Hi everyone!

I'm new here as you probably already know and I have a question that I havent really found an answer for in other threads so please forgive me if I'm missing something. I'll figure this site out pretty quickly I hope.

Anyway, here goes...

You have located an abandoned building near a busy intersection and there are homes all around but this is a rural area. Two or so blocks away is a church (or something.)

Is it best to park at the church and be the only vehicle there (day or night) or to park in the driveway like you belong there in broad daylight?

I've only done something like this twice. Once was a burnt down home with vehicles and stuff that I found by accident on a hike and the other, I parked in the driveway.

Thanks for any hypothetical responses to my clearly hypothetical question that could hypothetically not be very hypothetical. ;)

Neither sounds very safe, as the church is probably highly likely to report an unfamiliar vehicle. Is it possible to park farther, and take a bike in?

That's kind of what I figured as far as the church. If I had a bike, I'd park and ride the five miles or so in.
I thought about having somebody drop me off nearby but then I would be kind of screwed if they drove away and I needed to leave quickly.

Is there a place where you can park it with other cars? Blend it in with the crowd

The only place that I could park with other cars is a good distance down the street.

As a photographer, wouldn't it be best not to walk a long distance towards an abandoned structure with camera bag and tripod?

I saw somebody suggest a hard hat and clipboard. Since "real estate photographers" are a "thing," would it not work to just park there and present myself as official as possible?

What about Sunday morning, when you might be able to slip your car in among the Christians?

That seems like the logical answer, but from what I can tell they only have one service and it's 45 minutes long.

I think I am going to find out the distance between the building and church and see how long it takes me to walk it.

Let them talk. Take em with the quickness... predawn it, park about a block away around the corner out of eye shoot of the houses where your car is.

Alright, I did a little more digging and then hit the search bar here with absolutely zero results with nothing in archives either.

I found hints that this place was used as a narcotics cookhouse. Generally speaking, that's probably a place to avoid even if it's inactive right?

If it's meth you can usually smell it before you walk in. Known drug locations present a ton of challenges. The cops generally keep an eye on the place and anyone coming or going. Also, walking into a place like this is a big dice roll. If the guys doing/cooking up drugs are actually there, they probably don't share your same appreciation of the beauty in decay and if your lucky will only kick your ass and steal your gear.

As counter intuitive as it seems I always like to talk to cops, especially in small towns. Letting them know who you are and why you're there has worked out for me 100% of the time. I've gotten amazing leads on locations and to date have had 3 police escorts to locations and one guy go with me inside! They can also tell you if a place is "hot" or not and give you good intel on entry points and problems they've had in the past.

As far as parking, if it's a small town and the location isn't one you're going to spend more than an hour in, I would park in front, look like you know what you are doing and go on in. People may talk, but if you look like you belong and aren't acting suspiciously, they are more apt to let it go.

Posted by YotaMan20 Alright, I did a little more digging and then hit the search bar here with absolutely zero results with nothing in archives either. I found hints that this place was used as a narcotics cookhouse. Generally speaking, that's probably a place to avoid even if it's inactive right?

I would probably avoid it, especially if it's meth. Even if it's inactive, meth labs leave a lot of toxic remnants lying around that need to be professionally cleaned up.

Posted by YotaMan20 Alright, I did a little more digging and then hit the search bar here with absolutely zero results with nothing in archives either. I found hints that this place was used as a narcotics cookhouse. Generally speaking, that's probably a place to avoid even if it's inactive right?

So what if someone did some shake and bake? It's all the same day.
If you know there's squatters inside, I avoid it. People are trouble.
Otherwise predawn it and feel it out. Stealth is best, smell them, hear them, see them before they do you... if possible.

Alright, I think I've got it figure out. Might be able to check it out on Easter most likely.

Thanks for your suggestions and advice.

Posted by YotaMan20 Alright, I think I've got it figure out. Might be able to check it out on Easter most likely. Thanks for your suggestions and advice.

That was going to be my suggestion, go on Easter when everyone is preoccupied with the Baby Jesus (wait wrong holiday, but that's what I typed so I'm leaving it)

I would not go in if it's known to be occupied- I agree with blackhawk about people. Around here it's almost impossible to avoid that though, so you might as well go for it because I think almost anything in WA will have homeless of one sort or another trying to live there. Just say no if it is or was a crack house, or a meth lab

Around here it's almost impossible to avoid that though, so you might as well go for it

Looking at this place via satellite, the only signs of entry I can see come from a slightly distant neighboring house. There's a very obvious foot trail between the two.

I'm going to check it out tomorrow. I just hope it's not raining too hard.

1.


2.


After nearly getting splattered on the roadside, I got to the property where after taking 10 photos or so, I realized that I had been shooting the whole time without an SD card.

I forgot both my SD card and back up at home. Pissed me off.

Posted by YotaMan20 Alright, I did a little more digging and then hit the search bar here with absolutely zero results with nothing in archives either. I found hints that this place was used as a narcotics cookhouse. Generally speaking, that's probably a place to avoid even if it's inactive right?

Logically, I would say to avoid this place. The meth lab could have toxins still laying around that could mess with you even if you have your respirator on with you. In addition, the likelihood of gang activity or police surveillance would be a large issue. HOWEVER... if you're reckless like me, you would just dip your toe into the water. I would be careful and make sure I had a quick entry/exit point, and slowly sneak into the facility or wherever you are going. If I catch any red flags at all, I'm booking it. I would also probably bring a few friends along with me.

Posted by rayfang2000 I would also probably bring a few friends along with me.

I respectfully disagree with this suggestion, for obvious reasons

Posted by LuminousAphid I respectfully disagree with this suggestion, for obvious reasons

Exactly. One S&W .45 semi can make you lose a lot of friends fast.

That place was wide open from just about every single angle. There were no trespassing and private property signs on literally every surface they could cling to.

A big group would have been big trouble.

Exactly. One S&W .45 semi can make you lose a lot of friends fast

^ You're absolutely right. I think about this today more than before. There were two shootings in the HAM last night, one right next door to me a few weeks ago, and a drive by in Skagit yesterday.