their local sporting events. The third (3rd) stadium in San Diego is the old stadium which served as a venue for both the San Diego Padres and the San Diego Chargers. I only attended Padre games here.
Non-typical Sporting Venues …
Racetracks …
Cajon Speedway El Cajon, California
My dad loved watching car races. He grew up watching NASCAR races. The Cajon Speedway was an oval racetrack near El Cajon, California. The racetrack was originally a 0.25 mile dirt oval track which opened in 1961. In 1964 the track was expanded to a 0.375 mile dirt track and then was paved. The track was located between Gillespie Field and the San Vicente Freeway. The track held many Stock Car races throughout the years. Some of the more notable events were USAC National Midget Series, NASCAR Winston West Series, NASCAR Southwest Series, and the USF2000.
The Cajon Speedway ceased operations after the 2004 season and was demolished sometime after the lease ended in 2005. At this time it is unsure if or when a new NASCAR short track will be built on the property.
Horse Shows …
Horse Shows
The top two (2) are from a horse show held on the grounds of the Lake Haigler Entrance for Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The third (3rd) is of a horse show held at the San Diego Wild Animal Park (now known as the San Diego Safari Park) in 1978.
Water Sport Venues …
Water Sport Competitions
The first two (2) are of my eldest son’s high school CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) swim finals competition held in 1998 in Long Beach, California. My son competed in the butterfly event and the 4 x 100 meter medley and the 4 x 400 meter medley relays. The third (3rd) is from a paddling competition at the Port O’ Call, San Pedro, California.
Youth Baseball/T-ball Venues …
Here we have Coleman at his T-ball practice and one of his games on the local T-ball field. The last is of our local high school’s baseball field.
This week Dan, the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is asking us to share photos of Churches, a specific type of Cultural Venue. Here are my contributions …
Galilee Baptist Church 1011 Briarwood St Abilene TX 79603 The Galilee Baptist Church was built in 1963.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Gastonia, North Carolina, USASt. Joseph Catholic Church Former Heritage USA Church Forest Hill Church Fort Mill, SCThe Church of the Holy Spirit (German: Heiliggeistkirche) is the largest church in Heidelberg, Germany.First Baptist Church of Abilene Abilene, Texas Located Third Street near my maternal aunt’s home.First Baptist Church of CramertonChurch of Christ 5th and Grape St Abilene, TexasCramerton Independent Presbyterian Church 51 8th Ave, Cramerton, NC 28032, USAThe Westfield Presbyterian Church Westfield, New JerseyGrace Church San Diego Formerly Known as Scott Memorial Baptist Church 4637 Oregon Street San Diego, CA 92116The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest Abilene, TexasUnion church on Big Horse Creek, Ashe County, North Carolina. Trinity Baptist Church Abilene, TexasFirst Methodist Church Abilene, Texas South Side Baptist Church Abilene, Texas
Note: This Friday’s Which Way Challenge we will be continuing with Any Which Way in Black and White in memory of Cee and her Black and White Challenge (CBWC).
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan Antion our host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge has chosen a theme of Libraries and Bookstores for the challenge. I’m including Little Libraries as well as a few Libraries.
Here are my entries …
Castle Hearst Library Billy Graham Library Little Library Anne Springs Close Greenway Baxter Village Library Fort Mill, SC Baxter Village Library Fort Mill, SCHalloween Library Display Fort Mill, SCLittle Library Anne Springs Close GreenwayLittle Library at the South Fork Trail McAdenville, NCLittle Library Rankin Lake Park Gastonia, NCGaston County Library Gastonia, NCLibrary in the Schiele Museum Gastonia, NCThe Schiele Museum Early Explorers Gastonia, NCThe Schiele Museum Early Explorers Gastonia, NC
God Bless. Have a fantastic rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Noteworthy News: This week’s Which Way Challenge on Friday, November 7th, we’ll be joining Dan Antionfrom No Facilities(https://noFacilities.com) and Marshafrom (https://alwayswrite.blog/), to post Black and White photos to remember Cee on her birthday. For the Which Way Challenge they can be Any Which Way in Black & White in memory of Cee’s Black and White Challenge (CBWC). It would be fantastic if you could include Bridges and/or Old Barns as Cee loved photographing them. If you desire include a thought or memory about Cee or your experiences with her challenges. You may also include flowers in your Which Way for this challenge.
