Orbits of a deluded mind

I haven't forgotten about this site or abandoned it. Life has been keeping me too occupied to post much.

Here's a preview of an exploration taken this summer. Many more to follow!


The little shack on the cliff

OMG OMG OMG - I have a RENTER for the California house!!! After eating $16000 in costs over the last 18 months, I think we're going to have a good one finally. Thank you Karen!

Some sites don't want to be explored. In the years I've been doing this, I've concluded that there are some locations that for various reasons defy exploration. This roadside (formerly track-side) house is one of them.


Photo by my son Chris

( Read more... )

This country store/attached home is a throw back to the days before WalMart gobbled up the local mom & pop stores. We found it last year and have since gotten a line on the property owner. This place is a time machine.



( Come into the parlor [17 behind the cut] )

While on a drive to photograph another theater (1940’s movie house being renovated), accompanied by my friend sabre0link, we found a couple little gems along the highways and back-roads of Alabama. This little house seems to have a stubborn sense of survival. It appears to have been abandoned for several years given the growth around it.


Looks can be deceiving

( Stubborn [4 behind the cut] )

In late April, between the many storms that hit the region, we went out on several wanders to see what we could. Along a major thoroughfare were several sites points out to us by friends so off we went.

The Farm
Near to a major shopping area was another site we’d been directed to. It was a large family farm that was almost invisible from the main road, though easily seen from the parking lot of a nearby business. The site was nothing less than beautiful, surrounded by blooming trees, vines and flowers.




( Nature reclaimed [14 images behind the cut] )

Enigma House (Part 1 of 2)


Back in may while I still lived in Southern California I happened to spy this house on the way to visit a friend in Ventura. Sitting all alone on a hill next to a very busy freeway sat this 1920’s ranch home. How could I pass it up?

( Future Imperfect [10 behind the cut] )

Rancho Palos Verdes House #2

The hesitance that I had about going to this house was that it was possibly still being lived in. As we looked around the place, it became apparent that despite the frantic attempts to prepare the house for a move, they gave up and like the first house, abandoned it to the mercies of nature and the use of others who could briefly enjoy the beautiful view.


Looking into the living room and up to one of the lofts

( Slip, sliding away [19 behind the cut] )

Rancho Palos Verdes House #1

fynoda and I wandered along the coast road. Our intent was to drive past the remains of Marineland of the Pacific and then find the wreck of the SS Dominator, which went aground off Whites Point. We never made it there. Instead we found two victims of the Portuguese Bend Slide area. Like the area around the Sunken City (San Pedro), the land is meeting the sea somewhat faster than the residents appreciate. In Los Angeles, one of the most expensive areas in the county is by the Pacific Ocean. The better the view, the higher the value. We were in million dollar territory. The slides have reduced the value of this and a second home we found.



( Slip sliding away [20 behind the cut] )

Without a doubt, the site had seen far better days. Given it’s condition and Los Angeles County’s aggressive policy towards abandoned and seriously damaged sites, it will likely end up meeting the same fate as Felicia’s tow (nearby) haunts. Until then the site has become a haven for the flighty.. some good birds of a feather, some bad.

The Burned Ranch (Part 2)


Turn out the lights before you go (main house)

( The wicked winds of change.. [11 images]  )