I Played Outside...

My boredom got the best of me yesterday, and despite my urge to cuddle up in my bed and surf the internets, I chose to go on a lovely hike.
Banks Lake is a true beauty, and quite the little gem here in Washington. I live about 5 minutes away, hence it was my first choice for a hike around. My little adventure produced these photos, which were taken on my phone. (shhhh, don't tell)

Through Alex's Eyes...

This past weekend I spent some time up in the backwoods of Colville, WA with a dear friend of mine. We stayed out at her family's cabin, with her extended family; parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, and the sweetest 3yr old nephew, Alex. This post is about him.

I instantly fell in love with Alex, and while we all played cars and trucks with him, he immediately took a liking to my small point and shoot camera. I saw an artist in the making, and showed him how to use the device.

I observed as he played around with the camera, and started taking photos from his point of view. Most of them were close ups, pictures of his feet, and toys with strange angles and no second thoughts. It was pure experimentation.

We can learn a lot from children and their untainted, non-judgmental eyes. I loved the raw and unplanned photographs he took and I want to share them with you today. The first is a photo I took of precious Alex, and I chose several of my favorite photos that he created:

The Empty Streets I Walk on...

I took quite a few photographs today, and I decided to split them up into 2 different posts. This one features the other buildings/sites I found on my walk today. I chose to capture the abandoned buildings in the main business area of Grand Coulee, for there are many, sadly. This small town nearly shuts down during the winter months, and quite honestly doesn't have too much more to offer during the summer, aside from outdoor recreation.

It feels like a ghost town to me. Devoid of human beings, and I feel I may run into zombies or dead spirits around every corner. Not to say the people here aren't living perfectly fine lives, at least for them, but I just don't think I can last much longer in this desolate place.

The gritty, desolate vibe does transcribe well in photos, however. This I am thankful for.

 These first two photos describe how Grand Coulee feels to me at times. "The Car Ran without Gasoline"...this place functions, and things happen, but it seems that there lacks spirit and energy to go along with the life here. Weathered and run down, but it still goes on. Ever the same.

Beautiful Dilapidation...

After my 6 hour shift at the only grocery store in Grand Coulee, Safeway, I decided to rid myself of the mundane fibers that lingered on my sleeves, and go out on a photo adventure. Alone, but of course. I set out towards a building I had been meaning to photograph, and found my treasure.

Here is that lovely, abandoned, run-down building just blocks from my house. 'Tis my favorite.

Light Study...

 Today there was some lovely light pouring in through the windows, so I decided to take advantage of it. Winter is encroaching upon us, so light is precious. Here is what I came up with. All of these photos are straight from the camera, no photoshop/editing today.