The Abandoned: pitch

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Tree Sap Drip

Here you see the sap of the tall fir. This is how the tree heals its injured spots. We call it pitch, others call it tree sap. It is sticky, fragrant and beautiful in the sunshine.

Have a lovely day and if you get the chance, take a walk in the forest. There are all kinds of wonderful surprises to be found.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

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.

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.