Posted as part of Debbie’s Travel With Intent blog’s One Word Sunday Challenge.
Photo Credit: ©️2022@gfpacificbeeintrospection.com
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Sunday Smile
Tag: #Coleman
CBWC: Bicycles, Motorcycles, and Tricycle – Old and New
BICYCLES:
NC Transportation Museum
North Carolina
Transportation
Museum
Motorcycles:
Motorcycle
NC Transportation
Museum
(Coleman inspecting)
North Carolina
Transportation
Museum
1980’s Honda Goldwing
with my
middle son
in the car seat
TRICYCLE:
Coleman,
and his
Radio Flyer
My First
Big Flyer
Tricycle
Posted as part of Cee’s Black and White Challenge ( CBWC).
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Pull Up A Seat – Riverwalk Seating
on a
bench
seating
about
a
picnic?
sitting
on a
rock 🪨
breather
– Pull
Up A
Seat
Posted as part of Kate’s Pull Up A Seat Challenge and Brashley’s Mid-Week Monochrome Challenge.
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
FOTD: October 20 – Petunia
My grandson loves to pick flowers 🌺. I try to get him not to pick them but I do not succeed.
in
Coleman’s
Hand
Posted as part of Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge.
God Bless. May you enjoy the beauty of God’s creations. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Monday Portrait: My Family
These past two weeks my family and I have been suffering from bad cases of bronchitis. Therefore, I have not been able to get out and about like I would prefer. My grandson definitely prefers being outdoors in nature to being cooped up in our apartment. Hopefully we’ll be able to get back outside in the next few days.
comfortably the loveseat
when my daughter,
my grandson,
and the dog
all decided
to pile upon me.
capture the rare
moment with photos
Chewy, the Kelpie Welsh Corgi, in the middle;
Coleman, my grandson, on my lap;
and then myself.
Welcome to my world. Filled with unexpected surprises, love, and adventures ( sometimes misadventures), but who cares. We are family and we love each other.
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all. #MondayPortrait
CBWC: 10/08 – Candid Coleman
Cee’s Black and White Challenge : My grandson, Coleman, my favorite subject to photograph. He loves to have his picture taken.
With a bit of Color Pop
Monkeying
Around
on
the
Bars
Sliding
Slides
with
Color
Pop
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Monday Windows: Apartment Windows
on Side
of my
Apartment
(ignore the reflection)
looking 👀
into his
Bedroom
Window
This is also my entry for Cee’s Black and White Challenge. Monochrome Apartment Windows, our view from the outside.
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
The Anne Springs Close Greenway’s Comporium Amphitheater was the location for a concert by the Charlotte Symphony Strings Orchestra on Sunday, September 25, 2022. The tribute concert honored Anne Springs Close, founder and matriarch of the Greenway. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Christopher James Lees, the Resident Conductor.
Normally, it is extremely expensive to attend a concert performed by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, however, this particular concert in honor of Anne Springs Close held at the Anne Springs Close Greenway was absolutely free. It was suggested that people attending the concert bring canned or boxed food items to be donated to You Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina or a gently used book to fill the Little Library located behind the Greenway Gateway.
waiting
for the
Orchestra
to begin
This concert was a rare opportunity for me to expose my three year old grandson, Coleman, to fine classical music. He seemed to enjoy the music and behaved rather well in the outdoor setting for the concert. He clapped every time the orchestra completed a piece.
enjoying a snack
while waiting
for the concert 🎶
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the largest and most active professional performing arts organization in the Central Carolinas. The Charlotte Symphony plays approximately 100 performances each season and employs 100 professional musicians. The Orchestra’s principal home is the Belk Theater of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. It also serves as the resident orchestra for Opera Carolina and Charlotte Ballet.
getting ready
the
Charlotte
Symphony
Orchestra
The Orchestra played a mix light classical from 3-4pm. The classical music included:
- Hoe Down from “Rodeo”, Copland
- Andante Festivo, Opus 117a – Sibeliu
- String Quartet No. 2 “Company” – Glass
- Elegiac Melodies, Opus 34 (II. Last Spring) – Grieg
- With Malice Toward None (from Lincoln) – Williams
- Danse Negre, Op. 35, No 4 – Coleridge-Taylor / arr. Daniel Bukin
- Ashokan Farewell – Ungar / arr. Bob Cerulli
- St. Paul’s Suite for String Orchestra (I. Gigue)– Holst
Some of the music was soft and easy flowing while others were upbeat and moving. Guess which ones Coleman preferred? He preferred the more upbeat pieces including Divertimenti K. 138 (Mvt. I) by Mozart.
Christopher James Lees
Conducting the
Symphony Orchestra
If you ever get the opportunity to go hear a symphony orchestra perform, I would highly recommend you going. This was an amazing opportunity I had to share with my grandson, Coleman. Truly blessed. Thank you Charlotte Symphony Orchestra fir a delightful performance. Thank you Anne Springs Close Greenway for hosting the Orchestra for our pleasurable enjoyment.
