This week’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge is hosted by Beth from Wandering Dawgs. She has chosen to have us Look Back to John’s LAPC #155 – On the Water. (I know I’m a little late posting for this challenge, having a grand-baby to take care of during the day hinders my ability to search through my archives for photos depicting “On the Water.” I finally managed to find a selection I hope you’ll enjoy.
I wonder, Does in the water count as well as on the water?
Springs Park Lancaster County, South Carolina
How about a hydroelectric plant?
Great Falls hydroelectric plant Great Falls, South Carolina
This one may or may not count …
Fishing on the shore of the Catawba River (In Great Falls, SC) with Fishing lines Cast on the water.
If that doesn’t work, then I know this one will …
Fishing from a Kayak on the water Andrew Jackson State Park Lancaster, SC
And lastly, let’s take a look at other recreational activities on the water …
Recreational “boating” on the water in Lake Wylie seen from McDowell Nature Preserve Charlotte, North Carolina
God Bless. Take time to enjoy nature on or off the water. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Brian from Bushboys Worldhosts a monthly challenge called Last On the Card. His rules are simple to follow if you’re interested in participating.
Here are The rules: 1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for the 30th or whenever your last photo was taken. 2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate. 3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do 4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments 5. Use the tags The Last Photo and #LastOnTheCard
Location: The Cultural Center Trail; Catawba Nation Greenway Trail; Carolina Thread Trail; Catawba Indian Nation; Catawba Reservation; Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA
God Bless Enjoy Nature. Hug a Tree. Peace be with you. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Enjoy the Spring Florals. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-25mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment
Location: Lake Crawford Trail; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Shining Star Fellowship Church is a Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) affiliated church whose focus is on equipping believers and leading community members to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Shining Star Fellowship Church 301 Palm Street Abilene, Texas
This church is located a few short blocks from my maternal aunt’s home where I visited in the Spring of 2020. This is one of many churches I saw as I walked about my aunt’s neighbourhood.
The Republic Textile Mills Company was founded in Great Falls, South Carolina around 1905-1910 by the Southern Power Company (later became known as Duke Power Company). It was founded to capitalize on Catawba River water power. The Republic Textile Mills Company expanded to three mills by 1923.
Republic Textile Mill #3
[My paternal grandfather worked in the #3 Mill located on Argonne Avenue kitty-corner from Walnut Street where my paternal grandparents lived. When he worked there the Mills were owned by J. P. Stevens and Company.]
J.P. Stevens Mill #3 (previously known as Republic Textile Mills Company)
The Republic Textile Mills Company operated as a major textile producer in the region, complete with a company town, before being sold to J. P. Stevens and Company in 1946. The #3 Mill opened in 1923. The company town included a company store, where workers could charge goods against their wages.
Republic Textile Mill #3 (Aka JP Stevens Mill #3)
The Mills ceased all operations due to the broader decline of the textile industry. The last of the Mills closed its doors around 1985.
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Love & Peace to y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dan from No Facilities hosts the Fun Foto Challenge at and this week he is asking for our Something that Took You Higher. I have gone into my archives to see what I could locate to best represent this week’s theme. Approximately half of the images are within this decade, while the rest are more on the vintage side.
Here are my entries …
Swinging Rope (my mom’s Swinging) Hume Lake Christian Campground Hume, CaliforniaFerris Wheel Myrtle Beach, SCColeman swinging higher at T Jeffers Center & Park Gastonia, NCAmerican Eagle Flying High Charlotte, NCCarowinds Charlotte, NCColeman climbing higher and higher to reach a deer stand Lake Wylie, SCBuck Rock Lookout Campground in Hume, California ( My dad’s in the yellow shirt)Sky Whirl Triple Ferris Wheel California’s Great America Santa Clara, CaliforniaLineberger Park Gastonia, NCColeman being Lifted Higher by his mom’s feet Lake Wylie, SCCee’s Fun Foto Challenge Something that Took You Higher And Higher From Hereand Over Yonder
These images are from last year. This year’s Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies are not in full bloom yet. The Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies bloom each year along the Catawba River and can be viewed from Landsford Canal State Park. The best time of year to view the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies is from May through mid-June. To view them from land, you may choose to hike the 1.5 mile, round-trip down either the Nature Trail or the Canal Trail to the overlook. There is another option to view the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies, that option would be to kayak the Catawba River and wind your way through the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies where you’ll have an upclose view.
