On our way back from the Kingsley Plantation we kept passing a power plant set out in the woods away from everything. The night before we had been in the area and Alex had even taken pictures of what seemed like a thousand lights lit up against the night sky. After we passed it a couple of times I decided we should stop and see if they offered tours.
Alex is always up for a new adventure and it is unusual for him to express reluctance to snoop around and take pictures but this time he kept saying “I don’t know…” but I pressed the point and we continued. There was this smoke stack that was huge and I wanted a shot of it in all its glory.
We pulled into the parking lot and looked up at the smoke stack which now seemed ten times larger than it had appeared from the entrance. As I searched for the identification outlined in the instructions at the gate Alex kept saying “I don’t know…” but I would not be denied. This was a chance for a picture and I was going to get one.
I walked up to the office door, opened it, introduced myself to the security guard and explained that we wanted to know if we could go on a tour and take some pictures. He in turn asked if I had some special type of identification and I said “No” But why should I have to have it! The recent rate increase and subsequent rise in my utility bill should be more than enough to allow me to wander around and take some pictures.
The security guard gave me the strangest look and then replied “This is a nuclear power plant and there is NOTHING to see here.” I stood there for a moment just sort of letting the words sink in and then replied “You’re Right!” and hurriedly rushed for the door.
Back at the car I relayed my recently acquired information to Alex who responded that he thought I knew, as we even more hurriedly drove away. The tower I thought was a smoke stack was a cooling tower.
And so, in our never ending search for adventure… we almost had a chance to meet Homer Simpson!
That is too funny! I guess you learned a lesson on this one.
ReplyDeleteHi, it's a very great blog!
ReplyDeleteI could tell how much efforts you've taken on it.
Keep doing!
Thank you for the compliment and by all means stop by again.
ReplyDeleteI once visited the Windscale/Sellafield Nuclear Processing Plant in Cumbria, England. They used to do tours and had a visitors centre but I see on Wikipedia that it has now closed (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sellafield). As a tour it was geared towards school children though. I guess the tours are too much of a security risk these days!
ReplyDeleteI used to have a coffee mug with their logo on it that I bought in their shop: I thought no one would want to use a "radioactive" coffee mug and I was right. However, they never used to wash it either!
You can still go on "alternative Sellafield" tours in Cumbria which are rather pitched at the "eco-warrior" and "green activist" rather than the photographer. Cumbria has some great scenery though if you do ever visit.
I really enjoy reading your blog too. I have family in Florida: you help me to connect with them. Keep it up :)
Paul,
ReplyDeleteYou have truely touched my heart in that first you stepped forward and made a comment that is helpful to us all, second that my blog helped you connect with your family in Florida, and third that your own blog is very dynamic and I plan to put it on my rotation of blogs to periodically check. Thank you for making my day!
The Oconee Nuclear Station in Seneca, S.C. has a visitors center that tells about how the plant works. It is called the World of Energy and the admission is free. After reading your Blog I may take a trip down there to see it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your Blogs.
Thanks Dan,
ReplyDeleteFor the compliment and a new place to possibly visit. We went to Charleston S.C. last year and realized that with I-95 S.C. is not that far away.
That bridge photograph is simply 'awesome'! And that you have used a great angle and a great lense shows pretty well..
ReplyDeleteAnd although I haven't gone thru the contents here word by word, you do come across as some one really worth associating in real life..rather soppy, eh ! but whats life without a bit of that --thats the human touch, no!?! Intend to come again, for sure..this was a chance encounter but the next one will be deliberate..bestest wishes to you and yours!