I haven't been posting here on any sort of a regular basis this year. But I have been keeping myself busy with exploring, especially in the first half of the year.

My exploring this year spanned seven states and one province. Including two weekend trips, one to Detroit and one through NY, PA, MD, DC and NJ.

I finally got myself a real camera back in the spring, a Nikon D5500 and picked up a wide-angle for it as well. I am still very much in the learning stage, but I've been having a blast with it and am really liking the results compared to my phone, which I had been primarily shooting with.

Saw lots of amazing things this year, met some awesome people and had some crazy adventures. Got caught twice at a location by the police, the second one unfortunately ended up in getting arrested. But, that's the way she goes sometimes. Overall it was my best year of exploring yet and I look forward to what 2018 brings.

To keep this post from getting to long I will keep it to 20 shots, roughly one or two per location. I will be posting a part two, and likely three, later in the month.

Hope you all enjoy!!





Fountain Plaza









We're captive on the carousel of time









Obsolete









....open wide, look inside
At my autopsy









Stylish auditorium, with plush accommodations










Jesus and Pals









I'll be here when you are ready
To roll with the changes









Don't forget your books
You know you've got to learn the golden rule









Collect calls to home to tell them that I realize
that everyone who lives will someday die and die alone









Skinny Dipping Only









For those 10 seconds of less...









Back in the 90s









It's a nice day for a black & white wedding









First Stage of Decay









Holding out for the return of better days









The city's beautiful
In the early morning air









What happened to our love?
It was on fire









I'll love you till the sky falls down









It was Col. Mustard in the library, with the candlestick









Well, Lahey's back on the liquor and let the park go to shit again.






Thanks for looking everyone!! Let me know what you think and keep an eye our for part II coming soon!

Like the burnt church shot a lot
Not sure about the use of color or lack of but the subject, composure and framing are spot on.
Not much to work with there but you found it.

Really nice stuff! Loving the huge variety there. Also the photo titles are on point haha

Well, NOW we know what you have been up to!...and, i have to say that your journeys have led you to some Awesome explores. Lovely captures SS. That pool shot mesmerizes me. Could you possibly expound on what kind of place this was taken at? How did you get that car pic? Looks like there is little room there unless you happen to climb that concrete wall. Really like the things sitting on that old dresser. A lot of good stuff here! Psst....Dont listen to hawk about your lack of color...Selective color is an interesting choice. Liked it! Cant wait to see what else you've got.

Great stuff dude. Glad we got the chance to get together, we will have to meet up again next year. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your stuff from the year.

Posted by blackhawk Like the burnt church shot a lot Not sure about the use of color or lack of but the subject, composure and framing are spot on. Not much to work with there but you found it.

Thanks! I am particularly proud of that shot. Especially since it was a sketchy climb to get it. I decided to do some selective coloring in my edit and am really happy with the way it turned out.

That was one of several churches I did in Detroit. It had burned a few months prior to our trip. A burning ember from a house arson a block away landed on the roof and burned 75% of the building. It has since been demolished.

Post by SoofReally nice stuff! Loving the huge variety there. Also the photo titles are on point haha

Thank you! I often spend more time coming up with titles than I do editing lol. But I feel it adds something extra to the shots.

Post by MisUnderstood! Well, NOW we know what you have been up to!...and, i have to say that your journeys have led you to some Awesome explores. Lovely captures SS. That pool shot mesmerizes me. Could you possibly expound on what kind of place this was taken at? How did you get that car pic? Looks like there is little room there unless you happen to climb that concrete wall. Really like the things sitting on that old dresser. A lot of good stuff here! Psst....Dont listen to hawk about your lack of color...Selective color is an interesting choice. Liked it! Cant wait to see what else you've got.

Thank you for the kind words! I have been pretty busy exploring this year and went to quite a diverse number of places.

The pool was actually at a abandoned nudist resort! Hence the title lol. It was in the middle off the woods on a dead end road, completely out of sight from anything or anyone. Which I suppose is how one would want a nudist resort!
Ground State has a very detailed post on the location over in the Ontario regional forum, definitely worth finding. He has some great shots and a excellent write up of the place. I think it was from 2016, so you will need to search.

I actually took the shot of the Charger while standing on the back of a boat that was parked in front of it! The barn had several unique vehicles in it. Being a huge car guy this was one of my favorite places of the year. The picture right under it is from the inside of the house on the same property.

Post by EsseXploreR Great stuff dude. Glad we got the chance to get together, we will have to meet up again next year. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your stuff from the year.

Thanks bud! It was great to finally meet you and show you some of the local spots, unfortunately that church I took you to has sustained some vandalism since our visit.

I would love to meet up again in the near future. I have been laying low since I got busted back in October. But I am planning to get out again in full force in early 2018.

Awesome stuff brother, keep at it!!
Maybe we can meet up when I'm on your side of the border next year!

Posted by TheSwanStation Thanks bud! It was great to finally meet you and show you some of the local spots, unfortunately that church I took you to has sustained some vandalism since our visit. I would love to meet up again in the near future. I have been laying low since I got busted back in October. But I am planning to get out again in full force in early 2018.

Likewise dude! You gotta come to my territory so I can return the favor. That's super shitty about the church getting ruined though. I can't say I'm surprised, your city gets a lot of attention from shit head insta-kids. Seems like a lot of places went down after that bullshit with the theater. I'll definitely be back out that way soon, i'll keep you posted. Let me know if you're coming to Jersey or Philly any time soon.

Brilliant work. I love the Charger, the classroom and the carousel especially. Can't wait to see Part 2!

That carrousel <3 <3

Posted by EsseXploreR Likewise dude! You gotta come to my territory so I can return the favor. That's super shitty about the church getting ruined though. I can't say I'm surprised, your city gets a lot of attention from shit head insta-kids. Seems like a lot of places went down after that bullshit with the theater. I'll definitely be back out that way soon, i'll keep you posted. Let me know if you're coming to Jersey or Philly any time soon.

I absolutely plan on making it down there! Usually work starts to slow down around march/april and I start exploring pretty hard around that time.

Post by Baldran Brilliant work. I love the Charger, the classroom and the carousel especially. Can't wait to see Part 2!

Thanks so much! The Charger and all the other vehicles in that barn was one of my highlights of the year.

Part 2 coming very soon!!

Post by telefontubbie That carrousel <3 <3

Absolutely spectacular to see in person! The mall it's housed in is currently being rented out. The only tenant thus far is a call center in one of the anchors. I hope the carousel is re purposed at some point. It's a shame for it to just sit in there.