God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Cee’s Black & White Challenge (CBWC): My Picks
My picks this week for Cee’s Black & White Challenge is of my favorite photo subject, my grandson.
Coleman,
my favorite
photo subject
my
❤️
playing
in the
Catawba
River
my
hiking 🥾
buddy
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
PULL UP A SEAT: Wherever you Choose
A PHOTO CHALLENGE OF PLACES WE SIT…OR MIGHT SIT…OR ART ABOUT SITTING, Pull Up A Seat, is hosted by XingfuMama. My entries for Week 37:
It doesn’t matter if it is a bench, a sign, a tree, or a wooden board; if my grandson, Coleman, wants to pull up a seat he’ll sit wherever he chooses.
God bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Monday Portrait: Horse Loving
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Share Your Desktop: September 2022
These are my entries for Clare’s at Clare’s Cosmo Blog’s monthly challenge, Share Your Desktop. One is actually my screensaver and the other is my background.
WTVP.com
God Bless. Thank You. I appreciate y’all.
Midweek Monochrome: Swinging, Hiking, & Kayaking — Pleasurable Activities to Enjoy
Good day and welcome to my blog. Today my photos have a multi-purpose. One purpose if for Brashley’s Mid-week Monochrome (MWM) Photography Challenge, next is Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge (CBWC), and lastly, Travel with Intent blog’s One Word Sunday Challenge – Curve. I’m a little behind on posting the Sunday Challenge, hope y’all do not mind.
Swinging in Riverwalk Greenway: My grandson, Coleman loves taking a break from our hiking on the swings in the Greenway.
When hiking, we encounter various #curves along the trails.
Kayaking is a blueway activity that is enjoyed by many in the Carolinas. One can see Kayakers on the Catawba River at Riverwalk and several other locations along the river.
God Bless. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you’ve enjoyed and will visit again. I appreciate y’all.
Pull Up A Seat: ASCG Seating
This is my first time participating in XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Photo Challenge. I hope y’all will enjoy my entries.
outside the
Gibson House
by the
Farm Animals
SEATING
by
Lake Haigler
with a
Beautiful View
chose a
Log
for
HIS SEATING
place
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Coleman Meets his Paternal Great Grandmother
My grandson turned three on July 25th and had never met the majority of his paternal relatives including his paternal great grandmother. His paternal great grandmother lives in Japan and hasn’t been in this country, at least not for a very long time. She recently got on a plane in Japan and flew to South Carolina. She is here because her daughter, my grandson, Coleman’s paternal grandmother, is extremely ill. She doesn’t seem to know where she is, hasn’t been eating for weeks before she was taken to the hospital. Her lack of substance and her alcoholism has destroyed a lot of the normal bodily functions, like walking, her organs, and her breathing to name a few. At this time, she has not been given a sufficient diagnosis and was sent to a rehabilitation facility. This does not make since to several people, but the only person who has any say in her treatment is her husband. She is on oxygen, is unable to walk, even for short distances like to the bathroom. Prayers would be appreciated on her behalf.
&
his paternal
great grandmother
Most people that cross Coleman’s path on the trail or out and about know he is not usually shy, but very friendly and says hi to everyone. That was not the case today when he met his paternal great grandmother for the very first time. He backed away, hid behind me and didn’t say anything for a long time. I’ve never known Coleman to be shy. Coleman’s dad, David picked her up from his dad’s home and brought her to our home. The meeting was in familiar surroundings, but a strange person in his home seemed to baffle him. It took some coaxing to get him to sit next to her.
paternal
great grandmother
trying to
get him
to talk
Since Coleman has a very strong attachment to me, I left the room to try to help him not to cling to me, but to allow him an opportunity to get acquainted with his paternal great grandmother. I feel gratitude that Coleman was given this opportunity to meet her. Thankfully she does speak a little English as her primary language is Japanese. My grandson’s father does not speak Japanese, it was not taught to him when he was growing up.
Thankful for the short time Coleman had to spend with his paternal great grandmother. Maybe she can come again to visit him while she is in the United States.
God bless. Thank you. I appreciate each and every one of y’all.
Desktop Photo: August 2022
God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
Wordless Wednesday: Painted Rocks
God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
Cell Pic Sunday: 8/14
Catawba River
Overlook
Couldn’t pick just one. Catawba River and Coleman. Love ❤️ them both.
God Bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.
Mid-week Monochrome: MWM 8/11
Brashley Photography blog Mid-Week Monochrome challenge
Marion Walsh
Outdoor Classroom
Stone Marker
sitting on a
Slanted U
shaped tree
in the
Greenway
of my
daughter
Taken
by my
3 year old
grandson
Coleman
God bless. Thank you! Remember I appreciate y’all.
