The Abandoned: faery

Friday, April 6, 2012

Beauty in Miniature - Weekend Reflections

I love to discover unexpected surprises as Sissy and I walk together. Along the railing of a lost bridge, we find Beauty in Miniature--tiny worlds, all their own.

Small places where the sunshine sparkles into darkness, revealing exquisite lichen. One wonders if faery lands could be seen if one could only peer a little closer.

Overhead, clinging to its fragile gossamer roof, there is sparkling loveliness in abundance here.

Have a lovely Easter weekend everyone!

To see more wonderful reflections from around the world, visit James at Weekend Reflections!

WARNING: You shouldn't visit The Abandoned without permission. If you do, you risk getting arrested for trespassing.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Where the Maiden Hair Fern Grows - Shadow Shot Sunday

Sissy and I went for a walk down through the forests of our childhood...down into a place we named as children--Deer Valley. There was magic in the air. Then, Where the Maiden Hair Fern Grows . . .

Sissy and I were sure we saw faeries begin to dance.

For more incredible shadow shots, visit Harriet for Shadow Shot Sunday.

NOTE: If you intend to visit The Abandoned, be sure to get permission from the owners first. If you do not have permission, you may be arrested and prosecuted for trespassing.

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.