Chuckery Hill House by
jerm IX, on Flickr
As spring finally arrives it brings the end to a long, cold, snowy, and personally difficult winter. The snow bank mountains are receding, the birds are chirping, and I am once again happy, as healthy as possible, and contentedly sober.
While I explored quite a bit this winter, it's been a few months since I've posted a new location. In fact I've got a lot of new goodies to share but have been suffering from writer's block throughout this tumultuous time period. But that ends now, spring has sprung, and everything blossoms and comes to life again, including this man.
However, winter is still showing it's ugly face outside my window as I write this, so I want to take you back to the end of last summer. August 31st, 2013.
It was midway through our second last camping trip of the season when I found myself walking the length of the beach at Sandbanks Provincial Park as darkness dissolved and the sun rose and shone light upon the world as I see it.
Sunrise at Sandbanks by
jerm IX, on Flickr
Love is blind by
jerm IX, on Flickr
Hours later, we were back on the road, hunting for abandonments, as per our usual camping routine. We stop in at Antique shops and restaurants along the way. This is our passion, this is what we do.
Driving back roads and always going the long way, continuing our abandonment mapping of Prince Edward County, we were on our way to get lunch at Lake on the Mountain when we came across the dilapidated, overgrown and extremely creepy Chuckery Hill House.
Nature nurtures by
jerm IX, on Flickr
They don't make them like they used to. But we don't protect them like we should either. by
jerm IX, on Flickr
The Chuckery Hill House is one of those weird ones. An old abandoned house that has a feel to it. Something uneasy came over me and followed me through the house like a devil on my shoulder. No angels. Nicole was affected immediately by the same vibe and quickly retreated outside after stepping just inside the door. She wanted no part of it.
I ventured forth alone.
The scene of the crime by
jerm IX, on Flickr
Please be seated by
jerm IX, on Flickr
Powerless by
jerm IX, on Flickr
Unread unheard unseen by
jerm IX, on Flickr
Turn it up by
jerm IX, on Flickr
This newspaper is exactly two months older than me by
jerm IX, on Flickr
The moon landing by
jerm IX, on Flickr
The kitchen is closed by
jerm IX, on Flickr
Bugs Bath & Beyond by
jerm IX, on Flickr
As I made my way upstairs the mouldy air thickened and the heat hit me like a truck, almost winding me. Furniture and decay were the only things that seemed to remain here, with the exception of the overpowering feeling of the devil on my shoulder, or angry eyes watching over me. I don't believe in ghosts, but I definitely trust my gut feelings, which are well honed. So that's just the best I can describe the vibe that we both felt to our cores. It is the unknown that is so intriguing.
Now I lay me down to sleep by
jerm IX, on Flickr
Bedtimeless by
jerm IX, on Flickr
Sleepwalking away forever by
jerm IX, on Flickr
I quickly made my way around the bedrooms and snapped the few photos above, and then descended, speedily escaping the hot stench of the second floor.
It seemed so cool downstairs all of a sudden, as is often the case. That instant that the heat fades and the cold sweat sticking to your shirt prompts a shiver. You take a deep breath at that moment, every time.
Still fully creeped by the vibe and eager to escape the nastiness, I prepared to leave. But I didn't, I turned back and opened the door to the garage...
Not ridin' dirty, just dirty. by
jerm IX, on Flickr
Raise the roof by
jerm IX, on Flickr
BUICK by
jerm IX, on Flickr
Murder murder murder by
jerm IX, on Flickr
I take one look back at the Chuckery Hill House before we hit the road.
Chuckery Hill House by
jerm IX, on Flickr
And then as per the usual, we follow in the footsteps of whomever once called this house home, and we leave it behind.
