Well, I stumbled upon my own Sleeping Beauty castle, one day, while out traveling the countryside. I could barely make out the upstairs dormer windows, and the house that was hidden behind climbing vines and saplings. The dormer was pushed back into the home, due, to being vacant for so long, and nature was taking over. The window was facing toward the heavens, as if it was wanting the rain to wash away the grime of many years, and the tears of sadness, of being an empty home. It spoke to me in many ways. Many of these hidden treasures do. They tug at my heart strings
I had passed by the hidden, estate, so I had to turn around and go back, to check it out. So I turned around ,headed back toward the house. I finally found the driveway, that led to the back door, of the large home. I crept up the drive, because it was rough. Brush and limbs covered what once was a driveway. It was surrounded by a canopy of trees. Just like driving through the woods and through a tree tunnel. I could tell it had been a while since this drive was used. Small and large tree branches alike where scattered along the long drive, making it treacherous. Thank goodness for four wheel drive!
There were no signs forbidding trespassers on the property. I respect signs and would have left if there was any. The man that told me about the place, assured me it was OK to visit and take pics
Walking to the back door, I caught a glimpse of a trophy in a window that was surrounded by ivy. I could barely see it, but the sun hit it, just right and led my eyes to it. It was like a hidden treasure, behind a curtain of ivy.
I went up the steps, that led to the door, and I pulled open the screen door, which had a broken glass. I gently turned the knob of the back door, half expecting it to be locked. It was not. I opened it, peeking inside and I cautiously entered into a completely furnished kitchen. The sink was full of dishes, a microwave and mini fridge sat on the counter. A large refrigerator was by the door. The stove had spices and trivets around it. The cabinets, which were open, and were stocked with pans, dishes, and canned food. Baskets hung from the ceiling and an old wagon wheel light hung from above. Aside from the mess on the floor, it looked as if someone still lived there. Not wanting to surprise anyone with my entry, I hollered out. "Hello! Hello!" No one answered. I felt pretty sure it was safe to venture into the open dining area.
Across from the back door, a narrow, winding stairway, led upward. I would save that for later. I want to make sure the structure is sturdy and safe to explore, before I head upward.
On the kitchen floor there were many remnants of a life that once was. There were boxes of craft items, needles, thread, and swatches of fabric. Crocheted angels sat on the warm manning stove, and other crafty items hung on the walls. I had never met the woman, that had lived here, but I knew I would have liked her. You could feel the love in this house. It came from all here hand made crafts and the decorations that were all around. It reminded me of myself. It was as if we had a lot of common interests.
To the left, was a hallway that led to the side porch, There were many baskets and that lined the hall, a library table was along the left wall, a beautiful stairway to the right, and a large door with skylights straight ahead. Stunning! Across from the stairs was a room, the door was open, so I walked in. This was the room that had the trophy's in the window. You couldn't see them because the vines were now on the inside of the window and climbing up the walls. Completely covered, not even letting light shine in. There was a large fireplace and the mantle was decorated for Christmas. Candles lined the walls, and a green wreath hung above the fireplace. There were angels all around the room, and one in a red dress was on leaning on a winged backed chair. Yes, someone had spent a lot of time decorating for Christmas. I wonder what year that would have been?
I took a few pics in here and went to check the room across the hall. The one that had an entrance at the foot of the stairs. It was the living room area. There were couches chairs and two built in library shelves, which were lined with books. A massive number of glass jars filled with sea shells, were everywhere! I loved it! This was a book lovers dream! So many books, some where fiction, some were not!
This room was also decorated for Christmas. There were wreaths on each side of the room, two ceramic Christmas trees, on a shelf by a chair. (You know the ones that had the little plastic lights, that you plug in?) I remember friends making them in ceramic class, when I was in high school. I could spend the day in this room, trying to capture her life on film. Trying to savor the moment. But I needed to climb the winding stairway and check out the upstairs.
There was a landing, that was half way up the stairs. Below a large window with gold curtains, were lots of antique prints and paintings. There were so many and they were beautiful! I kept heading upstairs. When I got to the top, I turned around and took a pic of the paintings under the window. One of my faves.
