Beautiful Decay
I heard the term beautiful decay in a book I recently read. For many years I've been attracted to this form of vintage destruction but never had a good name for it. The main draw is the story of these lost places. How did they get to this state and what where they like in their prime? We will never know but by spending time walking around looking at the details of what's left allows your mind to wander and piece together it's own story.
This old cabin, lost among the many roads that wander through the Lassen National Forest, holds a special place in my memories. I've spent many years coming to this cabin, mostly for the great view of Mt. Lassen beyond the meadow, but also because my curiosity always drew me too it. I've seen it slowly crumble over the years and have a feeling it wont last many more. It sits on an amazing piece of land so how could it be left to collapse on itself?
When I first came across it 20 or so years ago it was still in terrible shape. It looks like generations before me had spent time partying in it and others coming to destroy a small part of it. Every time I come back more damage is done either by vandals or nature.
The remnants of the original tenants still exist in the form of broken brooms, salt and pepper shakers and Ajax cleaning powder sitting among the layers of rodent feces. My favorite parts are the old appliances like cooking stoves, refrigerators and wood burning stoves.
While it's dirty and feels disease infested, it's still a beautiful sight for my eyes. Old places like these are gradually diminishing and will be harder to find as time moves on.
Photo. Video. Adventure. Let's go outside.