THE EXPLORATION PROJECT

Haunted Infrasound

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:45:00 +0000

I came across an interesting article the other day entitled, “The Creepy Scientific Explanation Behind Ghost Sightings” - http://www.cracked.com/article_18828_the-creepy-scientific-explanation-behind-ghost-sightings.html. The article states that ghost sightings are not caused by the paranormal but by something called infrasound.

Infrasound are noises that are between 7 and 19 Hz. Such noises are at such a low frequency that they cannot be consciously heard by the human ear. However, the body still processes the sound and not knowing where it comes from causes us to feel fear, panic, and/or dread. The article claims that humans may have developed these responses to infrasound as an evolutionary response to danger as volcanoes, earthquakes, strong ocean waves, and even tiger roars emit infrasound. Infrasound in buildings can be caused by something as simple as air through a ventilation system.

While this theory accounts for the sense of dread and being looked upon that most of us have felt at one time or another, what about ghost sightings? The article states that infrasound resonates with our eyeballs causing “smeared vision” where we interpret particles of dust or objects in our peripheral sight to be large moving shapes.

So, the next time you’re somewhere creepy and get a sense of dread or even see a ghost, remember infrasound!

Day of Action Against Corporate Greed – London, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:23:00 +0000

“This is what democracy looks like!”, we chanted in unison at the “Day of Action Against Corporate Greed”, on January 21, 2012, in London, Ontario. I had decided to make my voice known after finding out that Caterpillar Inc., had locked out 500 workers at London’s Electro-Motive plant after they had refused a new contract that slashed wages by 50%. I was disgusted by Caterpillar’s corporate greed given that the company reported record high profits in 2011 - http://www.londoncommunitynews.com/2012/01/caterpillars-profit-rises-with-growing-number-of-rallies/.

Police estimated approximately 5000 people attended the rally at Victoria Park

It was encouraging to see so many others supporting the plants workers, because it’s not just about them or their families but about how the rich keep getting richer while the middle class erodes and more and more people enter into poverty. Some protestors came from as far as Ottawa and Illinois to join the rally.

To date, Electro-Motive continues to lock out its employees, but the protests continue. Workers recently blocked a CAT owned locomotive in Ingersoll, Ontario, that was on its way to be painted in another town. TSC stores in London pulled all CAT products and the Canadian Auto Workers Union has executed protests in dozen cities across Canada.

“Get up, get down, there’s revolution in this town”

Simple, but effective, I think

Protest art – found at the picket line

Abandoned Shed and House – Norfolk County, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:26:00 +0000

On my way to Spooky Hollow in Normandale, Ontario (post to come), I stopped to take pictures of the abandoned structures below.

I’m guessing this was once a storage shed - now decaying under the gloomy skies

There was a junk yard behind the shed, full of old farm equipment and such

Vines reclaiming

I took this shot from my car – blurred from my haste in trying to catch the horses

New home left to die due to lack of funds?

Abandoned North Street House – Tillsonburg, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:23:00 +0000

On North Street in Tillsonburg, this abandoned home sits alone in a field, I’m sure eventually to become a subdivision. A walking trail runs near it, adjacent to the railway tracks and it’s the only abandoned building nearby. I’m curious as to why this became abandoned – it seems like it would have been a nice enough home in a nice location. It’s quite destroyed inside, as you can see below.

This is graffiti found in a railway tunnel to the South.

Fun with photoshop

Abandoned Factory – Tillsonburg, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:32:00 +0000

I don’t typically explore industrial abandonments but I love the atmosphere surrounding this old factory. Railroad tracks run adjacent to the site and a water towers sits in the back, making it that much more interesting to photograph.

According to an article I found in the Tillsonburg News, this factory was built in the early 1900’s and was used as a textile mill, owned by Dominion Linen Works. The mill was shut down in 1928 but reopened in the 1930’s to a tobacco company, Canadian Leaf. This lasted until approximately 1968 and was then said to be home to Sylco Nail and Wire during the 70’s, although this is unconfirmed - http://www.tillsonburgnews.com/PrintArticle.aspx?e=3207324.

