Warehouse Op
Woodlands Hospital 1
Shaughnessy Hospital
Woodlands Hospital 2
Riverview Hospital
Chudcoon Drain
Other Distractions
Mission: Woodlands Hospital 2
(Photos open in new window when clicked)
Of things new and old
On the previous mission to Woodlands, I hadn't had the opportunity to
see the oldest (and probably the most interesting) building on the hospital
ground. So it was the main purpose of this return trip to get inside and
explore the huge, ancient, original hospital building.
Pixie and Merlin were also present on this trip, and our first stop was
to show them the morgue in the building Jester and I had explored the
previous day. After a quick entry, we proceeded directly to the morgue,
where we all marveled at the small body freezer. Merlin couldn't resist
the temptation of climbing inside the freezer, and lying down on one of
the body trays, making a loud racket in the process. Those with digital
cameras took more photos, but I save myself for the coming attraction.
Back outside, we walked over to the oldest building. On the outside, it
was huge and magnificent- decaying at a pleasing slow pace. We walked
around the exterior, for at least 20 minutes, looking for a way inside.
I shot almost 20 photos of the exterior, and still didn't cover it all.
[PHOTO] - Front
of the building
[PHOTO] - A
small, moss-covered basement window.
[PHOTO] - Nature
was advancing on the building.
[PHOTO] - Around
back, from inside a stairwell.
[PHOTO] - Jester
approaching the above stairwell. Note the window bars.
Jester soon found a way inside, and we all went in. We geared up with the radios, and I changed the film in my camera. The inside was wonderful. We started exploring by wandering into a small wing at the end of the building, on the first floor. I remember a stairwell, in particular- fantastic because it was slightly dark, with interesting corners and peeling paint.
[PHOTO] - Looking
up inside a stairwell.
[PHOTO] - Exit
door from same stairwell. These are the only two photos I have of the
inside.
Jester suggested we head for the tunnels in the basement, and we all
eagerly agreed. Descending another cool stairwell, we emerged into the
dark lower level. There was almost no light at all down here, and so we
relied on the small flashlights we'd brought. I remember lots of dark
walls and concrete surfaces.
Instead of exploring as we went, he headed into a large tunnel. We had
just started walking down the tunnel, when I spotted something white on
the ceiling. We all stopped, in a circle underneath it, and stared as
I illuminated it with my LED light. I was trying to read the labels around
the circumference of the thing (which resembled an oddly-smooth smoke
detector), and it was plain that the device was a very new addition to
the tunnel we were in. Then Jester exclaimed, "It's a motion detector!
We have to get out, now!"
So Merlin, Pixie and Jester ran for the nearest staircase, with me trailing
somewhat glumly behind. We exited out the nearest door, half expecting
a security car to be parked, waiting, in the courtyard for us. But as
we ran out the door into the blinding sun, there was no one else around.
On our walk back to the car ("we've already done that building anyway"),
Jester stated the reasons why he thought it had been a motion detector.
With the possibility that security would respond with dogs, he didn't
want to chance it, and thought it best we all leave.
I was quite sad to leave, after being inside the building for barely 15
minutes. We didn't even scratch the surface on this one. Luckily, this
building was the only one not slated for demolition, so hopefully, I could
come back some other time.