forums
new posts
donate
UER Store
events
location db
db map
search
members
faq
terms of service
privacy policy
register
login




1 2  
UER Forum > Archived US: South > At least I didn't throw up... (Viewed 934 times)
theshortestsim 


Location: New Orleans
Gender: Female


make exploring great again

Send Private Message | Send Email
At least I didn't throw up...
< on 5/4/2010 10:42 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
At around 3am, two of my friends and I decided to give up on studying, and to explore the bell tower in the church on our University's campus. While the curch is fully functional, the tower has been locked up for decades (or so hearsay tells us). Anyway, this was a particularly exciting adventure, not because of content, but because 2/3 of the team are TERRIFIED of heights. I almost threw up. Not really. But sort of. ?

These photos are more for story-telling, rather than to look really nice.

The Church (had to edit A LOT to make it bright enough to see):
180046.jpg (93 kb, 800x600)
click to view


So first things first: We asked Dumbledore to magically unlock the church for us, which he did, because we asked so nicely. Then we climbed some average stairs and got to a locked door, which Dumbledore again opened for us, with the flick of his wand.
The first thing we see:
180047.jpg (56 kb, 450x600)
click to view


A ladder that goes so high up, we can't see the top, even with our strongest lights. So up we go. And up, and up, and up. We finally make it to the top, and down into the abyss from which we came.

180048.jpg (53 kb, 450x600)
click to view


We turn around and see three things: a staircase that rotted off to nothing, a thingy thing, and a second, even less steady ladder.

180049.jpg (48 kb, 450x600)
click to view


180050.jpg (46 kb, 450x600)
click to view



180051.jpg (78 kb, 800x600)
click to view


After climbing the new ladder, we look over and see... BELLS! LOTS OF BELLS! Small ones (still bigger than us), big ones (HUGE), and ones with things inscribed onto them. Oh, and empty side chambers:

180052.jpg (28 kb, 450x600)
click to view


180053.jpg (61 kb, 800x600)
click to view


180054.jpg (65 kb, 580x600)
click to view


180055.jpg (48 kb, 450x600)
click to view


However, we still weren't to the top. We found the next set of ladders, and made it outside. Got a nice view of our school and the moon.

180056.jpg (85 kb, 800x600)
click to view


180057.jpg (68 kb, 800x600)
click to view


180058.jpg (46 kb, 800x600)
click to view


Then, of course, had to take a group photo (in front of the "smaller" bells to prove we'd done it:

180059.jpg (73 kb, 800x600)
click to view


The whole thing was coated in dust, and showed no signs of functionality, backing up the rumor that it's been untouched for quite sometime.


Anyway, not the coolest place I've been, but definitely the most intense and emotional/mentally challenging adventure I've ever been on. And that's what it's all about.
[last edit 5/4/2010 10:44 AM by theshortestsim - edited 1 times]

Adventure is out there.
CagedPsycho 


Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Gender: Male


G.H.U.L.S.

Send Private Message | Send Email | G.H.U.L. Syndicate
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 1 on 5/4/2010 12:38 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Looks like a really cool building. Beautiful architecture.

And I think your thingy thing are foot pedals to play the bells

The caged being inside of you must break free from his shackles, for our partial sanity or pseudo-sanity, if so applies, cannot contain it forever without repercussion of mental breakdown.
RobertB 


Location: Skeeterville, TX
Gender: Male


Maybe I shouldn't be using my real name...

Send Private Message | Send Email | The All-Inclusive Dixie Chicks Page
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 2 on 5/4/2010 6:24 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
How hard was it to *not* go around ringing all the bells?

