Old Taylor trip

One of my biggest thrills, was being able to shoot the old Taylor distillery.  I was given permission to go behind the closed gates and take pictures of the old place, before the restoration began.   This was a monumental moment for me.  If I could only make money doing this, it would be the best job in the world!
I am glad that someone has purchased the place and going to restore it.  Including the longest warehouse in the U.S. and the building known as the castle.  I was afraid they would tear her down.  There was so much damage done, by nature and by vandals, that I was unsure if it could be saved.
I have longed to go through it, for years.  I remember the first time I laid eyes upon the beauty.  I was speechless.  I have seen many distillery’s, but none as elegant as this one .  It DID look like a castle.  It had an old cast iron gate, which in itself was breathtaking.  It was out in the country, nothing around.  A debilitated and alluring, specter, it’s turrets kissing the pale sky, above.  It was medieval looking.  Something right out of a fairy tale.
There was so much to see.  But what I wanted to see first, was inside the castle.  I made previsions for my exploration.  I got up bright and early, packed my camera bag, grabbed a tripod, put on my steel toed shoes, a long-sleeved shirt, and loaded my jeep.  I was more than ready for my exploration.
I drove along the river, making my way toward Old Taylor.  My heart was racing, my excitement boiling.  This was a big day for me.
I got to the distillery, put my back pack on, and grabbed my tripod.  I met up with the gentleman who was going to let me spend the next couple hours exploring.  I was ready.  First stop was the castle.
I was making my way down the wet, muddy , gravel road toward the castle, heart racing, causing my strides to become longer and faster.  I had to restrain myself  from running.  This was it.  My big day.  The day I had waited 5 years for.
I searched for a way inside.  There was so much damage, that I had to work around so many obstacles to make my way into the building.  I was alone, so needless to say…I had to be careful.  There were holes in the floors, ceilings had caved in and danger signs everywhere.  But this would not stop me.
I made my way between, what I think was the cooling system, chillers, and walked up the stairs to the first floor of the castle.  It was stunning!  To the right of me was the main entryway.  To the left of me were all the vats, that the bourbon was made in.  Where was I to start?  I wanted to get it all.  Not miss a thing.
This is as far as I got that first day.