Route 66 - Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:19:00 +0000

I am not of the generation where Route 66 should have any sort of significance to me, but the fact that it does perhaps attests to its ongoing and enduring appeal. Route 66 arouses wanderlust in me - the romantic notion that I could just go and drive and see and live.

I travelled Route 66 in and around the Flagstaff area last fall and it did not disappoint. Cheesy abandoned 50’s diners, gas stations, and motels were everywhere and it was fun to imagine what it was once like for people to have travelled this road during its heyday.

According to Wikipedia, Route 66 was established in 1926 and ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and ending in Los Angeles. It was replaced by the Interstate Highway System in 1985, when I was just a little kid - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66.

ROUTE 66 – PAINTED DESERT

The poles line where Route 66 once ran

This is the road running near the original Route 66, Painted Desert

ROUTE 66 – HEADING WEST TO WINSLOW

Signs of deterioration indicate this lonely road

WINSLOW, ARIZONA

Remember that song by the Eagles, “Take it Easy” where it goes, “Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona . . . “. It’s commemorated here in Winslow, Arizona – the only damn thing keeping this town alive.

Booth’s Rock and Centennial Ridges Trails – Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 22:01:00 +0000

I grew up in an atmosphere you may call risk-averse. I think most people do. My parents are the go to school, get a higher education and a job with a pension kind of people. I have generally followed suit and have benefited in many ways. But, as I get older, I have found the desire to take risks that contradict the lessons of my upbringing.

So, perhaps it seems a little less silly that I am proud to say that I did my first solo hike this past week – no dog, no husband. It was a part of a trip to Algonquin Provincial Park that my husband and I took, back-country camping on Rock Lake. The hike was Centennial Ridges – a 10 km hike off of the Highway 60 Corridor.

Of course, it really wasn’t that risky. In the 4.5 hours I was hiking, I saw at least 10 other hikers and it is almost impossible to get lost as the trail is so well marked. Still, the voices in my head were saying, “You could fall off a cliff” or, “Another hiker might rape you!”, and “What about bears? Cougars?”. Now I know that hiking alone increases your chances of getting attacked (by man or wildlife) and not having immediate help upon injury. But, preparation reduces these risks and do I really want to miss out on life being unreasonably risk-averse? I think not. That’s not living.

ROCK LAKE

Our Canoe-In Camp Site on Rock Lock ~ Perfect

BOOTH’S ROCK TRAIL

A 5 km loop with a great view.

The remains of the old Barclay Estate reside on this trail. This was once the dock out to the lake.

CENTENNIAL RIDGES TRAIL

A 10 km loop – a challenging trail because you hike up quite a distance to get to some spectacular views. I can imagine the outlooks in Autumn would be amazing.

My friend labelled this the “Wendigo” Monster – see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendigo.

Photo Journal – Lightning Skies

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 02:56:00 +0000

Tonight we had a tornado watch. Thankfully we didn’t get one here but we did get some wicked lightning. Probably the most intense lightning storm I have ever seen. I hope other communities are safe tonight.

The Hermitage – Ancaster, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 05:21:00 +0000

Sometimes you just find something by chance.

I had decided on my way home from Toronto to go for a hike. I chose Dundas Valley Conservation Area, Headwaters Trail – a relatively easy 6 km loop in Ancaster. I’m on the trail, dutifully reading my map, when I see something called, “The Hermitage”. I almost passed it by, but my UE instinct made me turn around and explore what I found to be ruins of an old stone house. I was glad to have my blackberry on me as otherwise I wouldn’t have had a camera. It was only later that I learned that an urban legend is associated with this house, which makes sense given its somewhat creepy look and location in the woods.

