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Off Broadway Security Theater

Off Broadway Security Theater

A surreal exploration of the secure area in an international airport made possible by a missed flight and a dummy-locked plywood door leading into the construction area. This terminal was undergoing renovations that were nearly complete in early 2012. They hadn't even taken the shrink wrap off the rope stanchions at the gate when we got there. We let these cool off for a while for obvious reasons.

Running Police Chase Psych Center

Running Police Chase Psych Center

You're never gonna catch me, you're wasting your time! Forget about it, go do something else. See ya'll next year.

No-Mo Hi-Ho Casino

No-Mo Hi-Ho Casino

One of the most exhilarating and unusual explorations we've ever done. At the corner of Park Place and Boardwalk, the Skyscraper by the Sea was a casino from 1981 through 2012.

Loose Goose Resort

Loose Goose Resort

A sprawling vacant resort anxiously awaits a buyer while it sits exposed to the elements. Semi-active, with a live-in caretaker, and 4 part-time maintenance guys. Difficulty level: so.

Tov, toda Tamarack

Tov, toda Tamarack

It was still fucking awesome while it lasted.

Skyler Inn

Skyler Inn

A long, winding mountain trail leads to this mid-19th century home. A former stage coach stop, The Roosevelts stayed there on several occasions. The home was originally built by a former sea captain, and its many intact architectural features include look out towers, stone fireplaces, carved mantels and railings, paneling from the old captain's boat, secret rooms and so much more. No amount of history nor quirky architecture will protect it from the bulldozers which are coming very soon.

Nanuet Mall Last Call

Nanuet Mall Last Call

Now it's official. Effective January 31, 2012, the mall is closed. While the anchor stores remain open as planned, strangely, the two barber shops and Banchetto Feast decided to occupy the mall, buck the December 31st closing date, and remain open. All have finally closed and the demolition has begun (starting with asbestos abatement). Like the best explorations, it involved hiding from security on multiple occasions.

KHAAANNNN!kord Resort Hotel Leftovers

KHAAANNNN!kord Resort Hotel Leftovers

In 2008, the hotel at this location was demolished; the plan was to re-build the site with a billion-dollar race track and casino (big surprise). Despite that, the hotel's main buildings were concrete and steel construction, the owner spent millions demolishing the place and building new foundation pads for the future casino. None of the contractors got paid, so the work stopped abruptly and the empty lot is a "brownfield" to this day. A few buildings remain, and we explore them.

Goodbye Hotel

Goodbye Hotel

What a waste. After being away for 5 years, I came back to this. Truly the end of an era for exploring and for Catskills resorts. With the Pines Hotel now gone, with one less Catskills resort in the world, hotels in the Catskills are fading into the past faster than ever. But their time was long ago, and at last memories can rest in peace.

MBUSA @ 23A AKA/BHB&B

MBUSA @ 23A AKA/BHB&B

Elsewhere described here as the Blue Hill House, this dutch colonial home has stood empty since ca. 1996. Formerly located next to at least 2 other homes on a short dead-end spur of a county highway, all the properties adjacent to the street were purchased by a foreign car manufacturer who has yet to occupy the site for over a decade. The other two homes were demolished ca. 1997. Featuring late 1800 / early 1900 wallpaper and architectural flair. This building was possibly once a bed and breakfast, judging by (now missing) numbers that years ago adorned the interior doors.

School's Out With Fever

School's Out With Fever

I am a sucker for active construction sites. A white hard hat and dust mask go a long way in life. I go elevator surfing on a new MRL elevator. Then I drive out to see my old friends Jennie and Steven who have been feeling ill lately...

Tomahawk Resort Hotel

Tomahawk Resort Hotel

Returning to a famous abandoned resort nestled deep within an "Indian reservation". The day began with a rather ominous encounter with a group of scrappers, and ended with the caretaker's unleashed Rottweiler pursuing us until we left.

