This feed does not validate.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><feed version="0.3" xml:lang="en-US" x ...
^
In addition, interoperability with the widest range of feed readers could be improved by implementing the following recommendation.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><feed version="0.3" xml:lang="en-US" x ...
^
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><feed version="0.3" xml:lang="en-US" xmlns="http://purl.org/atom/ns#" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"> <title>Memory_machine's Blog</title> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/index.php/memorymachine" /> <tagline></tagline> <generator url="http://b2evolution.net/" version="0.9.1">b2evolution</generator> <modified>2007-04-27T20:52:25Z</modified> <entry> <title type="text/plain" mode="xml">Baptist Bible Camp</title> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/index.php/memorymachine/2007/04/27/baptist_bible_camp" /> <author> <name>memory_machine</name> </author> <dc:subject>Urban Exploration</dc:subject> <id>http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/index.php/memorymachine/2007/04/27/baptist_bible_camp</id> <issued>2007-04-27T20:52:25Z</issued> <modified>2007-04-27T20:52:25Z</modified> <content type="text/html" mode="escaped"><![CDATA[ <p>A few weeks ago, Redox and I decided to take a roadtrip to the Joplin area to see if we could witness the famous Hornet Spook Light. For those of you who haven't heard of it, the Spook Light is a bright luminescent ball that appears almost nightly in a specific area in southwest Missouri. It is known to dance around all crazy-like, and is still unexplained.</p> <p>To sum up that part of the trip: The Spook Light is an ass, and apparently doesn't like to appear when it's pouring down rain all night. Stupid Spook Light. But I'm not bitter. Luckily, earlier in the evening Redox and I explored an "abandoned" bible camp that we'd been tipped off to. It apparently even had a cave on site where we had heard that the KKK used to hold meetings (we later found out that this was a different cave, not the one at the bible camp). It alone turned out to be worth the trip, in my opinion.</p> <p>Although we had a pretty good idea of where this bible camp was supposed to be, it still took Redox and I almost three hours to find it, mainly due to some confusion over the fact that there are 17 different Highway 71s in Joplin. I'm not kidding, either. We had no idea what this place looked like, so a few times we asked each other things like "Do you think that's it?" When we finally pulled up to it, though, we knew we were there. The place looks like a spectacular hunting lodge perched atop a cliff that rises above a spring-fed lake. I know that's a mouthful, but it really is beautiful.</p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp20.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp1.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>As we wandered around the camp, I became fairly certain that it hadn't been used in a number of years. The site looked pretty run down, especially the pool and baseball field area. It didn't seem like the place was in any shape to have kids staying there and using the facilities. </p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp4.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp5.jpg" width="400" height="225" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp6.jpg" width="400" height="225" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp7.jpg" width="400" height="225" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp8.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>I was especially amazed at one of the things that I found near the swimming pool. There was what appeared to be an old well, but upon furthur inspection turned out to be a water spigot made to look like a well. What surprised me, though, was the fact that the "well" was clearly labeled. It claimed that it was the "Purest Water Known." This piqued my interest, so I made sure to take a sample of this "Purest Water Known." I have since sent said sample to a lab, and the test results have proven without a doubt that this water is not, as stated on the well, the purest water known. That title is still awarded to Aquafina. This only proves my long-held theory: You can't trust Baptists when it comes to their claims about the purity of their water!!! They're full of crap!</p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp9.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp10.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp11.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp12.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp13.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp14.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp15.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp16.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp17.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp18.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp19.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p>After wandering the lower portions of the complex, Redox and I trekked up the hill to the main buildings. Redox found an open window almost immediately, allowing us to explore the basement of one of the buildings. It was apparently used to house campers, as it was crammed with more bunk beds than I would have ever thought would fit in such a space. After trying one of the light switches, I was given my first hint that this place was not really "abandoned." All the electricity and plumbing in the buildings was working perfectly. This turned out to be in my favor, as the long drive from St. Louis had left me with needing to make a massive boom-boom. There was even toilet paper! </p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp3.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>After searching this basement, we realized that there was no connection to the floors above. This turned out to be a recurring theme at the camp: Redox and I would find another entrance only to learn that it didn't really go anywhere but into that room. Everything was either locked up tight or just didn't have any connection to the rest of the building it was in. We were able to get into the uppermost floor of the other main building, which turned out to be in an awful state of disrepair complete with mold and decay. Hopefully, no campers had used this area in some time. I fould a weight bench and took the oppertunity to get my swoll on, as they say. </p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp21.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp22.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>We also were able to get into what looked to be the "great hall." It was a large octagonal room with windows on almost all sides and a beautiful fireplace. This too, though, was only connected to doors leading back outside, not the rest of the buildings. The only door leading furthur into the building was crammed with beds stacked six feet high. I do mean crammed, too. I was unable to open the door more than a few inches. It was in this building that I found a program from when the camp was active. It outlined the schedule of events for the summer of 2006! The fact that this place had been used the previous summer was amazing to me, considering the poor state of most of the facilities. It stands to reason that it will probably be used again this summer. I certainly hope that some work is put into before the campers arrive again.