Black & White: Moving Water in the Greenway
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Moving Water
Coleman
threw a log
in Lake Crandall
water
movement
God Bless. Thank you. I appreciate y’all.
Monday Portrait: Coleman, my favorite subject
on
Blue
Star
in
his
favorite
place
ASCG
Nana’s
Boy
Color
Popped
Happy
on
Timberline
Trail
God Bless. Thank You! Remember I appreciate y’all.
Cell Phone Selfie: By Three Year Old
selfie
Coleman used my cell phone. iPhone 13 Pro Front camera— 23mm f2.2. ISO 250 1/40s
God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
Shhh….Be Very Quiet….Look Closely….What Do You See?
Did you see what my grandson, Coleman and I spotted on our afternoon hike? It is amazing what you can see out in nature if you keep your eyes open and observe your surroundings c l o s e l y. The only problem with our observations is that Coleman tends to speak real loud when he spots an animal that he scares them into running away.
God Bless. Thank you! Remember I appreciate y’all.
ASCG Trail Passport: What does earning a Passport Certificate Entail?
The Anne Springs Close Greenway has a Trail Passport program that members and visitors may choose to participate if they so desire. The Trail Passport booklet is a guide for your benefit to assist you in exploring the over 40 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trials. The Greenway has 26 unique trails and points of interest. The Passport provides an easy way for you to keep track of which trails you have accomplished, and which trails you have yet to complete.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
To earn the Passport Certificate, you need to participate in the Hiking Challenge. The following are the requirements for the Hiking Challenge.
- Hike, bike or horseback ride a trail
- Initial and date each hike that you complete
- After you have completed all the trails bring your Passport to the Greenway to receive you completion certificate (subject to availability).
The Greenway has a Trail Map that is a guide to let you know where the trails are located and from which Greenway Entrance is best to take for your desired trail. My grandson loves to carry a Trail Map with him whenever we go for a hike. When he looks at it you would think he knows exactly what he is looking at and can figure out which way he wants to go next.
While some members choose to participate in the Hiking Challenge, there are many that do not. Completing the challenge is not something that everyone accomplishes, however, it is well worth it. It takes dedication and determination to complete all twenty-six (26) trails consisting of thirty-six (36) miles of hiking, biking or horse riding in the Greenway.
My grandson, Coleman, picked up a Trail Passport on one of our visits to the Greenway. He indicated that he wanted to participate in the Hiking Challenge. He did not let his young age deter him from taking up the challenge or completing the challenge. He loves the outdoors and loves to hike and spend time out in nature with me. Coleman just recently turned three. He completed all 26 trails of 36 miles in the Hiking Challenge before his third birthday. He is amazing, but then again you might say I am biased.
Some trails in the Greenway are as short as 0.4 miles while others are over 3 miles in length. On some days we combined several trails and we hiked 5-6 miles. Was he tired by the end of the hike? Definitely, but that never stopped him from keeping going and finishing each day’s hike. After completing each day’s hike, he would lift his hands up and yell “I did it.” He really loves hiking and would do it every day if he could.
Congratulations Coleman! You did it. I am proud of you, your love of hiking, the outdoors, and your determination to succeed.
God Bless. Thank You for stopping by. Take time to enjoy the outdoors. Take a hike, a walk, admire God’s creations along the way. I appreciate y’all.
Coleman: Birthday Boy Turned Three
Coleman 🎉
3 Years Old
Today 🎈
Black & White
Portrait
Collage
Birthday
Expressions
My Heart ♥️
My Love
My Grandson
Investigating
His Presents 🎁.
Bat, Ball, Puzzles, Pound Puppy
and Thomas the Train 🚂
God Bless. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
ASCG:Greenway Stables Entrance-Part Two_Dogwood/Blue Star….
For our second day of hiking Dogwood at the Anne Springs Close Greenway Stables Entrance, we began on the Dogwood Trail on the right side after passing through one section of the horse stables.
But before we began hiking, we stopped to enjoy the Sweet Black Eyed Susan Seeds and the honeybees feasting on their nectar behind the Gibson House.
and Sunflowers
@Greenway Stables
Gibson House
Shortly after we began hiking along the Dogwood Trail, we came upon the Airport Pond. We enjoyed the views of the water and the reflections within the water. Whenever possible my grandson loves to play in the water either with his hands or his whole body. Luckily on this day it was just his hands.
Stables Entrance
Airport Pond
off Dogwood
After snapping a few pictures, we hiked on further down on Dogwood. My grandson, Coleman, loves to have his picture taken at the Trail Posts. The Trail Posts serve the purpose of letting people know where they are along the trail and which trail they are hiking on. Keeping track of the numbers on the trail posts allows us to know exactly where we are at and how much further we need to travel.
