Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura ND & 8-Star filter attachments.
Location: Seen from Centennial Center; Fired from Goat Island Park and Greenway; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy your week. Thankful for our Freedoms. Thankful for all of y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Vessel, Created by Thomas Heatherwick and Heatherwick Studio, is an iconic New York City experience designed to be entered and explored. It was built as part of HudsonYards in Manhattan, New York City, New York. The elaborate honeycomb-like structure rises 150 feet and consists of 154 flights of stairs, 2,500 steps, and 80 landings for visitors to climb. It is the main feature of the 5-acre (2.0 ha) Hudson Yards Public Square.
R. Warren Cramer is the grandson of Stuart W. Cramer, founder of the Town of Cramerton. He is co-authoring a historical fiction trilogy about the Cramer family and the Town of Cramerton. The trilogy delves into the history of the Cramer family and their achievements.
R. Warren Cramer has been (and continues to be) involved in preserving and sharing the history of his grandfather and the town of Cramerton, North Carolina, which Stuart W. Cramer founded. He has collaborated with author Dixie F. Abernathy on “Cramerton: A Trilogy,” a book series detailing the history of Cramerton and the Cramer family. He provided the research and family history regarding the Cramer family and their significance in American history and culture. He is one of four editors for the “Cramerton: A Trilogy”.
The concept for this book has been developed over decades. When he graduated Duke University in 1981 his father George Cramer encouraged him to write a book about his grandfather, Stuart W. Cramer. The accumulation of efforts to bring the book to fruition began in 2016 with a Cramerton native, Jeff Ramsey introduced author Dixie Abernathy and local historian R. Warren Cramer.
On Saturday, The Cramerton Historical Society Museum held a book signing for the Promise of a NationCramerton: A Trilogy Volume I with author Dixie F. Abernathy and R. Warren Cramer.
Promise of a Nation Cramerton: A Trilogy Dixie F. Abernathy R. Warren Cramer
They shared the ideas behind the trilogy project, the vast number of edits & rewrites and enough to entice interesting buying and reading the first book of the trilogy about the Cramer family and the Town of Cramerton. I look forward to reading it once the ebook is available on the Fourth of July (advanced paperback copies were available at the book signing).
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura ND & 8-Star filter attachments.
Location: Centennial Center; Downtown; Town of Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Happy Independence Weekend America! Thankful for our Freedoms. Enjoy some fireworks if you’re able. [Coleman enjoyed Cramerton’s Fireworks]. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura ND & 8-Star filter attachments.
Location: The Centennial Center; Downtown Cramerton; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Happy Independence Weekend (for those in America)! Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Cramerton Historical Society Museum; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Take time to Remember and Be Grateful for our Freedoms. Happy Independence Weekend America! Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The White Farmhousewhich is now the Garden Center was once an administrative building. It has been thoroughly renovated and transformed into a charming garden retail and horticulture education center.
The Front Entrance Area The Farmhouse Garden Center
As you drive into The Village at Stowe you drive past this Dog Statuette. It signifies that dogs on leashes are welcomed here.
The steps lead to the front door are lined with flower pots filled with a variety of beautiful flowers inviting you to come on in and explore the garden.
Upon walking inside the Garden Center, you’ll find a mix of vintage farmhouse style and modern character. At The Farmhouse Garden Center you may purchase plants and gardening tools. However, that is not all that is offered. Here is a list of other options …
Inside The Farmhouse Garden Center The Village at Stowe
There is more to The Farmhouse Garden Center than just selling plants and various retail supplies. It also offers a variety of educational opportunities such as learning about gardening and all there is to know regarding plant care. It also provides workshops for floral arrangements and wreath making.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Location: The Farmhouse Garden Center; The Village at Stowe; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fantastic weekend. Take time to enjoy nature and all the beautiful flowers and sights all around. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Good day! I trust everyone has had a wonderful week so far. Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). The theme isAny animal in your which way. Let’s see the amazing Which Ways y’all can come up with to display Animals in your Pathways, Sidewalks, Trails, Roads, or in any Which Way You Choose. Here are my entries …
Dogs on Trails or Pathways:
Turtles on & Seen from the Trail:
Bugs Encountered on Trails:
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.
