After our normal weekend errands this morning, we headed south yet again to check things out. I had read about these coke ovens and this mine in Smithfield and I was dying to see them. We have tried on various occasions to see these coke ovens and each time we have no success when actually looking for them. For some reason, looking at the location and where the road was actually located, it looked like it would be accessible. To be honest with you, there were POSTED signs everywhere, but I think it was more about not hunting and trapping, since that was what it read on the first several lines,so I really thought we could see something cool.
Just as a little history lesson, this mine was built in the very early 1900's and had about 300 ovens. The ovens take coal and they burn it really high to make coke which is a fuel that can be used in the mills and has very few impurities. The coke was sent to US Steel. These were called Bee Hive ovens. Okay so on that note, we drove all the way there and it was a solid two hour drive. I love driving in the car with my husband. We always have a great time, taking in the local scenery, talking, and laughing. I think the drive is one of my favorite parts of our explorations. Little Girl was fast asleep after about an hour and 15 minutes. She ended up sleeping through the whole thing, so there won;t be much more mentioned about her except that - she was a breeze.
As we approached the location we first saw a some structures that were abandoned. The lights still hung bulbless and the doors were certainly off limits. Across the way were various vehicles in states of decay. Some were just work trucks, some were actual cars and some were machinery I have never seen. ALl were very cool. Once we got closer to one of the buildings, was able to finally see the large red building that looked so beautiful against the brown of December. Following the road a little further, we found a small outcropping and pulled in. Just a quick walk through the woods and there were the ovens. They were down a steep hill so we ventured further. At that point, we parked the car and while one waited with the sleeping babe, the other went adventuring. I will say, it was scarier alone, but...I went first. The rails were still visible, some uprooted from the ground and bent in various formations. One large rail car still stood silent, waiting for its load of coke to finish its task. Rust, weeds, wind and rain had left it motionless and frozen in time. The coke ovens lined the wall. There were so many. The brick work was artistic and beautiful. Such workmanship, precision and grandeur. I was in awe. I walked, feet sinking in the soft soil, checking out the ovens. I got close, however, Big Man climbed further than me and got really close. His photos outdo mine this week! Thank you, Feldy!!!
The red building loomed far off, but the sound of cars and voices were enough for me to high tail it out of there. Once clear, my husband made his turn. He came back unharmed, fined or arrested. It was awesome. We then retraced our route, taking a little side trip through this back road to check out the Blue Sasquatch's capabilities. (she handled herself like a dream). On our little side adventure we ended up finding some really cool old machinery, a truly dilapidated bridge, another bridge support system, some old carrying bins and some things I have no idea what they were except that they were super cool. At the end, I stood outside this road that led right to the red building. I was really close, but if I went, with no leaves on the trees, I was completely visible and I know my husband would want to go and Little Adventurer/Sleeper. So, I walked back to the car. I was excited but a little disappointed. I wanted to go, but I knew I shouldn't. As I entered the car, Driver could sense my mood. "Let's come back in the Spring/Summer when leaves on the trees will give us some cover and hide us." He read my mind. That is why I love him. He gets it, and me, and we make a great team. So keep this post in mind next summer when we revisit the mine. Until then, enjoy this day, we did!!!
Just as a little history lesson, this mine was built in the very early 1900's and had about 300 ovens. The ovens take coal and they burn it really high to make coke which is a fuel that can be used in the mills and has very few impurities. The coke was sent to US Steel. These were called Bee Hive ovens. Okay so on that note, we drove all the way there and it was a solid two hour drive. I love driving in the car with my husband. We always have a great time, taking in the local scenery, talking, and laughing. I think the drive is one of my favorite parts of our explorations. Little Girl was fast asleep after about an hour and 15 minutes. She ended up sleeping through the whole thing, so there won;t be much more mentioned about her except that - she was a breeze.
As we approached the location we first saw a some structures that were abandoned. The lights still hung bulbless and the doors were certainly off limits. Across the way were various vehicles in states of decay. Some were just work trucks, some were actual cars and some were machinery I have never seen. ALl were very cool. Once we got closer to one of the buildings, was able to finally see the large red building that looked so beautiful against the brown of December. Following the road a little further, we found a small outcropping and pulled in. Just a quick walk through the woods and there were the ovens. They were down a steep hill so we ventured further. At that point, we parked the car and while one waited with the sleeping babe, the other went adventuring. I will say, it was scarier alone, but...I went first. The rails were still visible, some uprooted from the ground and bent in various formations. One large rail car still stood silent, waiting for its load of coke to finish its task. Rust, weeds, wind and rain had left it motionless and frozen in time. The coke ovens lined the wall. There were so many. The brick work was artistic and beautiful. Such workmanship, precision and grandeur. I was in awe. I walked, feet sinking in the soft soil, checking out the ovens. I got close, however, Big Man climbed further than me and got really close. His photos outdo mine this week! Thank you, Feldy!!!
The red building loomed far off, but the sound of cars and voices were enough for me to high tail it out of there. Once clear, my husband made his turn. He came back unharmed, fined or arrested. It was awesome. We then retraced our route, taking a little side trip through this back road to check out the Blue Sasquatch's capabilities. (she handled herself like a dream). On our little side adventure we ended up finding some really cool old machinery, a truly dilapidated bridge, another bridge support system, some old carrying bins and some things I have no idea what they were except that they were super cool. At the end, I stood outside this road that led right to the red building. I was really close, but if I went, with no leaves on the trees, I was completely visible and I know my husband would want to go and Little Adventurer/Sleeper. So, I walked back to the car. I was excited but a little disappointed. I wanted to go, but I knew I shouldn't. As I entered the car, Driver could sense my mood. "Let's come back in the Spring/Summer when leaves on the trees will give us some cover and hide us." He read my mind. That is why I love him. He gets it, and me, and we make a great team. So keep this post in mind next summer when we revisit the mine. Until then, enjoy this day, we did!!!