Picture of the week

The long wait

A stetson cowboy hat on a chair inside one of the buildings at the Bodie historic state park. Through my Viewpoint gallery membership via a specially arranged photo shoot, I was able to get access to this unique ghost town now managed by the California state park system.  With about four hours of shooting time and use of my tripod it was a once-in-a-lifetime photographic opportunity to get inside a place I have always in the past been limited to the building's exteriors. 

The building interiors appear like they probably did when most of this place was abandoned about 80 years ago.  It is as if one day everyone just got up and disappeared, leaving many of their belongings behind. Although I assume the state parks have supplied some of artifacts now found here to restore the look, they have done a wonderful job in trying to use pieces reflective of the period and keeping with the authenticity of this era.  But for many of the rooms it is clear that they have not been touched since the place was abandoned, judging based on the amount of debris and junk strewn about.  I would find these areas typically toward the back of the building in rooms like closets and workshop areas.

You can learn more about my trip to the Bodie interiors and see additional photos at my travelogue on Inside Bodie.

All content and images are property of Stephen Fischer Photography, copyright 2013.  Last updated: 10/20/2013   ()