The Abandoned: Mossy Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Mossy Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

This wonderful mossy heart came from the top of a cement hand rail. What I didn't notice until I got home, is the white color fraying the ends of the moss, is actually tiny glistening water drops. You can see this better if you click for the larger view.

There is always something magical and beautiful to be found in The Abandoned.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

WARNING: Think twice about visiting The Abandoned without permission. You risk getting arrested for trespassing.

6 comments:

Clytie said...: I clicked this picture larger - and what magic you found in this gorgeous gem-encrusted mossy heart! This picture is amazing!!!; June 30, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Trollkjerringa1 said...: Just love your mossy heart , it's magic like Clytie said :D; June 30, 2011 at 2:31 PM
Dani said...: The Nature is amazing, isnt it?
Im glad you found this beautiful heart, Beth.; June 30, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Limarea said...: It's a really sweet heart :); July 1, 2011 at 3:22 AM
MarieElizabeth said...: What a unique find and gorgeous detail.; July 2, 2011 at 1:31 PM
Lyneen said...: I am always amazed at the photos you take at the Abandoned.... they are wonderful. I enlarged this and the detail of the water droplets is amazing. TFS; July 2, 2011 at 7:47 PM

The Abandoned

Years ago, I dedicated this blog to The Abandoned, a huge complex of abandoned buildings in rural Oregon.

Surrounded by wetlands and old growth timber, The Callahan Center was built in the 1970's by the State of Oregon as a rehabilitation center for people recovering from injuries on the job.

In 1992, the property was bought by a mega church. However, the Living Enrichment Center closed in 2004, amidst financial scandal and the property was abandoned.

The buildings stood empty for many years. Over that span the property was vandalized and looted. Yet the beauty of its rare architecture shone through the shambles of abuse and disrepair.

In the summer of 2013, the complex was completely demolished. We were all sad to see the buildings go, but because of trespassers and vandals, it was necessary to take them down.

The area where The Abandoned once stood is filled with $500,000 mushroom houses (homes built so fast they pop up like mushrooms) built on postage stamp lots. There are sidewalks and tall lamps where I once watched the foxes of the field leaping above the grass, hunting rodents.

The surrounding woodlands still survive. It is my prayer the wetlands and forests with their pristine creeks, native trees and flowers, as well as the wildlife which shelter there, will be protected.