Dan Antion our host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge has chosen a theme of Cultural Venues for the challenge.
Here are some of my intakes on Cultural Venues we have enjoyed at one time or another. Some venues are close by while others are further away, but all are in my opinion interesting Cultural Venues.
Here are my entries …
Let’s first take a look at some Cultural Venues in our surrounding area …
The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NC
The Daniel Stowe Conservancy Belmont, NC
Charlotte Symphony in the Comporium Amphitheater at Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SC
President James K. Polk Birthplace Visitor Center-Museum Pineville, NC
The Billy Graham Library Charlotte, NC
Now let’s wander a bit further out and a few other Cultural Venues of interest around the country.
Flat Top Manor Moses H. Cone Memorial Park Blowing Rock, North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway
New Braunfels Railroad Museum New Braunfels, Texas
Hall of Presidents Colorado Springs, Colorado It Once was a Wax Museum featuring Wax Figures of the Presidents of the United States. The Museum was opened in 1969 and closed in 1996
God Bless. Hope you enjoyed the tour. Have a fantastic rest of your week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: This week’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) will be focusing on Any Which Ways in Monochrome ( Monochrome doesn’t need to be strictly Black and White).
Dan Antion our host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge has chosen a theme of Retail for the challenge. This week’s challenge is focusing on non-food related retail businesses. At first I wasn’t sure if I had any non-food related businesses, but luckily while searching through my archives I found a few from here, there, and yonder which I believe fit in with this retail focus.
Here are my entries …
Inside a Walmart Rock Hill, SCColeman inside Walmart Lake Wylie, SCOllie’s Bargain Outlet Gastonia, NCRainbow Paint & Wallpaper Co. Gastonia, NCLehman’s Kidron, OhioLehman’s Kidron, OhioAntiques & other Shops West Jefferson, NCHobby Barn West Jefferson, NCThe Cowboy Way Saddles & Tack Abilene, TXHarry’s Gift Shop Kaiserslautern, Germany Hallmark House Gifts – Toy Shoppe Port O’ Call, Los Angeles, CA Pearson Ford Corner of Fairmont & El Cajon San Diego, CA (My dad worked in the Parts Dept. Here)Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – Retail
Dan from No Facilities hosts Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge each week beginning on Mondays with a new theme each week. This week Dan is beginning a new series of challenges with “Places People Spend Time and/or Money.” This week the focus for CFFC is on Bars and Restaurants.
Here are my entries …
Inside dining in Cracker Barrel Rock Hill, SCCracker Barrel Gastonia, NCWhataburger Gastonia, NCSkillet Southern Bistro Restaurant Cramerton, NCEntryway to Floyd & Blackies Cramerton, NCInside Sign Floyd & Blackies Cramerton, NCSeating & Dining Area inside The Gateway Canteen Fort Mill, SCThe Catfish Corner Abilene, TxBamboo Room Restaurant Fairbanks, Alaska Señor Frog’s Restaurant Cozumel, Mexico Julian Pie Company Julian, California Julian Cafe & Bakery Julian, California Dining Room, called the Refectory Hearst Castle San Simeon, CACarnation Ice Cream San Diego, California Cee’s (Dan’s) Fun Foto Challenge
Dan from No Facilities hosts Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge each week beginning on Mondays with a new theme each week. Dan is doing an excellent job since taking over the challenge and is keeping it fresh and alive continuing Cee’s legacy. This week Dan has chosen the theme of Subjects Framed by Nature. He has given examples of doors, windows, bridges, and more that subjects can be used to be framed.