</p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp23.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp24.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>The most exciting part of the trip was definately the cave at the bottom of the cliff. I really just don't know what to make of it. It is just a doorway into the hillside with a large metal bear head mounted above it. What the? The inside of the cave was even more interesting. Redox found a turned on a light switch, and the entire cave lit up! The cave didn't retain it's natural features, as stone walls and steps had be built in most of the areas. A large meeting-type room opened up at the end of the passage. Redox found a shaft leading up into the buildings above with a fan at the top. Apparently, this is one of the ways the buildings are cooled during the summer: Cool air is circulated up from the cave through the shaft and into the buildings. </p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp25.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp26.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp27.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp28.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp29.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/camp30.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>Aside from the cooling system, I just don't understand what the cave was used for. It had obviously had a lot of work put into it, and I know for a fact that the camp is not currently using, as the rules in the program I found clearly state "No playing around on the cliff or in the cave!" But why was it hollowed out into a large room, and why was it wired for lights? I really don't think that the camp buildings were built with the idea of using them for a camp in mind. The stone work is too nice. Redox seemed to think that it was some sort of lodge or retreat for wealthy folks, and was subsequently sold to the Baptists who then turned it into a summer bible camp. I just can't say. I do have some advice for the campers who will arrive this summer, though: Don't listen to the rule about the cave...it's super cool and you have to check it out! While you're at it, go ahead and climb the cliffs too!</p>]]></content> </entry> <entry> <title type="text/plain" mode="xml">Church of Little-Baby-Jesus-Town</title> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/index.php/memorymachine/2007/04/18/church_of_little_baby_jesus_town" /> <author> <name>memory_machine</name> </author> <dc:subject>Urban Exploration</dc:subject> <id>http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/index.php/memorymachine/2007/04/18/church_of_little_baby_jesus_town</id> <issued>2007-04-18T16:42:13Z</issued> <modified>2007-04-18T16:42:13Z</modified> <content type="text/html" mode="escaped"><![CDATA[ <p>I visited this church quite awhile ago (late last summer, I think) but for whatever reason never posted an entry about it. And that's a shame, really, because it is definately one of the most remarkably photogenic places in St. Louis. Seldom do you find an abandoned church that has been pretty much ignored for over 20 years. </p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church1.jpg" width="389" height="292" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church2.jpg" width="292" height="389" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church3.jpg" width="292" height="389" alt="" /></p> <p>The Church of Little-Baby-Jesus-Town was built in 1895, but for whatever reason the congregation abandoned it in the 80s. They now hold services in a school building next door, and the church building itself sits ignored, boarded up, and lonely. Everyone knows how I hate for buildings to be lonely, so on this specific day my friend Giggles and I paid her a visit. </p> <p>We wandered around the exterior for a few moments, but there seemed to be no easy way in. Luckily, Giggles was able to squeeze through a very small opening, and then help me squeeze through as well (no small task. It involved three pry bars and lots of butter). I made a mental note to loose some weight, as I often do.</p> <p>Regarless of it's awful state of disrepair, the interior of the church was a surprisingly beautiful site. Much of the stained glass remains intact, as does the massive pipe organ behind the alter. There was something very emotionally affecting about this crumbling church's state. I couldn't imagine it being more beautiful, even when it was new and pristine. </p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church4.jpg" width="389" height="292" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church5.jpg" width="389" height="292" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church6.jpg" width="389" height="292" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church7.jpg" width="292" height="389" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church8.jpg" width="389" height="292" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church9.jpg" width="389" height="292" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church10.jpg" width="292" height="389" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church11.jpg" width="292" height="389" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church12.jpg" width="389" height="292" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church13.jpg" width="292" height="389" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church14.jpg" width="389" height="292" alt="" /></p> <p>Eventually, we found our way to the choir balcony, and then to the small wooden staircase that led to the top of the tower. I tested it to make sure it would hold us, and it appeared as solid as the day it was made. Giggles and I wound our way up the tower and came to a small room near the top. From here, I could look through the open gothic-style windows and see the Arch. There was a ladder leading to a trap door that seemed to lead up into the bell-portion of the tower. I braced myself on the ladder and opened the trap door, feeling the pieces of wood crumble above me. I realized that this trap door had probably not been opened in many years. As I looked up into the next section, I saw the ladder leading up higher had almost completely crumbled. Sadly, I climbed back down through the trap door, realizing that I could not go any higher on this particular day. On our way down, Giggles and I noticed a carving in the wooden stairway that seemed to have been made in 1914. It's these small pieces of history that always make the effort of exploring worthwhile for me.</p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church17.jpg" width="389" height="292" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church15.jpg" width="389" height="292" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/church16.jpg" width="389" height="292" alt="" /></p> <p>The congregation that owns the church has plans to demolish the building sometime in the future. It all probably just comes down to having the money to do so, as most things do.</p>]]></content> </entry> <entry> <title type="text/plain" mode="xml">Terry-Tech Complex</title> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/index.php/memorymachine/2007/02/28/terry_tech_complex" /> <author> <name>memory_machine</name> </author> <dc:subject>Urban Exploration</dc:subject> <id>http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/index.php/memorymachine/2007/02/28/terry_tech_complex</id> <issued>2007-02-28T22:15:44Z</issued> <modified>2007-02-28T22:19:42Z</modified> <content type="text/html" mode="escaped"><![CDATA[ <p>I had the afternoon off a few days ago, and it was such a beautiful day I decided to get in my car and enjoy the weather. I grabbed my camera and made a few stops to take some photos, and ended up driving by a site that I had passed numerous times but had never checked out. I think one of the reasons that I had always passed it up is that as recently as a year ago, it appeared that there was some kind of activity still occuring there. On this day, however, it was clear that it was completely abandoned. I walked around the main building and noted the posted bankruptcy notices on the windows. They were dated July of 2006, so my belief that it was only recently abandoned seemed correct. It was apparent as I began to walk around that while it may have been abandoned recently, the complex began its decay long ago. </p> <p>I am going to call this place "Terry-Tech" because it seems like it used to house one or more technology companies, and because I saw a sign with those words posted inside one of the buildings. I feel that I should not give any more specific information about it, though, because this place is still FULL of leftover crap, and I don't want it to fall into grubby little hands and disappear.</p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech1.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech2.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech4.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>I walked around the outside taking photos and ducked through a hole in one of the fences. It would become apparent later that this was unnecessary since the other side of the complex is completely open and fence-less. The first thing was made my jaw drop was the amount of garbage/really cool and interesting stuff to look at just lying in piles everywhere. I would say that it looked like everyone just up and left one day leaving everything there, but it looked more like everyone just up and left making sure to throw all their shit around in a haphazard manner first. I could have spent the entire day just digging through all the piles of leftover stuff, some of it that seemed to be totally out of place (like the spanish-language children's books).</p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech5.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech6.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech7.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech8.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech9.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech10.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech11.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech12.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech13.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech14.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech15.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>The interior of the buildings were even more interesting, with large open warehouse style areas, and beautiful (or, once beautiful) carpeted office areas that looked like they could've served as one of the sets for the movie Office Space. </p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech16.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech17.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech18.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech19.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech20.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech21.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech22.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech23.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech24.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech25.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech26.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech27.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech28.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech29.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech30.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech31.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p>The part of the complex that really blew my mind, though, was the storage/warehouse area that was the last area I visited. I found crap that made me jump up and down it was so exciting! There were piles of old computers and computer parts, pallets of freight still shrinkwrapped, a ton of old Converse shoes (some of which were steel-toed....I didn't know those exsisted!), and a bunch of orange twisty straws......for those of you who like to drink their cool-aid all crazy like! In a back corner, there was a large animal that almost made me crap my pants when I turned and saw it. It looked like fuzzy-material over a chicken wire frame in the shape of what I assumed was a bull, like it was being built for a parade float or something. When you're not expecting a six foot tall bull, it's enough to make you jump.</p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech32.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech33.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech34.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech35.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech36.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech37.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech38.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech39.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/tech40.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>Yes, that was a huge bottle of some chemical sitting on top of a piano. Weird, right? I need to do some more research, because I have found no way to piece together all the clues of what this place was in any way that makes sense. I don't know many tech companies that manufacture pianos AND steel-toes Converse sneakers. And that, in my opinion, is what's really wrong with this country.</p>]]></content> </entry> <entry> <title type="text/plain" mode="xml">Gateway Community Hospital</title> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/index.php/memorymachine/2007/02/15/gateway_community_hospital" /> <author> <name>memory_machine</name> </author> <dc:subject>Urban Exploration</dc:subject> <id>http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/index.php/memorymachine/2007/02/15/gateway_community_hospital</id> <issued>2007-02-15T22:48:18Z</issued> <modified>2007-02-15T22:48:18Z</modified> <content type="text/html" mode="escaped"><![CDATA[ <p>One of our final stops on the day of White Rabbit's most recent visit was the Gateway Community Hospital, just a short jaunt across the river into East St. Louis. Gateway Community is just one of a number of buildings in East St. Louis on my list of places to visit. When we arrived, I was slightly disappointed to see that the building was barely more than a shell. No windows survived, making the entire place open to the elements. Because of this, it was one of the most destroyed places I've ever visited, especially considering it's a relatively new building (constructed in 1940 and abandoned in 1989).