Cameras: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Locations: 1-9) Rocky Branch Trail; 10 & 12) Goat Island Park and Greenway; 11) The Trailhead Store, Belmont; 13-15) Seventh Street; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Get Outdoors and enjoy nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Farmhouse Garden Center is located at The Village at Stowe, a part of the Daniel Stowe Conservancy. It is more than just a Garden shop, it is a delightfully warm and inviting destination for those who love and admire plants and flowers regardless of you are a home gardener or not. The flowers are beautiful and displays are enticing.
The Farmhouse Garden Daniel Stowe Conservancy Belmont, North Carolina
The Farmhouse offers educational opportunities such as workshops on wreath-making, floral arranging, gardening, and any and all other aspect related to plant care.
For more information about Thursday Trios check out Mama Cormier’s page by clicking here.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Location: The Farmhouse Garden Center; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the rest of your week and have a marvelous weekend. Take time to admire the flowers wherever you may wander. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week I have chosen to combine Dan’s CFFCwith Judy’s Numbers Game. After all Judy gives the option (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.) Dan’s theme this week is View from Below—High Angle combining some of his chosen photos with my CWWC—Any animal in your which way.
My entries for Dan’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge are a hodgepodge of photos shot from below (looking up) from various places and years.
Canada Goose flying over the South Fork Catawba RiverLancaster, South Carolina Over the Fort Mill Dam Fort Mill, South Carolina Coleman on top of a Cairn Cramerton, NCColeman on top of a Cairn Cramerton, NCColeman on top of a Cairn Cramerton, NCAmerican Airlines Airplane Over Charlotte, NCAmerican Airlines Airplane Over Charlotte, NCAmerican Airlines Airplane Over Charlotte, NCAmerican Airlines Airplane Over Charlotte, NCColeman up a tree Cramerton, NCColeman walking on a low tree branchColeman up a tree Cramerton, NCLooking up at a construction site from the CTTUnderside of a Bridge Goat Island Park & Greenway Coleman on a Swinging Bridge at ASCGRailroad Trestle Piedmont Medical Center Trail Rock Hill, SCRailway Trestle ASCG Fort Mill, SCAlona on top of a tunnel Baxter Village Trail, Tega Cay, SCAlona & Coleman on top of a tunnel Baxter Village Trail, Tega Cay, SCAlona on top of a tunnel Baxter Village Trail, Tega Cay, SCLooking up through the Trees Belmont, NCUnderside of Gazebo Roof Belmont, NCCee’s Fun Foto Challenge Dan Antion Perspective-View from Below Judy’s Numbers Game Cee’s Which Way Challenge
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week Terri has chosen a theme of Sunday Stills: Capturing the #Sun in Public Parklands in the Great Outdoors aiming to celebrate the summer and winter solstices which occurred on the 20th of this month.
Sunrise Sunset reminds me of an old song sung by Perry Como entitled Sunrise Sunset. [My dad loved to listen to Perry Como on 45 rpm records, of which I now own].
“Sunrise sunset, sunrise, sunset Swiftly flow the days Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers Blossoming even as they gaze Sunrise sunset, sunrise, sunset Swiftly fly the years One season following another Laden with happiness and tears”
The Sunrises and Sunsets flow from day to day and throughout the Years. One season following another, where does all the time go? Days, Years, and Seasons swiftly fly by filled with happiness and tears Like Sunrise Sunset.
Here are a few Sunrises and Sunsets from throughout the years …
2017
Sunset Pisgah Inn Pisgah National Forest Canton, North Carolina
2019
Sunset Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SC
2020
Sunrise From a Caribbean Cruise Ship in the Gulf of Mexico (now called Gulf of America)Sunset From the 49 in Charlotte, North Carolina
2022
Sunset Seven Oaks Preserve Trail Belmont, North Carolina
2025
Sunrise Cramerton, North Carolina
For enhanced viewing click on each image to enlarge.
God Bless. May your week be filled with love, and Happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This theme challenge to see time to think about what to reflections to use, especially since I just recently posted a water reflections post. Looking through my archives I realized the majority of my reflections are water reflections. So what to use, um, um, what should I use?
