This week turned out to be a bit different than I had planned and much more enjoyable than expected. As usual, it involved photography.
Wednesday I took the day off to attend a local camera’s store display of a new camera being released next month. I had no desire to buy the camera but wanted to check it out. As stated I took Wednesday off, planned on meeting Mark then heading to the camera store. Something internally told me to check the date and true enough the event was Thursday, not Wednesday. As to not be deterred Mark and I met anyway and drove around taking pictures.
The day was overcast, with waves of light mist, light rain and then nothing. We took Mark’s Jeep and headed down the country roads in search of sites. My love is old barns, building and pretty much anything dilapidated. The cloudy grey skies provided the perfect backdrop as well as the mood for what we were about to encounter.
As we made our way towards Corydon we stopped at a barn that I had permission to shoot and have shot before. Mark and I climbed out and I pointed out things I noticed from my first trip here. In the distance was an old barn that was converted to a shelter for cows, one of which (a bull) let us know we were a bit too close. I questioned the barbwire fence that separated us and knew if he so chose, we had no chance. All was well in the end.
We returned to the old barn we stopped at and took shots from various angles then headed back to the Jeep to continue. As Mark and I do, we pointed out things we see and in many cases, the other might not have noticed. This helps me develop my photography ‘eye’. The barn was old and weathered but provided the character that lacks in a newer more modern structure.
We turned down Old Forest Road and began what appeared like a descent into a more primitive time. The old houses, shacks and run-down trailers we passed along the way had seen better days, but to me, many of them were still a thing of beauty. Many of these structures were barely standing and were littered with old cars/trucks in the front yards. Regardless there were many ‘gems’ in my eyes.
The next road we navigated headed across a one-lane bridge. The recent rains had caused the Blue River (a creek really) to swell and the normal 6-8 drop below the bridge to the water was now under afoot. Along this road, we saw several barns that were falling over, or barely standing, and came across an old abandoned house in the woods. Mark read my mind and pulled over. The house was bordered by a swollen creek in the rear, woods on both sides and a wooded ridge across the road. We were in a holler as they say. No other houses in sight in any direction. As we unloaded Mark said “the keys are in the Jeep. If someone comes after us the first one there, hop in and drive off.” He was right. I have watched my share of horror movies in my day and this was a perfect backdrop for one. If there was a killer around I was hoping it was Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th.
The house which was furthest from the road had gutters falling off and the siding had holes in it. The glass was all in tack and the front door window was covered by a dark brown sheet on the inside. If someone was inside they could have been watching us without us knowing. The structure in the front can best be described as a makeshift shed or garage. On the left side the gutters were full of leaves and sticks, and at one end faded Old Glory hung from one corner. Both provided me the perfect chance to take a few shots. I spotted an old tire swing a few yards to my left, which I framed and shot. The breeze was slightly blowing and an old musty smell filled the air. Gray skies above, creepy shack, old country road, yea Stephen King’s dream right here.
We wandered around for a bit, snapping shots, and I admired the location as crazy as it sounds, then headed back to the Jeep. We climbed inside and drove off. As we pulled away I think I heard the song Dueling Banjos in the background.
Moving along we drove down and eventually reached our desired destination. An old iron bridge. As we drove down the rocky/muddy road I could see the bridge off in the distance. As mentioned the creek was swollen and only 2 feet below the bottom of the bridge. The normal distance is 10+ feet lower. This bridge is condemned and is blocked from both sides by two boards. Only the original iron slats remain on the deck of the bridge. The light rain began to fall but it didn’t dampen our spirits. The calmness of the flowing water, the light rain that was falling, this giant metal structure before us and the woods was something I was so glad I was able to experience.
During our trip around the country roads, Mark and I began planning out our first trip. Like I mentioned before I have anxiety about leaving my wife and child and also about leaving the dog. Marcie did convince me to go with Mark on a trip, and I will. We bounced around locations and finally landed on a trip down part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We will visit places like Grandfather Mountain, Max Patch Bald, Black Balsam Knob and Sam Knob. The dates are still to be determined, but the Smokey Mountains is a location I need to visit. Mark has been there often, so he will be my tour guide, and I will hopefully be able to document our experience via my blog and through my pictures.
After lunch, he drove me home and I downloaded my pictures and reflected on the day. During this reflection, I realized that for a few hours I had no anxiety, lived in the moment, and had no worries (even at the scary house in the woods). As hiking has often proven to me, the woods are my sanctuary. Soon I will be in the Smokies and hopefully, leave my anxiety there. Driving around with Mark also has the same effect.
My pictures will be up on Instagram in a few weeks, but if you want to see them before please reach out to me directly. Once again I HIGHLY suggest you follow DEERMARK on Instagram if you don’t already. Mark is my photography mentor, and he and I are going on a trip together!
Until next time,
Tim
Comments
Post a Comment
Love to get your feedback on what you read!