Urban Decay Hits Wheeling, WV

To my surprise and shock while driving toward the ramp to I-70 a few weeks ago, I glanced over at East Wheeling.  I then did one of those comical, textbook double takes which caused my mouth to drop open and a near collision to occur in my space.  Immediately, I thought on my feet and swerved to the left-hand lane headed for McColloch Street and a direct connection to that part of Wheeling.  I drove through a two-three block area of 15th and 16th Streets not believing what my eyes were so reluctantly showing me.  Having been absent from my home town for close to 25 years, man and the elements had been working like driven beavers in Spring turning once elegant, historical, functional and purposeful homes and businesses into deserted, skeleton-like, weeping buildings.  I took shots of the scene before me with no thought to art or creativity or the fact that some of these places were built prior to the Civil War.  I simply documented my disbelief.  Once I had recorded the varying stages of decay, I began talking to residents of Wheeling and doing some research.  It seems that the city owns the majority of the buildings and wants to construct a ball park.  For their own reasons, there are a handful of residents who refuse to sell but will ultimately be displaced due to eminent domain.  Historical preservation?  There is potential, as you will see in the photographs.  This situation didn't develop over night.  Some homes appear truly decayed, while others could have held families just yesterday.  My heart aches.

There are many, many documentary photographs to choose for you to see.  Narrowing will be difficult because there is "the whole picture" to absorb.

   

This is the side of Clay Elementary School where the entrance/exit for shop once was alive with learning, discipline, and character building.

Clay School below ground floor as seen through a broken window.

Again, there are far too many telling photos to show you here.  My website has more, but still there is not enough space to give you the full, sickening story.  May our children's children not live with regret when all of this is nowhere to be found.

      

Surprise

While driving off the hill today heading for my mother's, I happened upon a doe in the road.  She, of course, bolted into the brush at the side of the road when she saw me.  Being the curious observer that I am, I drove very slowly as she paced me parallel to the car/road.  Several yards later she stopped dead, as did I,  and what followed became a lively staring contest.  All I could see clearly was her head through a slight break in the leaves.  Why would she stop and stare when she was so close to the road and to me?  I then noticed that her head was doing a bobble head kinda thing every few seconds.  Odd, very odd.  I gently put the car in reverse, and backed up until I could she all of her.  The behaviors observed became quite explainable then.  I give you a sequence of three photos and if a car hadn't come by and caused her to flee, I would have gotten better close ups, as she was somewhat "stuck" there beyond normal tolerance.

CLOSE


 
                   CLOSER

           
                  BINGO!!!

Until next adventure.....and remember, you steal my pics and I hunt you down with good coon dog and put a pop knot on your head...and that's after the judge gets finished with you.

Oglebay Zoo

Did a day trip to the Oglebay Resort Good Zoo a couple days ago.  I had initially set out for downtown Wheeling for some architectural photos, but being a true ADDer, my attention diverted to the prospect of capturing some wild animal....right turn off interstate at Oglebay Exit.  Funny, growing up it was always called Oglebay Park and you felt like you owned part of it.  Now, it is a "resort" and while in it I felt nothing of the kind.  However, that fact didn't stop me from paying my $7.50, buying a bottle of water and a skinny hot dog, and wandering the property until my knees would hardly carry me up one more hill.  The following are a few of the best shots and maybe not so best shots that came from the expensive Nikon and the cheap hot dog high.

Not at all sure what he is (note to self to take paper next time), but isn't he just about beyond cute!

This fella is a member of the lizard family (dang!! no paper!).  The next pic shows him after he jumped to the ledge just inside the glass and was literally clinging to it.  He is a true AD/HDer.

When I came back through this section before leaving, a student was sitting in front of his enclosure taking notes on his behavior.  I am sure she has some stories to tell!

My favorite.  I could have watched the meerkats all day long.  This little guy had to have been the "lookout" for the gang of three.  His head swiveled around in a flash at each little sound.

Thank goodness Momma Nature gave them tails for balance.  This could have been an unfortunate accident.

A lively conversation was had by these ostriches with the one on the left winning the shouting match and the one on the right walking slowly away.  Amusing dynamics.

                                   Contemplation.....

                                What might he be thinking?

                                    Llama lashes to die for ladies.

                                  Falcon....I think....no notes (sigh).

And the last I will share with you is the turtles in the wetlands part of the zoo.  Here again, I could have spent hours watching the "slow" interactions of the players. 

It's summer and I recommend that you grab a camera and head to the nearest zoo for a day of animal behavior (them, not you).  DO NOT go on a hot day.  My sis and I went to the Columbus, Ohio Zoo last summer and (ready for this one?) I got sunburned terribly up the fronts of both legs from the reflection of the sun on the asphalt!!! Yeah, way!  Here is the link to Oglebay, if you're in the neighborhood.  Until next homeland adventure....

http://www.oglebay-resort.com/goodzoo/

Remember, all photos are mine and I'll sue you for grocery money if you use one without my permission. 

Loch Ness Monsters

Do you have any clue what these are?  I thought they were a relative of the Loch Ness monster.  The deep grass was hiding most of the recognizable parts and it wasn't until a bit later that I found "mom" in the general area.

Going to try a pic of mom and see if I can place it where I want it.

Nice!  That worked.  They were turkey babies.  Who knew in that tall grass?  Hope you can see them in the pics because they are pretty small and far away.  I need a new lens!

Testing

This is the maiden voyage of my new blog site.  I'm sure it will take a few posts to get the hang of everything.  I am in the dark as to how to post photos daily.  Since that is the reason for the blog, I need to hustle and figure it out!  Got it, I think.