Bare Mountainin'

Bare Mountainin'

Not at all abandoned in fact, the famous Bear Mountain Inn is now a very active construction site. It sat vacant and disused since 2005 to the dismay of many park lovers. After walking through the active construction site, which was far more active than any explorer would prefer, I headed down to Iona Island, practically right down the street, and experimented with some panorama techniques.

Commodore Hotel Ruins

Commodore Hotel Ruins

Not really sure what to say about this one, the Commodore Hotel was long gone by the time I got there. But there was still one gutted building that looked like it still served as a frequent hang out & skate spot for local teens.

Yet Another Letchworth Fire

Yet Another Letchworth Fire

An administration building that once was used for storage of old PCs burned the night prior to these photos. Someone acted quickly to seal the buildings up and prominently post a "no trespassing" notice. Strangely, there is not a single "POSTED" sign that complies with applicable trespassing statutes.

Highview Playground

Highview Playground

Once a stunning example of a community effort to build a playground within what was once the "Second Safest City" in America, Nanuet Highview Community Playground was a unique wooden playground built in the 1990s. Featuring ornate and almost Victorian architecture, the playground used elements like turrets and winding passageways that gave the playground the nickname "the castle playground".

At the age of 20, the school board quietly prepared to demolish the playground, and with barely a weeks notice to the public, announced that the park would be no more due to vague insurance reasons. No serious injuries had ever occurred at the park, nor had any insurance claim ever been filed against the school district. Some staff from the nearby elementary school were seeking to convert the space where the park once stood into a parking lot. However, thanks to a strong outcry from the community, there are already efforts underway to rebuild. Find out more about efforts to rebuild Highview Playground.

Finding The G Spot

Finding The G Spot

No sense in hiding the identity of this one. Grossinger's, once the crown jewel of the Catskills, was closed in 1986 and has deteriorated steadily since.

Palace Hades Center

Palace Hades Center

I hate this mall. It is such a hell hole. This gallery features unusual views inside the mall. Nothing much to see here unless you're a Palisades Center hater.

Third Time's The Charm

Third Time's The Charm

I just had to go a third time, didn't I? I went alone. How creepy is that. Security was even tighter than the last two trips; so tight that at one point I felt like I was trapped inside. Take a tour with me one last time.

Hater's Haven Resort and Spa

Hater's Haven Resort and Spa

Mainly exploring the elevator and some back areas at a certain hotel and spa which is cousins with another hotel which I have photographed.

Women's Federation Castle

Women's Federation Castle

Nestled in the woods about a quarter mile from a pedestrian overpass above the Palisades Parkway is the Women's Federation Monument, a small castle with a vista of the cliffs of the Palisades with somewhat of a view of NYC.

Treachery Resort Hotel

Treachery Resort Hotel

Timing is everything when exploring a vacant resort hotel protected by an armed guard.

You'll Never Believe

You'll Never Believe

An instant classic. A sprawling 700 room resort hotel sitting on almost 500 acres, featuring two high-rise towers and an 18 hole golf course. Also featuring multiple active security guards and a cellular transmitter on the roof of the tower. You'll never believe how well-kept it is.

Nanuet Mall Maintenance

Nanuet Mall Maintenance

Or lack thereof. When I saw this, the first thing I thought was, "Yo dawg, we herd you don't like to do maintenance. So we didn't maintain your maintenance truck, so you can not do maintenance in your unmaintained maintenance truck."

Long Trail Tattletale

Long Trail Tattletale

Another look around the utility areas under the Long Trail hotel at Stratton Mountain.

Last of the Mohicans

Last of the Mohicans

What a cool little abandoned Catskills resort.

Concrete AIDS at the Palisades

Concrete AIDS at the Palisades

Letchworth: Denied

Letchworth: Denied

Our exploration was interrupted by marked police cars and a crazy dog lover ranting about "bodies in the ground".

