It's a weird time to be exploring right now. Things are getting demolished all around this area at a record pace, while fewer and fewer "new" locations are popping up. The trend I've been noticing has been to find a cool place, post the photos without discretion, and let everyone storm the place until it is either trashed or locked up. The old forums which used to be a great resource to find new places have been mostly dead, with the exception of a few big sites like this one. There are still a bunch of people getting out and seeing some cool things, but it seems like a lot of folks who have been around a while have been keeping quiet as to not accidentally blow up their new finds. As a result of all of this, I've been doing some footwork and have actually managed to stumble into some fairly cool shit. A return visit from our good friend Mookster served as a great excuse to head back to some old favorites, as well as some stuff that was new to us as well. Here is a sample of what I've posted recently. It's in no particular order, and some stuff is older and I've just recently made the photos public.

1. Barren Tower Church by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

2. Barren Tower Church by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

3. Pinetree Resort & Hotel by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

4. Pinetree Resort & Hotel by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

5. Essex County Overbrook Hospital by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

6. Camp Wade by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

7. Camp Wade by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

8. Monohall Hotel by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

9. Monohall Hotel by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

10. Monohall Hotel by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

11. Parker State School and Prison by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

12. Parker State School and Prison by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

13. Parker State School and Prison by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

14. Roadside Drive- In Theater by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

15. Roadside Drive- In Theater by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

16. Roadside Drive- In Theater by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

17. Plainview Memorial Church by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

18. Plainview Memorial Church by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

19. Plainview Memorial Church by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

20. Ivyland Psychiatric Center by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

21. The Village Library by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

22. The Village Library by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

23. NJ Transit Cars (Camden Co.) by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

24. Georgian Lake Mansion by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

25. Georgian Lake Mansion by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

26. Mountainside Family Resort by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

27. Shortly after this photo was taken, Mookster went in this same room to poke around while we continued down the hall. I heard a crack, followed by a loud smash, and before he could even shout for help we were already jogging back down the hall. Sure enough, we came upon him waist deep in the floor. We got him out, and despite some minor scratches he was fine and laughing like a lunatic. We finished up shortly thereafter, and began an epic hunt for ice cream which lead us to another cool little place nearby.

Mountainside Family Resort by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

28. Mountainside Family Resort by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

29. Masonic Lodge by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

30. Masonic Lodge by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

31. Essex County Overbrook Hospital by EsseXploreR, on Flickr

Thanks for looking folks.

looks like some really cool finds man! Nice work

Beautiful work! Glad to see you're not being discouraged by the changing times.

Some really nice shots

Really are only two ways to protect a site.
By actively stopping vandals and scrappers.
By sitting on it and the pics till its gone

Awesome!

nice set and glad to hear mookster was okay...that could of been horrible !!!

Incredible finds, and photos!

Great stuff as always my friend! Glad to have been with you on a few of these even though I mostly just ask you to go to the same place with me over and over haha

The last shot pains me.

new gems don't come around much anymore, and when they do, some people sit on them for fear of places spreading like ebola the way that mansion with the piano (there are two of em, pick whichever one you want)

Good lookin' shots. You guys have some rad stuff over there.

Those arcade game consoles would be worth a few thousand dollars if they weren't smashed up like that. It's a shame.

I was reading Mooksters account of his near fall, but didn't realize where it was until I saw your shots here. I was at that location June of last year! Pretty cool place that doesn't seem to get very much attention. We came very close to a run in with a skunk there, he was living in the small house type building behind the largest building, and I think we may have picked up ticks there that day. Did you see my "sign in" on the chalkboard in the basement??

Thanks so much everyone.

Posted by krush The last shot pains me.

Me too dude. Me too.

Posted by robdobi new gems don't come around much anymore, and when they do, some people sit on them for fear of places spreading like ebola the way that mansion with the piano (there are two of em, pick whichever one you want)

Sure, I totally get that. I actually prefer it that way honestly. I like not knowing what I may find when I go somewhere. When I know everything ahead of time it takes away from some of the fun. I'm thankful I was able to check out both of those mansions before they got sealed up, but to be honest I wasn't a fan of either. Felt very weird being in them.

Posted by TheSwanStation I was reading Mooksters account of his near fall, but didn't realize where it was until I saw your shots here. I was at that location June of last year! Pretty cool place that doesn't seem to get very much attention. We came very close to a run in with a skunk there, he was living in the small house type building behind the largest building, and I think we may have picked up ticks there that day. Did you see my "sign in" on the chalkboard in the basement??

Yeah, it was honestly really hilarious once we realized he was safely perched on a bean. I wanted to get a photo of him in the hole, but I probably would have felt terrible if he slipped through the rest of the way as I was framing the photo. Also no, I don't believe I did. We signed the board but I don't recall seeing any others. Wasn't looking too hard though!

i think one of my worst fears is being locked in an abandoned prison cell

We certainly had a good time visiting known places and accidentally finding 'new' spots, I think it was the adrenaline coursing through my veins which made me laugh like a loony. Certainly made up for the disappointments earlier on in my journey.

Got to get planning the next one now...

Posted by eyevolve i think one of my worst fears is being locked in an abandoned prison cell

Happened to a friend of mine actually. On a hot summer day. Thankfully my girlfriend was able to make use of a nearby sledgehammer and got them out.

Posted by mookster We certainly had a good time visiting known places and accidentally finding 'new' spots, I think it was the adrenaline coursing through my veins which made me laugh like a loony. Certainly made up for the disappointments earlier on in my journey. Got to get planning the next one now...

Just be honest Mooks, I know the real highlight of your trip was the ride through Newark on Central Ave from the train station... LOL

Looking forward to your next visit bud.