Caribou Diner 2

We have for you a follow-up exploration of the Caribou Diner, originally explored back in November, 2006.

This time, an impromptu exploration team consisting of (yours truly) CopySix, JuicyFruitKisses, Jack Morningwood, and new UrbEx Barrie buddy BigLens was assembled and rapidly deployed to the location along Highway 11, just north of Barrie.

With the gas station now closed, there were no inhibitions among local vandals and graffiti 'artists', both these belonging to the human sub-type 'Rectal-Cranial Adornment'.

















JuicyFruitKisses found a very kewl vinyl K-Tel track titled 'Heart Beat of the 80's, while BigLens and I yattered on about back-lighting techniques and the pros of having a tri-pod for dark interior shots.

What was left of the former restaurant was fairly pathetic . . . There was significant damage to the interior compared with the previous exploration made there.

It takes a fair deal of impact (I believe) to break glass block . . . from a visual assessment of the damage to these glass block windows in the washroom, it appears that the vandals may have used their heads.











Speaking of washrooms, I rather enjoyed exploring the Ladies washroom at this location as shown in this image from BigLens.




OK . . . this is when the exploration went a bit weird and somewhat disgusting. If you are easily offended, do not read on. I would suggest that the following is intended for a mature audience and that viewer discretion is advised.

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The small bachelor apartments above the restaurant did indeed contain at one time bachelors . . . lecherous, chain-smoking, hard-drinking bachelors by the look of the debris of personal effects left behind.

JuicyFruitKisses scored BIG with this size 52 hole-y pair of gitches.






We had also found some p0rn and possibly the worst written piece of warped erotica I ever read . . . and believe me I have read a LOT. The story left Mr. Jack Morningwood in stitches.

As the ream began to heap ridicule on the former denizen of this rat-hole, another personal effect was found which changed everyone's opinion. The author of the above-mentioned literary garbage was in fact, a very accomplished artist as demonstrated by the sketch here.

Lastly, I wish to leave a warning to any explorers who may want to drop by this lovely gem of an abandonment . . . watch your step - there's goon juice everywhere.

Remember kids, practice safe exploring !

Quick Note : My other Blog, Lorwyn Unleashed has moved to
www.MTG-Realm.Blogspot.com
Magic: The Gathering

Severn Bridge Kiosk

Last weekend, I was driving the family back from a day trip to Huntsville. I rather enjoy doing this as it affords me an opportunity to conduct some 'drive-by' scouting for potential exploration locations.

Here, a micro-sized food kiosk forgotten on the size of the south-bound lane of Highway 11 near Severn Bridge.


I would, of course, not even think to actually explore a road-side abandonment while my three small children pester their mother with such questions as 'why is Dad walking into that dangerous-looking building'.

There are, however, some abandonments which I know I will not bother to go out of my way to see due to its remote location or limited size so I do make the kids wait a few moments. This 'discovery' offered all this and a good chance to stretch my legs with my camera in hand.

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This is certainly not your typical abandonment, measuring no more than 3 by 3 meters. This is, however, the type of location an avid explorer may drop by to see . . . an abandonment, in plain view yet almost invisible to thousands of vacation-goers per day just feet away on the busy highway.


Although the lack of security is rather apparent in this image, a cautious explorer will take no chances with these shoes and promptly put on a respirator.

Thousands of pucks and tube-steaks were cooked up with frightful efficiency on this grill.




As I poke around in this small kiosk, I wonder to myself if the former employees ate here as well and then thought where the staff went to 'post-produce' these greasy vittles as no washroom is present on site.

Speaking of greasy vittles, what fast food establishment is complete without a deep-fryer?
Further questions which crept into this inquisitive explorer's minds was
did they ever change out the oil,
did they ever deep fry anything else other than food, and did they have fun dropping ice cubes into it in this crowded work space?

Shown here is just another reason why the prudent urban explorer should never dismiss out-of-hand the merits of any abandonment based upon its size.

How very interesting it is to find a safe such as this. This sort of discovery often turns my thoughts to how well the business performed, what resulted in its demise and how many hours did bored staff try to fish out money from the deposit slot.

Happy & Safe Exploring folks -
watch out for rotten sneakers.

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Addendum -

It has come to my attention through my network of exploration associates that there may be a security company (no names mentioned Securitas) which may have taken an interest in my blog featuring one of their 'protected' sites.

First of all - congratulations for discovering the world-wide inter-web.

Second point - I have no reservations about showing an image of my face on this blog as I feel confident you will not catch me trespassing on your site.

My Image -

Caribou Diner

The Caribou Motel & Diner, located on busy highway 11 between Barrie and Orillia opened in the early 1950's.

This establishment welcomed the weary or hungry traveler to or from their cottages in the Muskokas.

Architecturally, the over all symmetry, stepped ziggurat roof lines, glass block curved edges and corners strongly suggests deference to Streamline Moderne of the Art Deco style.

The property physically consists of a a two-storey structure containing the diner, with rooms above attached to a typical "I" line of additional rooms. The manager's apartment may have been added on at a latter date centered above on the "I" line.

Motel guests were treated to the convenience of an indoor pool and hot-tub within a hangar-like structure.


A screen door fitted on the kitchen offered little respite from the heat of the fryers.

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More recently, the bulk of the motel rooms were converted to apartments. The restaurant business sustained and was last operated as Quigley's Diner Pub & Pizza. In addition to this, smaller commerical ventures made use of the property including the unoriginally-named 'Hair Dressers'.

The tenants were turned out with the closure of the diner in 2002. Currently, Petro Plus operates a gas bar out, strategically located just north of 'gasoline alley'.

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The Streamline Moderne expression is carried through to the diner with choice of colour, sweeping lines and decorative elements.

Although the environment of the restaurant recommends itself well to the traveling diner, a series of fugly exterior renovations had defaced a fair measure of the original work.

SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE ! !
Layers of grease around the grill hood is the only evidence left of the thousands of meals once cooked here.


I imagine that this would be the room to the rear of the kitchen where apprended 'dine & dashers' were brought.






The building is scheduled to be demolished in April, 2007 to make way for a service center featuring a Wendy's restaurant.