Dogwood Trail
Coleman hiking
leading the way
We proceeded onto the Blue Star after we had been hiking for approximately 1.4 miles. This trail contains several mushrooms of varying heights and sizes. I have to watch Coleman, or he’ll swipe at them breaking them apart. O try to teach him about varying things along the trail and that we shouldn’t disturb them. Also, that what is in the park should remain in the park and what we bring in, we must also take out with us. Leave No Trace.
Coleman
checking out his map
and the Trail posts
for directions
The Blue Star trail is mostly natural surface with some plank bridges and a couple of swinging bridges. At Blue Star H27, Coleman stops to check his map. He likes to carry his own map instead of just looking at mine. We venture off of Blue Star and onto Hickory Trail which leads us back to Dogwood.
Dogwood
and
Hickory Trails
Which way should we go?
Once back on Dogwood, the trail leads us back to the horse stables and eventually back to our car (Mommy’s car as Coleman would say since I use her car to take him places.)
(Not the same stables as we first entered)
Greenway Stables Entrance
loving on the horses.
The horses
instinctively
come straight
up to him.
They know
he is not afraid
and loves them.
My Heart ❤️ My love
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy a hike, a walk, or any adventure communing with nature. Thank you for visiting. See you next time. Remember I appreciate y’all.
Plants 🪴 and Flowers 🌺: ASCG – Ford Gap_Lake Haigler Entrance
coreopsideae
on Golden
Sulfur Cosmos
Sulfur Cosmos
Jane Spratt McColl.
Wildflower Meadow
God Bless. Thank you! Remember I appreciate y’all.
Wordless Wednesday: Coleman Nuzzling with Horse
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
ASCG: Greenway Stables Entrance: Part One -Horses and Hiking — Dogwood and Peach Loop Trails…..
My hiking 🥾 buddy, Coleman, and I drove to the Horse 🐎 Road Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway on Thursday. It turned out to be a beautiful day. We’ve been having rain 🌧 showers off and on lately. So time on the trail without rain 🌧 interfering with our hike was fantastic.
The main point of interest at this entrance is of course the horses 🐎. Seeing the horses 🐎 is a highlight for Coleman. He loves seeing and petting the horses 🐎. Visiting the horses was not our main purpose on this day, even though very pleasant. Knowing Coleman, we had to stop and visit with the horses before we could begin our hike for the day.
saying hi
to the horses
The Greenway Stables Entrance is also sometimes referred to as the Horse Road Entrance. The Greenway Stables are located at 1046 Horse Road, Fort Mill, South Carolina. On Horse Road you take a quick left on the road to enter the parking lot. When you first exit your car in the parking lot you will see the Gibson House. The Gibson House overlooks the pond and fields and offers a time for relaxing while watching the horses run. It is available for rent as a venue for wedding ceremonies, receptions, parties, picnics, and much more. Restrooms are located on the right-hand side of the building.
One of the paths to the trails is entered through the first horse stable location. After a short visit with the horses, we moved on down the path to the Dogwood Trailhead. We followed along left side of the Dogwood Trail. At this point, there were two choices to make to begin to begin the trail. We chose the path on the left. This trail passes through a scenic pasture area on the south end of the property connecting with Peach Loop.
leading the way
to the Dogwood Trail
Coleman has a fascination of having his picture taken by the trail posts. Capturing the trail posts also reminds us of where we’ve been and what we encountered along the trail. we connected to Peach Loop after we reached trail marker 7. The Peach Loop breaks off from Timberline and the Blue Star trails as well. Dogwood runs into Timberline, so if you are not familiar with the trails you might get confused on which trail you are on or which direction you need to proceed on when the trails signs say different trails. The Peach Loop route keeps you inside the wooded area rather than being outside the timber line for this section. The loop takes you back onto the trail you started on. Therefore, after coming full “circle” on Peach Loop, it brought us back to Dogwood.
Back on Dogwood the trail wound around and led us back to the horses and the Gibson House where we began our day. The sights along the trail are amazing. The dirt surface can become muddy after the rains. On this day the trails were pretty good. The only things we had to watch out for were the tree roots sticking up along the path. If you’re not watching where you are going you could trip and fall over a tree root, so be careful as you hike the trails.
Naturally, we had to stop along the way back to the car to watch the horses in the pasture grazing about. The horses are beautiful creatures, and the views are spectacular.
God Bless. Get Outdoors and enjoy nature. There’s nothing my grandson loves more than being out in nature and hiking the trails. Thank you for visiting. Looking forward to your next visit. Remember I appreciate y’all,
Catawba Indian Nation Trail: Carolina Thread Greenway Trail
Carolina Thread Greenway Trail
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.
Coleman
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.
City Walk on the Fourth to Riverwalk Park
The Fourth in our house was not a big day of partying or barbecuing or gathering of friends and family. It was an ordinary day for relaxation. However, my grandson, Coleman’s form of relaxing is to go for a walk. Short on gas money and his mom not wanting to do anything but rest, I took Coleman for a walk to Riverwalk Park so he could play.
