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
This week Dan of No Facilities, the host for the Fun Foto Challenge has selected a unique theme. He had chosen to ask us to show images of our hobbies. This theme gives us a wide range of ideas about what we would like to post.
I have chosen to combine two of my hobbies for this challenge. The selections are using my Hobby of Photography with my Hobby of Hiking. All of my photos I’m including are of my Hiking with Coleman (I know you won’t see me, but I’m in every picture as I’m the photographer).
Here are my contributions …
Coleman 2025 Goat Island Park and Greenway Coleman 2025 Goat Island Park and Greenway Coleman 2025 Rocky Branch TrailColeman 2022 Haigler Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman 2021 Dogwood Trail Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman 2021 Stables Entrance Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman 2022 Catawba Cultural Center TrailColeman 2022 Blue Star Trail Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman 2023 Archers Loop Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman 2025 Riverside Park and Greenway Coleman 2022Coleman 2022 Piedmont Medical Center TrailColeman 2022Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman 2023 Lake Park Trail Crowders Mountain State Park Hiking and Photography Hobbies
The selections I chose were all taken at a recent town concert from early evening to mid-evening in Cramerton, North Carolina. The Town held a Back to School Kids Show and Concert. I discussed the Kids Show in my Six Word Saturday post you can check out by clicking here.For this CFFC post I’m mainly sharing scenes from the Evening’s Concert featuring the Caleb Davis Band.
Pre-Concert Centennial CenterKAOS Kids Appearing on Stage Kazoobie Kids Show Middle School Honourees Cramerton Mayor Honours Middle Schoolers Cramerton Mayor Honours Middle SchoolersCaleb Davis BandCaleb Davis BandCaleb Davis BandColeman with Neighbours Cramerton Concert 6pm —
The Caleb Davis with the Caleb Davis Band has an impressive musical background and training. According to his Facebook profile Caleb plays a wide range of musical genres and toured as a sideman with numerous Country, Gospel, and R&B acts. Around 2009 he formed the Caleb Davis Band with his long-time friend Justin Morehead. They have been working to form their own signature sound and groove.
Coleman and I only managed to stay for the beginning portion of the Concert featuring the Caleb Davis Band. Even though their background information states that they play a wide range of genres, the music we heard the band playing lean more towards the heavy metal genre style of music. That style of music is definitely not what I consider my favourite genre of music. It was so loud and blaring Coleman was covering his ears, it was extremely difficult to listen. After leaving the concert, the volume was so loud we could still hear it from our house several blocks away. Their musical style may be fine for some who like that type of music, however, we will not be listening to it again.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.
Location: Centennial Center; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the rest of your week. Hope to see y’all on Friday with the Which Way Challenge (CWWC). We will be discovering Which ways on a cloudy or stormy day for this Friday’s Which Way Challenge (CWWC). Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Let’s start off today by admiring our Sunday Afternoon Weekend Sky …
It was wonderful to enjoy an amazing afternoon with beautiful Skies after so many rainy days and with more rain expected.
Now on to capturing Coleman’s many antics and expressions as he meanders here and there through Goat Island Park and Greenway.
Coleman’s Meandering in Goat Island Park and Greenway
There is more to share of our adventurous Sunny Sunday afternoon, however, I’ll wait for Friday’s Which Way Challenge to share them. This Friday I am allowing y’all to choose your own Which Ways you’d like to share with us.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL Filter attachments.
Location: Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic week. Get Outdoors and enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
We have had several thunderstorms this week, so therefore we haven’t been out and about much. Instead I’m reminiscing about a trip I took a few years ago with my oldest son for his birthday adventure. Since he wanted to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, I was more than happy to ride along with him.
My entries for this week’s challenge are views from just one of our stops we sidetracked on during his Mountain adventure.
Taken at 10:54 am (late morning) in 2017
Bluff Mountain Overlook is located at Milepost 243.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a popular destination along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bluff Mountain is visible from the Bluff Mountain Overlook. It offers breathtakingly spectacular views.