</p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate1.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate2.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate3.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate4.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>I was getting my camera and other supplies ready to venture inside when I noticed a look on White Rabbit's face that I had never seen before: Apprehension, I think it was. </p> <p>"Man, I feel really stupid that I do so much crazy stuff, but going into one abandoned building in East St. Louis is what bothers me!" </p> <p>I made sure to remind him that we had just LEFT the most dangerous city in the country. St. Louis, not East St. Louis, was voted the #1 most dangerous city in America by those.......by that one source that.........actually, I'm not sure who decided that. I am pretty sure, though, that they have never actually been to St. Louis. Or, if they have, they've never been to East St. Louis. It really does look like a war zone in many places, and I wouldn't dare go there at night or by myself. Or without my bo-staff.</p> <p>The inside of the building wasn't that interesting, honestly. It was clear that it was a hospital, but so little remains inside other than a few relics, lots of rubble, and PILES or pigeon crap. Fortunately, Silverstreak LOVES pigeon crap. We found the old maternity ward, made our way to the roof for some pics, and I even found their Christmas decorations in a closet. I decided to spend a few minutes adding a little festive "pizzazz" to the place. No really, I didn't. </p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate5.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate6.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate7.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate8.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate9.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate10.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate11.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate12.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate13.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate14.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate15.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate16.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate17.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate18.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p>I am glad I had the chance to see this old hospital, but I don't think I'd make a return trip. Visually, it wasn't very interesting, and much of the place is all the same: empty rooms where the ceiling is now on the floor. The only way I think I'd return is if I end up doing some kind of pictoral essay on bird crap. At this time, it is not in the works.</p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/gate19.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p>]]></content> </entry> <entry> <title type="text/plain" mode="xml">The Eads Bridge</title> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/index.php/memorymachine/2007/02/13/the_eads_bridge" /> <author> <name>memory_machine</name> </author> <dc:subject>Urban Exploration</dc:subject> <id>http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/index.php/memorymachine/2007/02/13/the_eads_bridge</id> <issued>2007-02-13T17:49:44Z</issued> <modified>2007-02-14T01:15:46Z</modified> <content type="text/html" mode="escaped"><![CDATA[ <p>After White Rabbit, Silverstreak, Chris and I visited the Inagural, we still had plenty of time left for some other excursions. White Rabbit had said that he really wanted to see the Eads Bridge, and I had been told by a certain individual that there was a staircase near the Landing Metrolink station that lead down to lower and older levels of the Eads Bridge. It didn't take much discussion to decide where we were going next.</p> <p>The Eads Bridge was completed in 1874, and at that time was the longest arch bridge in the world at 6,442 feet. Today it carries four lanes of highway on its uppermost level, and two Metrolink tracks below. It is one of the most historic and recognizable landmarks on the St. Louis Riverfront.</p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/eads1.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/eads2.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>We made our way to the Metro platform and waited for a moment when there were no passengers standing around so that White Rabbit and I could make our break (Silverstreak and Chris were content to wait on the platform and keep watch. Personally, I think they were making out.) While we were waiting, I had a chance to take some photos of the station, which is definately pretty cool in and of itself, being inside a bridge that is well over one hundred years old.</p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/eads3.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/eads4.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/eads5.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>Finally, it was clear and White Rabbit and I jumped down onto the tracks and made a break for it. It didn't take us long to reach the staircase, if you could call it that. Behind an area roped off with caution tape, there was a small shed and an old iron stair leading down into one of the legs of the bridge. Not that I'm an expert on this stuff, but it just didn't seem structurally sound to me.</p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/eads8.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/eads9.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/eads10.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>Now, don't get me wrong: I'm stupid. I'm just not that stupid. I have this thing for...I don't know...not getting dead. It was pretty clear that there were other levels below us, but we wouldn't be able to reach them at the moment. </p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/eads11.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>I looked back and noticed that there were a few people on the Metrolink platform, so White Rabbit and I waited for the right moment to return. I took second to take some photos of the station and the bridge heading out over the Mississippi. White Rabbit decided that it would be a cool idea to take a photo of one of the trains as it went by. He was right, it was a cool idea!</p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/eads6.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/eads7.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /></p> <p>Finally we made our break and climbed back up to the platform. There was only one older gentleman there who saw us, but man did he look confused. We blew down the steps past Chris and Siverstreak as they were getting hassled by some guy asking for money. The good thing is, when you're running, those guys don't try to stop you usually.</p> <p><img src="http://undergroundozarks.com/blog/media/eads13.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /></p>]]></content> </entry> </feed> 
