Although relaxing “at home” is wonderful, we love to get out and explore. The back hills are home to a web of nearly forgotten roads. Sometimes we end up parking the car and going down a trail on foot, led by a stone wall, an old monument, or other indications that something’s out there to be found. That’s when we find a ruin of an old church, a barn, a home, or a tiny village. Some of these are being restored and lived in, but many sit empty or are falling down in ruins. Next door to us is an ancient stone barn full of old farm carts and barrels and other old equipment and hardware. I photographed them exactly as they sit today, about 35 years ago. Now the barn is even more overgrown with brambles, and the sagging roof could fall in soon. Gorgeous treasures to someone like me. Oh my…

In another place we found an old church and small graveyard in the woods, at the end of an old narrow road lined with tall, moss covered stone walls. The walls were exceptionally well-built with rounded cap stones. Nearby was an empty small stone house, sitting alone in the woods. As we looked around there were other walls and buildings and pigeonaires in various state of ruin. A village at one time, long ago. 

The other day we parked on the side of the road and crossed the little river on a foot bridge, led by the sound of church-bells ringing. We found a village and an old man and his wife, and that shocking story will get its own post.