You say walk, no problem. The only thing was Riverwalk Park, which is the closest park by the way, is 2.5 miles away from where we live. Think 2.5 miles isn’t that far. Be there in just a few short minutes, think again. Remember I said we walked to Riverwalk Park. Thinking about walking 2.5 miles makes it seem more exhausting, now wouldn’t you say?
Believe me, it was tiring. Not all of the route had sidewalks, so we walked at the edge of the road parts of the way. Did you do alright walking to the park? Absolutely, he is a trooper and had way more energy thank I do.
with Coleman
I know I said he’s a trooper and he is. I don’t know how he has the stamina to walk the distance, but he manages just fine even in the high heat and humidity we’ve been having. When we arrived at the park, he said “Yeah we did it.” Meaning we made it there. After opening the gate to allow him to play on the various playground equipment, I checked the weather app on my phone. Temperature when we arrived was 87°. You might think that’s not too bad, but factor in the high humidity and that’s a different story. The 97% humidity made it feel like 96°.
making
music
sliding,
sliding,
and sliding
to his
hearts content.
at Riverside Park
Spinning round
and around
and around.
Did he have fun? He had tons of fun. Wonder if we walked back home. Think about that heat and humidity……No we did not walk home. Instead I texted my daughter and asked if she’d come pick us up. Coleman continue to play and run around the entire time we were there. He didn’t know that he wasn’t going to be walking back home. At least not until he saw his mommy’s car drive up. His reaction when he saw her car wasn’t hooray. It was “Oh No.” However, when I asked him if he wanted to walk home, he pointed to his mom’s car and said “mommy’s car.” Which no doubt meant he wanted his mom to give us a ride back and that was fine by me.
God Bless. Stay safe. Stay cool. Thank You! I appreciate y’all.
ASCGREENWAY: Coleman hiking 🥾 the trails in his Trail Passport…… 5 Trails in One Day…… Loooong Hike.
The Anne Springs Close Greenway has a Hiking Challenge one can choose to participate in or not. I participated in the challenge earning mu Trail Passport certificate a year and a half ago in December of 2020. My grandson, Coleman, has been hiking the trails at the Anne Springs Close Greenway (ASCG) since March of 2021 when he was only a year and a half (1 1/2). A person earns the Passport Challenge certificate by completing all twenty-six (26) trails consisting of thirty-six miles (36) within and around the Greenway. There is a Trail Passport booklet that one can pick up at most any of the five (5) entrances to the Greenway. After completing a trail, initial and date verifying that you completed that trail. All the trails are listed in the passport. After completing all the trails, turn your initialed passport into the Greenway Gateway to receive your certificate.
exploring the
Nature Center
area prior to
starting our hike.
While you are out on the trails, be respectful and remember the Leave No Trace Principles.
- Plan Ahead and prepare.
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors.
These are very important guidelines everyone should follow no matter which Greenway trail, State or National Park trail, or even a local trail you choose venture onto to for an awesome hike. My grandson being only 2 1/2 doesn’t understand all the rules yet. I constantly remind him to leave what is in the park in the park, what is on the ground must stay on the ground. He usually will pick up leaves, rocks, or sticks off the ground and I remind him to put them down that they have to stay in the Greenway.
On Sunday when Coleman and I went to the Greenway, we hiked 5 trails:
- North Steele Creek Trail – This trail follows a portion of Steele Creek and connects two sections of Blue Star.
- Blue Star Trail – Blue Star is the longest trail on the Greenway (7.8) miles. This trail is dividing into 5 sections, and it connects to nearly every trail on the Greenway. It follows portions of the Historic Nation Ford Road. [We hike 2 sections on this day.]
- Muscadine Trail – This trail connects with Blue Star and Trestle Trail and Wagon Loop, Wild Azalea and Hickory trails. This trail is accessible from either the Lake Haigler Entrance or the Adventure Road Entrance.
- Wild Azalea Trail – The main point of interest along this trail is Lake Haigler. This trail is accessible to hikers via either the Wagon Loop or the Haigler Loop. This trail connects with Wagon Loop, Muscadine Trail and Haigler Loop. One may use Billy’s Walk as a short cut between Wild Azalea and Muscadine to be able to view the Lake Haigler Spillway.
- Haigler Loop – This is a very popular trail for most visitors. It loops around Lake Haigler, the largest scenic lake on the Greenway. It connects to Blue Star, Wild Azalea, Hickory and Timberline Trails and Wagon Loop.
We began our hike on North Steele Creek Trail and continued onto the Blue Star Trail. The Blue Star Trail led us to the Railroad Trestle. Coleman loves trains and was a little disappointed when a train did not pass overhead once we arrived at the Trestle. He has seen other Railroad Trestles, but this was the first time seeing the Trestle at the Greenway. Whenever he sees a trestle, he will say choo choo. He does not say train yet, but he says choo choo anytime he sees or hears a train.
