Beware!!!

Beware of all dangers

I just heard about the woman drowning in a well, on a farm, in Nelson County, here in Kentucky this weekend.  I was heart-broken, for her and her family.  I don’t know any of the details but it made me think about me and my adventures.  I myself, have stumbled upon wells and open cisterns during my day of explorations.  Fortunately, I have not succumb to an accident.  Thank God!  It can be dangerous out there when exploring these old properties.
I remember as a child, going with my parents, to a farm they owned,  in the beautiful, state of West Virginia.  At one time a house had sat in the valley,  left now only to memories.  The house was gone but there were unseen dangers lurking.  There was an open well.  Fortunately dad knew about it  and covered it up with a piece of tin.  I guess what I am trying to say, is there can always be an unseen abyss.  Falling down a well, or into an open cistern, or through a floor, all these are things, we need to be aware of.  Even being as careful as possible.  Things can happen.
Not all that long ago, I myself. came upon, what could have been a disastrous ordeal.  We had found an old estate, that many of you, my friends, have explored before.  I have seen your pics. The property was not posted, there were no signs to be seen anywhere.  Not even painted over ones.
This was a lovely old place with massive porches, and impressive entryways.   The back of the home had caved in, the ceilings were falling in, there was garbage and feces in the stairwell, trash all over the floors.  Not to mention the graffiti.  Have you ever noticed?  Most of the graffiti found in these wonderful, old places, has to do with male body parts?  Well I have.  I don’t know how many spray painted penises that have ended up in my photos.  What is the obsession?
Well, anyway, back to my story……
I cheeped through the house, taking pictures of the fireplaces, closets, cabinets, even the wallpaper.  Many people have asked me, what draws me to these places?  Well, I guess the biggest thing is, that they will not be standing much longer, and they just don’t make places, like this anymore.  I don’t want to forget how elegant it was and what the owners had once loved.  I will never be able to own a home like this, but I can take a picture and hold on to a memory of them.  When tomorrow comes….it may be gone.  I love each and every one of them.  They are each unique, have their own character, but at one time they were full of love and had a family.  This is what I try to preserve.  Memories!
Making my way to the center of the house, toward the stairwell, I opened the door, and carefully inched up the stairs, making sure they were stable under my weight.  It was a tight, dark hallway.  I needed a light.  An explorer is never without a light.  This is a necessity.  I retrieved my light and headed up the stairs, unaware of what could be ahead of me in the dark.
I peeked around the corner and into a large, open room.  The bad thing was that, the floor was rotted and gone on one side of the room.  To me, not worth crossing.  I did not want to go down to the first floor that way.  so I ventured into the other room.  There was shaggy wallpaper peeling from the walls. closet doors were open revealing nothingness, unopened cans of drinks on the floor.  This was a sign that people hung out here. Backpacks full of who knows what?  I didn’t want to know.  There were other things, we won’t talk about.  I go to take pictures and nothing else.  I don’t bother things and I don’t want to know what goes on here when the sun sets and the stars rise in the skies.  I am just saving the mansion and its memories in pictures.
Well, have any of you ever ran into squatters during your escapades?  Not a good thing.