Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography
This blog is for my insights on life, the Bible, hiking adventures with my grandson and whatever is important to me
Photo Credit: ©️1979 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument; Hearst Ranch; San Simeon, California, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful week and enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
California Street
San Francisco Cable Car +
Cable Cars have been carrying passengers in San Francisco since 1873. Cable cars were invented by Andrew Smith Hallidie. He based his system on early mining conveyance systems which dominated the city’s transit scene for more than 30 years.
The San Francisco cable car system is the world’s last manually operated cable car system and an icon of the city of San Francisco. Of the 23 cable car lines established between 1873 and 1890, only three remain (one of which combines parts of two earlier lines): two routes from downtown near Union Square to Fisherman’s Wharf, and a third route along California Street.
The vast majority of the millions of passengers who use the system every year are tourists. Due to the high volume of tourists desiring to ride the cable cars, the wait time to get on can be up to or exceeding two (2) hours. The Cable Cars are amongst the most significant tourist attractions in San Francisco, along with Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Fisherman’s Wharf.
The San Francisco Cable Cars are one (1) of two (2) street railways named on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark. The other street railway on the National Register of Historic Places is the St. Charles Streetcar Line in New Orleans.
Photo Credit:©️1979 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: California Street; San Francisco, California, USA
God Bless. Thank you for hopping aboard the Cable Car with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Raised Garden Display
Photo Credit:©️2024 Ron May … All Rights Reserved
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Bridging the Waters
of Time
Thru Architecture
While on our San Francisco Bay Discovery Cruise we were able to see beautiful views surrounding the Bay. We were able to view unique perspectives of the amazing architectural features of the Bay Area Bridges.
Looking at The Golden Gate Bridge from the waters below …
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide (1.6 km) strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
The structure links the U.S. city of San Francisco, California—the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula—to Marin County, carrying both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1 across the strait.
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is made up of two (2) bridge segments: a skyway structure/single anchored suspension bridge between Oakland and Yerba Buena Island, and a suspension span from the island to San Francisco. The two (2) are connected by the world’s largest diameter bore tunnel.
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is the region’s workhorse bridge, carrying more than a third of the traffic of all of the state-owned bridges combined. It is also a jewel along the San Francisco waterfront.
The Eastern Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge underwent an extensive replacement renovation to replace a seismically unsound portion of the Bay Bridge with a new self-anchored suspension bridge (SAS) and a pair of viaducts. The span replacement took place between 2002 and 2013, and is the most expensive public works project in California history. The Eastern Span replacement upgrade was part of a plan to make the bridge more seismically sound. The replacement was necessary due to an earthquake of unanticipated magnitude of the horizontal motion caused by the Loma Prieta Earthquake causing significant damage to the Bay Bridge. It also caused section of a major highway along the bay (a portion of it double-decked) to collapse; repairs on these were completed by the late 1990s.
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. The Bay Bridge is significant for its influence in the California Bay Area.
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge’s multi-modal design is a direct example of the mindset of commuters during the 1930s. Constructed in 1936, the bridge was used to support the increase of automobiles and public transit lines in the early half of the 20th century.
Today the Bridge continues to pay a vital role in transportation as it serves as a major freeway connector for many who travel to and from the Bay Area.
Looking through the my dad’s old slides the photos of these Bridges reminds me of a 70’s song by Simon and Garfunkel called “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
Cee’s Which Way Challenge -June Week 2
Lens-Artists Challenge #303 – Connections
Whatsoever Is Lovely Challenge-2024 Week 23
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #224
Photo Credit:©️1979 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Minolta XG-7 35mm
Location: San Francisco Bay; San Francisco, California, USA
God Bless. Thank you for connecting with us and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Clare at Clare’s Cosmos hosts the Share Your Desktop Challenge. She invites us all to share our desktops; whether that be from our desktops, laptops, tablets, or smartphones it does not matter. Join in the challenge and let us all see what you look at every day.
Here are my desktops, wallpapers, wall savers, from my Laptop and my iPhone:
From my HP Laptop:
Laptop Wallpaper:
Laptop Desktop:
From my iPhone 14 Pro Max:
Reading Focus:
Television Focus:
Personal Focus:
Hiking Focus:
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Cameras: Laptops) Canon EOS Rebel T3i; iPhone) iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Colourful Sunset
Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all
Seating inside Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle is located up on a hill in San Simeon, the land was originally purchased by George Hearst. After his & his wife’s passing, the ownership of the property was transferred to William Randolph Hearst, their son.