Aka Cahaba lily, Shoal lily, or Shoals Spider-lily
The latest report on the Lily Watchis that the green leaves are reaching full growth and the Rocky Shoals in the river are looking lush. There are a view early bloomers out in the Catawba River with more flowers coming into full bloom soon. This year the rainfall has been insufficient, however, the plants still are looking healthy and are expected to reach peak bloom around the middle or end of May.
Location: Landsford Canal State Park; Catawba, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: The Living History Farm; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Hope it’s not too hot for all y’all. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens
Location: The Farm; The Schiele Museum of Natural History; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Enjoy the Spring Florals. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week Monochrome Madnessis hosted by Sarah from Travel with Me. She haschosen to challenge us to post images which begin with the letter “P”. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t that difficult to find images in my archives which begin with “P”.
Here are my entries …
Let’s begin by walking out onto the Porch …
Front Porch
Next, how about a trip back in time …
Pennzoil Indy Race Car captured on 35mm at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in August of 1985 by my dad.
Now back to more current“P” images …
Playground at T. Jeffers Center
Pump House by the Catawba River & the Piedmont Medical Center Trail in Rock Hill, SC
Pig at the Children’s Farm in Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, SC
Patterson Pond – Canada Geese enjoying a swim Anne Springs Close Greenway Fort Mill, SC
A Preserved replica of a Brown Pelican in The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NC
Pretty colourful Petunias The Schiele Museum of Natural History Gastonia, NC
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Funny thing happened on the way to write a post … I told my daughter I didn’t think I had any new doors to post. You know what? She up and sent me the following image she took of a mistaken door she went out and couldn’t get back in without assistance. Problem solved. I’m posting a door for your pleasure, my friends.
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Love & Peace to y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Last week I shared a pink rose peeking out of garden bush. Ordinarily I don’t share from the same plant two weeks in a row, but I am fascinated with the variety of colours and shades on this rose bush.
As the week has progressed more and more buds have been blossoming. What’s surprising to me is the vast variety of shades on the same plant. The blooms vary from whitish with pinkish centre’s to varying shades of pink and even what appears to be reddish or dark pink buds. I do not recall seeing such a variegated colour scheme on one plant before. For comparison you may check out last week’s roses by clicking here.
Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Dale, the host of the Cosmic Photo Challenge has asked the question “How does your garden grow?”. We haven’t lived in our current location long enough to plant a garden, but nonetheless, a small garden does exist on the property. I have shown a few pictures in other challenges, however, I show other pictures not previously posted.
These are some of the Eastern Skunk Cabbage growing in the garden …
Location: Home Gardens; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. May you be blessed with new adventures, new friendships, and an abundance of happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Lower Trailhead; Stone Mountain State Park; Roaring Gap, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Capture the beauty all around you. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains; Wilson Hwy; Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-25mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment
Location: By Lake Crawford & At The Living History Farm; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Take a Walk/Hike. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). I trust everyone has had a good week and able to spend some time to take a walk or hike in the vast outdoors. This week’s theme is CWWC: Any Which Way with Outdoor Steps or Stairs. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
This week I am continuing to show aspects of mine and Coleman’s hike in Kings Mountain State Park, beginning with the Steps to the Bathhouse and continuing along the Lake Crawford Trail and beyond.
Here are my entries …
Steps to Lake CrawfordStairsBathhouse StepsSteps to Lake Crawford Stepping StonesStepping Stones Bathhouse StepsBathhouse Steps Steps to Lake CrawfordSteps to Lake CrawfordCWWC 2026 Any Which Way with Outdoor Steps or Stairs Kings Mountain State Park
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
The Symplocarpus foetidus, aka Eastern skunk cabbage, is growing in a small garden of our rental home. When I first saw the plants in the small garden I wasn’t sure what type of plant they were.
Aka Eastern Skunk Cabbage
The Eastern Skunk Cabbage is a native North American wildflower. It is known for being among the first plants to emerge in late winter.
Close-up view
It is a low-growing plant that grows in wetlands (Why here, I’m not sure. We definitely don’t live in a wetland area. We did have snow and ice storms this winter though.) and moist hill slopes (the area it’s planted in is more or less flat) of eastern North America.
A single unopened plant
We moved here evidently after the plants had already bloomed. When in blooming season, the plant produces a foul-smelling, maroon-and-green mottled spathe (hood) that covers its flowers, attracting pollinators like flies and beetles with its heat and odour. Its foul-smelling odour is the main reason it is called “Skunk Cabbage.”
Once the Eastern Skunk Cabbage flowers, then large, cabbage-like leaves unfurl, and the plant is toxic if ingested raw, causing burning and swelling.