HISTORY

According to the plaque in front of the ruins, the Hermitage was built in the mid 1800’s by George Leith, a wealthy Scottish immigrant. George built the home with limestone quarried from the property and used it as a summer residence, wintering in either Hamilton or Scotland. The house was destroyed in 1934 by fire, however, George’s daughter, Eleanor Alma Dick-Lauder, built another home in its ruins and lived there until 1942.

THE LEGEND OF LOVER’S LANE

Before George built the stone house, the property had other houses on it, built by other owners. One such owner was Otto Ives, whose niece is the subject of the “Legend of Lover’s Lane”. According to the legend, Otto’s niece fell in love with the family’s coachman, William Black. They courted secretly until William came forth to Otto, admitting his love for Otto’s niece and asking for her hand in marriage. Otto refused William on the basis of class and sent him away. William left broken hearted and hung himself by the rafters in the carriage house. Otto found him in the morning but had no pity and was disgusted by William throwing away his life for love. Otto cut William down, threw his body into a manure cart, and buried him at the crossroads of Sulpher Springs Road and Lover’s Lane (named after the Legend). It is said that, to this day, William walks from his grave to the Hermitage and along the winding road of Sulpher Springs, rope in hand, looking for his love. Courtesy of: http://www.hauntedhamilton.com/local_hermitage.html#legend.

According to Creepy Canada, the ghost of Eleanor Alma Dick-Lauder also roams the Hermitage at night and has the ability to make visitors see the Hermitage in its original proud state. See - http://www.ghostwalks.com/ghostwalks/hermitage.htm.

If you would like to visit the Hermitage, please see the map below. Ghost Walks of Hamilton also offers tours at night, complete with the telling of the Legends associated with the Hermitage.

MAP

For a map of the trail system and the exact location of the Hermitage, follow link, and click on Dundas Valley – Main Loop Trail, Page 1 - http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/area-information/conservation-areas/area-information/dundas-valley.

Photo Journal – Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:34:00 +0000

In the fall of 2010, I travelled to Arizona for the first time. I loved it.

Arizona made me feel lonely and reflective and that possibilities were as endless as the open road. The heat made me feel like I had accomplished something, just by surviving this cruel State. The trip awoke in me the desire to explore more, hike more and live my life how I want to – to be authentic and true to myself.

The heat was so intense (and I wasn’t even in Phoenix) that my eyes dried up and constantly stung. I had to buy new sunglasses and apply globs of sunscreen every few hours. Night brought small relief.

But, in this experience, I gained a new found appreciation of the beauty of Southern Ontario. Coming back, I realized how green and lush everything is here. A simple landscaped yard is like a jungle compared to Arizona! Perhaps I exaggerate, but I see our green and gold flat farmlands differently now, their beauty contrasted against the barrenness of the desert.

I am planning to return to Arizona – to travel more of Route 66 (that post is to come), hike Havasu Falls, see more Saguaros, and possibly hike the Grand Canyon.

SEDONA

PAINTED DESERT

THE GREAT SAGUARO

Versa Care Nursing Home - London, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Built in 1969 and abandoned in 2006, Versa Care Nursing Home is an interesting find. I didn’t get inside Versa but Copy Six from Barrie did a great post in 2007 that documents his exploration inside and out of the building and provides some history - http://urbexbarrie.blogspot.com/2007/12/old-folks-home.html.

The most interesting thing about Versa is that everything has been left behind, making for some great interior shots. See - http://www.ontarioabandonedplaces.com/upload/showpics.asp?sid=1008swizzler.

MAP

(Address: 848 Gideon Drive, London, ON)

Jeremiah’s Field House – London, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 03:24:00 +0000

I came across this house about 2 years ago, quite by accident, having gone down the laneway after being intrigued by the sign out front labelled, “Jeremiah’s Field”. My instincts were good, as there was not only an abandoned house, but an abandoned barn, car, and outbuildings.