William Randolph Hearst expanded on the property growing it to encompass approximately 250,00 acres. In 1919, Hearst collaborated with San Francisco architect Julia Morgan to build what would later become one of the world’s greatest showplaces and later an accredited museum.
The site originally known as “Camp Hill” was renamed “La Cuesta Encantada” which is Spanish for The Enchanted Hill.
After the passing of William Randolph Hearst, the estate opened its doors to the public in 1958. Hearst Castle comprising 90,000 square feet and Hearst’s world-class art collection. The property includes its own theater, billiard room, beauty salon and pair of dazzling swimming pools.
Among the rooms you can view while touring the Castle are:
There are many more areas and rooms you may tour at Hearst Castle. The sculptures and architecture are amazing to see. As you can see, the various rooms have a variety of seating selections; each selection was once used by the vast number of guests visiting the property.
When touring the Castle ( depending on your choice of tour) you may learn about the paintings, sculptures, antiquities, tapestries and other works that comprise Hearst’s collection.
The Enchanted Hill doubled as a museum, bringing together centuries-old masterpieces in one stunning setting. These historic objects can still be viewed today among Hearst’s gardens, guest houses and Casa Grande.
Even though you can view and admire the numerous spacious rooms and seating arrangements around Hearst Castle, they are only for admiration and not for tourists to currently use.
Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2024-Week 24
Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (aka, FOWC) – Roomy
Photo Credit:©️1979 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Minolta XG-7 35 mm
Location: Hearst Castle; San Simeon, California, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Historic Tack Shed Doors
At the Greenway Stables you’ll always need a place to store your tack and what better place than in an historic tack shed.
Now for a closer inspection …
And for a bonus Let’s cool off with a Kona Ice. Shall we?
Photo Credit: 2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA.
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome to Our Hive
Bee 🐝 Happy
Photo Credit: 2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Throwback to 1974/5
Aboard the Queen Mary
I have been reminiscing about the good old days as I go thru processing my dad’s old slides into a digital format. These are from 1974 and 1975 when we toured the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California.
Here I am looking out over the ships railing into the parking lot waiting for everyone to climb aboard.
Other people are milling about conversing with one another as they wait for the tour to proceed.
Let’s take a gander over yonder at the Pacific Ocean . Isn’t it amazing how vast and beautiful the views are watching the ripples in the ocean waters.
Hey look, there’s a father and son looking out over towards Long Beach.
What do you know? Seems somebody took a photo of my mom and dad.
Are you ready? The tour is over and people are waiting for us to disembark.
Thank you for joining us on our tour of the Queen Mary.
Photo Credit:©️1974-5 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Minolta XG-7 35mm
Location: Aboard the Queen Mary; Long Beach, California, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Janet from sustainabilitea.wordpress.com is offering us all to participate in her “One Word Sunday” word Abandoned. I am choosing to participate, how about you?
Alcatraz
Have you ever thought about visiting or touring a federal prison? How about touring an Abandoned maximum security prison like Alcatraz? It is possible, you know.
Alcatraz was not always a maximum security prison. It was first used by Native Americans long before Europeans arrived in the area. The Island has been used for camping, hunting, and at one point it became an isolated and remote place where law violators were held during its history. Based on oral history of Indigenous people, it appears that Alcatraz was used as a place of isolation or ostracization for tribal members who had violated a tribal law or taboo, and was utilized also as a hiding place for many Indians attempting to escape from the California Mission system.
Building 64 was the first building constructed on the island of Alcatraz off the coast of San Francisco, California. The purpose of Building 64 was for the accommodation of the military officers and their families living on the island. It is located next to the dock on the southeastern side of the island below the Warden’s House. It’s a three-story apartment block that was built in 1905 on the site of a U.S. Army barracks which had been there from the 1860s. It functioned as the Military Guard Barracks from 1906 until 1933.
Nowadays, it is possible to tour Alcatraz. You may select from an Alcatraz Day Tour or an Alcatraz Night Tour, or the Bay Discovery Cruise, or Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour. All Tours except the Bay Discovery Cruise allows access via ferry onto Alcatraz Island. Each tour has its own unique itinerary and the opportunities are expanded with the Night and Behind the Scenes tours.
