May 3, 2020
I had to consult this map of Letchworth Village to figure out what this building was, a wide open space that my wide angle lens just loved to shoot. It is named Attendants Building, but appeared to be a kind of communal gathering space. There was the usual raunchy graffiti, Read more…
The Hospital of a Farm Colony is always the saddest structure. Particularly at Letchworth Village‘s grounds, the birthplace of the human trial. Except the human trials performed at Letchworth were without consent. Inhumane a tremendous understatement, doctors–who classified patients as either “idiot,” “imbecile,” or “moron”–were reported to collect brains from Read more…
Jewish patients were able to worship on the premises of Letchworth Village after 1977, when Congregation B’nai Israel was built. The temple has been abandoned since the hospital closed in 1996. This was a favorite location to photograph for many reasons although it is just a single room. For one, Read more…
After my first visit to Letchworth Village in February, I knew that I would soon return. The expansive cluster of accessible remnants to the asylum for the physically and mentally disabled that was established over 100 years ago seems destined for eventual demolition… like in your next step through its Read more…
May 2, 2020
Creepy places on a beautiful day? Yes please. Emboldened by company and the bright blue sky, I watched the peeling paint in Rockland State Hospital‘s staff quarters. Following the sun’s rays out and about, there was just so much to explore. I wanted to take that hutch. We found it Read more…
April 13, 2020
While in town to explore the cemeteries, I attempted to get back into the hospital grounds, now Olivet University. After finding maps of the property, I saw there was so much I had yet to explore. But there was an SUV at the gate that asked me to stop. The Read more…
Since so many are at home, here are some steps into nature from my brief hike yesterday. There are tent platforms and shelters along the trail as many hike for days. It’s on my bucket list! This is the Wiley Shelter , which looked nice and cozy. In the corner, Read more…
The Eastern Gate of Heaven When I, upon returning home, realized I had missed seeing the Harlem Valley State Hospital’s cemetery, I knew I’d be back soon. The grounds of its Potters Field, called The Gate of Heaven, are very isolated… in the middle of the woods as you can Read more…
April 6, 2020
Gosh, if only I could spend my days driving and stopping at every place that tickles my fancy… Like this old farm. I just loved the contrast the open door created. Farming stuff Creeping closer… Time’s styling: shabby chic It felt nice to runaway… I’ll have to do it again. Read more…
April 5, 2020
This week’s photo excursion: the abandoned Harlem Valley State Hospital in Wingdale in New York’s Dutchess County. The hospital’s history, dating back to 1924, is much like the history of the State’s other rural farm colonies. Sprawling self-sufficient campus, catch-all for the “insane,” insulin shock therapy, eletro-shock therapy, ice-pick lobotomies Read more…
February 3, 2020
Letchworth Village, established 1911 in Rockland County, New York, is a decaying farm colony that was once a progressive solution to caring for the physically and mentally disabled. And like Staten Island’s Willowbrook State School, the hospital’s treatment of its most vulnerable patients –children– prompted major legislative reforms in the Read more…
February 2, 2020
I hatched a scheme to take myself on another abandoned photography mission in light of a Sunday that would surely have lighter traffic. And it turned out to be perfect timing, with sunshine for my early start and heavy foreboding clouds behind the many decaying structures I’d meet with enthusiasm. Read more…
October 9, 2019
Though I have several tragic flaws, the complete lack of a voice of reason exhausts me as much as it brings me excitement and joy. So while I recover from driving more hours in the last two days than I slept, some gorgeous shots of why Autumn is my favorite Read more…
September 28, 2019
The High Holiday breaks from school are a perfect dose of rest for this gentile. And a perfect opportunity to return to the road, which I long for daily—its freedom. With an “errand” in Buffalo, New York, I found my way to East Otto’s Griffis Sculpture Park for some art Read more…
September 14, 2019
New York’s Renaissance Faire, the vibrant crossroad of many-an era-specific subculture, in Tuxedo, New York is wonderful way to spend a September Saturday. There are pirates, elves, faeries, wenches, princesses, knights… the perfection of the space and all its details brings revelers, yes, but more it brings authenticity, folks who Read more…
July 8, 2019
Dear New York City, Where is your housemade eggy breakfast sandwich with housemade cashew cheese and housemade coconut bacon? Where is your housemade toasted meringue topped vegan ice cream? You can keep your packaged vegan options, NYC, while I head north. The packaged food options are getting to be a Read more…
July 6, 2019
What do you get when you photograph the exteriors of abandoned places after nautical twilight? You get a photographic mash-up: Astro-UrbEx! Which has like no google search results, so maybe I coined it? Also, you get mosquito bites and you get very scared… a lot. Given these thrills I am Read more…
June 1, 2019
Arts & Crafts, Beautiful Places Close By, Eating Out, These are a few of my favorite things., Wanderlust
On this self-care Saturday, I gave myself beautiful things to see and to feel. I like to do this for myself often. In fact, this blog wouldn’t exist if I didn’t enjoy exploring, gratifying my own senses with awe and wonder, seeking things to think about, feel about, talk about. Read more…
May 5, 2019
Of all the ways up New York, the Taconic is my favorite. The rural stretch of highway that originates in White Plains sets the tone for a different kind of landscape. Besides the newly renovated Tappan Zee Bridge, now the Mario Cuomo Bride, Native American nomenclature try to remind you Read more…
I was so excited to participate in one of Matthew Christopher’s Abandoned America photography workshops this past weekend in the Catskills. As I try to more actively improve my skills and knowledge of my camera, it was a great opportunity facilitated by acclaimed photographer of abandoned decay Matthew Christopher. But Read more…
April 8, 2019
I like to take the long way home… and find things to see, find things to eat. Like the vegan tofu “wings” from Bullfrog Brewery. Those were from Williamsport, Pennsylvania. On the see list, this Pink House in Wellsville, New York. The ornate Victorian home has had a bit of Read more…
February 20, 2019
I was on my way home… but not without hitting some pretty awesome vegan options as I headed south. Starting in the Lake George section of New York. I was delighted to find an all-vegan sandwich shop so close to my motel room, Birch Bark Eatery. Oh how I love Read more…
I want to apologize. Perhaps you came here to my blog to look at food, but all you keep seeing is mournful angels aged to a bright turquoise. And boy (sorrynotsorry) there will be a lot more of that in this post about Albany Rural Cemetery, a gorgeous sprawl of 467 Read more…
October 20, 2018
Pollepel Island is a small island in the Hudson River most known for Bannerman Castle. A man named Francis Bannerman purchased the island in 1900, building the castle to store surplus military equipment–which was his livelihood. And those stockpiles of shells and gunpowder are to blame for substantial damage to Read more…
August 6, 2018
The vegan omelet at Invitation V Our final stop, Dugout Végane Pastry The only vegan macaron I got to eat in French Canada Passionfruit tart with brûléed meringue Borders A late lunch in Troy at The Shop. Vegan spare ribs: whiskey barbecue glazed housemade seitan, garlic sauteed chard, yuca fries Read more…
August 4, 2018
Despite the border agent’s assumption that we were in town for the huge Osheaga Festival, we were here for… the poutine. And to see an old friend who is shooting a film here, much closer than his usual Los Angeles. Plus I needed the road. Though my reoccurring case of Read more…