Rockland's other half

Rockland's other half

Exploring the Western side of Rockland.

Nyack Beach from behind

Nyack Beach from behind

My advice is to not try and reach the spot we reached, as it was very difficult to get back out.

Please postpone the paintball

Please postpone the paintball

Touring tunnels of Tweed through the time that the tourists thought this was a paintball range.

Trains and wires of Rockland

Trains and wires of Rockland

A tour of the bulk goods and high-voltage electric distribution infrastructure of Rockland County

The road less traveled

The road less traveled

The Hasidim built their own road in defiance. I needed to see it with my own eyes.

Palisades Center back halls

Palisades Center back halls

Exploring the cavernous commercial center: The Palisades Mall

Nanuet Mall infrastructure

Nanuet Mall infrastructure

Empty anchor stores are never a good sign...

Nanuet Mall halls

Nanuet Mall halls

It's almost like the mall is closed because it's so quiet... but it's not.

Showing Drey the Letchworth Power Plant

Showing Drey the Letchworth Power Plant

Drey likes to do interesting things, but unfortunately, he's cursed with 7 years bad luck for some reason or another. We went to Letchworth Power Plant and walked around for hours. Then we heard a horn blaring near where my car was parked (at the closed bridge near the active buildings). A rent-a-cop was waiting and started asking questions. He tried to get confrontational but totally backed off after I started asking basic questions in response to his own questions. He sheepishly said, "I won't make you delete the pictures this time." Right. And I won't leave you lying in the fetal position on the ground, this time.

Day trip to Iona Island

Day trip to Iona Island

Took a trip and went for a short hike down the tracks. I bumped into a Hispanic family trapping off the old trestle (although they had a trap or two on the new trestle also).

Hiked Hook Mountain

Hiked Hook Mountain

Mike, Dan, and I hiked Hook Mountain like true winners.

Day at Doodletown

Day at Doodletown

An early morning solo journey to Doodletown Dam. Some shots of Iona Island thrown in for good measure. I met a rail fan there with his grandson. I found the water treatment plant for the first time. Pretty neat place.

Thoroughly touring Tweed's tunnels

Thoroughly touring Tweed's tunnels

Starting the journey at the south western end of the mountain, in the Camp Bluefields Dr. parking area, I ventured up into the hills to boldly go where many have gone before. I walked through one tunnel without a flashlight, like I usually do. Also like usually, I nearly soiled myself. Noticed some new concrete and metal works I'd never seen before, and became better oriented with the "offices" relative to the homes on the street.

Jersey City Powerhouse

Jersey City Powerhouse

Trump tower stands proudly next to the Hudson & Manhattan Powerhouse. Despite the lack of maintenance for decades, the Powerhouse still stands thanks to its sturdy construction.

A day in Nyack

A day in Nyack

Armed with my cameras and plenty of free time, I took a stroll around Nyack and found tunnels, shipwrecks, and plenty of other interesting views.

Mystery tunnel entrance

Mystery tunnel entrance

Mike didn't want to go in, but I showed him the entrance to the mystery tunnel in Nyack. No, not those tunnels, the other tunnels -- the mystery tunnels.

Lounging around Letchworth

Lounging around Letchworth

Another quick and lonely trip through Letchworth Village.

Looking around Letchworth

Looking around Letchworth

Always interesting to bump into other people at Letchworth. The cat society was out and about. Stopped by the director's house unlike usual.

Problematic pipe explosions

Problematic pipe explosions

The aftermath of the Times Square steam pipe explosion. I got a little closer than I should have, and was ordered to leave by police.

Train track furniture

Train track furniture

Photos of power lines and an old signal tower taken on a nice day.

'For the terrorism'

'For the terrorism'

Obviously Wall Street is paranoid that the masses might one day come seeking blood. So, to prevent any violent attacks, they've installed this motorized bollard in the roadway. When I asked the operator what this blockade was for, his succinct and ironic answer: "for the terrorism." We also tour downtown Manhattan in this general area.