Location: Backyard Garden; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Enjoy the Spring Florals. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
When Coleman and I went hiking the other week, we hiked from the Bathhouse to The Living History Farm (from one end to the other end) in Kings Mountain State Park.The Living History Farm at Kings Mountain State Park is a replica of a mid-nineteenth (19th) century South Carolina yeomen farm.
Yeomen Farms were run by small-scale independent landowners who worked their own land primarily using family labour. [Much in the same way the Amish farmers work, or farmers in the time period of ‘Little House on the Prairie’.] Yeomen farmers focused on subsistence farming, livestock, and self-reliance.
Enough of the side jaunt about the farmers, now back to The Living History Farm. It is an opportunity for visitors to explore an immersive look into the self-sufficiency lifestyle of the post-Revolutionary War era. It shows the period-appropriate buildings, heirloom gardens, and holds live demonstrations to illustrate how the farmers and their families lived and worked together during the post-Revolutionary War era.
These here are a fraction of the authentic replicas at The Living History Farm.
Anyone ever use one of these?
Outhouse
A Visiting Dog (not apart of the historical replica)
Under this building is a wagon and other equipment used on a yeomen farm.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV filter attachment.
Location: The Living History Farm; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week and weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: This Friday’s CWWC theme will be Any Which Way with Outdoor Steps or Stairs. The Steps or Stairs maybe on any pathway, nature trail, or any other walkway or footpath. Be sure your Which Ways are clearly visible. Thank you for your participation.
Playing around with an old image from the 1960’s …
Original Digital scan of a photo ~ Approximately 1968 in San Diego, California
Adjusted contrast & slightly blurred background
Increased warmth of image
Adjusted lighting, contrast, and added color to the girl’s sweater
Enhanced image. Strengthen quality. Adjusted lighting and contrast. Also changed the background to one of my favourite places of my youth, Mission Beach.
Location: Lake Crawford; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Love & Peace to y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Unity Community; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
The Historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Bathhouse sits on the shores of Lake Crawford in Kings Mountain State Park. The Bathhouse was the location where Coleman and I began our hike. The height of usage for the Bathhouse was between 1930’s until the 1990’s. In its heyday it was an essential hub for park activities.
Side of Bathhouse
Currently, the Bathhouse is abandoned and in a sad state of disrepair. The exterior ofthe Bathhouse is available for viewing via the Farm Trail (or in our case, we parked in the parking area where the Bathhouse is located.
From the Backside
The Historic CCC Bathhouse is primary historical landmark within Kings Mountain State Park. It is known for its intricate craftsmanship.
Rear-side of Bathhouse
When you approach the main doors (currently locked) there is a QR code you may scan that will give you information about how to donate to the ongoing Bathhouse Donation Project to help aide in the Revitalization Efforts for the renovation of the Bathhouse.
The Bathhouse Backside
Once the Bathhouse is restored, it is intended to serve as a central visitor information hub. It will also allow the Lake Crawford swimming area to be reopen. Swimming has not been allowed in Lake Crawford since 2002. For over 20 years swimming in Lake Crawford and Lake York have been prohibited. Even though swimming is not allowed (hopefully it will be when the Bathhouse is renovated and reopened); there are other recreational activities which may be enjoyed … such as fishing, boating, and sightseeing.
Location: The Spillway; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel 2000D with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Lake Crawford; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Get Outdoors. Enjoy Nature. Capture the beauty all around you. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
This week I’m starting a new series for XingfuMama’s Pull Up a Seatthat will last approximately eight (8) weeks more or less. As you can see from the title it will be on Coleman’s Style (of Pulling Up a Seat) in a State Park. This series will all be Coleman’s Style at Kings Mountain State Park.
This is an excellent week for combining The Flower Hour, Spring Festival 2026 Week 4, while remembering Bren’s Floral Friday and Cee’s Flower of the Day challenges. As stated in my CWWC/CFFCpost Coleman and I hiked the Lake Crawford Trail at Kings Mountain State Park. The trail was displaying an impressive array showing colourful signs of Spring.
Here are a few pics of Spring signs we saw on our Hike …
Terri’s The Flower Hour Dawn’s Spring Festival 2026 Week 4 Bren’s Floral Friday Cee’s Flower of the Day (FOTD)
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D) with Canon EF-S55-250mm lens and Altura UV Filter attachment.
Location: Lake Crawford Trail; Kings Mountain State Park; Blacksburg, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a funtastic weekend. Enjoy the Spring Florals. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Welcome back to another Which Way Challenge (CWWC). Let me first apologize for being a bit late in posting this week’s Which Way Challenge. Our internet was being wacky going in and out not staying connected for the longest time. Hopefully our WiFi will stay connected so I can complete and publish.
