Dirt Clod Heart

This is one of the last hearts I found at The Abandoned before they began to build houses.  A sort of bittersweet tribute to the magic which once was.

Lichen This Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

How amazing to find such exquisite detail in such a tiny bit of lichen.  This heart is smaller than a pencil eraser!  I like the contrast of limb, moss and lichen. The heart is perfect for Guest Heart Thursday!

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

What a Sap! -Guest Heart Thursday

This is a photo of pitch, or sap flowing over the bark of a fir tree.  This is the fir tree's way of healing itself.  The results can be quite beautiful.  What I liked about this one, is the green reflection of the forest that is caught in the golden droplets.  It is quite lovely.

There are two hearts to be found in th is picture--one is VERY tiny!  

I can hardly wait to go walking in the Forests of my childhood.  It is always so beautiful when spring comes to the canyon and the forest surrounding what once was 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.

Crackle Mud Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

Sissy and I went for a walk through The Abandoned last week.  She was the one who found this heart for me.  Who would have thought of looking for a heart in a crackly, dry mud puddle?  

Here is the view of all that is left of the main building.  You can't really tell it, but I am standing at the top of a very steep cliff.  The tracks of big equipment are actually far below.  Those piles of gravel are HUGE.  One can find the most amazing agates and rocks here.

Above you see the main building which once stood here.  They've done a very good job of  reducing the entire complex to bits and pieces of gravel and rubble.

It still seems magical to me.  Especially the forests which still surround this area.

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

Heart in Hand -Guest Heart Thursday

There are more hearts here to be found, than just that in the center of the hand.  This wall is long gone--just an echo of memory now.

I still love the colors and odd enchantment to be found in this photo.

Have a lovely day and Happy Guest Heart Thursday!

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

Sparkle Dewdrop Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

I took this picture on one of my walks through The Abandoned with my darling Sister a few summers ago.   The sparkle at the bottom of the heart seemed magical to me.   When I found it again just now--the magic of that place still has power.

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

Microscopic Heart March -Guest Heart Thursday

These beautiful lichen are so tiny, I didn't see the hearts until I was able to see them on my computer!  They are so cute.  One thing which cannot be destroyed are the teeniest things in the world.   No matter that this place is now in rubble and ruin--nature will not be thwarted.

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

Heart in Fence Post -Guest Heart Thursday

Can you see the heart here?  This is a part of an old fence post found along the road, which once protected the forests surrounding The Abandoned.  I have not walked there with my Sissy for some time.  I am  not sure what I will see once I do--all that is left of the buildings are huge piles of ground up debris.

I am grateful the beauty of the forest still stands...for now.

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

Fallen Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

So sad to see this amazing place turned into rubble.  I will miss its magic.  Though I wonder if some of that special sense of wonder will still remain.  With the forests of old growth nearby, perhaps it will.

Perhaps the shadow people will roam the halls of all those new homes which will soon sprout like so many mushrooms.

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

Lonely Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

Sissy and I found this lonely heart placed beneath the window on the second floor of the main building.  This area no longer exists.  The entire complex has been reduced to a field of rubble.

I haven't seen it up close yet.  It is so odd to look over where the buildings once stood and see a clear, clean skyline.  I remember when The Abandoned was built.  I remember the workers pouring the cement walls.  I remember feeling so sad at that time--because they'd made my beloved meadow into a cold giant hillside.  I missed seeing the foxes play and the birds that came there to nest.

Now I am sad to see this magical place compacted into dust.  Strange isn't it?

Soon over 400 homes will be built where this place once stood.  Progress, I suppose.

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

Hanging Hearts -Guest Heart Thursday

The last time I visited my parents' place--located across the street from The Abandoned, I noticed this colorful towel drying in the sunshine.  It brought back memories of helping Mom hang out the wash, when I was a little girl.  There's nothing like the wonderful aroma of air dried laundry.  MMmmmMmmm!

And just perfect for Guest Heart Thursday!

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

Orange Mesh Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

I haven't been to The Abandoned since it has been entirely flattened.  This upside down mesh heart is from my last walk there with Sissy.  I admit, it is an odd feeling to look up at the hill and not see the sillhouette of the main building of The Abandoned.

Will the shadow people remain to haunt those who build homes there?  It is a question someone asked me the other day--I didn't have an answer.

Have a great day and Happy Guest Heart Thursday.

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

Heart Over The Abandoned -Guest Heart Thursday

I wasn't surprised to see this perfect heart poised over The Abandoned a month or so ago.  When one is with Sissy--hearts just pop out everywhere!

I have a chance to win a small original painting of my own dear Polydactyl Cat by one of my all-time favorite artists.  If you'd like to vote for Toez, visit Sandrine's Gallery.  Have a lovely day, and Happy Guest Heart Thursday! 

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

WARNING: If you visit The Abandoned without permission, you risk getting arrested for trespassing. Please be careful. Since the buildings are gone, some question the presence of surveillance cameras. Don't assume there aren't cameras in place. Individuals who come onto the property without permission, should know the owners are VERY serious about identifying trespassers.

Copper Pipe Hearts -Guest Heart Thursday

On my last walk with Sissy through The Abandoned, we came across an amazing array of cut copper piping.  It is actually part of an old machine, I think.  What a wonderful display for any photographer who loves rust, twisted metal and interesting patterns.