J'ai toujours fait une prière à Dieu, qui est fort courte.
La voici: "Mon Dieu, rendez nos ennemis bien ridicules!"
Dieu m'a exaucé.
IMPLAUS1BLE 


Location: Houston
Gender: Male




Send Private Message | Send Email
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 3 on 5/4/2010 8:03 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Those are sweet pictures.
[last edit 5/4/2010 8:03 PM by IMPLAUS1BLE - edited 1 times]

bfinan0 


Location: Rochester, NY
Gender: Male




Send Private Message | Send Email | DRAINWHALE: exploring subterranean rochester
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 4 on 5/4/2010 8:23 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
You found a carillon, a musical instrument made up of bells, foot pedals to play the lower (pitched) bells, and if it were intact batons to play the higher ones. A fully assembled one would look something like this:


My guess is that the smaller, higher bells that were easier to transport were moved, along with the console/keyboard, when the tower was abandoned, as it would have had 38-60 bells ranging from the large ones you have pictures of, to ones about the size of a gallon bucket or flowerpot.

theshortestsim 


Location: New Orleans
Gender: Female


make exploring great again

Send Private Message | Send Email
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 5 on 5/4/2010 9:23 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by bfinan0
as it would have had 38-60 bells ranging from the large ones you have pictures of, to ones about the size of a gallon bucket or flowerpot.


wow, that's cool. We figured it was to ring the bells, but had no idea there would have been more bells than just what we saw.

Adventure is out there.
theshortestsim 


Location: New Orleans
Gender: Female


make exploring great again

Send Private Message | Send Email
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 6 on 5/4/2010 9:26 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by RobertB
How hard was it to *not* go around ringing all the bells?


SO. HARD. There were even 12 inch screws laying around next to some... just ASKING for it..

Adventure is out there.
Avius 


Location: Washington DC / NOVA
Gender: Male


Wow you guys!

Send Private Message | Send Email | My Flickr
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 7 on 5/4/2010 11:51 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
That is so cool! It's sad that they've let it go to pot, though. One of the local universities here has a great carillon, and they have concerts with it a few times a week. It's really pretty to listen to, and you can hear it all over the city.

In places forgotten, tread where you will. -=- http://www.flickr.com/photos/avius/
pkrearden 


Location: Funkytown, TX
Gender: Male




Send Private Message | Send Email
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 8 on 5/5/2010 12:37 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I take it you guys are the wrong group to invite BASE jumping then....

"there is no devil, there's just god when he drinks." - Tom Waits
urbexinc 


Location: DFW
Gender: Male




Send Private Message | Send Email | Nathan's Art
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 9 on 5/5/2010 12:40 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Awesome! Very cool find, I'm jealous...and I just thought I'd share this pic from scarborough fair, they have a guy who plays one of those bell piano things (a Carillon I guess as what someone else said it was)



He had some really cool music too...next time I go I'm totally buying one of his CDs (cuz apparently they had CDs during the renaissance lol)

bfinan0 


Location: Rochester, NY
Gender: Male




Send Private Message | Send Email | DRAINWHALE: exploring subterranean rochester
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 10 on 5/5/2010 12:57 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Avius
That is so cool! It's sad that they've let it go to pot, though. One of the local universities here has a great carillon, and they have concerts with it a few times a week. It's really pretty to listen to, and you can hear it all over the city.


I play the carillon at my university, I've been taking lessons for 2 1/2 years and just had a recital last weekend.

bfinan0 


Location: Rochester, NY
Gender: Male




Send Private Message | Send Email | DRAINWHALE: exploring subterranean rochester
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 11 on 5/5/2010 1:01 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by urbexinc
Awesome! Very cool find, I'm jealous...and I just thought I'd share this pic from scarborough fair, they have a guy who plays one of those bell piano things (a Carillon I guess as what someone else said it was)

http://c2.ac-image...46765435036f9d.jpg

He had some really cool music too...next time I go I'm totally buying one of his CDs (cuz apparently they had CDs during the renaissance lol)


That would be 'Cast in Bronze', the only portable carillon known to exist
http://www.youtube...atch?v=THBHzjbwmYg
[last edit 5/5/2010 1:01 AM by bfinan0 - edited 3 times]

theshortestsim 


Location: New Orleans
Gender: Female


make exploring great again

Send Private Message | Send Email
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 12 on 5/5/2010 1:54 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by pkrearden
I take it you guys are the wrong group to invite BASE jumping then....


You would be absolutely correct in that assumption.

Adventure is out there.
Avius 


Location: Washington DC / NOVA
Gender: Male


Wow you guys!

Send Private Message | Send Email | My Flickr
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 13 on 5/5/2010 1:54 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by bfinan0
I play the carillon at my university, I've been taking lessons for 2 1/2 years and just had a recital last weekend.