Foggy Morning Mountain View
On a clear day, Bluff Mountain’s visibility is remarkably satisfying and amazingly delightful to gaze upon from the Overlook. At this point in our adventure clear visibility was not to be had, but that did not deter ills from looking around or venturing on a short hike along the Bluff Mountain Trail which is easily accessible from the Bluff Mountain Overlook.
Alligator Back
Bluff Mountain Trail passes through grassy meadows and includes a challenging switchback ascent called Alligator Back. Alligator Back is a short twenty (20) minute walk from Bluff Overlook.
The Predators
Until recently Predatory Birds and Mammals, those which preyed on other animals or were in conflict with humans, were termed “Varmints” and killed on sight. Fortunately, modern Ecology proves the vital interdependency of all wild plants and animals. Today Hawks and Owls, Black Bears, Bobcats, Foxes and Snakes continue to roam Parklands like this and help preserve the delicate balance of nature. [Informational notice on sign.]
Panoramic View from Bluff Mountain Overlook
We hiked all around the overlook investigating the Predator area scenic views. To the right in the photo above and in the picture below is my eldest son, John. He is not normally into hiking, but he accommodated me in my thrill to explore the sights and perspective landscapes available to observe, explore, and admire.
My eldest son, John
As we drove further along the Blue Ridge Parkway our visibility improved dramatically unlike when we parked here at this location and the Air Bellows Overlook.
Air Bellows Overlook Parkway Milepost 236.9
Looking forward to checking out all your Morning Scenes. Hope to see y’all on Friday for the Which Way Challenge. This week we’ll be including Shadows in our Which Ways. Interested in finding more details about the Which Way challenge click here.
Dan Antion is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. He’s doing an amazing job keeping Cee’s passion alive and fun.
I haven’t taken any early morning dawn shots since before school got out for the summer. Therefore, I went searching through my archives to determine what I might find to fit the theme of Time of Day-Dawn.
Here are my entries for this week’s CFFC challenge …
First Baptist Church of Abilene, TexasFirst San Diego school & where my mom went to high school. Seven Seas Marine Life ParkColeman First Day Hike at Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman First Day Hike 1/01/2023First Baptist Church of Cramerton The Eleventh President of the United States of America
First off, let’s take a look at a TALL building in Abilene, Texas. I visited my Aunt (my mom’s sister) in 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since our plans of visiting other relatives didn’t pan out due to social distancing mandates, I took many long walks around my Aunt’s neighborhood. I was not just out for the exercise, but also to explore the area. I came across this Tall Building on one of my walkabouts.
The Enterprise Tower Abilene, Texas
The Enterprise Tower was originally known as the First State Bank Tower and then Bank of America Building. It was constructed in the early 80’s and completed in 1984. This is the tallest building in Abilene with its twenty (20) stories at Two Hundred Eighty-Five (285) feet (87 meters). It ranks as the 6th tallest building in West Texas.
And now we’ll take a look see at a building on the shorter side of things located at The Schiele Museum of Natural History’s Catawba Indian Village in Gastonia, North Carolina. The Schiele Museum is a favourite place Coleman enjoys visiting. [The museum also has Dinosaurs 🦖 🦕 on display.]
Early Log Cabin
Information listed on the sign in front of the Early Log Cabin …
This log house reflects the rapid change that the Catawba lifestyle was undergoing throughout Scots-Irish and German settlements of this region in the 18th century. This home is a native adaptation of the log cabins being built by these settiers. The first Catawba cabins were built of unhewn logs with shingle roofs and a central smoke hole. These smoke holes began being replaced with chimneys of stone and logs, as seen here, in the mid-1700s.
This Early Log Cabin is one of several different types of homes in the Catawba Indian Village that were once used by the native Catawba Indians in our area.