Happy Guest Heart Thursday!   

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

WARNING: If you visit The Abandoned without permission, you risk getting arrested for trespassing. Please be careful. Since the buildings have been demolished, some question the presence of surveillance cameras.  Don't assume there aren't cameras in place. Individuals who come onto the property without permission, should know the owners are VERY serious about identifying trespassers.

Feel the Love -Guest Heart Thursday

This is what is left of the sky bridge.  Feel the love--and you can find all kinds of hearts hidden in this photo.  Sissy and I had a lovely walk that day, not too hot, not too cold--just right.  Have a lovely day everyone! 

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

WARNING: If you visit The Abandoned without permission, you risk getting arrested for trespassing. Please be careful.  Since the buildings have been demolished, some people question the presence of surveillance cameras. Don't assume there aren't cameras in place. Individuals who come onto the property without permission, should know the owners are VERY serious about identifying trespassers.  

Guardian -Guest Heart Thursday

First of all, I want anyone reading this blog to know I would never dream of walking here without an escort who has permission to be on the property.   Anyone visiting The Abandoned without permission should be aware there are surveillance cameras in place.  The property is regularly patrolled by local policemen, as well as watchful neighbors who won't hesitate to report illegal activity.  There is also a full-time caretaker living on the premises.  If you are caught trespassing, you will be arrested, jailed and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.  

Dad died just before Thanksgiving, so we haven't had much spare time--even for a walk in The Abandoned.  Since Dad left us, I have only visited here once.  After so many months away, I found myself in awe of the great changes taking place.  Though I am sad over the loss of these buildings,  I find that I can hardly wait to see this area restored to its once natural beauty.  However I am sure the idyllic meadows and old swamplands I remember from my childhood--a magical place where foxes came to leap and play--are likely a thing of the distant past.

As a girl, I remember feeling deep grief as dump trucks piled vast mountains of dirt and rock into the meadow, obliterating its former beauty.  Where deer, foxes, wild birds and other forest animals played, there was a huge, barren hill which was used as a parking lot.   My siblings and I were fascinated as we watched the building's walls grow tall as cement was poured into forms.  Years later, as a single woman I walked my dog along those pathways. As a young wife and Mother, living in my grandmother's basement apartment, Mom and I took our morning walks there.

In Dad's twilight years, with the gracious permission of the new owners, we walked with Dad so he could get exercise on smooth ground.  I still smile, remembering the tap tap of his old wooden cane and that funny little smile which played around his mouth as he walked through The Abandoned.

Over time, I've watched these rare, elegant buildings vandalized and gutted until only the option of demolition remained.

These photos are from the first and only time Sissy and I walked through The Abandoned since Dad died.  It is startling to see light where darkness once held sway.  The broken walls have let in the light to this area.  Soon these hearts will be crunched into rubble.  The rare architecture of this place will only be a memory.

Though the castle will soon be demolished, its guardian will still be there--watching from the mysterious woodlands--full of old growth trees, native plants and wild animals who live in the forests surrounding 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: With the demolition of these buildings, The Abandoned is especially dangerous. If you visit without permission, you risk getting arrested for trespassing.

Grimm Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

I enjoy walking with my sister.  Last week, for the first time in months, she and I walked through The Abandoned.  It was the first time I'd visited since Dad flew away to heaven just before Thanksgiving.  Somehow, it seems fitting, now that Dad is gone, that these buildings should be leveled to make way for something beautiful.  He would have liked that.

While Dad was in the hospital, the television series called Grimm filmed one of their episodes in The Abandoned.  They covered a lot of the local graffiti with their own sort of painted artwork.  This interesting heart is one of those.  It is surreal to see this heart outside, when not so long ago, it was inside.  Soon this heart will be gone, too.

Sissy and I often ponder how odd it will be when these buildings are completely gone.  I am so glad we took pictures of what will soon be a magical memory.

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

WARNING: With the demolition of these buildings, The Abandoned is especially dangerous.  If you trespass, you risk getting arrested and jailed.

Skylight Glass Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

The last time Sissy and I walked through The Abandoned, I took this wonderful photo of the sun splashing through a piece of broken glass in the skylight.

If you look closely you can find hearts all over in the shattered glass.  I find it amazing, that in the wake of vandalism, there is still beauty to be seen.

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

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

Twirly Heart on Wood -Guest Heart Thursday

This is a heart I captured last time Sissy and I went for a walk in The Abandoned.  I shudder to think that beautiful place will soon be a pile of rubble.  But there will always be the woods and the walkways filled with beauty and old growth trees.  I am grateful for that.

This week has been difficult.  I had some devastating news.  My beloved husband has cancer.  Early next week we find out what our options are.  But in the meantime, we are trusting God and His goodness.

Many blessings to each of you.

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

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

For Leontien

This morning's Guest Heart Thursday is especially poignant--dedicated to a young woman whose dreams are on hold.  She has been sharing her fight against cancer on her blog, "Four Leaf Clover".  As Sissy writes, when you visit Leontien's blog bring a tissue and a prayer.  I was so very touched by her words and story.  What a beautiful, brave woman she is.

This one is for you, dear Leontien--I am praying for you and for your family right now, this moment.

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

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