There is now a chain across the long laneway to the house

A lot has changed in 2 years – you can see there is much more overgrowth and the yellow chair has essentially disintegrated. Stacks of undelivered newspapers remain in the house and I guess this is how someone avoided their paper route. I’m not sure how this home became abandoned, perhaps the owners sold the land to developers?

Special thanks to my co-explorer on this trip who has graciously permitted me to use some of her pictures for this post.

THE HOUSE

The newspapers remain undelivered . . .

The yellow chair sits atop parquet flooring – where a room once stood

THE BARN

A TRUCK AND A CHAIR

MAP

The Kingston Lounge - Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 04:31:00 +0000

I want to recommend a blog I’ve come across, I don’t remember how, but it’s called, “The Kingston Lounge” - http://kingstonlounge.blogspot.com/2011/01/north-brother-island-riverside-hospital.html.

The author, Richard Nickel Jr., is a self-identified, “Guerrilla Preservationist”, and he is good at what he does. His photographs relay what I’ve dubbed before as “the beauty in the derelict”. I love the angles of his shots, the colours, and how he juxtaposes items. But, perhaps more impressive because it is rare, is that he writes well. His content is interesting and his style fluid. My favourite post is the one I linked to above regarding North Brother Island.

Enjoy.

St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital – St. Thomas, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 05:38:00 +0000

St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital, now called Regional Mental Health Care – St. Thomas, opened in 1939. At that time, the hospital served over 2400 patients and had 460 acres of land that was used to feed the facility’s patients. The enormity of the property is still evident when you go there today. The land was also used to train members of the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II (Source - http://www.sjhc.london.on.ca/areas-care/mental-health-care/history-regional-mental-health-care).

Besides the above, I could not find much information on the history of the St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital, which surprised me. I can tell you that only part of this hospital is abandoned. The rest is active with both in-patients and outpatient counselling services. However, with mental health beds being distributed elsewhere (see London Free Press article http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2011/06/10/18268691.html), it is likely inevitable that the entire complex will be abandoned. And, despite the numerous buildings that still exist, a new Forensic Mental Health facility is being constructed at the front of the property. Not that I disagree – having been inside the current facility, it is awfully dreary and certainly doesn’t promote a sense of well being!

I can also tell you from word of mouth that there are tunnels under the St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital that lead to the old Nurses Residence, now the County Administration Building. I am not sure whether these are now sealed up, or not. I’ve also heard that a Hallowe’en haunted house used to be held in the abandoned section of the hospital, but sadly, is not anymore.

Joany’s Woods – Sylvan, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:27:00 +0000

I made my first trip to Joany’s Woods recently. In these woods, lies an abandoned van. Who knows how it got in there, as it’s quite far in off a walking trail rather than a road. Notice the bullet holes in the side – someone’s been target practicing. Directions to the woods can be obtained at http://www.ttlt.ca/Joany's_Woods.html, although I don’t know where exactly the van is as I was being led through by an experienced hiker.

Ghost Town – Jerome, Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 05:00:00 +0000

History

Jerome is an old mining town, at one time known as the “Wickedest Town in America”. It’s heyday was the roaring twenties, where legitimate and not so legitimate businesses such as bootlegging, opium dens, prostitution, and gambling flourished. Below is a picture of “Husband’s Alley” where prostitutes used to congregate to attract business.

After the Second World War, the ore in the mountain became harder to mine and copper prices fell. In 1952, the mining company, Phelps Dodge, closed shop and Jerome became a ghost town with the exception of about 50 individuals/families who chose to stay.

In the 1960’s, a group of 30-40 hippies, disenchanted with Haight Ashbury, came to Jerome and settled for awhile. An interesting autobiography of this time can be found at http://www.jerometimes.com/thegulch.html.

In the 1970’s, Jerome began to rebuild as a tourist town. It has now been branded a “ghost town” and is home to about 450 residents. A large artistic community remains.