The Bay Discovery Cruise does not dock at Alcatraz, but does (weather permitting) encircle Alcatraz Island and provides breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay Area.
These photos were taken by my dad back in 1979 when we took a Bay Discovery Cruise. The San Francisco Bay Cruise lasts for Ninety (90) minutes sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge, encircling Alcatraz Island and allows for sensational views of the San Francisco Waterfront, the Presidio, Sausalito, Fort Baker, Angel Island and a lot more. [More scenes from the Bay Area Cruise coming in later posts.]
Photo Credit:©️1979 Nornal H. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Alcatraz Maximum Security Prison; Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Albatross
Photo Credit: ©️1979 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Minolta XG-7 35 mm
Location: San Francisco Bay Cruise; San Francisco Bay; San Francisco, California, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
The number for Judy’s Numbers Game this week is 146. Time to play.
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
California has some beautiful coastline. These were taken way back in 1974 in Long Beach, California.
This first one was taken looking over the Pacific Ocean and Pier J, Port of Long Beach. The view was taken from aboard the Queen Mary.
The next two photos are of the Shoreline of the Long Beach Harbor with skylines.
Just look at the pastels in the skyline and shoreline. It’s an amazing view looking out over the Pacific Ocean from the Queen Mary.
Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge: Can You Find #Pastels in the Great Outdoors?
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #223
Photo Credit:©️1974 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Minolta XG-7 35 mm
Location: Pacific Ocean; Pier J; Long Beach Shoreline; Queen Mary; Long Beach, California, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF 75-300mm lens.
Location: Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
The weather has been hot and Sunny 🌞 during the day and stormy at night. Decided to switch out the sand in my grandson’s “Turtle” for Water 💧 to allow him to enjoy 😊 water playtime in the Warm Sunshine.
Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2024-Week 23
Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge-2024 Week 22
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #223
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Video created in Google Utilities -Highlight Video
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Ocean Sunset
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Seven Seas Marine Life Park
Breaching the Waters of Time, we drift back to 1972 when my family stopped for some time of relaxing entertainment at the Seven Seas Marine Life Park in Arlington, Texas.
Seven Seas Marine Life Park was a marine mammal park, and animal theme park built and owned by the city of Arlington, Texas, United States. It opened in 1972, and closed in 1976. The 35-acre (14 ha) site was located in north Arlington off Interstate 30 near Six Flags Over Texas and adjacent to Arlington Stadium. The facility housed killer whale Nootka from 1972 to 1975.
Pictured here is the Killer Whale Stadium at Seven Seas Marine Life Park. If you look closely you might can see the two trainers and Orchin, the Seven Seas Mascot standing on the platform stage area within the stadium. The castle themed backdrop is visible behind the platform.
The theme park had seven (7) sections:
Newtka (also spelled Nootka) the killer whale: A 6,000-pound (2,700 kg) and 18-foot (5.5 m) female orca that resided in the park’s largest animal performance stadium. Other animals that were housed and performed at the park were: Jannie, Rodney, Debbie are three of the twelve bottle-nosed dolphins which performed in the Dolphin Show; Pancho the Elephant Seal; Over fourteen (14) California sea lions for the Sea-lion circus; and Several Rockhopper Penguins and one Magellanic Penguin for the Penguin Troop Performance. Seven Seas Marine Life Park also had a few rides and Pearl Diving.
The city council of Arlington voted to close the park in 1976 because it did not generate enough revenue to both pay its operating expenses and pay off the bonded indebtedness.
The property is now the site of the Arlington Sheraton Hotel and has several buildings on the property that date back to the park.
Leanne’s Monochrome Madness-Blast from the Past
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #222
Photo Credit: ©️1972 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Seven Seas Marine Life Park; Arlington, Texas, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting the Seven Seas Marine Life Park with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Choose Your Way
to the Land of Oz
Cee, I pray you’re better and home soon. In the meanwhile I’m continuing with the CWWC – Any Which Way in my Way until you are back well and able choose a theme. Anyone care to join me, let’s let Cee know we’re thinking and caring about her.