HAHAHA that conjures the image of early lessons: a clumsy rendition of "Are you Sleeping Brother John" repeated over and over again for an hour. After each mistake, there is a pause, and it starts again from the top. I can only imagine that if my first piano lesson had been broadcast from the top of a tower at hundreds of decibels, I might not have survived the ensuing riot.

(Though I am sure you probably have a practice instrument that is somewhat less public)

In places forgotten, tread where you will. -=- http://www.flickr.com/photos/avius/
bfinan0 


Location: Rochester, NY
Gender: Male




Send Private Message | Send Email | DRAINWHALE: exploring subterranean rochester
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 14 on 5/5/2010 2:06 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Avius

HAHAHA that conjures the image of early lessons: a clumsy rendition of "Are you Sleeping Brother John" repeated over and over again for an hour. After each mistake, there is a pause, and it starts again from the top. I can only imagine that if my first piano lesson had been broadcast from the top of a tower at hundreds of decibels, I might not have survived the ensuing riot.

(Though I am sure you probably have a practice instrument that is somewhat less public)


My first piece was actually Hedwig's Theme from the Harry Potter movies. It was what was on the music stand September of freshman year when I got into the tower by more UER-appropriate means. (Yes, I climbed the bell tower at 3am, and DID play the bells. Somehow I wasn't caught...I turned myself in a year or two later when the librarian said during a tour that no one had ever gotten in the tower uninvited since 1974.)

urbexinc 


Location: DFW
Gender: Male




Send Private Message | Send Email | Nathan's Art
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 15 on 5/5/2010 6:30 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by bfinan0


That would be 'Cast in Bronze', the only portable carillon known to exist
http://www.youtube...atch?v=THBHzjbwmYg


that is correct sir...I love the music, great stuff, I just didn't know what the instrument was called until now...I've been going to scarborough for a while and always catch that show....that's awesome that you play as well and good to see another urban explorer that also is into the music let alone knows how to play it

Noah Vale 


Location: Portland, Or


It's nobler to never get paid, than to bank on shit and dismay

Send Private Message | Send Email | AIM Message | 
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 16 on 5/5/2010 8:24 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Very cool. Go back with a tripod.

"Dallas is a magnificent and wide open city, and I'm deeply envious of any urban explorers who have the good fortune to live there." -Ninj.
SilentSearch 


Location: Cowtown
Gender: Male


My rebellion against the santa cursor! HoHoHo

Send Private Message | Send Email
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 17 on 5/5/2010 4:19 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Well done!
Always wanted to know what was in a bell tower and how the bells all lined up. Hadn't ever heard of a carillon before. Always thought the bells were rung by a dude in a robe.. LOL
If you go back, try and get some pix of the writing on some of the bells, dates, manufacturers, etc.

Official UE Safety officer and rescue specialist.
Explorer Zero 






Send Private Message | Send Email | 
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 18 on 5/5/2010 6:31 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by SilentSearch
Well done!
Always wanted to know what was in a bell tower and how the bells all lined up. Hadn't ever heard of a carillon before. Always thought the bells were rung by a dude in a robe.. LOL


some monks are actually being replaced by pre-programmed electronic fake carillons now, sad but true

Posted by Noah Vale
Very cool. Go back with a tripod.


hey arent you that guy that must not be from Texas?

voyagerfan99 


Location: Tolland County, Connecticut
Gender: Male




Send Private Message | Send Email
Re: At least I didn't throw up...
<Reply # 19 on 5/5/2010 8:12 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
That's so cool! I've always wanted to go up in the bell tower of my church back home. Granted it's probably not as elegant as the one on your campus, but it would still be cool to do!

Nub Bubbin' Round the UE World
UER Forum > Archived US: South > At least I didn't throw up... (Viewed 934 times)
1 2  



All content and images copyright © 2002-2024 UER.CA and respective creators. Graphical Design by Crossfire.
To contact webmaster, or click to email with problems or other questions about this site: UER CONTACT
View Terms of Service | View Privacy Policy | Server colocation provided by Beanfield
This page was generated for you in 125 milliseconds. Since June 23, 2002, a total of 737108766 pages have been generated.