Took Friday off since it was my birthday. I had planned on a day of movie watching, and junk food eating. But my wife and son wanted to give me gifts before they left for work/school. Among those gifts were a new 35mm prime lens, a shutter timer, and a little drone.
I did not mess with the timer or the drone yet, but I had been looking forward to the new 35mm lens. So my plans changed. Since this was an unplanned trip, I had no spots picked out, but I did have in mind one place that my dad had mentioned a couple of weeks ago.
So I started the day off heading to a little town that my dad told me about. (My dad is pretty interested in my hobby, and having grown up in and around the small towns near here knows some pretty good spots. Actually a while back there was a house I had visited that looked to have been a post office at one time, my dad confirmed this by recognizing it from his youth, and going there with his mom for the mail.)
Anyway, he told me about this little town that had an old school, that only had exterior walls remaining, and that the locals had cleaned it up and the interior is set up as a picnic area.
I thought this sounded pretty cool, and thought I would have a nice Dairy Queen picnic there. Only there was no Dairy Queen, or anything. It is a good thing I did not need any gas.
Right on the main (only) road through town. Easy to find. But I will not share my POE.
1.
School by
Road Extx, on Flickr
Even with no interior I still really liked this place, and spent at least 30 minutes sitting at one of the picnic tables. It was very quiet and peaceful, and I was lucky enough to be there for one of our five nice days of weather.
2.
Vines by
Road Extx, on Flickr
The spot was actually now owned by the local Baptist Church, located across the street. Behind this old school was a small activity center. I can imagine some of the church events that take place here. Seeing some old lights hanging up, I can picture this place in the evening with strings of lights across the span of the interior.
3.
Cactus by
Road Extx, on Flickr
A few spots that I saw coming and going from this location.
This house was in another, even smaller town. I had seen it on Google Earth, it looked like a little more of it was still standing on the overhead. Not knowing what was hidden in or under, the pile of debris, I just took a couple shots from outside. The chair still looks good!
4.
House by
Road Extx, on Flickr
Another house nearby, not as pretty as some. Inside was nothing but construction materials, one room was full of lumber, another full of sack-crete. All of it looked forgotten. As soon as I opened the door I was surrounded by bees so I took off hastily.
5.
House by
Road Extx, on Flickr
Back down the road a bit I passed a road that I had always felt a tugging to turn down but never had. Well, this time I did. I saw a sign for a cemetery, but never saw one. The road turned from pavement, to gravel, to two tire tracks through the grass. The bottom of my little Mazda took some abuse. Then it turned back fro gravel, and paving, and to my left I saw this little gem.
6.
Church by
Road Extx, on Flickr
The seating area was pretty empty, though the piano still looked pretty nice.
7.
Pew by
Road Extx, on Flickr
I can almost feel the fire and brimstone that I imagine came from that pulpit back in the day.
8.
Altar by
Road Extx, on Flickr
In the back was the pastor's office, a small gathering area, and a kitchen. I have not uploaded any of the pics from those areas.
Across the street was the first hole of the local golf course. I mentioned this place to my dad, he knew about it. Told me a story about playing golf there one time and one of his foursome drove the ball and sliced/hooked (I don't golf) it so bad that it hit the church.
In yet another town on my way home I saw this super overgrown house. It feels like it would be amazing inside. But just standing in the road taking these pictures I had about four cars slow or stop. I was in one of those nice small communities that everyone knows everyone and wants to know everything that is going on. Plus the fact that this house sits directly on Highway 59, there is a lot of traffic. It is totally on my list of places to revisit.
Side entrance is a little bit grown up.
9.
House by
Road Extx, on Flickr
The front entrance is big time grown up. Had to wait for a break in traffic for this one as I was in the road. Did not want to end up a news story!
10.
House by
Road Extx, on Flickr
From the side, if you look hard enough you might see a bit of house.
11.
House by
Road Extx, on Flickr
Now just a few randoms.
This sign, I loved the catfish face.
12.
Catfish by
Road Extx, on Flickr
13.
Bulldozer by
Road Extx, on Flickr
Very surprised that the hood ornament is still on there.
14.
Mack by
Road Extx, on Flickr
15.
House by
Road Extx, on Flickr
And a place on my bucket list, an old convent/girls school sits on the right, behind the wood and stone fence. The sign gives away one of the problems with this location. However, dad to the rescue as he gave me a contact that will possibly let me in there to take pictures.
16.
Fence by
Road Extx, on Flickr
Nothing too big and exciting, but I had a terrible good time driving around and looking at places. I also came across an old graveyard that was pretty neat to look through. I only took a couple of photos there, one of a historical monument and a couple of interesting grave stones. Lots of neat cemeteries around here though. One of these days I might paint my fingernails black, throw on The Cure and post moody black and white grave shots.
As always thanks for taking time to look. I have a couple of spots that should be pretty interesting on my to do list.