The Blue Star Trail runs along one side of the Railroad Trestle and Muscadine runs along the other side. Upon leaving the Railroad Trestle area, we started on another section of the Blue Star Trail, across a swinging bridge on then ventured onto Muscadine to head back towards the Lake Haigler Entrance and the Canteen. On the Muscadine side of the Railroad Trestle, Coleman found an opportunity to get close to (and even in) the water. Being a hot and humid day, I did not object to him getting in the water. We skittered off of Muscadine and onto Wild Azalea which led us to Lake Haigler. Once down by the lake, we wondered over to the kayak launch area to obtain some information about renting a kayak on another day. I wanted to know if they had life jackets to fit Coleman. They assured me they did and informed me of the costs and for the length of time which you can rent a kayak. Coleman’s birthday is coming up later this month, so I will try to make it possible for him to go out on the lake in a kayak close to his birthday. He wanted to go out right then and there, but I let him know he’ll need to wait until another day. That we will try to kayak for his birthday.
Leaving the kayak launch area, he chose to hike part of the Haigler Loop before returning to the Rush Pavilion and the Canteen. Once at the canteen we refilled our bottles with ice and water. By this time, we had run out of drink from the 3 bottles we had on the trail with us and were in much need of replenishing our fluid intake. It was so good to just sit and relax for a couple of minutes before heading home.
God Bless. Stay Safe. Enjoy Nature. Thank you! And always remember I appreciate y’all.
Plants and Flowers at the Greenway: Lake Haigler Entrance
Sunday was a sunshiny day It a a blistering 96° in the Piedmont area of South Carolina. My grandson and I visited the Lake Haigler Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway for our morning adventure of hiking and enjoying nature.
As we walk/hike the trails we observe nature and the beautiful plants and flowers we see as we stroll along. There are plenty of plants and flowers in the Greenway, you just need to slow down and “stop and smell the roses.”
From the entrance we walked down past the Rush Pavilion to the Nature Center and placed a book in the Little Yellow Lending Library. From there we hiked down to the Swinging Bridge and strolled over the the North Steele Creek trail. The was the first time hiking this trail with my grandson, Coleman.
The North Steele Creek trail winds around the left side of a creek. It is 1.5 miles in length and connects to the Blue Star trail. We hiked the North Steele Creek trail, the proceeded onto the Blue Star trail. The entire Blue Star trail is 7.5 miles long. We only hiked the portion of Blue Star which led us to the Railroad Trestle. My grandson loves trains. Unfortunately, however, no trains passed along the trestle while we were there.
near the
Railroad Trestle
After a short break resting on a bench just passed the trestle, ( much needed for replenishing our fluids and a snack for Coleman), we continue on Blue Star crossing another swinging bridge and onto the Muscadine trail. The Muscadine trail portion we were on leads back towards Lake Haigler and the canteen. The whole Muscadine trail is 3.5 miles long. We hiked Muscadine until we approached the Wild Azalea trail. The Wild Azalea trail is 1.5 miles in length.
showing
the way
to go
The Wild Azalea trail led us to the Lake Haigler Loop and to the kayak launch area. My grandson has now decided he wants to go out in a kayak one weekend ( the kayaks are only rented out on weekends.)
This was a long and tiring 6.6 mile hike ( at least for me.) After seeing the kayaks, my grandson got a burst of energy. Instead of going straight back to the Rush Pavilion from the kayak launch, he decided to stroll along a portion of the Lake Haigler Loop which passes by Lake Haigler. He loves the water, looking at it, playing near it, or if he can get away with it, playing in the water.
Once back at the Rush Pavilion canteen we had our bottles filled with ice and then filled them with water. We sat inside (his choice) to enjoy the color air and relax before heading home.
along the path
to the parking lot.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
God Bless. Have a safe and fun-filled fourth. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Canon Photography: ASCG
Most of the time I hike the Anne Springs Close Greenway with my grandson, Coleman, I just use my iPhone13Pro to take pictures while we are hiking along the trail. Earlier this week I purchased new batteries for my Canon Rebel. Since I had new batteries, I thought I would give it a try to see how the lasted and snap a few pictures at the Greenway with my actual camera instead of just with my iPhone.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Trekker Loop
ASCG
Anne Springs Close Greenway
I hope you enjoy the photos. I’m still relearning how to use my Canon Rebel camera. I haven’t used it since before COVID-19 appeared in the United States. It will take time, but with practice, I believe I’ll be able to take some fantastic shots. Until then, God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Hope you’ll come back soon. Remember I appreciate y’all.
Thursday Traversing the Trails with Coleman: ASCG-Blue Star Entrance
Coleman is always wanting to go Bye Bye. He loves to spend time hiking 🥾 at The Anne Springs Close Greenway (ASCG). For our Thursday outing we went to the Blue Star Entrance of the ASCG. The ASCG is located behind the Y Complex. From the beginning of the trailhead there are two choices one can choose the hike. The Paradise Loop and the Blue Star Trail.
