My entries this week for Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge we’re all taken when Coleman and I went hiking at one of his favorite places, Anne Springs Close Greenway.
Muhlenbergia capillaris (Hair-awn or Pink Muhly) Checking you out …The Gulf fritillary or passion butterfly (Dione vanillae) on Zinnias
For our time of reflection and remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001 Coleman and I paid a visit to Andrew Jackson State Park we we could have a time of relaxation, hiking 🥾, and just plain ole fun.
Mostly Coleman’s choices for Pulling Up a Seat.
Coleman had some fun time at the Playground 🛝, then we walked around most of the lake (ignoring a trail closed sign for a short bit) and then proceeded back towards the Picnic tables 🧺 for a small snack. After his snack, it was back to the playground for him to burn off more energy and to enjoy himself in the Playground.
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.
Statue in Germany Taken back in 1975 when my parents visited my brother & his family when he was stationed in Germany. Photo Credit: Nornal H. WatersTHE E. M. VIQUESNEY DOUGHBOY NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS DEDICATED NOVEMBER 11, 1937 TO WORLD WAR VETERANS OF COMAL COUNTY 1917 – 1918 DONATED BY MR. & MRS. E. A. CLOUSNITZER Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters. Taken in April 2020 when I visited my Aunt in Texas. A bronze statue on the NC Capitol grounds. This statue features the three US presidents who hailed from North Carolina – Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson. It includes plaques stating their county of birth and years of their birth, death and presidency. The statue is on the east side of the capitol building facing Wilmington Street. Photo Credit: Roy Watson Taken when my cousin and his wife, Nancy, visited the NorthCarolina state capitol and given to me at a family reunion. Statue in West Jefferson, North Carolina I don’t remember the name of it & Google was of no assistance. Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters Taken in August 2017when I stayed in West Jefferson and went to a family reunion in Deep Gap, North Carolina.This is a portion of the Beirut Memorial. It was a gift from the citizens of Onslow County to honor those men that lived among us and gave so much. A solemn tribute to 273 Marines who gave the last full measure of devotion in Lebanon and Grenada on October 23, 1983. The names of each man are engraved in granite along with the words “They Came In Peace.” Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters Taken in February 2016 when I visited my sons in Jacksonville, North Carolina. My younger son, David, was stationed at MCAS New Riverat the time.
Pull Up a Seat … High Up on a Downed TreeColeman sitting on the lower portion of same Downed TreeOr on a Sanitation Manhole …Coleman looking at a Brick 🧱 while sitting on another Sewer Manhole … And relaxing on another one.
To Coleman, it does not matter what it is; if it looks like somewhere to sit he will sit. He will Pull Up a Seat anywhere, anytime he chooses to do so.
On New Year’s Day (1st Day Hike), I took a hike with my grandson, Coleman from the Adventure Road Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway. It is a tradition to hike on the first day of a New Year, at least amongst hikers.
First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. Kids and adults all across America participated in First Day Hikes, and enjoyed the beauty of a state park, a national park, a local park or greenway. First Day Hikes are free to participants each year.
StumpyPondAt Adventure RoadAnne Springs Close GreenwayFort Mill, South Carolina
Coleman and I actually did two hikes on the 1st day of 2023. These pictures are from our second 1st day hike.
A reflection of Coleman’s life throughout the year, 2022, before beginning the New Year. He’s grown so much in so many ways in such a short time.
The First Three Months: January-March…
Coleman – Age 2 1/2 January February March
The Next Three Months: April-June…
Coleman April May June
Onward to the Next Three Months: July–September…
Coleman July August September Now 3-Years-Old
The Last Three Months of 2022: October-December…
Coleman October November December
Where has the year gone? My little grandson, my hiking 🥾 buddy is not so little anymore. He’s become very adventurous. He loves to explore the outdoors. He love to visit Anne Springs Close Greenway. He has already hiked all 26 trails multiple times for more than 36 miles within the Greenway. He knows the trails better than some adults.
He does not like bad weather day’s especially since he does not like being cooped up in doors. He’d rather be outdoors all the time if he could. I pray his adventurous spirit will never be squashed.
Continue on little man, keep growing, keep learning, and always stay adventurous loving the outdoors.
Photo was taken at the Anne Springs Close Greenway Horse Stables Entrance. The Greenway has many different types of farm animals besides the many, many horses.
My selections this time come from the trails around Wagon and Haigler Loops as well as by the Canteen at Anne Springs Close Greenway.
Pull Up a Seat Along Wagon Loop:
Coleman sitting on stone blocksUp the trail a short distance Colemanrelaxes on a bench.
Pull Up a Seat beside Lake Haigler:
Bruce T. Rush Pavilion:
Coleman sitting at one of eight picnic tables within the Rush Pavilion.
The Bruce T. Rush Pavilion is located at the Lake Haigler Entrance of the Anne Springs Close Greenway. It is an open-air shelter, available for rental, which features a hardwood ceiling with a stone fireplace. It overlooks the beautiful Lake Haigler. It is an ideal area for company picnics, birthday parties, receptions, and small intimate wedding ceremonies.
In Front of the Canteen:
Coleman sitting in one of several rockers out in front of the Gateway Canteen.
A Trio of Wreaths Hung in Front of Three Rockers Laid Anterior to Three Windows A Family enjoying a runA Trio of Stable DoorsHorses 🐎 X3 Running So Full of Energy
A Gaggle of Geese Can you scratch right here, please?Fishing Pier Andrew Jackson State Park Andrew Jackson Statue Playground in Andrew Jackson State Park Squirrel Camp Resident Squirrel 🐿️Tadpoles (polliwog) Swimming
Three Targets Archery Range Anne Springs Close Greenway Three Targets Shooting Range ASCG Fort Mill, SCA Trio of HikersThree Directions Which Trail shall we take?Three Horses in Three Stalls A Trio of Horses Grazing in the Field Three Boats on the Shore at Andrew Jackson State Park A Trio of Geese AJSP
The weather this week has been cold and rainy, so this is a floral photo from mine and Coleman’s hike last week at Baxter Village Trailhead which is a part of the Carolina Thread Trail.
Baccharis halimifolia is a North American species of shrubs in the family Asteraceae.