This week I have chosen (CWWC)/CFFC 2026: Any Which Way with Views from a walk or hike for this week’s theme. This week’s CWWC I’m combining with Dan’s Fun Foto Challenge (CFFC). Let’s see what we are looking at as we take our walks or hikes. The Which Way can be any path, sidewalk, trail, or road as long as the Which Way is clearly discernible. As always signs are always welcome.
For further information regarding the Which Way Challenge (CWWC) feel free to check out the home page here.
This week Coleman and I took an early morning brisk hike at Kings Mountain State Park (not to be confused with the Kings Mountain National Military Park). We began our hike along the Lake Crawford Trail (Purple Trail Signs) then ventured onto the Historic Farm Trail (Yellow Trail Signs). Our starting point for the Lake Crawford Trail began at the Historic Bathhouse which was built in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This Historic Bathhouse is considered to be among the finest examples of CCC rock wall and step construction in the Southeast.
Coleman walking towards the Bathhouse The Rock Steps and the Bathhouse Lake Crawford The Spillway The Water flowing down the Spillway Lake Crawford Coleman following the Purple Trail Signs attached to TreesNotice of Eagle Scout Project completed at Kings Mountain State Park Eagle Scout Project performed by Winston Strong October 2023No Biking Allowed Lake Crawford Trail Kings Mountain State Park
As we continued our Hike, we ventured onto the Historic Farm Trail in order to investigate the Living History Farm. In this next gallery will began on the Historic Farm Trail and end at the Living History Farm.
Coleman following the Yellow Trail Signs At this point we cross the road towards the FarmTrail MapKings Mountain State Park Living History Farm & Parking Who do I see? An Outhouse The chimney & Fireplace which once boiled sorghum stalks Coleman and a wagon Reminds my of the “Little House on the Prairie” wagonsHistoric Farm Trail Kings Mountain State Park
Click on each image to enlarge.
Thank you to those who have participated and supported the Which Ways Challenge. I appreciate y’all sharing your Which Ways with us.
For an idea of other’s Which Ways from this past week’s challenge, be sure to click on the following links below.
Dan Antion hosts theThursday Doorschallenge every Thursday. All you need to do to participate is post a picture(s) of a door(s) and leave a link to your post on his current post.
Coleman and I are still on our search for a church we’d like to attend that is in walking distance from our current residence. We have visited three (3) churches so far and none of the services are even close to want we would like in a church service. Some have been welcoming and others have not. What they all have in common, including the church we’d first last Sunday, is they all seem to think they need to have the sound system turned up full blast. That to me is a huge turn off. I do not care to attend any church that thinks they need to blow my eardrums out.
This past Sunday, Coleman and I attended Temple Baptist Church in Gastonia, North Carolina about a 27 minute walk from our house. A few people greeted us, but once they sound system was turned on and the band (I’m not a fan of bands in churches, especially not loud blaring bands) started playing I tried to listen. I really tried to enjoy the music, but I couldn’t not with it blasting so loud it hurt my eardrums. I tried plugging my ears, still extremely too loud. We even walked outside, the sound system was still blasting so loud (to me) it was ridiculous.
Here is a gallery of the doors we saw at the church …
Temple Baptist Church Gastonia, NC
Coleman and I tried sitting in the foyer to listen to the worship service, but it seemed as if the preacher was yelling into the microphone which added to the volume of the sound system that appeared to be turned up all the way as far as it could go. It was still too loud for my liking. Needless to say, we will not be going back.
Location: Temple Baptist Church; 701 Littlejohn Street; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week and weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Note: This Friday’s CWWC is combined with Dan’s CFFC – Any Which Way with Views from a walk or hike. Let us all show what we see on our walks or hikes. Be sure to include your Which Ways in your post. Thank you.
This week PR from Flights of the Soulis the host for the Monochrome Madness Challenge. For information about the challenge check out Leanne’s Page about how to participate in Monochrome Madness by clicking here.
PR has chosen a theme of Minimalism for this week’s Monochrome Madness theme challenge.
God Bless. Have a funtastic week ahead. May your week be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: Catawba River; Landsford Canal State Park; Catawba, South Carolina, USA
God Bless. Have a wonderful week. Love & Peace to y’all. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Location: N. Myrtle School Road; Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
God Bless. Admire the Flowers and the beauty found in nature. Have a fantastic week. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography 