Iron Gate, Rust, Abandoned Homestead
Iron gate and rust at an abandoned homestead in the San Luis Valley. Every day the decay and deterioration by the elements continues. Derelict structures throughout the valley are bombarded by the sand borne winds. These same winds which helped create the Great Sand Dunes at a northerly corner of the valley. I’m playing with found rusted steel siding again and incorporating it into an image of a gate, that leads to one of the abandoned homes. Perhaps the steel had originally come from this home. Thanks for looking. G
Homestead, Tree, San Luis Valley, Colorado
Homestead with tree, on the plateau in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Today we criss-crossed the valley looking for a view of the Blanca Peak Massif. There were some great views of the spectacular fourteen thousand foot plus peak, but I always remember to look over my shoulder. Thanks for looking. G
Ghost Chair, Shadows, San Luis Valley Homestead
Ghost Chair, Shadows, San Luis Valley Homestead. Met the owner of this place who was very generous to let me photograph in here. Someone has ripped out the copper pipe and wiring in the house, so it felt good to build a rapport with the owner. Anyway, goodness knows what the ghosts think of the looters who come in the night. Thanks for looking. G
Patterns Of Decay
Patterns of decay. Slowly creeping down the wall like two dimensional stalactites. Here there and everywhere as abandoned buildings deteriorate beautifully back to the earth. Thanks for looking. G
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
Snow Day Photo Tour, San Luis Valley
Snow day photo tour in the San Luis Valley. A wonderful trip around one of my most favorite places on earth, with two wonderful photographers, at one of my favorite locations. Deep snow trudging! Hawks, wild horses, frozen lakes and rivers; snow capped high peaks of the Sangre de Cristo mountains with pristine light for image making. 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
White house, San Luis Valley, Colorado
White house with hay bales, San Luis Valley, Colorado. I never miss an opportunity to pull over at this location near the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, which is just discernible on the right in front of the mountains. The hay bales add an element making the place feel less abandoned, almost like someone might be home. 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
Abandoned Ruin Alive With Lilacs
Abandoned ruin alive with lilacs in the village of San Cristobal, NM. It’s a good year for lilacs. We can use more lilacs. This abandoned homestead couldn’t agree more. It’s the Lilac Festival in Taos, coming up May 18 -20. Thanks for looking. G
Elizabethtown Homestead, #2
Elizabethtown Homestead, #2 at the old “ghost” town site in northern New Mexico. For the past few years I’ve been making images of the abandoned homesteads around this area and over the border in southern Colorado. The collection is growing, and as these treasures are now beginning to vanish, I’ve put together a collection of images made over the last couple of decades that are now “gone”. More of those later. This homestead in Elizabethtown appears to be pulling apart and heading in two separate directions. The cemetery is just up the hill to the right. Thanks for looking. G
Shingle Shadows, Colorado
Shingle shadows, on the road in southern Colorado. I think I’ve found my second home away from home, at least for image making subject matter. Thanks for looking. G
San Luis Valley Homestead #24
San Luis Valley Homestead #24 in the abandoned buildings and homesteads series. I love the sense of serenity I find in this place amongst all the ghosts. I’ve been working on this project for the last six years. Quite a number of the buildings are no longer standing. Some are in a state of continuing decline, and there is no trace of others. I’ll continue to share images in this project here on my website. Thanks for looking. G
High Road To Taos Homestead
High road to Taos homestead. Sometimes it’s just about something tickling the funny bone, like this house for example. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. Are windows the eyes to the heart of the home? This house appears to be peeking out through a mask back at us! Thanks for looking. G
Stone House, San Luis Valley, Colorado
Stone house in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. I spent some time here last week, down below the house, at the fence line exploring distant views of the stone house on the ridge line. Returning uphill to the car I found this juxtaposition, the barbwire boundary of the property nicely completing the scene. As always, when I’m out in this country, I can’t help but think of the former residents as I wander among ghosts from the past. I feel a deep respect as I walk lightly around the property and ponder for a moment, in reverence, the lives of those who’ve walked this way before me. Thanks for looking. G
