Floral Arrangements Arthel “Doc” Watson Statue Boone, North Carolina
Arthel “Doc” Watson (1923-2012), an 8-time Grammy winner, was born down the road in Deep Gap and always remained “Just One of The People,” as this sculpture states. [As a side note: “Doc” is my maternal 4th cousin.]
Doc became part of the Folk Revival and is known worldwide for his flat-picking style of guitar playing. The Town of Boone celebrates Doc Watson Day every year with a concert at the Jones House. This bronze statue of Doc Watson was dedicated on June 24, 2011, and sculpted by Alexander M. Hallmark.
Sitting by my cousin, Arthel “Doc” Watson’s Bronze Statue Boone, North Carolina
Did you know that Punxsutawney Phil is accurate less than half of the time? Yes, it is true. It is estimated Phil’s forecasts have had a mere 39% accuracy ratesince they began in 1887 (although data from some early years is missing). One could merely toss a coin and be as accurate as Punxsutawney Phil. However, if you ask the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club they would state that Phil is always correct. What do you think? Is Punxsutawney Phil always correct? Do you watch & listen to his predictions?
Upside down Squirrel Seven Oaks Preserve Trail
Can squirrels predict winter? Well, maybe. Punxsutawney Phil is a squirrel. Groundhogs are squirrels. Groundhogs are one of the largest members of the Sciuridae family, which includes squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, prairie dogs, and more. Did you know that? Maybe, maybe not. It is an interesting true fact.
Squirrel looking for food Andrew Jackson State Park
Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow this morning? According to folklore, if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, spring comes early. For those of you who love winter, you’re in luck. Today, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow so we will see six more weeks of winter weather.
Begging Squirrel Andrew Jackson State Park
I don’t know if you believe groundhogs can predict winter or not. I’m not sure. Spring never begins before March 20th anyway. It would be nice though if the cold dreary days could be over and the clear warmer days could begin sooner. That might only be wishful thinking since it is predicted for us to have six more weeks of the cold winter weather.
Squirrel gazes with interest Andrew Jackson State Park
This being Groundhog Day, I chose to delight you with my favorite Squirrel photos. Happy Groundhog Day!
Now on to the North Carolina Transportation Museum for more Truck Doors.
Military Land RoverAntique Ford Wrecker Truck 1930 Ford Model A1953 STUDEBAKER DUALLY STAKE TRUCKVintage Milk Truck Melville Dairy Foods 1954 Ford F150 Pickup Truck
Coleman holding GATE attached to FENCEHorses inside FENCEBarbed Wire FENCE GATE leading to Anne Springs Close Greenway Coleman near GATE and FENCE Property of Town of Fort Mill NO TRESPASSING Violators Will Be Prosecuted FENCE around Grandparents homeCee’s Black & White Photo Challenge
Photo Credit: 1-5 Deb L. Waters. 6 – Nornal Hule Waters
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.
Take a walk with me through the backwoods of the Greenway. See what my grandson and I see as we meander through the trees and along the creek on the Blue Star Trail. The Greenway is one of the happiest places that my grandson loves to be, hiking and enjoying nature.
We entered the Greenway through a path in a Fort Mill neighborhood. This was our first-time entry through this area. we were not sure where we were going or onto which trail, we would encounter as we hiked from this new point of entrance.
We missed the pathway to start with and crisscrossed through the trees until we emerged near a wooden bridge. We saw the Blue Star Trail sign and knew we were about to be in the Greenway. To the left of the wooden bridge is a swinging bridge that was blocked off with caution tape signifying it was unsafe to use. So, we crossed the wooden bridge to begin our hike for the afternoon.
Coming upon a crossroads we weren’t sure whether to go to the right or the left. We went to the left, and it took us away from the Greenway onto a section belonging to the Town of Fort Mill. We didn’t realize this until we stopped at a gate which indicated it was a restricted area. At such time we turned around and proceeded back the way we had traveled. The pathway runs alongside a creek. In the Greenway the trails run along creeks thus we didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary at first.
Once we arrived back at the crossroads, we proceeded to hike the direction we should have gone in the first place, to the right. In this direction we came to another swinging bridge, the Blue Star. This one was okay to cross. My grandson, Coleman loves to run across swinging bridges. It wasn’t that way the first time he went across one, but now he thinks they are fun to cross.
Being the first time, we hiked via this pathway we didn’t go very far. We were not wearing our proper hiking boots and we were just out for a short adventure. Therefore, we at this point went back to the house we were visiting to relax and reflect on our time in the woods.
Not much activity going on in my area this weekend even though we did have rain earlier in the week. It was interesting to see the changes in the cloud formations from one day to the next.
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.
Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge for this week is the Alphabet Letter A at the beginning of a word.
Here are my entries….
Andrew Jackson on screen Andrew Jackson Statue Alabama We Dare Defend Our Rights Alabama Motto Alabama Welcome CenterWall Art North Carolina Transportation Museum Piedmont Airlines Airplane Aquilegia formosa
It was a lovely day watching the birds in flight going back and forth over the Catawba River by the Fort Mill Dam.
Such a beautiful sight to behold, the majestic scene soaring above our heads. We were in awe of the wonder and were amazed how they would maneuver across the clear blue skies.
Stone Mountain State Park stands prominently just beyond the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. Straddling the border between Wilkes and Allegheny County, Stone Mountain, NC is a beloved place for locals to hike, fish, picnic, ride horses, and survey the Piedmont spreading eastward.
The 15,000 acres encapsulated by Stone Mountain State Park includes historic sites where homesteaders settled in the 1800s, first-rate camping facilities, miles of trails for hiking or horseback riding, numerous streams, and extensive picnicking grounds for day visitors.
State Mountain State Park
ADDRESS: 3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap, NC 28668
Original Shot on CanonBlack and White CopyOriginal Shot on CanonBlack & White CopyOriginal Shot on CanonCopy Black and WhiteOriginal Shot on CanonMonochrome CopyOriginal Shot on CanonMonochromatic Copy
All shots taken with a Canon EOS Rebel T3i camera.
…. Coleman goes with me, either beside or in front leading the way.
Coleman leading The WayAlong the Path. This particular Trail Is Paved For easy AccessFor Everyone Regardless of abilityYoung and Old Alike.
Over the weekend, Coleman and I enjoyed a beautiful sunshiny day hiking 🥾 along the Catawba River by the Fort Mill Dam. We’ve had a lot of rain lately and Coleman does not like to be cooped up in the home all day. It is always a joy to be able to take him out in nature where he can be free to run.