Let’s go ahead and show a few of my favourite Water Reflections …
Lake Haigler Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SCGateway Arch St. Louis, MissouriPond Reflections in San Antonio, TexasReflections
Now let’s explore other objects that may at times reflect images …
A Horse’s Eye
Sunglasses
A Car Hood & Windshield
How about looking at Window Reflections …
Fire Station Window Reflections
And lastly, Ever think about Reflections in your Television Screen?
The Plestiodon fasciatus, also known as the American Five-lined Skink, is a species of lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is endemic to North America. It is one of the most common lizards in the eastern U.S. and one of the six native species of lizards in Canada.
Calling it the American five-lined skink to distinguishes it from the African skink Trachylepis quinquetaeniata (otherwise known as five-lined mabuya).
They are small to medium in size, growing to approximately 12.5 to 21.5 centimetres (4.9 to 8.5 in) total length (including tail). The young American Five-lined skinks are dark brown to black with five distinct white to yellow stripes (this one’s are yellowish) running along the body and a bright blue tail. The blue color fades to light blue with age, and the stripes also may slowly disappear.
The range of the American Five-lined skink extends in the north to southern Ontario, Michigan and eastern New York. The western border is in Minnesota, Missouri and eastern Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and Texas.
P. fasciatus is inclined to be most abundant on the coastal plain in the southeastern United States and along the Gulf Coast.
The American Five-lined skink is a ground-dwelling animal. It prefers moist, hardwood areas with a permanent water source such as rivers or streams, as well as sites to bask in the sun. [The church this skink visited sits along the South Fork Catawba River, so it didn’t have to wander to far to meander inside.]
The common five-lined skink’s diet consists primarily of a variety of arthropods, particularly spiders, crickets, beetles and other insects. However, they have been reported to also eat newborn mice, frogs, and other lizards. [Tiny frogs, beetles, spiders, and other insects are easily found along the banks of the South Fork Catawba River, easy feasts for skinks].
Location:The Center; Town of Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Take time to admire the beautiful flowers. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Walking along the Pathway parallel to the Big Pond we spotted the BlackberryFlowers. Coleman notices them quicker than I do, he really likes it if they have ripe blackberries on the vines.
Aka European Blackberry
Getting a closer look we noticed the bee foraging the nectar from the flowers.
Aka Himalayan Blackberry
A little further down the pathway Coleman noticed some box-like structures through the grassy opening. As curious as he is he naturally wandered into the grassy opening to investigate the structures. After closer examination he informed me that they were Beehives.
Coleman walking towards the Bee Hives
Aka Common Eastern Bumblebee +Blackberry Flowers
After checking out the Beehives from a safe distance, we walked back towards The Trailhead Store hiking past the Himalayan Blackberry Flowers. Noticing more than just the flowers, I zoomed in to examine what was feasting on its nectar. Then I noticed not only the Common Eastern Bumblebee, but also the Cetonia aurata, which is called the rose chafer or the green rose chafer.
Aka Common Eastern Bumblebee +Himalayan Blackberry Flowers
Two for one foraging on the European Blackberry flowers. Think it’s nice that different species can share their delicacies.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Location: The Trailhead Store Pathway; The Village at Stowe; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Admire its beauty and intricacies. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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.
The Trailhead Store in The Village at Stowe is a cozy coffee shop nestled amidst the beautiful nature which is preserved through the Daniel Stowe Conservancy. The Trailhead Store specializes in brewing Jade and Elise Coffee. [I am not a coffee drinker so I cannot personally comment on the quality of those particular types of coffees, however, the coffee served here is highly recommended by many guests who have visited.]
The Trailhead Store Facing the Parking Lot
The Trailhead Store serves more than merely coffee. It offers a delightful array of refreshments, snacks, and provisions on top of coffee to fuel your outdoor escapades. It offers a wide assortment of fresh to-go meals, including sandwiches, wraps, salads, parfaits, vegan options and desserts, ensuring you stay energized throughout your outdoor activities.
Screened-In Porch
Guests may quench their thirst on their varied selections of coffee, tea, beer, and wine to delight your palate and enjoyment for both on-site and your to-go adventures.
