Adventure in Ithaca: Stumbling into a Drug Den!

For years I've heard stories about abandoned buildings and structures being temporary homes or hidey holes for the extremely large population of heroin and pill addicts in Ithaca, but it's not something I would actively seek out, ha, so I've never come across one.

Until now

I certainly didn't expect to come across it like this

You see, this is the upper parking lot to the Ithaca Falls I've posted a great deal about, and I thought perhaps there was a trail that led to the top of the falls

So when I saw what appeared to be one leading in that general direction, well of course I had to check it out!

Honestly, halfway through the climb to the top I had my doubts, ha, I figured if it did lead to the top of the falls, it definitely wasn't a city sanctioned path.

But like Alice, I'm too curious for my own good sometimes!

I was pretty excited by the structures I found at the top, feeling like I definitely hadn't wasted my effort even if I wasn't going to accomplish my top of the falls mission.

I was also finding it a funny coincidence that I just posted about graffiti, and how unlike other signs of man in natural places like the woods, I feel it belongs there...well, to a point.

If it were constantly everywhere I went in the woods, that would be a different story.

But especially on the faces of already manmade things, it works. And it's always cool to come across it.

I kept venturing further and further when I spotted the little building, overgrown and partially hidden. I'm not gonna lie, I was freaking excited!

But when I stepped inside I immediately noticed the couch and had an Oh crap! moment.

Of course I froze, instinctually straining my ears for any sounds, then held my breath as my body went into fight or flight mode.

But it was utter silence save for the birds outside.

Still, I didn't think it was particularly smart for me to hang around too long.

Long enough of course for some pictures though, ha, no way was I not documenting this!

The couch caught my attention again, and I found myself wondering how someone had gotten it here.

The trail I had followed was steep- though I supposed a few people could have managed it- and the gorge ledge ran alongside it not too far into the woods beyond this window.

But when I came back out, I found there was also a path around the ginormous brick cylindrical structure with an intact gate running alongside it.

Well, mostly intact, except for this couch sized hole ha!

I found it kind of odd that there was a gate door located right there, but I imagine the abandoned structures must have had something to do with it once upon a time.

And I have no idea what buildings were through that hole, but just then I was beginning to feel uneasy for some reason so I chose not to investigate further.

Not yet anyway, I will definitely track it down another day, it will bug me until I do!

The feeling went away when I found my way back to the steep trail down and I thought briefly about going back...but decided not to push my luck.

It just means I have an adventure for another day, Operation: Where is that parking lot?

While my initial mission to locate the top of the falls was a bust, the side quest was a complete success!

I made it a great day, hope you guys are doing the same!