abandoned in New York

by Kaylah Stroup

For Valentine’s Day Jeff and I took a spur of the moment trip to Rochester, New York. On Friday morning he sent me a text asking me to ask my mom, who was at our apartment, if she’d be willing to take Klaus home with her when she left. I knew that meant we were taking a weekend trip so I asked “Where are we running away to?” He responded with a screenshot of a hotel reservation in Rochester. That’s my kind of Valentine’s Day present!

Since we met we’ve been taking annual trips up to Rochester. Each time previous had been with friends, and only for the day. Last year we weren’t able to find a time when everyone was able to go and subsequently missed the opportunity. We’re both fairly smitten with Rochester. Jeff, especially, had been itching to get back as soon as possible. It’s very reminiscent of Cleveland so it’s kind of like being at home but with lots of new things to explore. We left without a plan but armed with cameras – the way any good trip starts.

Saturday was spent aimlessly wandering around the city on foot. We woke up fairly early Sunday with hopes of getting the abandoned subway again, and finding some abandoned buildings to shoot. I felt a little uncomfortable with the subway since for the first time it was actually fenced off, and seemed to be under construction. We opted to hit one building we had found during our last visit and then hit the road since the weather was icky. On our way home we stopped in Buffalo, a city filled with abandoned buildings that for some reason we never have any luck getting into. Well, the Buffalo curse was finally broken.

Despite getting two spots that weekend, one of which was a maaajor highlight for both of us, I didn’t end up with very many photos that I absolutely loved. The ones I am happy with I couldn’t bare to just tuck away in a folder so what you get is a mix of photos from the two buildings.

abandoned rochester, abandoned, new york,abandoned, church, buffalo, new yorkabandoned rochestergraffiti, roa rochester, ROA mural

xoxo

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27 comments

Alexis February 22, 2017 - 2:16 pm

O.o I LOVE that last photo!! Ever wish you could meet the artists sometimes and just give them that subtle, "great job, you're cool man" head nod? 😛

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:20 pm

Oh, of course!

Alexandra February 22, 2017 - 2:23 pm

Ah that church is amazing – an abandoned church is definitely high up on my abandoned wishlist. I've never been to Rochester, but my dude is from Buffalo and it's such a cute place. I would die to get into the old terminal or the H.H.Richardson asylum—but it's being turned into a convention center or something 🙁

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:20 pm

The last few times we've been there the terminal has had security patrolling! Boo!

LillaLuxe February 22, 2017 - 4:06 pm

The photos you took are very beautiful. Abandoned homes have always interested me and freaked me out at the same time. I would be so nervous of a crazed homeless man attacking me! Anyways – really loved your post. It makes me think of all the life those beautiful buildings used to hold & where all that life ran off to.

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:21 pm

Thanks! 🙂

Kate @ GreatestEscapist.com February 22, 2017 - 4:06 pm

Something about that once-fancy shoe on that formerly fuzzy blanket creeps me ouuuut.

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:21 pm

Oh! Same!

steph r. February 22, 2017 - 6:26 pm

I looove that you love Rochester! It's the closest city to my hometown so I've got a lot of golden memories tied there. Great ghostly whites in your photos.

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:21 pm

It's such a fun city!

Kristina Burkey February 22, 2017 - 7:59 pm

That mural is amazing!

Wanderlust Girl February 23, 2017 - 5:22 am

Must have been so much fun to go wandering through a place you've never been… also, bonus points for the choice of valentone's day gift, haha! Loving your photos as always xx

http://wanderlustgirl-kb.blogspot.ca

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:22 pm

Hah! Thanks! 🙂

Indya S February 23, 2017 - 6:00 am

I'm so glad that I have your blog to read, because while I would love to explore abandoned buildings in THEORY, I know I'd chicken out just as I got to the door!

http://www.thesmalladventurer.blogspot.com.au/

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:22 pm

Hahah! Well, glad you can live vicariously through The Dainty Squid. 🙂

Jasilyn Albert February 23, 2017 - 9:52 am

The artwork on the last building is pretty incredible. I just love your photos so much. They are so crisp and clean and you always have the perfect amount of light for the mood.

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:22 pm

Thank you Jasilyn! 🙂

Deanne February 26, 2017 - 10:34 am

love the photos, so sad seeing the shoes and teddies and wondering why they were just left there! love the bird and egg, that would make an awesome print 🙂 x

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:23 pm

It's by ROA. He's an amazing artist!

Kelly Gillen March 2, 2017 - 1:16 am

I read online that they're tearing down the overhang and wall right of the subway enterance by the BBQ restaurant. Such a bummer! There's supposedly no plans to block it off, which is good! I need to get back there this summer.

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:23 pm

NOOOOO

hello haha narf March 2, 2017 - 1:43 pm

i love that you (and jeff!) can turn abandoned into incredible art. they way you capture every day "ugly" is just gorgeous!

Kaylah March 7, 2017 - 4:23 pm

Thank you so much! <3

alicia April 11, 2017 - 4:46 am

haha this is awesome ! I’m from ROC. love the post !

Kaylah April 11, 2017 - 2:25 pm

🙂

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