Upgraded security at NIKE

Upgraded security at NIKE

The disused NIKE base had a security upgrade recently. The gate is way more imposing now. Don't be afraid of the dogs, or the caretaker, they only bite bad people.

Stewart Hall post-fire

Stewart Hall post-fire

It greatly upsets me that anyone would destroy something with so much rich architectural effort.

Exploring Kreyg's

Exploring Kreyg's

My friend Kreyg lived in a most unusual basement apartment, the only basement apartment in the building. The rest was storage for apartments upstairs. The hallways in his basement were weird and creepy.

Port Authority pics

Port Authority pics

I've seen that number before somewhere else... I feel like I've seen that towel before somewhere else too.

Playing in the Palisades

Playing in the Palisades

Still not yet over the joy of having a DSLR, I drive into the Palisades Center parking garage and play around.

Exploring the gun tunnel (part 2)

Exploring the gun tunnel (part 2)

I return to the gun tunnel by myself to explore deeper.

Exploring the gun tunnel

Exploring the gun tunnel

I believe this tunnel was used to conceal a large cannon to protect the Hudson River, but I can't find any documentation about it either way. The litter and graffiti were very old and well preserved, indicating low traffic.

Gun tunnel scope-out

Gun tunnel scope-out

Checking out the area around the gun tunnel.

Train technology

Train technology

From the powerhouse, to the outhouse, we explore NJ transit physical plant.

Keep off the tracks

Keep off the tracks

A trip to Brooklyn just for fun, with stops in Times Square for good measure. Crazy protesters, sweet police cars, strange signs, and a woman's ID on the tracks for the L train.

Exploring the elevator room

Exploring the elevator room

The elevator room in the Long Trail hotel at Stratton

2007 New York New Year

2007 New York New Year

As winners always do, we celebrated New Year's with drinks, exotic food, and late night subway rides. We met strangers this night with the classic, "What's your favorite kind of shark, and why?" intro.

Will we leave Worcester?

Will we leave Worcester?

After a trip to Cecilia ("see Celia"), I walked around Worcester in the morning because she didn't wake up as early as me. Plus some shots of signs seen on the way home.

Letchworth Village idiot

Letchworth Village idiot

The decaying power plant at Letchworth Village, plus a quick stop in some of the admin and storage buildings.

Water tower on watch

Water tower on watch

This water tower had what I would consider unusually high security. A telephone link seemingly provides telemetry but it's not clear how the cameras or motion sensors are set up to monitor. The camera follows motion, however. I literally danced around for 15 or more minutes watching the camera watch me.

Bleak day at Letchworth

Bleak day at Letchworth

Random shots of prohibition signs at Letchworth Village

RPI Infrastructure Tour

RPI Infrastructure Tour

I promised I wouldn't post these. But sufficient time has passed. This was the great RPI Infrastructure Tour of '05.

Barb's RPI tour

Barb's RPI tour

When Barb and I were still getting to know each other, one night she graciously allowed me to ride-along with her. We explore West Hall, and an automatic alarm at BARH.

Pete ruins Paintball at the Pines Hotel

Pete ruins Paintball at the Pines Hotel

I can't say exactly how I ruined the day of the douchebags playing paintball there, but rest assured it was a tough ride home for them. Thanks for the opportunity to get revenge, assholes.

Around RPI's Ricketts

Around RPI's Ricketts

Exploring the Ricketts building after a class

Stackwyck's shady areas

Stackwyck's shady areas

Exploring the equipment rooms in a typical Stackwyck apartment building at RPI.

And death smiled

And death smiled

Random graffiti on a disused water tower at Nike Ln.

Piermont station pre-renovation

Piermont station pre-renovation

Some might be surprised to hear that I was not happy when they renovated the Piermont station stop. They took all the history out of the place, and left its empty shell. What the hell? The place was like a time capsule all on its own right.