Back in the day there were three (3) ways you could choose from to get to Land of Oz. One could choose the Hot Air Balloon ride, the Gondola Lift, or a shuttle bus to reach the Land of Oz location in Beech Mountain.
The Hot Air Balloon ride up to the Land of Oz offers a different perspective, a different and unique experience and yet similar in approach to the Gondola Lift. Both the Hot Air Balloons and the Gondola Lift operate similar to a ski resorts ski lift would operate.
They are both aerial lifts that uses a continuous cable loop to transport passengers up a mountain. The cable is driven by a bullwheel at each end of the lift, which is usually connected to an electric motor or engine. The cable runs through sheaves at towers that support the cabins, or carriers, as they travel up the mountain. The cabins are attached to the cable by detachable grips that allow for secure boarding and exiting at slow speeds.
Having chosen our method of reaching the top of Beech Mountain for our Land of Oz adventure, we are delighted we are on our way up.
Up, up, up we go … look at our amazing climb through the air. It seems as if I chose to ride in a Hot Air Balloon while others in the family chose to ride in one of the Gondolas.
The Gondolas continue throughout the day to carry visitors to the Land of Oz.
Once you’ve completed your ride, follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City and your adventure begins.
When your tiredness overwhelms you, take a breather from following the Yellow Brick Road and sit a spell and enjoy the show.
The Magic Moment Show was staged every half hour. During the show Dorothy appeared with her friends to meet the Wizard and entertain the park’s guests.
Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2024-Week 22
Photo Credit:©️1972 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Land of Oz; Beech Mountain, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for joining our visit to the Land of Oz. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome Friends, Guests, and Visitors! This is June 2024, I am realizing that the Older I get the harder it is for me to Rise. It is harder for me to Rise in the mornings, and harder for me to Rise from the floor. Let’s face it the Older I get the harder it is for me to do a lot of things. But, do I let that stop me? No. The Older I get the more determined I am to Rise above any and all obstacles that may arise.
Now that all that has been said, how about we take a ride down memory lane (or in this instance – tracks.) As I have been looking back through my dad’s Old old slides, I realise how much I do not remember about the family trips we took. I remember taking them, but the details are obscure. In the process of digitizing his old slides, the memories are Rising to the forefront of my mind.
On this trip down memory lane, I can see the photos and recall our ride on a vintage Railroad at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia.
The Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad is an open-air train that chugs around the 5-mile base of Stone Mountain. The ride takes 40 minutes and includes a live “train robbery” skit. Trains depart from Railroad Depot, an old-fashioned train station, where there’s a restaurant with all the fixings for a fried-chicken picnic, just in case you forgot to bring your own.
The Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad, Inc. was formed in 1960 to construct a tourist railroad encircling the mountain. Three secondhand steam locomotives and several rebuilt passenger cars were purchased for hauling mountain visitors. Attempts were made to backdate two of the steamers to appear more like Civil War era engines, as the railroad’s theme was based on the “Great Locomotive Chase” involving the General and the Texas.
A single locomotive pulls a consistent of open-air cars and often a caboose around the 3.88 mile loop track. Two or more trains are run during busy park hours. Passengers board at the Train Station near the Memorial Lawn. On the far side of the mountain, trains often stop for skit entertainment in the small yard area that includes mock up building fronts, a maintenance shed, and several spurs that store previous rolling stock.
Don’t let the clown face fool you, this is no good guy. He is attempting to “rob” the train.
The Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad ride is just one of several activities one may choose to take part in while visiting the Park. Regardless of whether you’re into history, hiking, or want to enjoy some relaxing entertainment Stone Mountain Park can accommodate your interests. For more information about what to do and see at the Park click here.
Leanne’s Monochrome madness-Blast from the Past
Photo Credit: ©️1972 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Location; Stone Mountain Park; Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week’s number for Judy’s Number Game is 145. Come play along with us. You’ll never know what fun you’ll be missing if you don’t join in the game.
Rummaging through my photos I came up with a mixture of old and more recent photos for your viewing pleasure for this week’s challenge.
First up we have Farm Animals …
At Anne Springs Close Greenway’s Stables Entrance in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Next, We Head Up to the Mountains of North Carolina …
And Lastly for this Week we have a Couple of Miscellaneous Throwbacks …
Photo Credit: 1-4) ©️2017-2023 Deb L. Waters; 5-6)©️1972 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Further Adventures @Stone Mountain
As I continue to look back on time through the digitization process of my dad’s old slides I am reminded and am amazed by the wonderful world we live in and the freedom we have to create/recreate and share our experiences, our memories with others.
