Little did I know, it was “my turn” this weekend, (I found out around noon on Friday after getting Marty’s email) so I scrambled to sort through a few of my photos taken since the last time we met here. I actually thought (like the Chicago Bears) it was my “bye” weekend, due to the fact that Marty filled this space last weekend.
Always searching for ‘The Beauty in Decay’, I revisited a few of my favorite “haunts” down Route 66 in Central Illinois, which has become somewhat of a “tradition” for me the past few years, shooting those locations during the different seasons.
While behind the lens, I often wonder what stories each of these “subjects” hold, and the history and events that have taken place involving them over the decades. One of these buildings I actually got into for the first time, where inside, I found an old electric guitar perched against a beam (identified by some sharp eyes as a Teisco, had it been a Les Paul, it would have exited the premises with me, bad Juju and all), which I thought made for a pretty cool shot. I found an old chainsaw (still my “weapon of choice”) inside of it as well, and also got a few shots of the windows from the inside looking out. A recent stop of mine has been an abandoned garage, which turned into a great spot for capturing sunsets, I went back about a week later, and the corn was gone after the harvest, providing a more stark horizon.
Along Route 66, I stopped and took a few of the old abandoned Oasis Drive-In restaurant in Lexington, Illinois, an old theater marquee in Morris, Illinois, (actually still lit up at night) and I also caught some of Fall colors beginning to appear around the abandoned orphanage of the Old Sailors and Soldiers Home in Normal, Illinois. I even snuck up and got a few more of legendary Duncan Manor in Towanda, Illinois, still one of my favorite spots to visit, although, now not as “hidden” with the crops gone, making my presence there more visible to those that may not want me snooping around there. Hopefully, this short notice posting will suit all your “Carpal Tunnel needs” as you begin to scroll through them and a few others photos from along the way, thrown in for good measure.
One of these days, I will be able to join some of you at one of the Contributors Luncheons as Marty does not offer me cash equivalents of my portion of the tab, but know I am there in spirit with all of you and appreciate all of your contributions here as well. It’s a pretty cool little club we have had here for quite a while now, and once again, I am proud to be a part of it.
Related Posts: Mourning Has Broken, “House” Soon They Forget and Pranks For The Memories.
The "Secret Weapon”
Don’t forget to check out, the "Secret Weapon,” “Boris’” radio show on Woody Radio where “Boris” plays some great tunes that you’ve probably never heard. Listen to it right here: Woody Radio.