Lonely at Letchworth

Lonely at Letchworth

Sometimes I'll explore buildings even if no one joins me. This was one of those times. This gallery is notable because it contains numerous shots of Stewart Hall before it was burned to the ground by punk kids from Nanuet.

Abandoned auto plant

Abandoned auto plant

The site of the former GM plant in Tarrytown. It's now 'luxury' condos.

Bowels of Briarwood

Bowels of Briarwood

The "gangster car" spot in Clarkstown. This is a bizarre paper road that seems like it was maybe caught up in some court proceeding or other dispute. Otherwise it seems like a waste of awfully prime land.

Exploring the DCC

Exploring the DCC

Includes shots of the 3rd floor women's bathroom foyer.

Tahawus mine

Tahawus mine

One of my favorite exploration journeys ever. One I will never forget.

Barberville Falls in Spring

Barberville Falls in Spring

The melting snow adds a great amount of runoff water to the falls.

EMPAC crane

EMPAC crane

So what if we didn't belong there; that crane was ours to climb as far as we knew.

Exploring UAlbany

Exploring UAlbany

Exploring the underbelly of undergraduate education.

Albany high-rise housing project demolition

Albany high-rise housing project demolition

I am fascinated by the abject failure of high-rise public housing, so I felt compelled to document the demolition of this domicile, one of many which stand bleakly in the foreground of Albany's skyline seen while passing through on Interstate 787.

Palisades Center's privates

Palisades Center's privates

Up in that like a colonoscopy.

UAustin Powers

UAustin Powers

Touring the tunnels under UAlbany. We were kicked out by campus police, who were less than pleased that my car was loaded with fireworks.

Dimmed lights at Letchworth

Dimmed lights at Letchworth

Days are growing shorter, not unlike my patience.

Welcome to Letchworth

Welcome to Letchworth

Geneva forced me to go to Letchworth for the first time. Was I sure glad she did. I didn't stay long this time, but I'd be back.

Parks of Rensselaer County

Parks of Rensselaer County

Journeys through the beautiful and never dull parks of Rensselaer County, NY. Includes Grafton Lake and Barberville Falls.

Grafton Peace Pagoda

Grafton Peace Pagoda

One of the few of its kind in the world, the Grafton Peace Pagoda is also home to some Buddhist monks. They weren't there when we visited, but the temple was unlocked and inviting to peaceful visitors.

Berlin Mountain Ski Trails

Berlin Mountain Ski Trails

We tried a crazy hill climb at Toyota Hill near the old Williams College Ski Area by Williamstown, MA.

RIP Fred

RIP Fred

You still inspire and puzzle me to this day.

The less visited parks

The less visited parks

Although we frequented other parks more often, we tended to explore anything just for the sake of adventure.

Get high at Grafton Lakes

Get high at Grafton Lakes

High in the trees, I mean! We climbed stuff, like trees and water towers. Come on, don't be silly.

Barberville Falls in Fall

Barberville Falls in Fall

One thing that always struck me about this location was the bizarre mechanical system that appeared to feed into the water. It looked to be like some kind of runoff treatment system.

Home, I'm Honey

Home, I'm Honey

A rather bizarre and random dilapidated house in the woods.

Abandoned car adventure

Abandoned car adventure

Troy is an interesting place in general, but the unofficial off-road trails on the outskirts of Troy are especially interesting, thanks to abandoned wrecks like this. Note that it probably got stuck in an off-road adventure attempt, as opposed to say, a multiple homicide, although knowing Troy, either is possible.

Exploring Nanuet Pavillion

Exploring Nanuet Pavillion

Although seemingly uninteresting, I found it somewhat exciting to do this since like any active site, there are always challenges. Plus a view from the roof.

Saloman house (part 2)

Saloman house (part 2)

Exploring the mysterious time capsule that has since faded into dust.