Source: http://www.jerometimes.com/

Impressions

The Jerome Times describes Jerome as having a “ghostly, mystical energy” to it. I would have to agree. It’s an isolated town at the top of a huge hill and although it is no longer a ghost town because people actually live there, it is still rundown and largely abandoned. And, as you know, I am drawn to this so I loved that about Jerome.

Another bizarre thing about Jerome is the Grand Hotel. Opened in 1926 as the Verde Hospital, it closed in the 1950’s and did not reopen again until 1994. Of course, the hotel is said to be haunted and the owners play on the history of the once on-site asylum as you can see by the pictures below. For a full description of various ghosts, see http://www.legendsofamerica.com/az-jeromehaunting3.html.

Perhaps the most bizarre thing of all in Jerome is the, “Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost Town” - http://www.goldkingmineghosttown.com/. All I can really say is, what the fuck. Only in Arizona. But, I love strange so I loved this place. The owner, Don Robertson (the man in the hat below), was very gracious and he has done a great job at preserving a lot of historical artifacts, mostly vehicles. I get the sense that people either love or hate this place, and I am definitely one of the former. For photographers, this is a place of opportunity.

Cropsey – Documentary

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 04:15:00 +0000

Wow, oh wow. I loved this film. Loved.

Writer and Director Joshua Zeman tells the tale of Cropsey, an urban legend that was popular in the 1980’s on New York’s Staten Island. Cropsey is comparable to what I know as the “boogeyman”. As youngters, we were warned to stay away from the gully, the train tracks, and so on or else the “boogeyman” would get us. This is what Cropsey was for New York’s Staten Islanders.

Cropsey was said to reside in the abandoned building of Willowbrook State School. This school previously held special needs children in deplorable conditions and was the subject of an expose done by Geraldo Rivera in the 1970’s. See - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_sYn8DnlH4 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S9twQYC82U&feature=related. These clips are heartbreaking.

The film also mentions the abandoned buildings of Sea View Hospital (previously a TB ward) and the New York City Farm Colony (literally a farm for the poor). The footage of the filmmakers exploring these places is creepy, to say the least.

However, the real basis of the film is how the Cropsey legend turns real when 5 children go missing from Staten Island in the 1980’s. Of course, being of the age where I was a kid in the 80’s this movie hit home. I remember having the same feeling when same-aged Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy were kidnapped and killed by Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka.

The film tells the story of the missing children and the man who is suspected to be the kidnapper/murderer - Andre Rand. Tales of criminal justice, mental illness, satanic cults, grief, homelessness, trauma, and necrophilia are all in this movie. It sounds like it could be an insensitive nightmare, making one cringe for the victims, but it is not. It is sensitively and respectfully done, ultimately leaving the audience to form their own opinions. Winding throughout, of course, are urban legend and urban exploration elements.

The Cropsey trailer:

For pictures of urban explorations of the Sea View Hospital and the New York Farm Colony, see:

http://www.forbidden-places.net/urban-exploration-sea-view-children-hospital#gal

http://www.uer.ca/locations/show.asp?locid=25928

It appears that these buildings still stand, as does one building at Willowbrook although a state college has taken over the property.

Ghost Road – Port Perry, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 04:21:00 +0000

THE LEGEND

I first heard of this urban legend from my husband who grew up near Port Perry. He told me the following:

There is a road in Port Perry on Scugog Island called “Ghost Road” where a young man died in a motorcycle accident in the 1950’s or 60’s. The man was speeding and lost control of his bike, driving into a field where he was decapitated by a rusty barbed-wire fence. If you go to Ghost Road at night, you will see a bright white light come towards you. As it passes you, it turns red. This is believed to be the dead man’s front and rear motorcycle lights as he repeats his fateful ride each night. A rock marks the spot near where the man died, where you should park your car to see the lights. It is said if you sit on the rock you will be thrown off or become violently ill.