The slideshow is a digital representation of our adventures visiting Stone Mountain Park in Georgia. We, my family and extended family all came together to share togetherness while enjoying ourselves at Stone Mountain. My immediate family drove out from California, my paternal grandfather, from South Carolina, joined my dad’s sister and her family from North Carolina to visit the most popular attraction in Georgia, Stone Mountain Park.
We rode the Skyride to the top of Stone Mountain and the views were amazing. We could see the surrounding landscape, the parking lot, the other attractions in the park, blue waters of the lake & the pond, and the blue skies above. The most amazing part is that we were able to see the wondrous views together as a family.
Debbie’s Six Words Saturday
Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge-Blue
Photo Credit:©️1972 Nornal H. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Atop Stone Mountain; Stone Mountain Park; Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting with us and for sharing your time and thoughts with me. Have a wonderful week ahead. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Land of Oz theme park based on Frank Baum’s Land of Oz books originally opened in 1970. In 1975 the Carolina Caribbean Corporation, the company who developed Beech Mountain into a tourist destination and built Oz goes bankrupt due to failed investments. The park had closed and after construction of the Emerald City it reopened in 1976 and later closed once again in 1980. The theme park was closed afterwards for many years. Oz then laid abandoned, succumbing to the harsh weather conditions and vandals.
The Land of Oz is a park in North Carolina dedicated to the iconic film Wizard of Oz. It’s a walk-through attraction that was once closed and now opens for the special Autumn of Oz event in the fall each year. The Autumn of Oz festival is currently held in September and the Land of Oz is only open for three weekends a year.
Pull Up A Seat Photo Challenge Week 22
Photo Credit:©️1972 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Land of Oz theme park; Beech Mountain, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting the Land of Oz with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. Have a wonderful weekend. I appreciate y’all very much.
A Tale of Two Stones
Stone Mountain State Park (NC)
Stone Mountain State Park is located in Alleghany and Wilkes counties 60 miles northwest of Winston-Salem. Within the Park lies a 600-foot granite dome which has been designated as a National Natural Landmark, and the historic Hutchinson Homestead, a restored mid-19th-century farm situated at the mountain base.
Stone Mountain State Park offers nearly all types of outdoor activity to experience a high country landscape adorned with beautiful waterfalls, winding creeks, and bountiful trout streams. A portion of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail runs through the park near the backcountry campsites.
Stone Mountain Park (GA)
Stone Mountain Park is Georgia’s most visited attraction. Its more than three thousand two hundred (3,200) makes the park a unique destination for guests and families to experience and enjoy an exciting variety of attractions, entertainment, and recreational activities.
Stone Mountain in Georgia is a quartz monzonite dome monadnock ( an isolated rock hill, knob, ridge, or small mountain) and is the location of Stone Mountain Park. It is located approximately sixteen (16) miles east of Atlanta, Georgia. The Park is owned by the state of Georgia. It is most famous for its artwork on the north face. An enormous relief sculpture carved on the stone itself depicting Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson, three (3) of the Confederate Leaders.
In comparing the two Stone Mountains one can realize that Stone Mountain, Georgia is larger and is not engaged in a series of ridges like its cousin in North Carolina. The one in Georgia is bordered by an actual city named Stone Mountain. It is also a fully developed park with a wide range of attractions to enjoy. The North Carolina Stone Mountain is a more traditional state park, with limited hours and access. Both Stone Mountains have a variety of hiking trails. The Georgia one has a Summit Skyride for easier access to the top. In North Carolina one would hike the Stone Mountain Loop Trail to access an area with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
I visited Stone Mountain Park in Georgia with my family and extended family during the summer of 1972. I do not recall everything we did at the park, however, viewing & reconstructing my dad’s old slides does help to enable some of those memories. In October of 2017, my eldest son & I visited Stone Mountain State Park in Roaring Gap, North Carolina. One of his wishes that year was to drive the majority of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stone Mountain State Park was just one of many places we visited on that trip.
Please I encourage everyone to be polite and I desire no controversy over this post or regarding Stone Mountain Park itself.
Leanne’s Monochrome Madness #9-Stone/s
Becky’s #SquareRenew-Reconstruct
Photo Credit: 1-2) ©️2017 Deb L. Waters; 3-4) ©️1972 Nornal H. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting the two (2) Stone Mountains with me. Thank you for joining me in viewing my memories of my dad’s reconstructed slides of our visit to Georgia. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Murrells Inlet
In the Car … On the Road Again driving from Charlotte, North Carolina to Murrells Inlet, South Carolina for some Deep Sea Fishing.
At Murrells Inlet … Let’s Keep Moving Forward to See What We Can See.
The Marshes of Murrells Inlet …
Moving Forward on a Fishing 🎣 Expedition …
Moving Forward Along the Fishing 🎣 Pier …
South Wind is Moving Forward towards the Dock …
Moving Forward into the Gulf Stream for some Deep Sea Fishing…
The South Wind pulls alongside the pier … excited fishermen watching “patiently” for their turn to go out on the boat.
This was a trip my dad made with my paternal uncle (my dad’s sister’s husband.) Not sure if anyone else went along or not, I do not recall. My dad & Shorty ( my uncle) decided to go deep sea fishing 🎣 and drove the three (3) hours to Murrells Inlet to go out on a charter fishing boat for the day.
Captain Alex’s Marina once stood along the creek front of Murrells Inlet and was first established in the early 1950’s. Murrells Inlet is a fantastic destination just thirty (30) short miles south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It is considered to be the “seafood capital of South Carolina.”
The land around Murrells Inlet has an historical record of human settlement that goes back thousands of years, before written history. The history includes English colonial settlements and plantations which raised various crops from indigo to rice. An interesting note is that the fishing village of Murrells Inlet was once the lair of the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Today, it’s an outdoorsman’s dream.
A tribute to Captain Alex who ran The Alex Marina and took many on tours or fishing excursions in Murrells Inlet and other areas can be read by clicking here.
Becky’s Squares-Moving Forward
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #221
Photo Credit:©️1972 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Alex Marina; Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for Moving Forward with us as I continue to Reconstruct my dad’s slides and the memories of his adventures. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Calopogon tuberosus
Simpson’s grass pink and it is in the Orchid family (Orchidaceae) grasspink (Calopogon tuberosus var. simpsonii).
The genus name “Calopogon” is Greek and means “beautiful beard.” It refers to the hairlike structures on the upper petal. It has a bulb-like corm that resembles a tuber, hence the name “tuberosus.” The slender grass-like leaves give rise to the name “grass pink.” It is a stunning wildflower.
Photo Credit:©️2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm lens.
Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Belmont, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Take time to renew your body, mind, and spirit. Like the Garden we also need to renew ourselves to further our growth. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Day Trippin’ with Coleman …
… At the YMCA
… At the Schiele Museum of Natural History
… At Anne Springs Close Greenway
Be sure to click on each photo for a larger view. Have a fabulous day!
Photo Credit:©️2022-2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S18-55mm, Canon EF-S55-250mm, and Canon EF 75-300mm lenses.
Locations: 1)Warlick Family YMCA; 2-5) The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina; 6-11) Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for Day Trippin’ with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
“Fried Egg”
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm; Greenway Stables & Farm Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
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Cee’s Weekend FOTD-2024.05.25/26
Becky’s Squares-Renew/Burgeoning
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Barn Quilts & Such
Did you know that Barn Quilt Trails are located in 43 states of the United States of America and Canada has 3? Barn Quilts are believed to have originated in Pennsylvania almost 300 years ago when Europeans immigrated to America.
Have you ever wondered what a Barn Quilt is or their significance? A Barn Quilt is a large piece of wood painted to look like a quilt block and hung on the exterior of a barn, house, garage or other building. During the Revolutionary War, “Barn Quilts” were used to show American forces that an area was safe, secure, and supplies were available. Barn Quilts are a popular form of Americana folk art. They help to preserve the country’s quilting tradition and the regional heritage of various communities.
Barn Quilt Trails
The first Barn Quilt Trail was started by Donna Sue Groves. She came up with the idea while working for the Ohio Arts Council in the 1990s. Donna Sue shared her story in “Following the Barn Quilt Trail.” Soon barn quilts spread to other states, becoming driving tours, drawing in tourists and bringing the Appalachian way of life to the forefront. The Barn Quilts in the slideshow are located in the Ohio Barn Quilt Trails and the Appalachian Quilt Trail.