Pines Hotel Summer '04

Pines Hotel Summer '04

Visiting with Jess, the one time we were actually allowed in, thanks to having hooked up with Lance. I left something behind.

Saloman House (part 1)

Saloman House (part 1)

A rare opportunity to step into a time capsule. These photos were from my visit on July 13, 2004. The owner died a month or so prior. I stress to readers that vandals did not cause this damage -- this is how he lived for 20 years. The experience cannot be adequately described by a Flickr gallery description.

New New York Life building

New New York Life building

Helping the unpacking process at the New York Life building in Sleepy Hollow.

Two million for this hole?

Two million for this hole?

Exploring an unfinished multi-million dollar single family home in Old Tappan. This probably sold right before the housing bubble popped. I wonder if the mortgage has gone sour?

Abandoned Asbury

Abandoned Asbury

Tour of the Asbury Park boardwalk area, during a quick detour on our way to Seaside Heights for the weekend. This gallery includes shots of many infamous and now non-existent buildings such as C9.

Brief tour of Tweed's Tunnels

Brief tour of Tweed's Tunnels

The Camp Bluefields tunnels are a popular attraction to ghost-hunters and other people looking to be creeped out.

Base active

Base active

Shots from the active buildings at the Clausland Mountain Nike base.

Dead end at Rockland Lake

Dead end at Rockland Lake

The fake dead end at Landing Road leads to Nyack Beach. The dead end is a great place to park to access the trails often forgotten in the park but park police arbitrarily support the no parking rules back here. Once I parked back here and got a $10 parking ticket. Pay it? No way! I spent almost a year fighting it and won.

Nike Ln

Nike Ln

A tour of the defunct Nike missile base on Clausland Mountain.

Northbound Nike Ln

Northbound Nike Ln

With a quick stop to the more active side of the base. Literally any visit to this area is sketchy now, because the area has gone from "mothballed" to "inactive". It's a big distinction.

Exploring the Blue Hill House

Exploring the Blue Hill House

Lacking any better name for this place, this late 19th century Dutch-style home was a fascinating destination to me because of it's mystery. The house is nice, why let it rot?

Blaisdell Road

Blaisdell Road

It's rare to find an entire road abandoned, but effectively, that's what happened here for a brief period of time as Rockland Psych underwent some transformative growing pains.

Rockland PSYCH!

Rockland PSYCH!

One of the lamest locations ever. I would have been better off exploring a supermarket.

Blue Hill House entrance

Blue Hill House entrance

Usually it's a code of ethics thing to not post the entrance to locations, but it's hard to miss this one: it's an abandoned county road. I'm still a bit baffled how they can just close off a county road like this, when we're still paying to maintain the darn thing.

Exploring Manhattan College

Exploring Manhattan College

Probably my worst exploration ever, although I did find an armored courtesy phone, auto-flush urinals, and a pigeon inside a building.

Williams College Ski Area

Williams College Ski Area

Exploring off-road trails close to and across the Massachusetts border, and discovering the old Williams College Ski Area.

RPI Adventure Club

RPI Adventure Club

From assorted trips into the woods of Rensselaer County, NY.

Prospect Park Pool

Prospect Park Pool

Prospect Park was designed by Garnet Baltimore, the first African American to graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. On February 19, 1903, the city bought the land from the Warren Estate for $110,000. The City Parks Commission hired Baltimore to design the park, paying him $2,000 in annual salary. He designed pathways, a pond, tennis courts, a bandstand, flower beds, and a scenic lookout from which visitors could see a 25-mile panorama of the Hudson River and Valley. The Warren home became a museum, and the Vail home became a snack concession.

Prospect Park is a unique gem in the middle of the city: it provides spectacular, 20-mile, panoramic vistas to the south, west, and north. Rare species of trees, like the Catalpa, European Beech, Hawthorne, and Magnolia grace its grassy expanses; and its history goes all the way back to Uncle Sam.