(Heading to Ghost Road)

THE EXPERIENCE

I decided a trip to Port Perry was a must! So, we drove to Scugog Island and asked some local teenagers where Ghost Road was. One guy said he had gone to Ghost Road once but had left soon after arriving, fearful of seeing the lights. But, he pointed us in the right direction and off we went.

We didn’t see the rock right away so we ended up driving all the way to the end of the road. We found . . . a casino! This was so bizarre as this really is quite an isolated road on a very quiet and dark Island. Yet, the parking lot was packed. We drove back down the road, figuring we weren’t in the right spot. Eventually we found the rock and parked our car – facing South as I had read on a blog to do.

It was so dark. There are no streetlights and my urban self is not used to such darkness. There were fields surrounding us and I wasn’t so much freaked out about seeing ghost lights as I was about a weird farmer coming up to the car window with a shotgun. I’ve seen way to many rural horror movies. I was also worried about cars ploughing into us because it was so dark.

Eventually, other cars joined us, which truth be told was kind of creepy. Who were these other people. People who came to prey on legend trippers or just people like us, (dare I insert 'weirdos') there to see the ghost lights?

Long story short, we didn’t see the lights, but we did find out that the other car was not possessed of a serial killer but rather just some teenage girls. I also sat on the rock and didn’t get thrown off or become ill.

So, legend busted?

THE RESEARCH

It turns out – yes and no. Although there is no evidence that a man ever died on Ghost Road in the 50’s or 60’s from a motorcycle accident, there is evidence that the light exists. According to the Toronto and Ontario Ghost and Hauntings Research Society, the lights have been seen and photographed many times, but only if you are facing south. As well, the light does not travel nor become red. The cause of this is apparently car headlights from West Quarter Line. See - http://www.torontoghosts.org/index.php?/20080822596/Transportation-Reports/Port-Perry-Ghost-Road.html. I highly recommend this link as it has a ton of information on this legend, as well as variations of the legend.

It is interesting to note that Port Perry lies upon a geologic fault line. Others have linked fault lines to ghost lights – see http://autumnforestghosthunter.blogspot.com/2009/06/devils-promenade-strange-phenomenon.html.

Abandoned House – London, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 05:11:00 +0000

Today I was cleaning out some of my photo albums and I came across pictures of this house. I never posted them – good intentions long forgotten.

This house was somewhere is South London – the corner of Wonderland and Exeter maybe? I say was because I believe it has since been torn down. Probably to make room for a big box, that area of London is really expanding quickly.

Despite it’s irrelevance now, I posted this because it always felt so creepy to me. The abandoned swinging rope and the sagging porch, the overgrown trees and bushes. Just a classic old abandoned house.

Update: A friend told me that this house was demolished after it was vandalized and set on fire.

Slide Rock State Park – Sedona, Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 02:30:00 +0000

So after walking five and half hours at West Fork and dehydrating ourselves in the hot intense Arizona sun, our little group decided this was not enough physical activity for the day. We had to do something else. So, we set out for Slide Rock State Park – home to a creek bottom that has formed into a natural waterslide set amongst the stunning red rocks of Sedona.

A bit of history. Slide Rock State Park is just North of Sedona and was originally the Pendely Homestead, a 43 acre apple farm. In 1933, the owners built vacation cabins on the property that, although abandoned, still stand today (pictured below). I swear Arizona is the Bermuda Triangle for abandonments.

Among my friends, I took the first dip on the waterslide. There were all ages going down this slide, older gals, men with toddlers on their chests, and rather typical adolescent boys. One man was seemingly filming everyone coming down the slide which was kind of creepy but you know, whatever.

Getting to the top of the slide, I sat down. Immediately my heart palpitated and my skin turned to chicken thigh. Lovely image I know but really, it was the (second) coldest water I’ve ever felt. I screamed the entire way down and shuddered not quite violently. Shameful for a Canadian.