Photo Credit: 2020-2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved
Cameras: 1) Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max; 2) Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
God Bless. May your blessings be long upon the Earth and be you experience tons of joy, peace, love, and happiness throughout the rest of 2024 and all throughout 2025. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Cameras: 1) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S 10-18mm lens; 2) iPhone 14 Pro Max; 3) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S 55-250 mm lens; 4-5) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens
Location: Holiday at The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting the Holiday at The Farm with us and for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
We have been active this week more than other times recently. We’ve made several visits to The Pond at the Schiele Museum and today we did a double excursion and visited the Warlick YMCA as well.
The first three are of water reflections in The Pond while the last two are of Robinwood Lake at the Y.
Cee’s challenges vary from week to week this weeks is to see what interesting posts we select to go along with her them of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies – Snap! Crackle! Pop!. Here are my selections, maybe not what you might think but I hope you’ll enjoy them nonetheless.
Ultimate driving machines in the air and on the ground Present & Past.
American Airlines Aircraft (who says “an ultimate driving machine needs to be on the ground). 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Coupe 2014 Lenoir Car Show; Lenoir, North Carolina, USA2005 Pontiac GTO Lancaster, South Carolina, USA1974 Ford LTD Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas
Amish Buggy Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio, USA
WWII M8 Greyhound Military Vehicle San Diego, California, USA1950 Chevy Deluxe Coupe Taken in 1956 Great Falls, South Carolina, USA
For this week’s challenge I dug into my archives to share some throwback photos of things one might choose to “Just Do It.”
Just Ride a Monorail 🚝 Throwback Photo – Mid 70’sJust Fly an Elephant Disneyland Mid 70’sJust Fly an Airplane Camp Snoopy Carowinds May 2018Just take a Drive Along the Blue Ridge Parkway October 2017
This is a hard one to decide which photos to choose, there are so many which hold precious memories and special moments that money could never buy. How to decide, that is the question?
From 1975:
Myself, My Maternal Grandmother, Melvina and my Brother, Larry [I don’t remember this being taken; however, it is the one of very few of me with my grandmother].
My Family from 1986 through 1999:
These represent happy memories in the beginning. The last photo was taken at my eldest son’s high school graduation & it was the last time we were together as a family. Everything changed from that point on, but I still loved him.
From 1994:
The Last Photo of my Immediate Family [Nornal, Larry, Debbie (me), & Eileen Waters] [My Dad passed from Cancer in December 1996].
From 2019:
Sad Reunion, My Mom’s Memorial Service [First Time I’d Seen my Mom’s Sister since 1984].
From 2019:
First Time I Held My Grandson, Coleman
From 2020:
These were taken in February of 2020 when I went on a Royal Caribbean Cruise to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. I went with my sister-in-law’s sister, Monica, however, she tended to stay in the cabin more than wandering around. I chose to make the most of the tripenjoy myself, which I did. I had a fabulous time on and off the cruise ship.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC)— MasterCard – There are some things money can’t buy…
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all.
Deep Pink & Middle Yellow Flowers vs. Black & White Purple & lone Yellow Flowers vs. Black & White Red & Yellow Flowers vs. Black & White Pink & Yellow Quilt Square vs. Black & White [Side Note: Quilt made by my Maternal Grandmother]
Night Lighting at Arkansas Visitor Center Outdoor String Lighting Anne Springs Close Greenway Park Lamps Goat Island GreenwayPark Lamps George Poston ParkFire 🔥 Lightning Andrew Jackson State ParkSun Light Glistening Fort Mill Dam
Turtles Sculpture Located at The Schiele Museum PondLittle Tyke Turtle filled with Water, Toys, & Coleman Coleman on his Radio Flyer Big Wheel Clarkia purpurea Calflora
PigGoatAmerican Brahman American breed of indicine cattle
The Brahman is an American breed of zebuine-taurine hybrid beef cattle. Zebuine (Asian humped) cattle were present in the United States from 1849, when a single bull of Indian origin was imported from the United Kingdom to South Carolina. Cross-breeding of these with local taurine cows was the first step in the creation of the Brahman breed.
