White House From The Potato Bunker
White house from the potato bunker. The old homestead ruin from inside the abandoned potato bunker. The shadows are incredible, every which way one looks. This was yesterday. Today the shadows were stark and heavy, the sun only cracking through from the eastern side. One of these days I’m going to meet some one who knows the history of this place and the white house, former home. Until then we’ll wander among the shadows, the bird nests, and the light that illuminates the nooks and crannies, deciphering what we can from the past. Thanks for looking. G
Potato Bunker, San Luis Valley
Potato Bunker, San Luis Valley. Fascinated with these abandoned utilities from a bygone era, I keep returning to spend time amongst the ghosts that inhabit it. A place where the ghosts are stirred only by the wind, an occasional barn owl, the coyote that lives in the den in the corner, and all wrapped up in moments of sheer silence. Cattle tend to frequent other ruins in the area where the roofs are intact. In this place, at some point in time, someone moved in some easy chairs, a sofa and school chairs. The valley is full of rustic remnants from the past, like this one, many collapsing in on themselves. If this is the kind of subject matter that interests you, join me on a photo tour/workshop. These old buildings also happen to be set in some of the most beautiful landscape in the region. Thanks for looking. G
Happy Valentines Day
Happy Valentines Day. Heart on the old gas station in Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico. I was thinking about subject matter for an art project. When I drove by this building, I got an appropriate photo of the day and a few other shots for my art project. Seven years with my love. Have a great Valentines day with your loved ones. Thanks for looking. G
Plywood Art Everywhere
Plywood art on boarded up buildings everywhere. I am always able to find the positive in something such as the many old abandoned buildings covered in sheets of plywood, in towns deserted by more than half of the original population. Stay warm and thanks for looking. G
San Cristobal Valley Chapel, NM
San Cristobal Valley sunset on the community Chapel of San Cristóbal, New Mexico. Always the golden light after the storm. Always, and thanks be for, the ubiquitous single wide mobile home, with a lopsided swamp cooler, abandoned in an adjacent field. Thanks for looking. G
Homestead #53 San Luis Valley
Homestead #53 San Luis Valley, southern Colorado. Over the last few weeks we’ve spent many days in the San Luis Valley. I hope you will indulge me my fascination with the landscape, history and architecture of the valley. The area is sparsely populated with many abandoned homesteads. We don’t often meet people out there. Those who do take the time to stop and say hello, asking “is everything ok?’ are more likely a asking a question wrapped in guarded curiosity. Always, everyone we pass driving along, give us a friendly wave, a nod of the head and sometimes a smile. We are welcome for sure, but in return we are gentle with the china and wipe our feet before entering the proverbial home. Thanks for looking. G
Sunshine Valley Homestead
Sunshine Valley, and an abandoned homestead in northern New Mexico. There is an inscription in the door step threshold on the east side, facing the moon rise and the mountains, dated 1946. It’s good to know that someone living here, at one time or another, saw the moon rising over the Sangre de Cristos. I wonder if they marveled at it like I do or were they too busy to notice. Thanks for looking. G
Morning Clouds San Cristobal, NM
Morning clouds rising over an old adobe home, cottonwoods and the national forest, in the San Cristobal Valley, NM. I went out to watch the moon set across the plateau. I decided to drive up into the foothills for a better view and found this scene in the valley. The moon had vanished into the clouds on the western horizon. This was the payoff. Thanks for looking. G
Morning Clouds, San Cristobal, NM – 2096
GMC Truck Overland Ranch, Taos, NM
GMC truck on a cold and frosty fall morning at the Overland Ranch in Taos, NM. The sun busts over the Sangre de Cristo foothills filling the cab of this truck and cottonwood trees with light. The frost on the hood melted away before my eyes and the ghost of the steering wheel beckoned me to take a drive. Thanks for looking. G
Santo Tomas Church, Ojo Sarco, NM
Santo Tomas Church in the Ojo Sarco Valley, northern New Mexico. Making images of the dilapidated building across the dirt road from this church. We got some welcome relief from the midday sun, under the portal roof, though open to the elements. We enjoyed the weathered, decrepit boards and the spaces between them created by time. Including them in a composition with the church of Santo Tomas seemed logical and adequately portrayed our experience. Thanks for looking. G
Bailing Wire Door Latch
Bailing wire door latch, a simple “security” system just off the High Road to Taos. It speaks so much to the wishes of the owner as a warning to keep out. Works for me, I wouldn’t untwist it. Thanks for looking. G
Diner, Tres Piedras, New Mexico
The old Diner at the junction of US 64 and US 285 Tres Piedras, NM. Looking through the windows of the old diner takes me back many years when one could get a really good green chile cheese burger here. The routes, US 64 from the Outer Banks, in North Carolina and US 285 from Sanderson Texas still intersect here. Alas… no one is getting a burger anymore much less a coffee. That said, the Chili Line Depot, a little ways up the road on US 285, will welcome your with home cooking and “pie”. Hey, thanks for looking. G
Harold’s House, Jaroso, Colorado
Harold’s House, Jaroso, in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. The first time I saw this house there was a matching tree to the right of the building where the stump is now. There was a large Great Horned Owl flew out of it and through the scene. I didn’t spot it until I reviewed the images later. It was sitting in the tree the whole time that I was making images. Goes to show, you never know who, pardon the pun, maybe watching. Thanks for watching. G
“A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?” ~Unknown
“Ruins Of America Trading Post” Colorado
Ruins of America Trading Post, near Dove Creek. Colorado. A dollar for this photo, thanks Ron, and signs declaring, “Welcome come on in…” “Pull” ” Push” “Closed” and in the image below on the door is their motto. I’m not knocking it! It’s a fine motto. Even though the place was closed I think the chair and brooms were a nice homey touch. Oh… they also have maps and information, books, salvage, antiques, coffee and of course, BEANS! Thanks for looking, and understanding. G
Trading Post motto… “May our motto always be that our customers enter in anticipation and leave without regrets”
Dryland Beans, Ruins of America Trading Post sign. I always thought, the numerous times I’ve passed this place, that it was the “beans” that ruined America.
Wooden Hearts, Walsenburg, Colorado
Wooden Hearts, Walsenburg, Colorado. They were all around town this time last year. Little surprise love hearts around the corner, a fun way to add a little color and brighten a boarded up building. Thanks for looking. G
Patinas And Rust Galore In New Mexico
Patinas and rust galore in New Mexico. Peer in to any abandoned building, drive down any back road and you will find scenes like this one. The payoff, from rural flight, is an opportunity to document the past that often gives me a glimpse into the lives of those gone before. Thanks for looking. G