At the bottom of the slide was a deep pool. It felt very cool to be swimming in such a natural setting - almost that "at one with the planet" kind of feeling. We enjoyed our dip and then returned to our luxury resort (oh yah) where we spent the rest of the evening warming up in the hot tub. I would like to say we also had champagne and chocolates, but that's not true, that's just in my head.

West Fork Oak Creek Trail – Sedona, Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 02:50:00 +0000

While in Sedona, my travelling companions and I took advantage of hiking at West Fork Oak Creek Trail . We set off on this 6 mile hike with only about 750 ml of water each, which was a stupid mistake. But, the slightly dehydrated walk was well worth it – the colourful canyon walls and beautiful streams were amazing to see. There were also abandoned houses in the beginning of the hike, as pictured below. Apparently, they are from a settlement founded in the early 1900’s.

Urban exploration and hiking – heaven :)

For more info and directions – see http://www.dreamsedona.com/hiking-oak-creek-trail.html.

Barber Mill – Georgetown, ON

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 03:19:00 +0000

After a day of hiking and checking out the nearby Cheltenham Badlands and Brickworks, my husband and I found this abandoned mill while cutting through Georgetown on our way home. Total fluke. I later learned it was an old paper mill named Barber Mill, built in 1850 and used for many years.

At http://thebarbermill.com/, I discovered that this abandoned mill and the adjacent land is slated to be developed by Everlast Group into a hotel and a small community of banquet facilities, art galleries, restaurants, and specialty shops. However, there have been environmental concerns raised about this project and I haven’t heard about any forward movement to date.

Coming into Georgetown, this mill is quite an imposing and beautiful structure. I can see why developers would be interested in making it into something grand.

The Mill is located on 99 River Drive in Georgetown, Ontario.

Bethel Cemetery - Claremont, ON

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 03:30:00 +0000

I've been away far too long! I haven't been posting because sometimes life just seems to get in the way. I actually have a back log of various small and big places I've been, from the simple cemetery below to sunny Arizona. However, I always find it easier to write in the winter - what the hell else is there to do? It's not like I ski :).

Anyways, this past summer, I visited Bethel Cemetery after being inspired by seeing pictures of the archway on Flickr. My husband and I stopped on the way to Darlington Provincial Park which was something else – the noise of the nearby 401 was ridiculous. But, Bethel was good. It's very old - established in 1852 as you can see on the vine covered sign. Inside the cemetery, dead, brambled woods surround the graves which lends a creepy feel.

Bethel Cemetery can be found on Durham Road 5 (or Concession 9), just east of sideline 12, near Claremont, Pickering Township, ON.

Abandoned House – Lucan, Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 01:52:00 +0000

A friend of mine helped me find this house. It was a normal family home until the owners went bankrupt. A stamp with the family name can still be found inside. I’m not sure why no one wanted to buy it, perhaps because it was not in good shape to begin with or because it’s on the main highway. My friend says a company in Toronto has bought the land and this house will soon be torn down.

Cheltenham Badlands - Ontario

noreply@blogger.com (Heather) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 23:07:00 +0000

I have wanted to visit the Cheltenham Badlands for quite some time and finally got around to it on May 24 weekend. The Badlands are near the villages of Inglewood and Cheltenham. For directions, please see - http://www.blogto.com/travel/2010/04/cheltenham_badlands_and_forks_of_the_credit/.

According to daytrips.ca, the Cheltenham Badlands were formed after overgrazing occurred on farmland in the 1930’s. This caused the exposure of the Queenston Shale that lied beneath, which supports little to no vegetation. The reddish hue is due to the presence of iron oxide in the shale.

The Badlands are quite small and the side trail is closed. However, very close by is the Bruce trail which we hiked and enjoyed. See - http://www.torontohiking.com/Hikes/L16badlnd/l16badlnd.html for excellent hiking directions and a reminder not to climb on these environmentally sensitive hills.