Coleman at the Main Door to The Trailhead Store
The Trailhead Store offers a wide variety of seating options both in the screened-in patio and outside spread across the vast lawn where you may enjoy beautiful vulgar nature.
Grandma, you coming? Hurry up.
Whether you’re stopping by for a quick coffee run, a bite to eat, or just wanting a place to relax in a tranquil environment to study, read, write, or simply enjoy the beautiful outdoors surrounding the Store; it is a fantastic to place to stop by for a visit and even stay for awhile. Highly recommend stopping in and treating yourself, or someone else to some of their delectable food and beverages.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Location: The Trailhead Store; The Village at Stowe; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful weekend. Take time to get out and enjoy nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Location: The Farmhouse Garden Center; The Village at Stowe; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the Outdoors. Visit a Garden. Admire Nature’s beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) is a species of New World sparrow, a passerine bird in the family Passerellidae. It is widespread, fairly tame, and common across most of its North American range.
Aka The Chipping Sparrow
This bird is a partial migrant with northerly populations flying southwards in the fall to overwinter in Mexico and the southern United States, and flying northward again in spring.
It molts twice a year. In its breeding plumage it has orangish-rust upper parts, gray head and underparts and a distinctive reddish cap. In non-breeding plumage, the cap is brown and the facial markings are less distinct. The song is a trill and the bird has a piercing flight call that can be heard while it is migrating at night.
They mostly forage on the ground for seeds and other food items, as well as clambering on plants and trees, feeding on buds and small arthropods. Here in the East, they breed mainly in woodland, farmland, parks, and gardens. [We saw this Chipping sparrow as we left The Farmhouse on the way to The Trailhead Store.] Breeding starts in late April and May and the nest is often built in a tree.
The chipping sparrow feeds on seeds year-round, although insects form most of the diet in the breeding season. Spiders are sometimes taken. Throughout the year, chipping sparrows forage on the ground in covered areas,often near the edges of fields.
The Chipping Sparrow although common in the area is not normally observed by the Stowe Birding Club which track and monitor the birds using their bird houses strategically placed around the Stowe property. [This one Coleman spotted first a short distance from where we were walking. He loves to watch the birds and tries to keep a squirrel out of our bird feeder at home.]
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Location: The Village at Stowe; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Looking up or looking down you might spot a bird fascinating enough to watch. Maybe even capture their likeness with your camera. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Last week we visited The Village at Stowe which comprises The Farmhouse Garden Center, Dog Park, Ponds (Big & Little), and also Trailhead access. After visiting The Farmhouse and The Trailhead Store we ventured out to the trails surrounding the Big Pond and Dog Park areas. We hiked the whole surrounding area of the Big Pond which estimated at only .35 miles, but with all our twists and turns and side jaunts it seemed much longer. After a short rest in one of the many seating selections outside The Trailhead Store, we continued hiking on the Carolina Thread Trail which if we had completed the entire trail would have been over 2.5 additional miles. [More on our Carolina Thread Trail (CTT) hike later].
This images depict the Big Pond from just about every angle as we hiked around it.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Location: The Big Pond; The Village at Stowe; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a great rest of your week. Take a walk. Admire the beauty in nature all around you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Location: The Farmhouse Garden Center; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Stop and admire the Flowers. Enjoy Nature’s Beautiful Creations. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Trailhead Store is a recent addition to Daniel Stowe Conservancy having just opened last year with The Farmhouse Garden Center opening in May of 2025. The Farmhouse Garden Center opening brought awareness to The Trailhead Store. [I was not aware of its existence until I read about the opening of The Farmhouse Garden Center and the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens name change to Daniel Stowe Conservancy].
The Trailhead Store is a cozy coffee shop nestled amidst the beauty of nature in The Village at Stowe. The Store is owned and operated by Daniel Stowe Conservancy. There is no admission fee for The Trailhead Store, The Farmhouse Garden Center opening, or the eight plus miles of trails on and connected to Stowe Property.
Although Coleman and I did not purchase anything in The Trailhead Store, we did look around to check out what it had to offer as well as the wide variety of seating options available to guests. The Trailhead Store’s outdoor seating consists of several rustic wood chairs and benches scattered around the lawn with magnificent charming views of the Pond Loop Trails located a short distance away.
