Free at last, free at last, thank god almighty I'm free at last!
Ok here's the story:
While on my way to Pecos, TX I see this huge old building to my left and make note of the mile marker so I can hit it on my way back. I make my sales calls and I'm headed back to Midland on I-20 and see the mile marker I need to exit.
As I'm driving on the feeder road I see a prison with the gates WIDE OPEN so I stop and expect a guard. I look around the admin building and there is nobody there! Finally an old black guy pulls up in a pickup truck and tells me that the prison is no longer in use and its just a place for truckers to park and rest.
I go in and talk to a young kid named Rocky who is super cool and says that I can have the run of the place. I ask him about the facility and he said that it used to be a military base then a juvenile detention center and now its just a place where the energy services company he works for houses its workers.
I then ask him about the building I had originally wanted to see and he said its an old hangar from the Army Air Corps days but doesnt know anything more. I leave and begin taking pics of all the buildings and find an unoccupied housing unit.
Leaving my car running as I figure its just a few quick shots, I open the door without any difficulties, take a few pics and I'm leaving. The door is locked. Before I panic I try the other 4 doors. Now I'm starting to freak out in my head a bit. I look at all the windows and they have a thick wire mesh on them and are cemented into the walls (it IS a prison after all...).
Ok...deep breath. Lets try kicking the doors down. I guess the guys who build it thought of that as everything is a thick deadbolt set into solid steel and again concrete frame on a steel door. All I got for my efforts was a broken heel on my right boot.
Now I'm in full blown panic mode as its hot, I didnt bring my Urbex bag in with all my gear and nobody knows where the hell I am. The voices in my head are screaming at me and its everything I can do to not completely lose it.
I smoke a cigarette, calm my nerves and evaluate. I'm locked in a prison with my car running and there is no way out. I dont remember the name of the energy service company and nothing is showing on google maps. Only option is to call 911.
I get transferred to the Sheriff's department and I explain my situation. The lady on the phone has a real "I dont give a shit" attitude and says that all of her deputies are busy on calls but someone will come eventually.
Thats when I posted the original message.
45 minutes later the deputy shows up and asks me what I was doing inside. I explained that I was taking pictures of the place. He then wants to continue having a conversation after I've lost 75 lbs in water weight and just want to get the hell out. I ask him to please just open the door and we can talk when I get out.
Officer Hero-Douchbag He tries the door and it wont budge. I'm like, "What the fuck! It opened without a problem when I came in!". He then tries the 5 other doors with the same result.
As we are both pondering our next move a truck pulls up and who should it be but the old guy from the front gate! He scurries off to tell Rocky what happened and the cop then tries to pick the lock with a pocket knife while questioning me further.
Front gate guy comes back with a key and I'm free! I gave him a huge hug and thanked him profusely as well as the cop who then was ready to arrest me for criminal trespass. Front gate guy said that I had permission to be there and annoyed the cop.
As I'm walking back to my car ANOTHER truck shows up. This time its Rocky's boss and he's laughing his ass off. I apologize and tell him that Rocky wasnt at fault etc. He was super cool about the whole situation. I then ask him about the building that had originally captured my attention.
He said that it used to be a hangar for the Enola Gay! I'm like holy shit! Can I go see it? At this point the cop steps back in and tells me that if I even LOOK in that direction hes throwing me in jail for Federal trespass as its on federal land (he went from hero to douche in my mind real quick).
I thanked everyone again and high tailed it outta there grateful to be both alive and not in jail (both the one I was trapped in and the one that officer hero/douchbag wanted to show me).