My Favorite Quilt
Even though this Quilt is not a Barn Quilt, it is extremely special to me. It was made by maternal grandmother with remnants of fabric used to make uniforms for me when I worked as a nursing assistant after high school. She lovingly made it with love to fit my bed. It was sewn on an old fashioned black Singer Sewing Machine to make each quilt top. She used colorful yarn to hand quilt and tie-off the quilt.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
For Cee’s CFFC this week I have dug Theo my archives and chose what I hope y’all will enjoy. Sorry, I don’t have any alleys, but I do have Driveways, Parking Lots, and as always Dirt Roads.
Driveways
Parking Lots
Dirt Roads
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Alleys, Driveways, Parking Lots, Dirt Roads
Photo Credit:2)©️Nornal H. Waters (my dad); 4) ©️Trisha L. Wilson (my daughter); 5) Post Card from Harvey M. Watson (my maternal grandfather); All others ©️2017-2023 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved
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Scenic Views of the Pacific Ocean
Walking along the Coronado Beach is a fun, relaxing afternoon pleasure filled with delight and beautiful scenery. The slideshow shows the walkways leading up to the Pacific Ocean, the Pacific Ocean itself, and various interesting sights near and in the water. The USS Midway Museum and, the “Unconditional Surrender” a 25-foot sculpture on San Diego’s embarcadero in downtown are just two of the interesting and impressive examples of the amazing sights that can be seen in beautiful Sunny San Diego.
Cosmic Photo Challenge-Waterways
Photo Credit:©️Amanda Waters Beagles (my niece) … All Rights Reserved.
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Lathyrus odoratus
Sweet Pea ‘Turquoise’
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I’m not sure if these are actually Cobalt Blue or not, but they’re the closest I have for this month’s color challenge for Terri’s Sunday Stills.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Luckily we had a beautiful sunny day on Sunday which enabled me to capture plenty of signs, and shots with words in them as Cee’s CMMC – Pick a Topic from my Photo requests us all to post.
Our visit to Anne Springs Close Greenway is extremely accommodating in the aspect of Signs and various Objects with Words.
Signs can be found all around the Reconstructed Children’s Farm ..,
Along all the various Trails …
In front of buildings such as The Hangar …
Or on and in front of an Historic Tack Shed …
And even in a flower bed informing everyone about the Sylvia Epps Baker Metal Sculpture.
Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge-Pick a Topic from my Photo
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting the Greenway with us. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
We’ve been having a lot of thunderstorms lately, so for Cee’s CMMC this week I’ve dug into my archives (actually my dad’s archives) to select photos of Outdoor Seating. I’m combining this post with Becky’s Squares Challenge and XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge.
For this journey of discovery we are beginning in Southern California at Knott’s Berry Farm. We are Renewing a remembrance by exploring a time of a family outing my dad captured with his camera and had developed onto slides which I Reconstructed into digital formatting for better visibility and preservation.
The Stage Coach ride allowed people to seat inside the coach or on the Outside up top of the coach. Being up top allowed for a unique experience and perspective of the exciting surroundings.
Moving Forward we venture out towards the California desert for a weekend of camping and the freedom of the great outdoors for a time of refreshing recreation and a time for renewing the closeness of family togetherness.
We join friends from our church family at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for a time of food, fellowship, and tons of fun.
Whether we choose a seat at a table near the chuck wagon or close to an outdoor cook stove/oven is our choice. We may sit together or apart, however the point of the weekend is renewing and strengthening family bonds and friendships.
Moving Forward remembering the past by Reconstructing old slides renewing the photos for future generations.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Outdoor Seating
XingfuMama’s Pull up a Seat -2024 Week 19
Becky’s #SquareRenew/Reconstruct/Moving Forward
Photo Credit: ©️1966-1968 Nornal H. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
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Can you believe it? We are half through the month of May and one-fourth (1/4) of the way through twenty twenty-four (2024). It is already time for another of Clare’s Share Your Desktop where Clare asks us to share our desktops/wallpaper either from our desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphones.
Now it’s my turn to share my desktops/wallpapers with you. First up is from my iPhone followed by my laptop.
From my iPhone 14 Pro Max:
Personal Focus
Hiking Focus
Reading Focus
From my HP Laptop:
Screensaver Wallpaper
Desktop
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
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No Words Necessary
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: Horse Stables; Greenway Stables Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a fabulous rest of your week. Enjoy the Outdoors. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
An Aurora as seen
from Lemon Grove, California.
Cosmic Photo Challenge-In the Evening
Photo Credit:©️Wayne A. Wilson (my brother-in-law) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Lemon Grove, California, USA
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Don’t Fence Me In
Roy Rogers and Trigger
The photo was taken at the Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park, California back in 1966 by my dad when we visited. These are wax figures of Roy Rogers and Trigger. The sign in front of the display (not pictured here) states CO. REPUBLIC 1945; “DON’T FENCE ME IN”; ROY ROGERS; DIR. ENGLISH; PROD. DONALD H. BROWN; SCENE N. 20; TAKE NO; EXT: STABLE.
The photos have been reconstructed by digitizing them via Wolverine digital converter to create a renewed version for save keeping for future generations.
Becky’s Squares-Renew-Reconstruct
Photo Credit: ©️1966 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.
Location: Movieland Wax Museum; Buena Park, California
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge-Twisted
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
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We can’t go back to being young again, but that doesn’t stop us from feeling young once again. When we reminisce we remember how we felt when we were young, the excitement of getting on a bus for a week of adventure with friends.
We remember the fun times of venturing into Baja California ( or a place we’d never been to before), of sharing our time and helping others. We remember the dreams and ideas we had, the places we wanted to see, the things we wanted to do.
We remember sharing our love,passion, enthusiasm, and experiences with children and families. We remember how it was when we were young and smile at all our happy memories.
Done with reminiscing for a while; we share our memories, our stories, our experiences with the young of today … our grandchildren. Just maybe they will find joy and excitement in doing some of the same things we enjoyed doing when we were young.
Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #298 -To Be Young Again
Photo Credit: 1-3)©️Nornal H. Waters (my dad); 4) ©️Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week I chose a variety of photos from previous years I hope will meet Cee’s CMMC theme sufficiently.
Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge: May – Denim Colors
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In Memory & In Honor of Mother’s Day
For Cee’s CFFC challenge this week for Indoor Seating I chose a selection to honor the mom’s in my life [My mom, My Maternal Grandmother, My Grand Aunt (my maternal grandfather’s sister).] I also selected a couple which are the reasons I’m a Mom and Grandma. This is also my post for XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge-Indoor Seating
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Hybrid Sweetbriar Rose
(Rosa ‘Lady Penzance’)
Photo Credit: ©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max Ultra-wide Camera
Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Lakes, Pond, & Creek
Lake Haigler is one of the most favourite areas for hiking and fishing at the Greenway. Love to see the many beautiful views and reflections around the Lake.
This previously unnamed Pond has recently been given the name of Patterson Pond. It is located at the Children’s Farm accessible from the Greenway Stables Entrance. Beautiful day for observing amazing reflections.
Steele Creek can be seen from several of the Greenway trails while one is hiking. Here you can see the shimmering ripples and the beautiful reflections of the trees.
Lake Haigler is a 28-acre lake in the Anne Springs Close Greenway. It was built in 1952 by Colonel Elliott W. Springs. It was named for a great Catawba Indian King.
The Lake is periodically restocked with Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Shellcracker, and Channel Catfish.
The Lake Haigler Loop is a 3.3 mile pedestrian-only loop which wraps around the 28-acre Lake Haigler. It is generally considered an easy hiking/walking route. It takes approximately an average of 1 hour 10 minutes to complete the entire loop. This extremely popular area is excellent for birding, fishing, and hiking. You’ll have plenty of opportunities for exploring and photography at this location if you’re ever in the area to visit.
Jez’s Water Water Everywhere #219
Photo Credit:©️2024 Larry Underwood
Location: Lake Haigler; Lake Haigler Entrance; Anne Springs Close Greenway; Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
My CK and CH seen while Coleman and I walked around the neighbourhood.
Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge-April Alphabet_a CK or CH in a word
Photo Credit:©️2024 Deb L. Waters … All Rights Reserved.
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro Max
Location: New Hope Road; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
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Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 