I see my reflection in many of these replies, what a great thread. My reply is much the same. Circumstances change, old friends disappear, locations disappear, security gets better, and I get older and unmotivated to take on needless risks. Still nice to see UER going and new people making the effort.

I was thinking about this the other day. Back when I started exploring, young and foolhardy, I found it hard to understand when some older explorers would bow out of certain locations or missions. They had responsibilities, kids, careers; things at stake that were not worth risking an encounter with police after breaking into a pigeon-shit filled abandoned building at 1am. I started to understand as I got older. Now I'm that guy, and mostly just lurk for old times' sake. I've been fortunate enough to have jobs that have scratched the exploring itch a bit, and when opportunities arise I still look around. And I wonder what everyone else I came with is doing now.

Thanks to AV and the mods for keeping this site running all these years.

I got a fellow urbexer pregnant after she found out Yokes was smoking her husband's poles.

Posted by Furious D I joined back in 2006 and used to explore and post a ton. I'm now married with 2 kids and have a professional career. I've ran into some awkward encounters with land owners where I currently live, because it's way harder here to just wander onto properties, and it's equally hard to explain your way out of it when you're 36 years old, and not a wandering youth anymore. I have had a lot of success with my photography, but found that maintaining a social media presence is exhausting and it's annoying competing with Instagram/TikTok idiots that ruin locations. I mostly keep my explorations down to two or three expeditions per year and I don't share much of what I do anymore. I'll likely never stop exploring, but I will never be able to do it with the frequency that I used to.

You old fuck ... lol. Gray beards bruv ..

My wife got sick 8 years ago, so I live vicariously through everyone else here.

I was never particularly active on here when it came to posts and really lurked mostly. I stopped seriously exploring during the early COVID times. Two reasons basically: I started into some outdoor pursuits I’m much more interested in and I got a different job that would be made very uncomfortable if I’m ever arrested for trespass even though that’s not exceptional common in Ontario. For me the biggest influence to stop was ultimately the explosion of UE during COVID (along with every other adventurous pursuit) leading to a lot of what is frankly breaking and entering and really not making this hobby look good or frankly really tolerated. In my experience through my job I’ve managed to talk to some folks who are responsible for some infrastructure that I‘D (and probably most here) have explored but isn’t actually abandoned and they were saying that as a “custodian” they have adopted a much stronger “zero-tolerance” approach. No more will they put up with warning people but have directed security personnel/police to charge people and issue citations. For me it’s probably mostly an issue of risk. I like my job a lot and as much as I enjoy this hobby it’s not worth my job.

If, in the course of my outdoor pursuits, I run into abandoned structures I’ll probably enter them and explore but I don’t set out on an adventure with the primary goal being exploration.

It’s really too bad.

I work in a career that requires a background check for employment and I don't want to risk anything, even though trespassing is NOT the main thing being looked for.

Posted by chuck barkley Ever since the tragic and unexpected loss of my brother back in November, I’ve retired from pretty much everything. It’s been the most unimaginable year since and the thought of exploring without him just hurts. I still scout stuff online regularly, keep an eye out for local business closures, and occasionally take a drive to look at stuff. But to actually explore reminds me too much of our times together.

I'm sorry for your loss

Posted by Samurai i'm dying...

I'm glad you're still around...

Posted by 1600 I'm glad you're still around...

well, thanks, but it's not a lot of fun waiting around for your heart to say fuck you and quit.

Posted by Samurai well, thanks, but it's not a lot of fun waiting around for your heart to say fuck you and quit.

I can only imagine how difficult this journey has been for you Sam
All I can say is I'm glad your heart hasn't said fuck you and I do look forward to your posts particularly your wisdom where cars and car parts are concerned.
You will always be "car guru" guy to me
Sending cyber hugs Sam!

Posted by Samurai well, thanks, but it's not a lot of fun waiting around for your heart to say fuck you and quit.

Everyone on my dad's side died at 68 ad 3 months of a heart attack, except grandpa who passed of cancer at 63 and my dad.

I had a big one in 2018 at 52. No idea why or how I made it...

I'll keep you in my thoughts....

Posted by 1600 Everyone on my dad's side died at 68 ad 3 months of a heart attack, except grandpa who passed of cancer at 63 and my dad. I had a big one in 2018 at 52. No idea why or how I made it... I'll keep you in my thoughts....

gracias!
this little gem of a condition is called 'dilated cardiomyopathy". basically the left side of my heart (the output side) has enlarged and my heart doesn't push that great anymore. Basically, my heart function is under 10-15% and my cardiologist can't really explain why. He thinks it had something to do with the pneumonia i had in 2013... Anyways, in February-March 2016, i was given 5 years. I am going on 8. Hooray for modern chemistry.

We cherish you Sam, please tell your heart every day how much he is loved by all, he'll keep working for you, love



~O

Posted by Once-ler We cherish you Sam, please tell your heart every day how much he is loved by all, he'll keep working for you, love ~O

i punish my heart every day with as much salt and caffeine as I can run through it. I want it to suffer for putting me through this shit.