There are so many choices for people to choose to Pull Up a Seat and relax (and naturally Coleman had to investigate them all) that I’ve elected to make this a two part post series (may be three if I add the seating at The Farmhouse Garden Center).
Here is my first edition to Benches, Chairs, and Other seating — Coleman’s Choices …
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV and CPL filter attachments.
Location: The Trailhead Store; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have an adventurous week. Enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for Visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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 below.
Here are my contributions to the Numbers Game Challenge … Click on photos for enlarged and enhanced viewing.
The Rocky Branch Park Trail was developed by an enhancement project in partnership with the non-profit trail advocates the Tarheel Trailblazers, the City of Belmont and Town of Cramerton. [2 Towns]. The project transformed a public open space in the City of Belmont into an urban trail system for mountain biking enthusiasts, runners, hikers, and walkers that extends into the Town of Cramerton.
Coleman seating on top of a Cairn
The progressive trail system created beginner, intermediate and advanced trail features, fun for a diverse range of interest and skill levels. The park now features three entrances, two feature trail heads marked by a 6-foot cairn. [2 Cairns].
1 Cairn – Cramerton Trail closed
The first is located in Belmont, NC on Sacco St just one mile from Main Street shops and restaurants and 12 miles west of uptown Charlotte. The second is in Cramerton, NC on Eagle Rd just one mile from Center Street and its shops and restaurants.
A CairnA Cairn
Coleman and I begin our hikes at the lower Cramerton entrance, hike to the Cramerton Trailhead with one of the Cairns and then proceed to hike The Rocky Branch Trail. Naturally, Coleman finds the need to climb the Cairn before we continue our hike.
2nd Cairn – Belmont
Hopefully you have guessed what a Cairn is, but if not let me explain. A Cairn is a human-made pile (or stack) of stones. The purpose for the pile of stones (rocks) as a marker (in this case) or burial mound. Cairns have been used for centuries as trail markers, especially in mountainous regions or across challenging terrain.
The Rocky Branch Trail [1 Trail] connects the city of Belmont and the Town of Cramerton, weaving through forests and offering over 4 miles of mountain bike trails for cyclists of all experience levels.
Cameras: 1, 4-5, 8-9) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; 2-3, 6-7, 10) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: Rocky Branch Trail; Belmont/Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Hike/Walk. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
As Coleman and I were walking along the Carolina Thread Trail with all the twists and turns we wound up at a dead end. Not knowing which way to go from there we tried this trail and that trail without much success. Thinking we might be Lost as we kept trying to figure our way back out of the trail and back to the Trailhead Store where our adventures began; we spotted a few construction vehicles working across a road from the trail we were on.
John Deere 750L LGP CRAWLER DOZER
Click on each image for enlarged viewing.
After while we were not only confused and turned around encountering another dead end of a trail; I decided to try our Luck and approached one of the construction workers to see if he could help us figure out how to get back on the correct trail to take us where we needed to go.
John Deere 700L LGP Crawler Dozers
Click on each image for enlarged viewing.
The John Deere 700L series was designed with a 17-percent-larger cab than models prior to them. It features more glass area, larger doors, and a streamlined hood profile, optimizing comfort and visibility to the blade ahead and the surrounding jobsite.
The Northern Sugar Maple is a deciduous tree in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae) native to Eastern and central North America from Canada south through the Appalachian Mountains to Georgia and west to Minnesota to northeast Texas.
Aka Hard Maple
Here in North Carolina, it is found in the mountains and sporadically in the Piedmont region. Northern Sugar Maple trees may reach around fifty (50) to one hundred twenty (120) feet tall with a dense, spreading crown that provides heavy shade and grows slowly to medium, although it may grow faster in open areas. It tends to grow best in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic, fertile soil in full sun, but it tolerates average well-drained soils in sun to part shade.
Aka Northern Sugar Maple
This particular tree is located on the grounds of The Trailhead Store, a property of Daniel Stowe Conservancy. It provides shade for visitors to enjoy a respite from the hot sun and humid heat of a sunny summer day.
Location: The Trailhead Store; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the Outdoors. Have a rest under a shade tree. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Last week Debbie had us Looking Up, it was fun to see everyone’s take on Looking Up. This week’s theme is Looking Down. There are many different and interesting things available to see all around us if we only Look and observe what’s all around us.
