Circle of Protection

Saw some people climbing around in this in their flip flops. Taking pictures, aloof to the moment.

It was a tense, but somehow peacefully balanced moment.

Across the highway from Eastern Oregon’s famous shoe tree, precariously built next to a wandering stream, this old place is barely upright. But it’s beauty, it’s endurance… it beckons to be appreciated, all sense of security aside. It kind of redefines the notion of wild abandon.

Esmeralda

The sign bears one word: Esmeralda… where have you heard that before? You’re pretty sure it means Emerald in Spanish, and it is the name of a neighboring county here in Nevada. But there’s not much else about this sign to help you out.

You can still go over to the massive ruins of the three-story tall building or head to the lone train caboose.