Contemplating.

Contemplating.
Wayzata, Minnesota

Monday, March 5, 2012

Thematic Photographic # 186 Past Its Prime

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC


               Welcome to another TP from Carmi, at "Written Inc" blog!  This week Carmi has gone from greyish to demolish-able.... ha ha (just kidding) but close to it!  He has selected.......


               
                              "PAST   ITS   PRIME"



         My past its prime is very close in character to Carmi's, with his being much brighter and fresher appearing compared to mine.

If by chance you want to play along as well, or just care to view other awesome viewpoints, go here

http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2012/03/thematic-photographic-186-past-its.html



Alas......



The demise of the corner store ......


It is not the times that have changed, we have changed.

How many years can this mess exist?
Before it is washed to the sea?
How many years must people make this exist,
before it is allowed to be free?
...and how many times can a man turn his head
and pretend that he just doesn't see?

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind.....
the answer is blowing in the wind...... -Bob Dylan


and Bob Dylan has a lot of answers....maybe he has an answer for this place?



          




Once upon a time, not that long ago really, this parking lot was filled with automobiles.... and laughter.








Where did all the gasoline pumps go?  .....and the customers walking to and fro?  Perhaps you noticed, just off to the left of this photo is the heavily used 35W Highway.  If you leave here and head east it'll take you to Northfield, or if you prefer going west you'll end up in New Prague. 






No matter which way you study the remains of this property, the end is here. 

     Alas, the sweet intoxication of victory, just as soon as the rubble and debris is swiftly carried away..... and I predict very soon.



Ah, just how many years ago did I predict that?



Surely this is not the equipment that will bring it all to its final end.  I fear this too is past its prime.

30 comments:

Gilly said...

I love your shots - but what happens to all those old buildings? Do they just fall down and stay there? Or is the land redeveloped?

CameraCruise said...

Beautiful shots!
The first made me think of an old western movie.
I wonder too if this land is redeveloped?
Thanks for sharing.
Have a great day.
Mette

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

So atmospheric! I love your photos and post.

A Paperback Writer Photos said...

Where's New Prague? What state is this in? What was the name of this now extinct town?
I'm curious.

21 Wits said...

Writer, New Prague is in Minnesota, alive and well....there is no extinct town, where this sad, vacant little property sits....the (old) Gramps Corner is at an exit for 35 and Highway 19 just west of Northfield, Mn. As past its prime that it is....it seems many folks like snapping photos of it....

21 Wits said...

Gilly, those photos are exactly what it looks like right now! I took these photos at the end of January 2012! The row of stores were an antique store most recently while the gas and food stop was still operating!

21 Wits said...

Mette, thanks for stopping by! I happend on your blog through another follower of mine and I really liked yours as well! great photos, especially of the red and white ship! So very stunning!

21 Wits said...

Sheila, thanks so much! I am a big fan of Carmi's Thematic Photographic! His themes give many of my random photos, a reason for being! It's amazing...those shots you just have to take just because, often end up great for his theme of the week!

Little Nell said...

...and Bob Dylan had a lot to answer for too :) You have the knack of knowing what Carmi is going to choose ahead of time - these are great shots but there is something sad about them too.

Just Two Chicks said...

I love these!! I must go explore my little town. Surely there is something here, as historic and old as it is :)

FilipBlog said...

You follow the thematic blog competition to perfection. I don't think I will find a good picture this week.

Greetings,
Filip

Snowcatcher said...

Very cool shots! Made me feel as if I was back in New Mexico, where I grew up. Many scenes like this to be snapped there!

21 Wits said...

Just Two chicks, Yay! I hope you find something....and post it on Carmi's blog! Historic and old sounds awesome to me...in a quaint sort of way...and I just know you'd get something really cool in a town like that!

21 Wits said...

Little Nell....Wanna know a secret? If follow Carmi, he sometimes puts the new theme in his Monday morning post SOMETIMES! (But he's sneaky and you have to read his whole post or you might miss it!) But this week I got home late and didn't get a chance to think about it all day....but luckily I have a few photos that fit this theme! I really liked yours.... too!

21 Wits said...

Snowcatcher, Thanks! Every time I've been to New Mexico I've met the best people...even in Las Vegas, New Mexico! You lived in a great place....friendly people and awesome views!

21 Wits said...

Filip, Thanks! I know your country and the places you go are awesome photos of stunning beauty far from past its prime...but castles are like a past its prime as most aren't used as much like they when they were first built...and antique cars or trucks....I just know you have them around some where!

Vicki said...

Wonderful examples Karen. Isn't it sad that people just up and move and leave these structures? You would think that at the cost of building something new, someone out there would want to rehab places like these and put life back into them.

Lisa Shafer said...

I'm afraid I'd be torn between camera and story notebook if left here for very long. :)

Max Sartin said...

Great pictures, and great questions. Looks like a little ghost town.

Bob Scotney said...

Excellent shots, Karen. I had the western feel in the first shot. There should be horses hitched to the rails or perhaps a skeleton or two.

21 Wits said...

Bob.... horses would be a good touch! As their decor suggests the feel of an old west theme....so many places around here did that for years.....I think because Minnesota really lacks the real old west look anywhere!

My name is Riet said...

What is happening there? It looks so sad.

Judie said...

More great photography from you, sister! You could have included one of me, because I am waaaay past my prime!!!

21 Wits said...

Judie, Your so funny...I so needed a dose of your humor today! So HAPPY to see you here.....I hope to get my P post for this week...later, I missed last week...but sometimes doesn't life just get in the middle of all our blogging fun!!!!

21 Wits said...

Riet, You'd be surprised but this corner actually gets a lot of photographers! It used to be quite the thriving place too, and had the name of Gramp's (a friendly spot) but business declined, as so often does...and for me it's much like a location out west, Arizona, Nevada, and I like to drive by and check on it every now and then! A great "past its prime" theme for Carmi's TP posts! don't you think?!

Alexia said...

What a fantastic selection of atmospheric shots! Like Lisa, i immediately want to start writing a story in this setting...

21 Wits said...

Alexia and Lisa, knowing what great storytellers you both are, I could imagine quite the story about this place.....a very excellent read I know! ;)

Leovi said...

Yes, an abandoned place full of poetry, Bob Dylan is certainly one for him. Greetings.

Jientje said...

This is a great take on this theme. What is it about these abandoned places that makes them so photogenic? You captured it well, I love the perspective you used in the second and the third shot.

larkswing said...

Love your shots! I always find it strange the peaceful feeling the site of old abandoned give me. Maybe it is because it is quiet and that leaves us to imagine what we will of these spots. I enjoyed this visit :)