Abandoned hotels are my dream explorations

   Every explorer hopes to explore unique places.  Places that have stood the test of time, for years.  Places that take you back to a simpler time.  A place that reminds you of a book that you have read or something you have seen in your dreams.  Euphoric!  That awesome feeling that causes, excitement to boil over inside you!  Well, I have been blessed to see and visit one of these places.  To peek inside and get a glimpse of the past.  Let me tell you about it!
   I was out traveling the back roads.  As far back as I dared to travel.  Far away from civilization.  Deep into the soul of the hills.  When I explore, I want to get as far away from the cities and towns as I can get. 
   On this day, the sun was shining and the temps were just right.  Not too hot or cold.  The sky was a deep blue, and the sun was shining down on me.  A perfect day!
    Heading down a one lane, country road, I spotted an old, abandoned mansion.  It stood like a monument of time against the cyan sky.  I was wanting to see inside, bad!  I was determined to find someone who could give me some information on the place.  Even if I was unable to get into the place,  I wanted to find out as much information as I could.  Parked in front of the mansion,  I so hoped someone would stop.  I was not there very long, when a car pulled into the drive next to the estate.  I went over to see if they owned the place and if they knew anything of the history.  The gentleman was very friendly and happy to oblige.  Here is some of the history that he shared with me.
     At one time it was an old hotel.  Built in the 1700's, it was part of a booming town, which by the way is no more.  People would come by train, or horseback to this bustling town, and would stay at the hotel by the train station.  (Also gone).    There had been a stable for the horses as well as a hitching post.  (There are still some remnants of the stables and hitching post, left).   He said there were rumors that Billy the Kid had stayed in this town and possibly the hotel.  As well as some other notorious outlaws.  There are many tales told, about the hotel.  True or not?  Seems no one is for sure.  These were just stories past down from family to family and person to person.  As I ,myself am from the mountains and know how stories travel down through the family.  I am also aware, that these stories, that are passed down, usually have many truths to them.  So there is a good chance outlaws had stayed in the hotel, at one time or another. 
     Back during the horse and buggy days, many things went on in these hustling towns.  Many of the hotels had brothels.  Women would keep the travelers (men) company.  It wasn't a secret.  This was done out in the open.  Brothels, bootlegging, and bandits.  Ghost from the past that linger among the walls of the abandoned hotel on the hill?
    I ask if he owned the place and if it was OK to explore and take pictures?  He said the damage to it, was  terrible and that I couldn't hurt the place, any worse then it already was.  So, go ahead.  He was sure that the owner wouldn't mind if I went and took pictures of it.  Kids in the area had vandalized the place a long time ago.  Which when I passed by, I had noticed that the windows were broken and curtains were hanging outside them.  Sad a piece of history, like this, was being destroyed.
    

   I was so excited!  It was hard to contain the passion, inside of me!  My heart was racing, pulse pounding, as I entered the large entryway, into the old hotel!  Before me was a lovely, large stairway, that lead upstairs.  I can only imagine how wonderful it must have been.  The floors to the right and the left of the stairs had gave way and had fell into the basement of the place.  The stairs looked solid, so I cautiously headed upstairs.  The structure above was a lot better then it was downstairs.  The floors were solid but the window panes were broken and weather had been rough on the carpets and walls. 
    There was a kitchen at the top of the stairs.  People had ravaged the place.  Tables and cabinets flipped over, dishes broken and strewn across the floor, pots and pans thrown about.  Really upset me to see what had been done to this place.  Brokenhearted I continued to the next room.  It was, most likely, one of the hotel rooms.  There was a chair, a chest of drawers, and a mirror, which stood against the wall.  Once again, vandals had left their mark!  It makes me angry, when I see what is done to these treasures.  What is the reason?   What is the thrill of destroying someones property?  I will never understand.  From this room you could look down the hallway where there were more rooms.  Yes, I can see how this could have been a grand hotel or even a bed and breakfast.  All the rooms, upstairs where terrorized.  Suitcases tossed about, clothes thrown across the floor, and furniture broken.  Not much left to save. SAD! 
     I headed back down the stairs.  I wanted to see if there was anything left to see.  Knowing that the rooms on either side of the stairs were not safe to enter, I walked down the hall directly beside the stairs.  To the back of the manor.  There was another large kitchen area.   Things were piled up in the floor and broken dishes under my feet.  I had to carefully walk over all the clutter to get to the back of the hotel, where there seemed to be a laundry room.  Clothes still hung on a hanger by a broken window. 

   Well, I hope you enjoyed my adventure through the old hotel, that once was.  I was a great place in its day!  Sad to see it wasting away and its history with it!  Until next time......

