Forgotten Greenhouse

I was driving home, not specifically looking for a magical find, but that seems to be when the magicial finds find me.  I passed a cemetary and happened to look down the street beyond it.  I saw this...

I never noticed a greenhouse here before. I saw the hole in the wall, and knew I needed to take a closer look.

I have a hard time chosing favourite photos from each find, but this one is definitely amoung my favourites.

I love the irony of this---an anbandoned greenhouse with plants taking over, growing everywhere.

Burried under the plants I found a mattress, patio chair cushions, and broken windows.

This was the building/house that was attached to the greenhouse.

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Giant Pumpkin 2012

I think autumn is the most magical time of year.  Leaves change to brilliant hues of red, yellow and orange. The air gets crisp. Afternoons are spent enjoying things like apple cider and pumpkin pie.  And of course, I can't forget Halloween. I know in July it may seem a bit early to be thinking about Halloween, but for giant pumpkin growers this is prime pumpkin growing season.

I've been photographing a giant pumpkin grower's patch for the last few years, and each visit to the pumpkin patch is amazing. The pumpkins grow so fast, it  is incredible to see.  Last year, I got to babysit the giant pumpkins, and although I was nervous, it was the coolest experience.

Yesterday, was my first shoot with this year's giant pumpkin.  The plant needed to grow a giant pumpkin is HUGE.  The leaves look like elephant ears.

This pumpkin is 20 days old, and he already weighs in at 140 pounds.  He can gain 20 pounds in a day!

As he grows, he will turn more orange.  He comes from a line of brilliant orange giant pumpkins.  He hasn't been named yet (all giant pumpkins in this pumpkin patch are given names---so if you have a suggestion, leave it in the comments and I will share it with the pumpkin grower).

In addition to giant pumpkins, there's a hanging gourd plant.  These are so wild. Last year's grew to over 8 feet.  They look like a giant baseball bat.  This little guy when he starts to grow, can grow up to a foot a day.

Pumpkin and gourd plants are strong. These little tendrils grab onto the fence, wrap themselves around and won't let go.

The frame for the hanging gourd is 12 feet tall!!! I will be sure to post more photos as a giant gourd hangs from that frame.

I had to go back...

I love this convent sitting high up on a hill.  I find it mesmerizing, beautiful, and captivating.  It sits atop a hill, overlooking a river, and it is this magical place lost in time. 

I wasn't planning to photograph it again this weekend, but we ended up at a restaurant nearby....how could I not just drive by and soak in its beauty.

Last visit, I thought the clock might still be working (since I was there around 3:30), however yesterday, it was early evening, and the clock was still at 3:30.

The windows are amazing.  I LOVE that little roun window in the roof.  It is magical and I would absolutely want that to be my room just for the fairytale little window.

The windows---it's always about the windows. I love catching a glimpse of these rounded beauties as we continued along the road.

The ivy covered cross is amazing. The broken stained glass window made me sad, one would hope windows that high might possibly survive.

I just love this place. It amazes me how something this big, this beautiful, this captivating, just sits on top of a mountain forgotten.  I will go back again....and hopefully, I can get permission to visit, walk the grounds and capture more of the little details that make this place so amazing.

For sneak peeks of these beauties as I find them, be sure to follow me on instagram @jessicacoffee.

I looked up and saw this....

I heard about an abandoned convent and church, and I added it to my "to photograph" list.  I began to research it, and knew immediately it was something worth seeing. 

I didn't make plans for my visit yet, but knew I needed to see it soon. I was driving home from a day out, and saw a sign for the town it is in.  I immediately wondered what the chances were that I would find it without the map I had saved on my computer, or how far it could possibly be from where I was (sitting in my car looking at the sign)....and then I looked up.  There it was on the top of the hill right in front of me.  If that isn't begging me to check it out, I don't know what is.  I immediately found my way up to it.  I didn't have my camera on me, so all of these were taken with my cell phone.

The church....I saw this first as I made my way up the hill.  I can't even begin to imagine how beautiful this was before the windows were boarded up, and the stained glass windows were still here.  Even boarded up, the windows are still amazing.

I continued to the top of the hill, and found the convent (or possibly school?) behind the church.

 Doors that lead to nowhere....at some point there must have been a 2 story porch on this side of the building.

The last view as I headed back down the hill.  I could stare at this building for hours.

I need to make a trip back with my camera and try to capture to amazing beauty of this place. Definitely will be trying to get permission to visit and really explore.

the house is falling...

I knew this house would be torn down, but it was still a sad moment when I unexpectedly arrived on demolition day.  I visited the house earlier during an estate sale, and it felt like it had a happy history. I watched part of the demolition, went back again later to see more, and visited the little bit that remained last night.

 It amazes me how long it takes for a house to be built, and yet how quickly they come down.

It was struck by the window on the remains of the second floor. It had a lace curtain on it, that was destroyed. I imagined someone picking it out, hanging it.

I imagine a family sitting in front of that fireplace; perhaps children expecting Santa to bring presents down the chimney. So sad to watch someone's memories being destroyed.

Last night, I went back one more time to see if anything was left. All that stood was the chimney.  I can't believe that hours earlier a house stood there, and now nothing but the chimney was left.

The cabins.

I stumbled upon these cabins almost 5 years ago, and I don't think I've driven past them without saying that I must photograph them.  I've read the history of them, and am hoping to get permission to visit them.  All of the pics below were taken from my car, as we drove by (I was passenger...I would never take a photo while driving).

The cabins...each one is different and each one is interesting. I like them all for different reason....

I like this one because it is always easy to spot as we drive by....

I love the remains of the teepee in front of this one...

Again in spring...

This might surprise you, but I love the collapsed roof over the entry porch...

I love the little windows (it wouldn't be a proper blog post if I didn't comment on the windows!)...

I love the row of cabins; I imagine families showing up for vacation, unpacking, kids running between them...

When I look at this cabin, I can so perfectly picture a vacationing family sitting outside the front door; it's twilight, children are playing tag, parents relaxing, and everyone happy.

The main house...

If you follow me on instagram, you probably saw these pics there. They were all taken with a camera phone from a car (again, as passenger).  I dream of properly visitng this place; hopefully I can get permission to spend time capturing the beauty and memories these cabins hold.