This week Cee asks us to share photos of catching people unaware. These photos were taken from the Duke Kimbrell Trail of the Matthews-Belk South Fork River Corridor which is a part of the Carolina Thread Trail network of Greenways, trails, and blueways.
The people were enjoying a day on Lake Wylie with their families and friends. They were completely unaware that someone hiking along the was taking photos of their activities.
The young girls were enjoying Stand-up Paddle boarding on the waters of Lake Wylie as their family watched and gave any necessary advice and/or assistance.
As you can see one is having fun with stand-up paddle boarding and another chose to sit and kayak along through the water.
This activity may still be fairly new to them as it seemed they didn’t venture too far away their families Pontoon.
Coleman and I had fun to stopping along the trail to watch their activity. Coleman would probably have preferred to be in the water along with them.
Not sure if these all fit the category of abstract or not, but these are my entries anyway. What do you think? Will they suffice? Hope you enjoy them regardless.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Ashe County Cheese is Carolina’s oldest cheese plant, producing quality cheese since 1930. We are located in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains.
I found it fascinating to watch the process of cheese being made from the viewing area and I would recall a visit to Ashe County Cheese and gift shop if you are ever in the area of West Jefferson, North Carolina. They sell over 20 varieties of original Ashe County Cheese as well as their own county butter, homemade fudge and everyone’s favorite, fresh cheese curd. They also offer other fine cheeses, locally made wines and a variety of gifts, souvenirs and old fashioned snacks and candies. The cheeses are fabulous and make excellent gifts. My son loves the Jalapeño cheddar and Smoked Ghost Pepper. I , on the other hand, am partial to the lactose free cheeses like the Garden Vegetable. All very delicious and pleasing to the palate.
This week my choices for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge comes from the Midwestern United States, the West Coast, and Southward towards the Gulf of Mexico. Hopefully you’ll enjoy my selections as I enjoyed the memories while selecting them.
The Big Basket Longaberger Basket Building 🧺
Longaberger, founded by Dave Longaberger in 1973, is an American home and collectibles brand known for artisanal handcrafted and home décor products. For generations, the family has handwoven maplewood baskets in Dresden, OH.
The Big Basket, which opened in 1997, is a scaled-up version of Longaberger’s signature Medium Market Basket. Most of the cherry wood used in the Big Basket came from the grounds of the Longaberger Golf Club in Hanover.
The Big Basket also boasts two enormous handles, heated during the winter to thaw ice. “The basket is a symbol of overcoming adversity, of what you can achieve.”
Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas Cruise Ship
The Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas Cruise Ship sails out of Galveston, Texas. This is the cruise ship I was on in late February of 2020. I sailed with my sister-in-law’s sister, Monica. She was not much for social interaction, however that did not prevent me from enjoying myself. Her peculiar intricacies were beyond my realm of understanding. I went because she wanted someone to share her cabin on the cruise. I thought we would be doing things together, but she preferred to stay in the cabin most of the time.
I, myself, chose to partake of my meals in the dining room, watch the live entertainment, walk around the ship and not stay cooped up in the room. The ship docked in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. I visited the shops while on shore. Not knowing if my cabin mate would come ashore or not, I didn’t wander very far. I did enjoy the parts I visited though.
Coronado-San Diego Bay Bridge
Even though there were several earlier proposals, one was not approved until 1964. The proposal to build a bridge was approved by the Pentagon with assistance from the California State Division of Highways. Groundbreaking began in 1967 taking two years to complete the construction.
The bridge opened with a special ceremony held on August 2, 1969. Apart of the opening ceremonies was a parade of Vintage cars.
Prior to the building of the Coronado Bridge, as it is referred to by locals, the only way to travel from San Diego to Coronado was by ferry. You could drive you vehicle onto the ferry (or walk, if one chose) and the ferry would take you across to the other side. Either transporting you from San Diego to Coronado or from Coronado to San Diego.