For our traversing I chose the Paradise Loop for us to hike. Coleman wanted to go on the Blue Star Trail. He got upset when I said we were not hiking 🥾 that trail. We had only hiked that trail before and he needed to hike the Paradise Loop to help complete all the trails on his trail passport.
by the
Paradise Loop
trail post
The trail is full of ups and downs, curves, tree 🌳 roots, and rocks 🪨. Not a smooth trail, more of a medium level for hiking 🥾 status. Trail markers are placed every 1/4 mile along the trails. Around Trail marker B5 you can choose to traverse on the Avery Loop. The Avery Loop is 0.4 miles long and loops back into Paradise Loop.
with Coleman
Avery Loop is surrounded by plants and flowers close on each side of the trail. The trees and plants provide a cooling canopy that is calming to the soul.
watching ants 🐜
on the ground
Avery Loop
reflections
Hiking 🥾 back to the car (his mom’s car) Coleman is tired and ready to go to the grocery store so we could get him more Lactaid Milk. when he gets tired, he wants to stop every few minutes on the trail and wants to sit anywhere he can find to sit. When he’s tired I keep encouraging home to keep moving, that we’re almost “back to mommy’s car.)
Hiking 🥾
back to
Mommy’s
Car
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Wednesday Wanderings: Walking 🚶♀️ _Running 🏃 @ Riverwalk
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).
at the
Riverwalk
entrance
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.
Catawba River
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.
Coleman resting
on a park swing.
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).
balancing
on the log 🪵
and walking
across it.
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.
Monday Meanderings: ASCG With Coleman
Welcome everyone. I’m glad you could join me today.
On our Monday Meanderings, Coleman and I returned to the Anne Springs Close Greenway (ASCG) for some hiking 🥾. Coleman is my two (2) year old grandson. He has been 🥾 with my for approximately a year and a half (1 1/2) now. He recently has decided he wants to earn his certificate for completing his trail passport. The passport contains a list of twenty-six (26) trails which span a total of thirty-six (36) miles within the ASCGreenway.
hiking 🥾 from
the Adventure Road
Entrance
Coleman loves to be outdoors. He loves to visit the Greenway. Does he get tired on the trail? Sometimes yes. Does he have fun on the trail? Yes, he definitely does.
Today, we parked at the Adventure Road Entrance. We began our meanderings on the Trekker Loop. We first spotted Lake Crandall and a group of young boys which are a part of the fishing 🎣 day camp offered to youth at the ASCG. He immediately went down towards the water 💦. He grabbed a stick and tried mimicked their fishing 🎣.
at ASCG
prosiding towards
Fern Forest 🌳 Trail
Along the Archers Loop/Trekkers Loop trail we view the beautiful Lake Frances. He sorta got muddy as he was approaching the water 💦. He enjoys putting his hands 🙌🏼 (if not his whole body) in the water. When he stood up, his one hand ✋ and arm was all muddy.
We went along Fern Forest 🌳 and then back to Archers Loop hiking 🥾 back towards the car. Today was rather a short hike. But there is no place he would rather be than out on a trail hiking 🥾.
taking a break
having a few sips
of his juice
We always bring bottles of water 💦 and juice 🧃 for us to drink along the trails. It can get hot, sweaty, and thirsty hiking 🥾 along the trails. We always remember to stay hydrated. That is very important when you go hiking 🥾.
God bless. Hope you’ll visit with us again on our next adventure. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.
Greenville Zoo_Family Outing
Greenville, South Carolina
We woke up really early (at least for me) to get ready and leave for Greenville, South Carolina. We intended on going to the Greenville Zoo and then to an A & W Restaurant afterwards. This first half of the plan went as planned. However, the second half did not (I’ll explain later).
The Greenville Zoo is located in Greenville, South Carolina. It is set on 14 acres in the city’s Cleveland Park. The Zoo was founded in 1960. Compared to other parks, the Greenville Zoo is rather small in size. At the time of the opening, most of the animals were indigenous species who already called the Upstate region home. A monkey dome was added in 1962 and was populated with 26 Colobus Monkeys. The monkeys were not indigenous to the area, however, the became a tremendous hit with the park’s visitors. The Zoo is open year-round, but hours vary based on the season. The Zoo has several programs and events that provide a fabulous opportunity for adults and children alike to visit and learn.
After entering the Zoo, we first visit the monkeys and then the reptiles. My grandson enjoyed looking at the snakes, he doesn’t shy away from anything.
Lions, leopards are the cats in the zoo. Monkeys, South American Pampas, giraffes, and pink flamingos are some of the animals you’ll encounter if you choose to visit the Greenville Zoo. If you plan on visiting the Greenville area, I’d say go ahead and stop by the zoo for a visit. However, if the zoo is the only reason you are coming to Greenville, then I’d say pass on the zoo and visit one of the many parks and enjoy a hike. Save the Zoo trip for one of the Zoos in a larger city.
