The Abandoned: December 2015

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Dreaming of Bigfoot

Years ago, back in the mid-1970's, there was a report of a sighting of the Oregon Bigfoot in the hills near where I lived as a child.

Awhile back, I was watching a program about Bigfoot. It was said that one of the signs they've been living in an area, are bent over trees, such as you see above. This is from the beautiful forest of my childhood.

LOL I think the idea is funny--but on the other hand, wouldn't it be wonderful if this last bit of forested area, complete with old growth trees, is actually home to such a critter?

I like to think about it, that's for sure. Have a lovely day!

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Gnarly Oak in The Abandoned

Here is another of the ancient oaks found in the forests surrounding what once was The Abandoned. I adore oak trees--They are like dear old Grandpas. I still hug them when I can. This picture was taken early last Spring.

With our record rainfall, the moss is growing thick and green on the trees. The forest is a magical place right now. though the leaves are gone it is beautiful.

Have a lovely day, sweet Friends!

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.