I know it's been done a million times over already, but how many of these "2015 year in review" posts include machinery completely covered in styrofoam, superfund site light painting, the falling leaves of autumn on the campus of the neighboring state's insane asylum, gymnasiums full of plastic balls, and dried up crusty old vials of blood... All in one post?
Haha. I didn't think so.
This one was odd in that I never got to see it during the day. Just an excuse to have to go back and explore it again, this time more thoroughly!
by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
This one was in Ft Worth, near the Stockyards. It is/has been demolished. Bummer.
Overtime (this one is for you, Mark)! by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
Night...
Debut by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
... And Day.
Central Ward School by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
A Historical Landmark with some awesome architecture (the photo below this one is from inside this location)
The Garvey-Veihl House by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
This was definitely the most harrowing of explores this year. I did not know this was actively patrolled on a (very) regular basis and had to dive into the nearby trench face down three times - somehow without being seen - before making it into the bowels of the massive facility and it's many hiding places and structures. I don't know if I'd do that one again!
Cemex No More by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
Another Cement plant, this was the polar opposite in terms of stressful experiences of its counterpart (photo above this one). Two distinct companies flanked this abandoned property, and neither company knew anything about the abandoned one, so we just explored in plain site, with each active company thinking the other had given us permission to be there! Reminds me of little kids playing mom and dad unknowingly against each other.... teehee.
by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
A gymnasium full of colored plastic balls. Need I explain how awesome this explore was? I didn't think so.
Having a Ball by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
These kinds of finds still knot up my stomach a little. Amazing piece of history in an explore though.
History Repeats by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
I have to give props to, The Good, for thinking up this creative little monument to all of you fabulous people.
UER by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
If you're from, or have been exploring in, the North Texas region, you will probably recognize this Texoma urbex icon of sorts. For those of you that have not been here... it's an abandoned Woodmen's orphanage - in very advanced stages of decay. Too bad, but I don't think this one can be saved now.
by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
My attempt at some typography....
by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
I don't understand..? Taken inside of an abandoned Fort Smith glass factory.
by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
The best explore of the year (I became painfully familiar with some of the most trying consequences in my exploring career at this location as well):
Untitled by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
If you've been doing this for any length of time, you probably have heard of the ghost town, Picher, Oklahoma
by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
muahahahahahaha, I love exploring hospitals
by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
It's not covered in cocaine. It's...
obviously styrofoam! This place is most likely a pile of rubble right now, if that. It had the doomed tape around it, and I doubt they were bluffing, since the same company was in the process of tearing down that awesome foundry kiln I posted a few pics above this one just a couple blocks away. Bye Bye,
Sty -Ro - Foam (yes, that was their name, not just questionable phonetics)
Industry by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
Hotel Grim. I regret not spending more time in this location. I'll admit, I got a little creeped out after nightfall here. Maybe it was the squatter HQ in the lobby or Hotel's name... Or being reminded of the Grimm Brother's not-so-sweet fairytales.
Grim by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
Can anybody guess that city? My love of "urbex," at least with any form of regularity in practice, was born from construction sites. I'd use them to practice types of light painting techniques. This mostly before I knew any of you guys existed (no, it didn't occur to me to go out of my way to visit old, rotting buildings until I had been doing the newer structures for quite a while).
by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
This is one of my very favorite regular haunts in the DFW area. I love light painting here, I've watched lightning and thunderstorms from here, played with sparklers here, met a couple taggers here that educated me a little on that whole microcosm that makes up their motivation for being here, I've even done some things here that none of you guys will ever know about... heheheh.
duality by
Dee Ashley, on Flickr
Ok, well, I didn't even make it though October of the 2015 year (going backwards), lol. But I'm quickly realizing that I'd have to publish novel to get all of the ones in that I want to (and my ADD is starting to kick in), but that's a good thing. I've not only explored some really amazing places, but I've met so many amazing people this year, I count myself very fortunate indeed. Prior to late 2014 or 2015, I rarely if ever explored with other people. I have to say, this exploring business is a lot more fun with other likeminded individuals to do it with! Thanks to everyone here and elsewhere for a great 2015 filled with some spectacular explorations..!
*Edited to include a witty introduction. 