Here are my entries …
Lake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCLake Trail Crowders Mountain State Park Kings Mountain, NCSeven Oaks Nature Preserve Belmont, NCLake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCSeven Oaks Preserve Trail Belmont, NCRocky Branch Trail Cramerton, NCPrairie Trail Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCGreen Trail Warlick Family YMCA Gastonia, NC
Dan from No Facilities hosts Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge each week beginning on Mondays with a new theme each week. Dan is doing an excellent job since taking over the challenge and is keeping it fresh and alive continuing Cee’s legacy. This week Dan has chosen the theme of Subjects Framed by Things. He has given examples of doors, windows, bridges, and more that subjects can be used to be framed.
Here are my entries …
The Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco, California San Francisco framed by the Bay Bridge Looking through Alpaca Viewing area at Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCCovered Walkway at Catawba River Trailhead Rock Hill, SCRailroad Trestle over the Blue Star Trail at Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCSouth Fork Catawba River through the Goat Island Bridge Cramerton, NCPump House Seen through a Bridge & a Trestle in Rock Hill, SCColeman through Autumn display at Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCColeman on the Ropes in the Goat Island Park and Greenway’s playground Cramerton, NCColeman poking through the slide at Goat Island Park & Greenway’s playground Cramerton, NC
This week Dan of No Facilities, the host for the Fun Foto Challenge has chosen to continue with the theme of hobby/hobbies for us to continue show images of our hobbies we enjoy doing. This theme gives us a wide range of ideas about what we would like to post.
Last week I shared my hobbies of photography and hiking. I was glad to see some of Dan’s hiking adventures in his post this week. This week I’m displaying images of two different types of hobbies I enjoy.
The first one is my favourite, that of reading. I don’t normally have photos of my reading or of what I’m reading, however, I did find a few in my archives that should demonstrate sufficiently.
Reading is a Hobby enjoyed independently or shared with others.
The second on here is one I enjoy, but haven’t had much time for lately. It is one that requires a vast amount of time on the computer or out and about in family history libraries, cemeteries, reunions, or genealogical conferences. Have you guessed yet what this hobby might be? If you guessed Genealogy you would be absolutely correct. I love researching and finding out more and more about my ancestors and our family history.
Genealogy is a Hobby I enjoy to learn more about Family History.
Nighttime is not a time when I venture out anywhere, my vision no longer allows me to see clearly to drive or walk any distance. Hence, I ventured back through time in my archives to a time when I was out at night (after dark).
The images I have chosen are from one extremely weary day back in January of 2019. It was a sad and weary time for traveling. These were taken at the Mississippi Welcome Center where my daughter and I stopped to rest and stretch our legs before heading back home from our trip to Plano, Texas.
Mississippi Welcome Sign
Mississippi River Bridge We crossed from Louisiana into Mississippi
Civil War Canon and Confederate Flag at the Mississippi Welcome Center (2019)
I am not often out at dusk anymore, my vision hinders me from seeing well in the dark. Therefore, I went searching through my photo archives to figure out what images might be appropriate to use for this week’s CFFC.
The selections I have chosen to use are from the Life in the Waxhaws Lantern Tour held at Andrew Jackson State Park in Lancaster, South Carolina. These are from the Lantern Tour held on November 11, 2017.
Andrew Jackson State Park holds the Life in the Waxhaws Lantern Tour in November every year. All the reenactment participants are volunteers as well as some being members of the Friends of Andrew Jackson State Park.
The Life in the Waxhaws Lantern Tour is a candlelight, living history program at Andrew Jackson State Park in Lancaster, South Carolina, that reenacts the daily lives and experiences of early settlers on the American frontier during the late 18th century. The reenactments give a glimpse into what Andrew Jackson experienced in his boyhood and how the events shaped the community. It also demonstrates how the Revolutionary War impacted community and insights into how the frontier setting prepared Andrew Jackson for his later life.
Life in the Waxhaws Lantern Tour Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, South Carolina
Click on each image to enlarge.
Note: Look carefully at the sixth image (the 3rd one down on the right hand side) behind and to the left of the fire. I am one of the reenactors for this Life in the Waxhaws event.
This year’s Life in the Waxhaws Lantern Tour will be held on November 22, 2025 between 7:00pm and 8:30pm at Andrew Jackson State Park. Click herefor further information regarding this year’s Lantern Tour.
Hey Dan, I know this is probably not what you are expecting or looking for in your Time of Day — Dawn theme for this week’s challenge, but with Coleman’s birthday this past Friday, the 25th I am still looking back over the Dawn of Time of Coleman in or with RED as he begins a New Dawn of New Beginnings in his life.
Looking forward to y’all sharing in the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) coming up on Friday. This week we are continuing with the theme of Any Which Way with Lines. In case you thought you missed joining in on the challenge, don’t worry there is still time to join in the fun of posting your own Which Ways with Lines.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. While you’re out and about enjoy having fun snapping pictures of your favourite objects and Which Ways. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cruise Ships by the Dock Cozumel, Mexico Kayaks by Lake Haigler Turtles in the South Fork Catawba River Water Reflections in a Bird BathOn the Queen Maryalongside the Pacific Ocean World War I Army Camp Harvey M. Watson Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge
Dan Antion from No Facilities blog host’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. This week he is continuing with his Perspective Challenges. This week is from a perspective of Up Close. This week I am combining CFFC with the Numbers Game using the Theme of Up Close.
Here are my Up Close photos I’ve pulled together for this week’s challenges.
Brown Bear Riverbanks ZooRiverbanks Zoo & Aquarium Columbia, SCCrotalus unicolor Aruba Island RattlesnakeColeman 2021 Lake Wylie, SCGalápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger)Plains Zebra (Equus quagga)Sea Lion underwater ASCG HorseSea Lion underwaterPisgah Inn (me) Blue Ridge Parkway OctopusColeman visiting Greenway Horses 2021Koala Brachiosaurus at Carowinds ASCG HorseZinnia elegansAmerican beechZinnia peruvianaRocky Shoals Spider Lilies Landsford Canal State Park Feral Cat ZinniaColeman 2021Coleman 2025ASCG HorseEastern tiger swallowtailRudbeckia fulgidaColeman 2021Ebony jewelwing Calopteryx maculataLineberger ParkCarowinds
To play along, go to your photos file folder and type that number into the search bar. Then post a selection of the photos you find that include that number and post a link to your blog in my Numbers Game blog of the day. If instead of numbers, you have changed the identifiers of all your photos into words, pick a word or words to use instead, and show us a variety of photos that contain that word in the title. This prompt will repeat each Monday with a new number. If you want to play along, please put a link to your blog in comments.
Good day! I trust everyone has had a wonderful week so far. Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). This week I have decided to combine the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) with the Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC).The theme is Any animal in your which way Viewed from Above (CFFC). Let’s see the amazing Which Ways y’all can come up with to display Animals in your Which Way as Seen (Viewed) from Above.,
As you are walking/hiking along throughout your day it is amazing all the many different animals you might encounter on your journey if only you look down occasionally. There are so many incredibly interesting animals that you could possibly find along your path that I have elected to run this theme for two weeks.
We spotted this Northern Cardinal when we first departed from our home to begin our adventure …
Northern Cardinal
We walked down the road towards Goat Island Park and Greenway where we started hiking along Riverlink Greenway. After hiking merely a short distance along the trail, Coleman spotted several Cricket frogshopping and jumping. Their jumping style is unique due to the fact that they perform a series of jumps and “belly flops” as they move across the water or land (as we observed).
Acris crepitans Cricket frog
Further down the trail Coleman spotted this little creature, a nymph Threecornered alfalfa hopper. For Coleman he had get closer and look up on the fence railing to get a better view, while I zoomed in looking down upon the little green nymph.
As we kept moving forward Coleman noticed this small Land Snail crawling across the trail …
Zonitoides arboreus aka Quick Gloss Snail a species of small air-breathing land snail
On this hiking adventure we observed a wide variety of animals; small ones, medium sized ones, and a wee bit bigger ones. This next one seemed to have seen better days. As this Worm might be great as fishing bait on a previous day, he would not catch much with his lack of viability on this day.
For enhanced/enlarged viewing click on each image.
Thank you to all who have supported and contributed to the Which Way Challenge this past week or at any time. Be sure to check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.
As I sat thinking about these two challenges, I began to ponder what I could use and what might be best to fit each of these challenges. Then it dawned on me, Dan from No Facilities has chosen a theme of Things Made of Woodfor Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and Dale who hosts theThe Cosmic Photo Challenge has selected a prompt of Bridges, both of these challenges might actually work out well combined together into one post.
Now you are thinking how might that be possible? Well, let me explain myself to you. There are many Bridges which are constructed out of wood, especially Bridges engineered to make it easier to cross creeks, streams, rivers, and or lakes. Many Wooden Bridges are built strategically in much needed areas throughout campgrounds, greenways, and hiking trails.
Coleman and I go hiking together every week and sometimes several times throughout the week. We do encounter Wooden Bridges along the trails we hike almost everywhere we venture to hike in the Woods. Hey, I just thought of something when I wrote that last statement … Trees are Made of Wood and when we cross Bridges Made of Wood we are surrounded by Trees.
Enough jibber-jabbering around, here’s my contribution for #CFFC and #CosPhoChal.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55/250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Location: Rocky Branch Trail; Cramerton & Belmont, North Carolina , USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Get Outdoors and Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
You might want to see what’s up next on the Which Way homepage. Looking forward to seeing y’all’s Which Ways come Friday.
This week’s theme of Things Made of Glass/Ceramics was an interesting one for me to find images that I’d like to share. We’ve had rain this week and Coleman has been feeling under the weather with a bad chest cough, therefore we haven’t been out and about that much. So I decided to search through my archives to figure out what I could possibly come across to use for this CFFC challenge.
Here are my selections:
First off to Remember the Fallen, But Never Forgotten …
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Keep an eye out for the CWWC post on Friday. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
We all use and/or see items made of Fabric every day.
From Quilts:
Quilt made by my Maternal Grandmother Berlin Village Antique Mall Berlin, Ohio
To Dolls:
BabyLand General® Hospital Cleveland, Georgia
To Clothes:
Coleman
And Even Flags:
American Flag at Biltmore Historic School My FlagsGod Bless America!
I’m sure y’all can figure out and find many other Things Made of Fabric. For information regarding joining in the Fun Foto Challenge check out Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge Home Page Here.
Thank you Dan for keeping Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge alive, challenging, and inspiring. This week Dan is continuing with the Transportation theme. This week’s theme focus is on Bridges and Ferries.
I have so many photos of Bridges and Railroad Trestle Bridges that I could fill multiple posts with multiple images of Bridges. Instead of doing that, I have decided to make my entry selections of Bridges and Ferriesfrom what I have within my archive files.
First off, I am selecting Bridges and a Ferry from our trip to San Francisco a long, long time ago (back in 1979). I do not exactly remember if this trip was strictly a family trip or one taken with my church youth group. I do remember that our church group visited and performed a Christian musical at a few churches up in the San Francisco and San Jose area some year.
On this trip we took the Harbor Emperor Ferry sightseeing around the San Francisco Bay Area viewing the Bridges, the infamous Alcatraz Island, and simply experiencing a wonderful time together as a family.
San Francisco Bridges & Ferry:
Next and lastly, I am travelling further back in time to the 1960’s. My family moved back to San Diego in 1958 shortly before I turned two (2) years old. During the 1960’s the only way to travel from San Diego to Coronado was by Ferry. The Ferries transported passengers and vehicles to and from San Diego and Coronado. They were they only source of transportation to visit the Hotel del Coronado, the Coronado Beach, the military installations including the Naval Amphibious Base (NAB), and the Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island.
The Construction of the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge began between 1967-1969. The Bridge was dedicated on August 2, 1969, with Governor Ronald Reagan providing the dedication address.
I remember travelling on the San Diego Ferries crossing over to Coronado to walk along the Beach with a group of friends. I remember riding the San Diego Ferry with my parents (my dad driving our car onto the Ferry). I remember riding the San Diego Ferry during its last days of operation in 1969 after the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge was completed. [Side Note: I have a certificate and poster verifying I rode the ferry on its last day somewhere in storage.]
Ferry service began once again in April of 1986. The current Ferry service is operated by Flagship Cruises & Events. They currently have two ferries in use, the Silvergate and Cabrillo.
Be sure to check out this week’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC): Any Which Way with Shadows coming up on Friday (posting just after midnight Early Friday morning).
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week I’m asking y’all to show your Which Ways in Black and White in Memory of Cee Neuner (1960-2025). Cee hosted several photo challenges including Cee’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) – currently hosted by Deb L. Waters (aka me) from Gfpacificbee’s Insights and Photography, Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC) – currently hosted by Dan Antion from No Facilities, Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge (CMMC), and Cee’s Black andWhite Challenge (CBWC) and Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge (FOTD) – hosted by Chris Donner (Cee’s Life Partner & wife).
In Memory of Cee’s Black and White Challenge let us all show our Which Ways this week in Black and White for this week’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC). Remember to have Fun and Signs are always welcome.
Here are my entries:
On the Road with Cars and Trucks:
Roads and Pathways with Parked Cars and Trucks:
On Sidewalks and Pathways:
All photos were taken in Downtown Town of Cramerton the end of March.
Next week the theme will be CWWC: Any Which Way with Trains and/or Trolleys (or anything else on a railroad track.) This maybe in combination with Dan’s CFFC.
Check out other Which Ways by clicking on the links below.
Dan is hosting the CFFC and graciously took it over when Cee was no longer feeling the strength to continue. He has posted a wonderful tribute honoring Cee’s memory. Feel free to read it on Dan’s CFFC’s blog here.
Cars and trucks come in all different shapes. Sizes, and colors. They range from toy cars and trucks to 18-Wheelers. They can be found in museums. On and off the road and sometimes on the back of a tow truck.
Evans Shell NC Transportation Museum BCS & Coleman’s Garbage TrucksJ.B. Hunt Now Hiring on the back door of a J.B. Hunt TruckParked 18-Wheeler TruckTow Truck Hauling 2 Cars & a Chevrolet El CaminoA Paw Patrol Truck, a VW Bus, and a Little Tikes Front LoaderColeman moving sand with the front loaderColeman and his trucksColeman investigating an old Chevrolet Truck
To help keep Cee’s Challenges alive including Cee’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC) check out what’s happening on the CWWC homepage here. This Friday’s CWWC theme is: Any which way with in black and white.
God Bless. Have a fantastic week. Have some Fun and enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
I have dug through my archives to see what I might be able to use for this week’s challenge. Hopefully those will work well for the Signs and Navigation Aids theme.
Navigating the Lines outside the Library:
Follow the lines with Coleman
Paying Attention to Trail Signs:
Go this way … You’re on Haigler LoopGreen Trail – Go Right; Yellow Trail – Proceed Left
Following the Road Arrows in Germany:
Turn Left — Watch Out for Oncoming Traffic Do I Ho Straight or Turn Left or Right? Be Careful of Pedestrians.From my Dad’s slides – 1979
Dan from No Facilities is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and starting last week (which I apparently missed) his themes are focusing on food. I rarely photograph food, however, I did manage to locate a few in my archives. I think they will fit the challenge perfectly.
Pancakes Double-Yoked Fried EggsBreakfast Sandwich Open-faced Scrambled Eggs with Cheese on English Muffins French Toast Topped with an Egg Omelette Pancakes Topped with Strawberries
Dan from no facilities has chosen a them of Nursery Rhyme for this week’s CFFC Challenge. There are many variation, but that’s not too important. Look at the rhyme as written and use any or all of the bold words as prompts. If the words are numbers, use them the way you used them earlier. Otherwise, use the words themselves. This should give you lots of opportunities to choose a photo. New or archive photos are acceptable.
Let’s roam around and embrace numbers in life and in nature. As many of you might know my grandson, Coleman and I enjoy hiking together out amongst the trees, along Greenways, and within our state and local parks. This first image is of a group of about eleven painted rocks some of which display a message which the painter wishes to convey. Others are just for the fun and beauty to hopefully bring you joy and a smile.
“Embrace life with a smile.” Author unknown
“Life is a journey, not a destination.”(Author unknown). As we continue embracing life and nature, shall we stop and enjoy the beauty of five flowers along the pathway.
“Where flowers bloom so does hope.” — Lady Bird Johnson
As the flowers bloom and remind us there is hope for the world and life needs to be embraced wherever and whenever possible.
Embracing the living creatures two by two different yet enjoying the same space and time. Embrace the NumbersTwo Horses sharing the pasture with Two Canada Geese at Anne Springs Close Greenway.,
“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.” — Stephen R. Covey
Whether one is out in nature or in a classroom, there is unity in numbers. Children learn the importance of Embracing Togetherness. They can learn that even though we are different, we are all the same, united for a purpose.
Nine Students and a teacher all wearing green and embracing togetherness in the classroom.
“The unlike is joined together, and from differences results the most beautiful harmony.” — Heraclitus
Leaving the indoor classroom for the classroom in nature, we can learn to embrace the beauty, the elegance, the love one for another, and the strength and power in unity and in numbers.
We can enjoy the beauty and elegance in every flamingo. We can admire their stance and embrace their uniqueness as we observe Five Flamingos and their reflections.
“Embrace the elegance of a flamingo, and let it inspire your life.” — Unknown
Each friendship is as unique and beautiful as a flamingo.”- Unknown. Every creature whether human or animal is unique and beautiful in their own way. Every family has its own uniqueness. They may have the same numbers as other families or may not. They maybe similar, but still different in their own special way. No two families are exactly alike, that’s why we should embrace our own families with love and respect.
We see and observe various “families” in nature, like this family of Seven Canada Geese sticking together yet apart at Andrew Jackson State Park.
We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another. — Luciano De Crescenzo
Let’s keep on moving and striving for unity for there is power in numbers. Turtles gather together in numbers sunning on logs and enjoying time swimming together in a river. Fourteen Turtles embracing the warmth of the sun and being together in the South Fork Catawba River by South Fork River Park in Northern section of Gastonia, North Carolina.
“There is power in unity, and there is power in numbers.” From Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech “Keep on Moving.”
Now for each of y’all to embrace the challenge and show us how you Embrace the Numbers.
God Bless. Embrace Life. Embrace One Another. Embrace Togetherness. Embrace the Numbers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
For this week’s challenge by Dan’s CFFCI decided to search through my archives to see what I could select for his challenge of Wide and Narrow. I believe these from my time in San Diego will work nicely.
El Cortez
The El Cortez was built from 1926-1927. At the time it was built, it was the tallest building in San Diego. It is located on top of a hill at the north end of San Diego.
When it first opened in 1927 and on through the 1950’s it was a renowned apartment-hotel. The large “El Cortez” sign (which is illuminated at night) was added in 1937 and could be seen for miles.
When I was in high school, several groups like the Kiwanis Club of San Diego would hold luncheons with guest speakers at the El Cortez. My American Government teacher allowed a few students during various weeks to attend the Kiwanis luncheon. He had one requirement for those who attended, that was to give a report regarding the speaker messages to the class the next class session. I was fortunate enough to have been given the privilege of attending of the Kiwanis Club luncheons at the El Cortez Hotel.
View of San Diego High-rises from across San Diego Bay. The Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel is one of several High-Rises located near Seaport Village.
The Manchester Grand Hyatt consists of two towers, the 40-story Harbor Tower built in 1992 and the 33-story Seaport Tower which was added in 2003. The taller of the two towers stands as the highest waterfront building on the West Coast. It has 40 floors and 1,628 rooms. It is also considered the largest hotel in Southern California.
Thank you once again Dan for taking on the Fun Foto Challenge. I know this is a huge relief for Cee. It is also wonderful for those of us who have been previously enjoying participating in this challenge. I for one will look forward to all you have to bring in this CFFChallenge.
Now on to show you may take on Commercial Buildings or Store Fronts. I have dug into my archives for this week’s challenge; some much older than others, however, I hope you enjoy them all.