At the top of the stairs............My heart pounded so loud, that I could hear it in my ears. I was so excited! It was breathtaking and spectacular! The pink, red and gold wallpaper at the top of the stairs was so elegant, even tho' part of it was peeling. And up against the wall was a white dressing table, with a chair. And on top of the table was a basket of pink and red roses, that stood out, against the white table. And on the back of the chair was a red jacket. There were more paintings by the upstairs rails and beside the dressing table. A large, gold framed mirror hung above the table. Perfection! Any woman's dream.
The upstairs consisted of 3 bedrooms, dressing room, (which was at the top of the stairs). and a bathroom. This was a magnificent home! A real treasure!
I walk by the dressing table, which by the way, was hard to leave, and entered bedroom number one. The bedroom furniture matched the dressing table in the foyer. It had a full size bed, with a white dresser and chest of drawers. They were in excellent shape. Sure someone had ransacked the drawers looking for treasures. Clothes was hanging over the opened drawers and some of the clothes were on the floor. A pile of necklaces lie on top of the dresser. Above the bed, a picture of white dogwood blooms hung. The room was large. There was a walk in closet full of fancy clothes. Clothes and sweaters that looked like what my mom wears. I could tell that the woman that slept here, was a classy woman. The last thing I noticed about this room was there was a bathroom. Most likely added later because the walls of the bathroom did not go all the way to the ceiling. On top of the wall of the bathroom were many rolls of wallpaper. This made a great storage area, for the paper rolls.
I leave the bedroom, go back out into the foyer, past the dressing table and into the room across the hall. Once again, it is hard to contain my excitement. Before me is Cherry bedroom suit. It has a rice bed, highboy chest of drawers and nightstands. Each of the post of the bed have a bonnet on it. Aww! How sweet! This was a woman's room, also. There was skeins of yarn scattered about and granny square blankets at the foot of the bed. I spent a lot of time in this room, taking pictures of the bed, with the fancy, hats, that hung on each corner. There was a wreath in this room too. It hung directly, above the bed. There was an angel in the center of it, with the price tag still on it. Hats and wreath with a tag on it. This was a Minnie Pearl moment. All captured by my camera.
Across the room, above the highboy, a picture hung. Insulation was falling from the rafters, and hanging above the chest. Time was taking its toll on the home. Black mold was visible in every room. A sign of moisture was invading, like a spirit creeping in!
The last room, was at the top of the stairs, that came off of the kitchen. The narrow stairs. So I go back down to the kitchen and make my way up the other set of stairs. Now, up to this point I hadn't seen any animal droppings. Well, that changed. These steps were covered in animal feces. Yuck! But I went on. At the top of the stairs was was a very, well lit room. There was a row of windows that went all the way across the back of the room/house. There were sliding doors that led out onto a large, balcony. Beautiful! But the worst part, was that this room had more damage than all the others. The roof was leaking and the ceiling was falling in, and insulation was covering the furniture. Buy the bed at the far end of the room, a window was broken and the tiny bathroom at the top of the stairs, was moldy. There were two twin beds in this room. White furniture that would match the first bedroom I had visited. This seemed to be a mans room. There were clothes that belonged to a man and books that seemed to be more interesting for a man than a woman. There were brief cases, and two large, trunks stood in a corner. There were boxes of belongings that had been dumped onto the floor. There was a lone lamp that sat on top of a chest. What a mess but still a treasure.
I left this home, full, of love and joy. Love for people I have never met and love for a house, that up until now, I had not visited. It will remain with me. I just wonder what happened, that would cause this house, and its possessions, to remain hidden behind the vines, the ivy and the saplings? To remain hidden like Sleeping Beauty in her castle? I wish I knew her history. What had happened. But for now I will be content, fantasizing about the people that lived here, and the lives that they led. It has to be my favorite place.
UPDATE: Revisited a year later. The beautiful furniture has been removed and the house is ransacked. The paintings and pictures are gone! The awesome Christmas decorations are gone or trampled. My heart is broken. I visit these places, I take nothing and leave only footprints in the dust. So glad Sleeping Beauty 😴😴 did not wake up to find her castle destroyed. May she always have the memories of a place full of joy and beauty!
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