Coleman and I paid a visit to the expanded and upgraded Daniel Stowe Conservancy, formerly known as The Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. Looking all around the trails surrounding The Trailhead Store at the Conservancy there were some interesting views which we Looked Down upon.
…. Such as the Pond down and slightly to the right of The Trailhead Store.
Looking Down upon the Reflections in the Pond
…. Or this little Pond with a waterfall surrounded by rocks a short distance away from the Dog Park.
Coleman looking down over the Pond
Moving along further down the trail we spot an interesting painting on the pathway with a Trail crossing sign nearby.
Looking Down upon the painted pathway before crossing the road.
And lastly for today, I’m Looking Down upon Coleman looking down at something on a bench.
Coleman Looking Down on the Bench while I’m Looking Down the small incline at him.
Cameras: 1 & 5-6) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments; 2-4) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Location: The Trailhead Store; Carolina Thread Trail; Daniel Stowe Conservancy; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Discover Nature’s amazing beauty. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Aka the North American wheel bug or simply wheel bug, a species of large assassin bug in the family Reduviidae and the only species of wheel bug found in the United States.
The North American Wheel Bug is one of the largest terrestrial true bugs in North America, reaching up to 1.5 inches (38 mm) in length in its adult stage.
North American wheel bugs prey on caterpillars and beetles, such as Japanese beetles, the cabbageworm, orange dogs, tent caterpillars, and the Mexican bean beetle, all of which they pierce with their beak to inject salivary fluids that dissolve soft tissue.
The North American wheel bug is most active in daylight, but may engage in predatory behaviors at night in areas illuminated by lights.
It is considered beneficial since most of its prey are pests, however, I did not consider myself a pest and didn’t care for it as my sitting companion.
To do so, simply share the photo (not a screenshot) you have set as your wallpaper; Provide as little or as much detail as you wish; Use a pingback, or post a link here so I know you have joined in on the fun; Then finally, share the fun around.
I am sharing my Wallpaper from both my Laptop and my Smartphone. I enjoy looking at different images each month. Most of which revolve around Coleman (my grandson) and nature.
Here are my Desktop Wallpaper and Screensaver for my Laptop:
From My HP Laptop:
Desktop Background Wallpaper
Coleman looking over the Pond by The Trailhead Store at Daniel Stowe Conservancy
Desktop Screensaver
Color Pop of Coleman sitting on a Fence Post on The Carolina Thread Trail by The Trailhead Store at Daniel Stowe Conservancy
From My Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max:
Focus
Coleman sitting on a Cairn at Rocky Branch Trailhead
Personal Focus
Coleman sitting on a Bench inside a Gazebo by The Trailhead Store at Daniel Stowe Conservancy
Reading Focus
Coleman sitting on a Fence Post on The Carolina Thread Trail by The Trailhead Store at Daniel Stowe Conservancy
Hiking Focus
Coleman by a Do Not Enter Trail Post on the Rocky Branch Trail
Cameras: 1) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL Filter attachment; 2-6) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Locations: 1-2 & 4-5) The Trailhead Store, Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont, North Carolina; 3 & 6) Rocky Branch Trail, Cramerton/Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Having a Wonderful Week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Backyard; Old Town; Riverside Community; Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy Nature. Feel the Love. Nature demonstrates Love in abundance. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week’s host Elke from pictures imperfect blogis askingus to select images that are naturally monochrome. I searched my photos and think I came up with a few that might work for this week’s challenge.
DSBG Dog Park Entrance Daniel Stowe Conservancy Belmont, NC
Garden Metal Wind Spinner The Farmhouse Garden Center The Daniel Stowe Conservancy Belmont, NC
Airplane Overhead in Grey Cloudy Skies Riverside Park and Greenway Cramerton, NC
South Fork Catawba River Riverside Park and Greenway Cramerton, NC
Cameras: 1) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max; 2-5) Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV & CPL filter attachments.
Locations: 1-2 & 5) The Farmhouse Garden Center, Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont, North Carolina, USA; 3-4) Riverside Park and Greenway, Cramerton, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fantastic weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 