As you walk along the path to the various animal enclosures, the Zoo has canopies which one can walk through the sprays a mist of water to cool you off on a hot summer day. My grandson enjoyed running through the canopies and feeling the mist of water on his body.
Besides the various animals located throughout the zoo, it is also home to several tropical plants and flowers. I enjoy seeing the beauty of God’s creation regardless of it is out in nature, at the zoo, or in a lovely garden.
A map of the Zoo is located just inside the entrance for your convenience. The map will guide you to the desired locations of the animals you wish to visit. There are a few sights situated for capturing your loved ones sitting on a “bear”, or a “lion.” And before you ask, no they are not real but indeed statues designed to sit upon and enjoy. Of course, I had to capture my grandson sitting upon the statues.
150 Cleveland Park Drive
Greenville, South Carolina
greenvillezoo.com
Our other purpose for visiting the Greenville area was to stop at an A & W Restaurant for a frosty mug of A & W root beer and to purchase a few A & W glass mugs to take home. Now for the disappointing part of our trip. The A & W Restaurant location we stopped at was drive through only (a disappointment especially since we planned to sit and enjoy some root beer after our visit to the zoo.) This location also did not have any of the A & W glass mugs on hand to sale (another big disappointment.)
Disappointments and all, the day was a good outing to spend with family. We ended up stopping to eat closer to home and chose to stop at The Greek Grill for some authentic Greek Gyros. They were super delicious by the way. If you are ever in the Tega Cay, South Carolina area I would highly recommend a stop for food at The Greek Grill located at 1143 Stonecrest Blvd. #101, Tega Cay, SC 29708. The hours are 11am to 8pm except on Sundays when they close at 7pm.
God Bless. Thank You for visiting. Till next time. Spend quality time with you family. Love and enjoy them while you can. Remember I appreciate y’all.
Coleman: Antics …Expressions
This afternoon Coleman tried on a new outfit we got him that is intended fir swimming. Does he care or even realize what the outfit is for? Absolutely not. But who cares? He put it on all by himself. He usually doesn’t dress himself completely, but then he is only two (2). He’s learning.
Disregard his mom’s leg
Coleman loves to ham it up in front of a camera. He loves getting his picture taken. He also loves looking at himself in pictures.
new swim outfit
See it fits.
Like Son
climbed on his
mom’s shoulders
harassing his mom.
AKA Loving her.
Coleman may love having his picture taken, however, his mom does not. The therefore, it is difficult to get really good shots of her and him together.
Mom and Son
and
his expressions
Gotta love him
God bless. Take care and spend time loving your family. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
Wordless Wednesday:
Grist Mill
trying to
open door 🚪
checking out
the Grist Mill
God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.
PPAC: Metal Art Dog Statues
I saw this challenge on Aletta’s nowathome blog featuring the PPAC challenge from Marsha Ingrao’s Always Write blog.
Public art according to Wikipedia is art in any media whose form, function and meaning are created for the general public through a public process. It adds tremendous value to the cultural, aesthetic and economic vitality of a community.
God Bless. Thank you! Remember I appreciate y’all.
My Favorite Subject: My Grandson _Coleman
Climbing the Fence
at the Dog 🐕 Park
God Bless. Thank you. Remember I appreciate y’all.
Canon Shots at the Greenway
I have an older Canon Rebel T3i that I was using on Saturday when I went to the Greenway with my grandson, Coleman. My battery is weak, even though it was fully charged before leaving home, it did not last very long. So, it seems like it is time for a new battery (I cannot afford a new camera right now).
These pictures were taken after we came to Lake Frances after hiking at the beginning of Archers Loop at the Adventure Road entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway.
trying to use
my hiking stick
as a fishing pole.
God Bless. Thank you! I haven’t used the camera for a little while, it’s been packed away and I recently unpacked it. I hope you’ll enjoy the photos. I appreciate y’all.
All photos are my own. (c)2022@gfpacificbee
Numbers at The Greenway: On Archers Loop
Today my hiking 🥾 buddy, Coleman, and I drove to the Adventure Road Entrance of The Anne Springs Close Greenway. We parked near the doggy park, Mary Warner Mack Dog Park, and proceeded on Archers Loop which begins to the side and behind the dog 🐕 park.
Archers Loop
At various points along the trail are markers letting you know which trail you are on and at which point along the trail.
H51 Archers Loop
H51
Archers Loop
Coleman had a fun time hiking 🥾 and running 🏃♂️ along the trail.
Archers Loop
Archers Loop
Coleman discovered the outdoor learning classroom.
Outdoor Classroom
God bless. Thank you! Numbers are everywhere, you just have to be observant. Remember I appreciate y’all.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 