abandoned in the desert 2016

by Kaylah Stroup

I’ve basically blogged about nothing this month other than my little road trip out west. You’ll have to excuse me, I’m still soaking it all in. My pal, Allie (who has a blog you’d probably love if you’re reading mine), recently said that a third of the fun of taking trips for her is looking back on everything she did aaaand I feel exactly the same way. I like planning trips, and getting all hyped up about them. Obviously I love traveling, seeing new things, and just doing things that aren’t part of my everyday life but I also reeeeally love sitting down with a cup of coffee and sorting through all my photos – over and over.  I guess it’s just that it can be hard to take it in and really appreciate everything that’s happening while it’s actually happening, ya know?

Anyway, I had a handful of photos that didn’t really fit into my other posts from the trip yet still resonated with me enough I wanted to share them. Have you ever felt homesick for a place that isn’t home? That’s what looking at these photos makes me feel. (Yeah, I know it sounds weird. It’s a bunch of random abandoned buildings…) But the way it feels driving through the middle of the desert where it seems like there’s no one else around for miles and miles. Spotting the crisp, sun baked, ruins of buildings that haven’t been used in ages, and stopping to poke around those places. Just being somewhere that is complete opposite of home! Those are some of my favorite things. I don’t know that I would ever want to actually live out there. Well, maybe a large Arizona city would be nice. That miiiight be my favorite state. Regardless, these places still hold a very special place in my heart. These are the things that draw me back to the desert year after year.

abandoned, arizona, abandoned, giant arrows, desertarizona, abandoned

In an abandoned gift shop I found the photo below. I really love that they thought it would be a cute idea to leave this. They look so happy, and I enjoy seeing evidence that others are having just as much fun as Jeff and I while checking out these random places.

I, obviously, tried searching on social media for them but came up with nothing. If by some super strange coincidence you know them, let them know they made at least two people smile with that photo! Also, please check out that dust bunny on my finger. I wanted to photoshop it out at first but it honestly made me laugh too much to get rid of. Sooo gross.

Until next time, desert!
xoxo


If you’d like to check out more photos from this trip – Roswell, NM, Rehoboth Mission Cemetery, Two Guns + The Apache Death Cave, + instant film from out west 2016.

Or if you just want more desert abandonment – 2014 + 2015.

You may also like

7 comments

Alexandra September 28, 2016 - 1:54 pm

AHHHH those teepees! Those arrows! That motel sign! So wonderful! It's extra fun looking at all of your trip photos knowing that we were in similar areas (and don't apologize for too many trip posts – there's no such thing!). And thanks for the shout out – can't wait until we can finally go on an adventure together 🙂

Kaylah September 30, 2016 - 4:45 pm

I know, we enjoy so many of the same things we really should make it a priority to get together!

Kate @ GreatestEscapist.com September 28, 2016 - 11:55 pm

I love that you're friends with Alexandra. We went to college together!

Kaylah September 30, 2016 - 4:45 pm

What a small world!

Jasilyn Albert September 30, 2016 - 10:23 am

That photo of the room with the tires in it looks almost exactly like the library at this abandoned sanatorium I went to in Irkutsk. I had to take a second look at it.

That picture is really cute. Did you keep it? Do you ever take souvenirs from places you visit? I took some old film from the movie theater and labels from vodka bottles. I normally would have left it but they were just laying on the ground outside from vandals so I thought it would just be better if I kept them in my travel journal. At least they'd have a nice place to stay.

Kaylah September 30, 2016 - 4:46 pm

No, I left the photo. I would have taken it if it were older but I felt like more people should get a chance to see it. 🙂

Unknown October 6, 2016 - 3:09 pm

That red bunny! @maxneutra

Comments are closed.