Shell Service Station Gastonia, NCThe Blue Dolphin Port O Call Los Angeles, CAPresident James K. Polk Birthplace Visitor Center-Museum Charlotte, NCBedazzled Bridal & Formal Gastonia, NCHarris Teeter Charlotte, NCHobby Barn West Jefferson, NCOld Hotel-Antiques-Tavern West Jefferson, NCMy Maternal Grandfather’s Old Store before 1940 Coshocton, OhioCatfish Corner Restaurant Abilene, TXThe Shop Antiques•Refinishing Abilene, TXPalone Barber Shop Coffeyville, Kansas
Fairly modern is relative to one’s own personal experience or opinion of what they consider modern. Modern can be often used as referring to the 19th century. It could also refer to a contemporary and up-to-date home having the latest technological innovations. A modern home exudes a lived-in warmth; using natural materials such as wood, leather and/or stone in functional, minimalist designs and shapes.
Having said all that, bear in mind these are my personal thoughts on what I consider a modern home or apartment to be. They are also all places I have regarded as home at one time or another.
Apartment Complex in Gastonia, North Carolina
Tent Home
A tent home can be a modern home, especially if it your choice to live in whether for a weekend, a week, or even months as I have done from time to time.
A Duplex Home in Abilene, Texas
Double-wide Manufactured Home Lancaster, South Carolina
Cee’s Fun Foto Challengewas is a weekly themed challenge where Cee asks everyone to search through their photos and post photos they feel meet the criteria of the week’s current theme. This week Cee is challenging everyone to post photos of Locks, Keys, Knobs, and Handles.
My interpretation of this week’s challenge I know is different from what you might expect, but then again it is my insight for this challenge regarding Locks, Keys, Knobs, and Handles where I am focusing on Locks.
The Upper Lifting Locks Landsford Canal State Park
The land along the Catawba River, now apart of Landsford Canal State Park, played a vital integral role in the lives of the surrounding inhabitants for over a thousand years. It was used by the native people like the Catawba as a ford to cross the river, a long long time prior to Tomas Land acquiring the land in 1754.
The Ford’s importance as a river crossing was extremely significant during the American Revolution when it was used as a staging ground by Patriot general Thomas Sumter before the battle of Hanging Rock. The British Army under Lord Charles Cornwallis also used the ford as they withdrew from Charlotte after the Battle of Kings Mountain.
The Guardlock. Landsford Canal State Park
After the War of 1812, the Port of Charleston lost its significant importance to the Port of New Orleans. In an attempt to revitalize the port, projects were undertaken around the state to improve the ability of moving freight to and from the port and within the State of South Carolina.
One of those projects included constructing a series of four canal. The Landsford Canal construction was the last and northern most in the canal system. It was built under the supervision of Scotsman Robert Leckie by both Irish Masons and the local enslaved population. The Canal ran approximately two (2) miles along the Catawba River at its most treacherous point.
The Canal required a total of four lifting locks and a dread lock for the thirty-two feet of descent along its length. It was completed in 1823, was twelve feet wide, ten feet deep, and two miles long. Five locks raised and lowered barges through the thirty-two-foot fall of the river. Three bridges crossed the canal, and six storm culverts carried streams underneath it.
Today, Landsford Canal is the last of the Catawba River Canals and still accessible as well as one of the last in the entire state. The remains of the Canal still visible are the earthen walls of its upper side, four lifting locks and a dread lock. None of the bridges still remain, but the stone foundations are still intact. Ruins of stone culverts and retaining walls still stand in their original locations. The Canal Trail runs along the ruins of the old canal. Hiking the 1.5 mile length you can see the diversion dam in the Catawba River, The dead Lock upstream that let water into the canal, and the Lifting Locks near the south entrance. Along the way you can also see the ruins of much of the stone work and retaining walls. Interpretive signage points out major points of interest.
In Early May hundreds of visitors flock to Landsford Canal State Park. The majority of them are more interested in seeing the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies. I have hiked the entire length of the nature trail and found the historical signage interesting and informative.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 