The walls talked to me

   It was a very cold evening, as I came upon the abandoned, beauty, nestled against the pale sky.  The house was surrounded by a cast iron fence, and  tall grass and weeds that reached up to the lower, windows.  The home looked stable, from where I was standing.  Fully in tact!  As I approached the garage door, which was opened, I noticed that the ceiling had fell down.  Truly, this garage was not in as great shape, as I had first thought.  It look as if it had burned, but after further investigation, I saw that it had rotted.  Splinters of wood blocked the open doorway, that went into the house.  I wanted to take a peek inside.  The door was wide open and I thought I could squeeze between the splintered wood and the door facing.  I was slithering through the door when something fell upon my head.  I ran out the door, afraid that spiders had covered me.  Fortunately it was just some debris from the rafters.
   I peeked through the door and saw a house, almost untouched.  There was a kitchen, a sink full of stuff, and cabinets full of dishes, and a table with four chairs.  Looking as if the table was ready to be set for supper.  Pics and trivets hung on the walls. It was as if the people of the house, had just walked a way.
   There was some damaged caused by the time, that the house has remained empty.  Some of the windows were broken and there was some water damage.  The floors were solid, yet dirty,  the wallpaper was falling off and paint, most likely, lead based, was peeling.  Surprisingly, the house was warm inside.  There was no heat and the windows were broken, yet the house was warm.  The temps outside were frigid!  Inside, it was comfortable.
    I wandered into the living room area.  There were mirrors and photographs hanging on the walls.  A large stereo system, set beside the front door.  There were  couches and chairs, in the room, and  curtains still hanging on the windows.  I pause to take it all in.  I am alone, surrounded by treasures and all is silent.  There was not a sound.  No birds were singing, no cars passing by.  Nothing.  I just stood there in the silence, taking pictures of what is left behind.  Suddenly, without warning, I hear the sound of the walls.  It was as if the walls were talking to me. No voices, just noises!  I stood there listening. It was as if a waterfall was flowing between the walls.  A water sound.  Yet the house was fully under roof and  no rain for days.  As quickly as it started.  It stopped.  Again, nothing!  All silent, once again. 
      I shrug it off.  It was just the sounds from an old, abandon house.  Who knows what caused it?  I continue photographing.  As I lean forward to take a pic of an old photograph on the wall, one of those black and whites in an old frame, I felt a gust of wind hit me in the face.  Startled I move away from the photo.  Oh, yes!  The window is missing a pane of glass.  That had to be what it was.  I leaned forward to take another shot of the child's photo on the wall. Again a gust of wind kissed my face.  The curtains were not moving.  Was there something more going on here?  I decided to move on into another room.  Going into the bedroom.  There was a beautiful brass bed.  It had white sheets and a pink ruffle, on  top of the comforter, in the center of the bed,was one, red rose.  There was an old shift-robe cabinet, and a dresser with a brush and mirror on the side of it.
   I had no fear, going through this place.  There was no yuck factor, as I had experienced in many other houses, that I have been in.  I was very comfortable and I am sure that at one time, there was a lot of love inside these walls. The bedroom was a very cozy room. Family photos plastered all around the room.  Beautiful young women smiling down at me, as young men looked on.  I continued  exploring, and once again was startled by the sounds, that seemed to come from within  the walls or the soul of the house.  Like fingers going down the bedroom walls, breaking the silence.  With a subtle, yet noticeable sound.  It was not loud.  Just a soft tap, as if it was trying to let me know it was there, not to scare me but soothe.
   Leaving the cozy, master bedroom, I made my way up the stairs.  There was a small landing, right before reaching the second floor.  At the landing there was a cabinet full of antique glass wares.  So lucky, that I was able to see this before some vandals or thieves destroyed them.
     I walk into a sewing room, a sewing machine sitting in the middle of the room.  It was sad seeing it there,  without the hands of some little old lady, toiling away, making things for her loved ones.  Stray pieces of fabric, scattered along the floor. No longer needed for projects that were put on hold.  Is that a tear in my eye?  
    On to the next room.  A library, I believe.  There are shelves of books, certificates on the wall, and a bible on the desk.  Year books from the 50's and 60's stacked high in the corner.  There is a lot of clutter in this room but also so many memories.  Books, and certificates of achievements. 

 

    There is another bedroom.  The drawers  pulled halfway out of the dresser, revealing lots of women's clothes.  Various colors, from pinks to blues, to blacks.  Family photos strewn about on top of the bureau.  There were recent pictures as well as older ones, aged by time.  A wash bowl and mugs in front of the dresser mirror.  On the bed there was a stack of 45's.  More memories from a time gone by.  I can almost hear the happy music playing in this room.  I always try to connect with the places I explore.  I feel joy and love here.  I would loved to have met the woman of the house.
    Well, it is getting late and it is time for me to head home.  Before I go I must stop by the storage room, for some final shots.  Making my way down the hall to the next,  I once again hear the soft sound, in the wall.  The sound, unknown to me.  No, it was not critters!  I know what squirrel, racoon,birds and mice sound like.  It was different.  It was as if someone was walking through the house with me.  I was not scared.  As a matter of fact it was comforting.
     In the  storage room, I was surrounded by deer heads.  Some were does and some were bucks.  There was more antique glass, and figurines.  Christmas decorations thrown into the corner of the room.  I hate to do it but I have to go.  I have a long drive and it is getting late.  So I must say so long to this house, it's treasures and the .walls that talked to me!  I won't forget you, me beauty.  So far you are my favorite find. It will take a lot for me to find one that I like better.  I bid you farewell.  I hope one day I can return and find you just as I have left you.