This spectacular bridge is a beautiful sparkling blue and more than two miles in length. It has a visually dramatic 90-degree shift at mid-point. The bend makes the bridge famous and unique. The elegant structure of the bridge is high enough for the tallest Navy ships to pass under and is artfully supported by arches with side panels of just 34 inches to allow for spectacular views while traveling across the bay.
I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to Coronado via ferry and across the Coronado Bridge. While going across by ferry was amazing at one time, the views you see while crossing the Bridge by car are incredibly beautiful.
Mt.Soledad National Veterans Memorial San Diego, California
The very tip of Mt. Soledad, located in La Jolla, bears a cross that can be seen from many miles away. The Mt. Soledad Cross was first built in 1913 and was later dedicated as the Mt. Soledad Easter Cross in 1954.
The cross on top of Mt. Soledad was always amazing to gaze upon while growing up. I remember there were special sunrise services held there early on Easter Sunday mornings. People from all walks of faith would gather to worship at the foot of the cross to celebrate the risen Christ.
The cross was challenged in court in the 1980’s and was then designated as a Korean War memorial. It has always been a source of great controversy, clearly displaying a religious symbol on government property.
In July 2015, a group called the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association bought the half-acre of land under the cross from the Department of Defense. This officially no longer put the cross on government property.
The views are spectacular. Mt. Soledad offers a stunning panoramic glimpse of San Diego. If you’re ever in the area be sure to bring your camera. You won’t want to miss capturing the views.
You can find small things just about anywhere if you slow down, open your eyes, and are observant about your surroundings. These are a smidgen of the small things I’ve observed over the years.
Small Kitten Small Melanoplus (Grasshopper)Small Flowers Ranunculus californicus commonly known as the California buttercupSmall Home (AKA Tent)Small Island in Lake at Andrew Jackson State Park Small Child
Hopefully this will be okay. These are old photos taken in nature of a close family member taken a long time ago by a maternal family member and given to me by my maternal grandmother.
I’m not sure if my grandmother took this photos or another family member. To me it does not matter so much as it does who is in the photos. The first four were taken prior to 1940 in Coshocton, Ohio. This last photo was taken in Florida when they went to find work picking fruit most likely during one winter when work was hard to come by in Ohio.
So, these might not be what you normally think of when you think of things found in nature, but why not display people in various settings out in nature. Pictures tell a story, better than a thousand words. What relation do you think the family member is to me? These were all taken before the family member turned nine. The experiences and stories left untold except for in the photos leaving the recipient to wonder what life was really like back then.
New Holland TractorTractor Massey Ferguson 135 (front loader, bucket & trolley) – 1969Military Tank Location: March Air Field Museum Riverside County, California M8 Greyhound US Military Tank San Diego, California Fieldcrest Cannon Fire Services of Kannapolis, NC “Former Engine 503” 1966 Ford C/American LaFrance North Carolina Transportation Museum Spencer, North Carolina 1950 Dodge Luxury Liner Deluxe Sedan Christopher Beltz Standing by car are: My mom, Doyce Eileen Watson on right in back Her brother Jerry Alexander Watson and Her sister, Erma Irene Watsonin front. San Diego, California 1916 Ford Model T North Carolina Transportation Museum Spencer, North Carolina Dual Horse and Buggy driven by my maternal grandfather, Harvey Martin Watson Deep Gap, North Carolina
Coleman checking out the tractor (to him it’s something to play with)Coleman playing with a rakeRiding a horse is Funtime Coleman playing on the complex playground equipment Coleman’s uncle playing on chin up bars many years agoColeman playing in a Kayak
Feet 👣 Andrew Jackson State ParkShadow Legs Anne Springs Close GreenwayYoung Legs & Feet 👣 Anne Springs Close Greenway Feet 👣 in Crocs Anne Springs Close Greenway
God Bless. May He cover you with His Feathers, shelter you with His wings providing you with His Protection. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 