This year our neighborhood is not adorned with very many Christmas Lights or Festive Decorations. I did, however, manage to capture a few Christmas Lights and decorations within our walking pathways.
Dale host the weekly challenge The Cosmic Photo Challenge with a different theme each week. This week’s theme is Summer Fun.
The main Summer Funtime this summer that was different than most any other time were the Summer Concerts the Town of Cramerton held at the end of each month. This was a time to gather downtown to enjoy some fantastic music, visit with others within the community, and basically have a funtastic experience.
Chairmen of the BoardColemanColeman burning off energy before the ConcertRick Hubbard’s Great American Kids Show Coleman listening & watching Rick Hubbard entertaining the audience Attending Summer Concerts in Centennial Center Park
Another part of Coleman’s Summer Funtime is visiting different playgrounds. However, this activity is not reserved for just Summertime.
Coleman Swinging Coleman Sliding Coleman at the C.B. Huss Recreation Center Playground Summertime in the Playgrounds
How about some Water Funtime that was included in Coleman’s Summertime Funtime …
Coleman’s Backyard Water Playtime Funtime Coleman’s Backyard Water Playtime FuntimeColeman at Anne Springs Close Greenway’s Spillway Summer is a great time for Water Playtime
Now to we are almost to the end of our Summertime Review so let’s look at one of Coleman’s favourite things to do … Playing in the Sand.
Coleman Sandtime at Riverside Park and Greenway Coleman Sandtime at Goat Island Park and Greenway Coleman Sandtime at Riverside Park and GreenwaySand time is not just for Summer
And Finally last, but not least, Coleman’s ultimate Funtime activity all year long (not just Summertime) and that is hiking. He enjoys hiking out in the woods amongst nature anytime he possibly can get outdoors.
Coleman hiking at Daniel Stowe Conservancy Coleman tree climbing while hiking at Goat Island Park and Greenway Coleman hiking at Daniel Stowe ConservancyColeman tree climbing while hiking at Goat Island Park and GreenwayColeman takes a break from hiking to visit the horses at Anne Springs Close Greenway. Summertime Hikes
I do not really care for early mornings, however, that is beside the point. We all must do what we must do even if that means getting up early when we would rather sleep in a tad bit longer.
A few years ago we lived in the countryside and we were blessed with seeing deer in the early mornings.
Good Morning, Hope you don’t mind our passing through so early. Just wanted to stop by to say Hello.
We currently live in a small town and when school is in session it is still pretty dark outside. These are some of what we see while we are waiting for the school bus to arrive.
Early Morning Skies, Early Morning Passenger Trains, and finally the yellow school bus.
God Bless. Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory (even though we crave sleep). Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
As Coleman and I were wandering through the Nature trail at the Schiele Museum; we featured Up the stairs and around the path downward until he ran off and into the Playscape sand pit. He brought along his friend Mr. Blue.
Up and Around the Stairs
Coleman met Mr. Blue at the doctor’s office. He helped him adjust to receiving two shots. He was comforted by him and decided he did not want to leave him behind when we arrived at the museum.
Why amI on my side? How’d I get this way? Please help me!
Therefore, Mr. Blue tagged along by his Side any which way and everywhere he happened to go. Mr. Blue hadn’t realised he would be cast aside for Dinosaurs 🦕🦖🦕 Coleman discovered hiding in the sand.
Mr. BlueColeman playing with the Dinosaurs That’s not how I meant … I wanted Upright.
Please do not look down on Mr. Blue for being disappointed. I’ll have you know he was not forgotten. When it was time to go back Up the trail to go home, Coleman made sure he gathered Up his new friend when he was packing his belongings into his backpack.
Beautiful views from the Linn Cove Viaduct to Mount Jefferson State Park and on to Stone Mountain State Park along the Stunning Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.
Dale of The Cosmic Photo Challenge prompt is Freestyle this week.
Since this is freestyle week I decided to let you visit with me on one of the hikes Coleman and I took this past week. This hike was a little bit different in that we had my daughter, Coleman’s mom, along with us. On Tuesday we needed to be out of the home for awhile because a pest control company was going to come in and spray per the Complex management.
Therefore, we decided to go hiking in one of Coleman’s favorite places. The place we chose was Anne Springs Close Greenway about twenty minutes or so from our residence. Mind you now my daughter is not fond of hiking at all. When we arrived, we should them my membership card and proceeded to park. We thought Trisha, my daughter, was just gonna sit and relax near the canteen while Coleman and I hiked. It didn’t exactly go like we had thought. You see, Trisha brought her dog along with on our adventure ( he had to be out of the home as well).
Lake Haigler
Chewbacca, Trisha’s dog, decided he wanted to hike with us, therefore she had to tag along. We walked down to the lake and proceeded along the trail, Lake Haigler Loop, around the lake.
Haigler Loop
Coleman loves to run along the trail. I prefer a slower pace since I normally take many photos along the trail of the various sites we see. Often we observe different angles around the lake, seeing flowers, butterflies, sometimes turtles, bees, and even dragonflies.
Brazilian Vervain (Verbena brasiliensis)
At other times we see amazing reflections in the water.
Reflections in Lake Haigler
I love seeing various creatures feasting on the nectar of wildflowers her at the Greenway.
Black Swallowtail, Eastern Bumblebee, and Delta Flower Scarab Beetle feasting on Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis.
Further down the trail as we hike around the lake I notice what appears to be a shape of a triangle formed with the reflections in the lake.
Triangle formation from the water reflections. Surrounding Tree Reflections plus water shimmering
As we keep going I slow down observing butterflies flittering to and fro. Naturally I stop to snap a photograph. Meanwhile, my daughter’s trying to convince me to stop taking pictures. Guess what? She didn’t convince me, not one single solitary moment.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Pearl Crescent Butterfly
Next on our hike we come across a dragonfly and several turtles along the edge of the lake.
Widow Skimmer Dragonfly Turtles sunbathing on a log
By this time my daughter is tired and wants to get this hike over with. Naturally, Coleman and Chewbacca want to keep going. They’re enjoying the outdoors adventure. Hence, we keep chugging along.
Water Reflections Water Ripples
After awhile we decide to pull up a seat and relax a bit before finishing our hike. But first there’s more to observe as we near the picnic tables along the backside of the lake.
Trisha, Chewbacca, with Coleman leading the way. [He knows the trails better than most adults]. Ngaro Wīwi Priocnemis monachus delighting on Angelica genuflexa
Finally to a spot to snack relax near the water’s edge.
I hope you enjoyed trekking along with us on our hike around Lake Haigler. God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all.
I do not have my own personal garden where I currently reside. There are various Gardens close by where I am able to visit occasionally with my grandson. The following are a few examples of what can be seen at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont, North Carolina.
Location: Natural Amazement, The Schiele Museum of Natural History’s Nature Trail, The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Gastonia, North Carolina
God Bless. Thank you for visiting the Natural Amazement with Coleman and myself. I appreciate y’all.
Oasis Southern Gospel MusicThe RevelatorsMan playing Harp in Costa Maya, Mexico Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folks, country, blues, and gospel music. [ He was also my 4th maternal cousin]William Watson & His Banjo [my maternal cousin]Coleman, my grandson
Dale offers the prompt “one winter’s morning”for this week’s Cosmic Photo Challenge.
One Evening you go to sleep …Thinking about the possibility …Of Snow falling …In your area and think you’re dreaming…Until you wake up and see all this Snow.
And you realize it really truly did snow during the night.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 