Unfortunately, the YouTubers have found this place...and the vandals, and the squatters. My first thought was that it was sealed much more than what I'd seen in one video. But...I found my way in.

Upon entering I first noticed how new this place looked, and it was very colorful; obviously a hospital for kiddies. The beds have been removed from the rooms. Some rooms were full of clothing, makeshift beds, trash, and yes, in one room, a freaking electric razor set!

The floors are blue, paintings of trees and positive messages adorn the walls. In one area sits a gorgeous piano untouched by idiot vandals and rot. I sit at the chair and play the first six or seven notes of "The Entertainer". I can play it on the harmonica, but not well on a pianer.

I walk through empty rooms, dusty hallways, broken glass, and begin to see the signs of senseless destruction. Some doors are sealed, some hallways inaccessible in places, but able to be infiltrated elsewhere...it's a maze, with an overgrown courtyard in the middle of the complex. This area sports a dry pool, benches, and the remains of hopscotch grids.

I find old nurse's stations, the social areas, cafeteria, the kitchen. A sign warning that 'vandalism is a crime' according to SC law...well, im not breaking THAT law; just doing some 'splorin. A chapel with highly placed, narrow stained glass windows, unbroken. Offices, judicial processing room, the stairs.

The bannister has been removed, so carefully I proceed upward. As I enter the 2nd floor, I hear a door slam. I freeze, and wait. Rustling, hurried movement, another slam...could be the wind. I've been up since 2am, predawned another nearby location, and spent 5 hours there. It's a summer day and it's HOT! I've been here a couple hours. Maybe it's nothing, or an innocuous squatter that can be bribed with some cigs and a snack...or maybe I've pressed my luck enough and had a great day, so it's time to GTFO.

I backtrack, looking for my exit, but get a bit lost and forget what path I took to get here. My mind reels, imagining that worst case scenario...persuit by an angry squatter who released his hounds...or his bees...or his hounds with bees in their mouths and when they bark bees come out. FOCUS! I use my phone GPS to locate the direction I need to access my exit. When I find the hall, I find a door, sealed, with the window busted out. I need to get through this door...or continue searching.

There are plenty of chairs around; I set one under the window, and put the other through the glassless hole, and climb out. I quickly find my PoE, and move on towards home (with a stop for some deep fried tacos).

Thanks for reading...hope you enjoyed!