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Little Current Swing Bridge

As I drove to the Manitoulin Island community of Little Current, Ontario, luck was something that was foremost on my mind. First, I knew I was lucky to get this opportunity. Second, I would be extremely lucky if the forecast rain and potential thunderstorms held off until after I was finished. Finally, my luck would hit the trifecta if a boat would present itself at just the right time. If the last two elements came together as the first had, I would be a very happy person.

Lakewood Motel

While camping at an Ontario Provincial Park, we decided, as we often do, to take a drive and explore the surroundings beyond the park. On this particular day, the weather was being a little uncooperative, so we didn't mind spending the time in the truck.

SS Norisle

On July 15, 1946, the 215-foot SS Norisle, hull #136, was launched at the Collingwood Shipyards and was put into service as a ferry on October 17 of that year. It was operated by the Owen Sound Transportation Company and ran between Tobermory and South Baymouth, Manitoulin Island. With a single 1,000 hp coal-fire steam engine and a gross tonnage of 1,668, the Norisle had a speed of 12 kts (22 km/h), and a capacity of 200 passengers and 50 vehicles. She was 203 feet in length, 36 feet across the beam, and had a 16 foot draught.

Lowther House

So my driving companion (pictured below, waiting patiently in the truck) and I were on our way back from a fairly substantial drive when I spotted this place on the side of the highway. It's rather unique, as abandoned houses go, in terms of its shape and layout.

Lookout Inn

This was my first exploration with one of my coworkers.

Skylark Drive In

The Skylark Drive In, in its original incarnation, opened in the 1950's, and closed in 1982 and lay unused.

This 275-car venue was re-opened in 2000 by Willie and Julie Greco. In 2012, it was announced that the drive in would close once again. The Grecos were leasing the land, but were never able to secure sufficient funding to purchase it. The owner is believed to have other plans for the land and chose not to renew the lease. To date, none of these plans appear to have materialized.

Auschwitz II - Birkenau

Auschwitz I

With Germany's quick victory over Poland, there was a division of territory according to an earlier agreement between Hitler and Stalin. The eastern portion of Poland would be given to the Soviet Union. There would be a central buffer zone, and the western portion of the country would become part of Germany.

Beelitz

A complex of over 60 buildings, Beelitz-Heilstatten began life as a sanatorium in 1898. By World War I, however, it became a military hospital for the Imperial German Army, and would have the dubious distinction of treating a young Adolf Hitler in October and November of 1916 when wounded during the Battle of the Somme.

Lowen-Adler Kaserne

The Lowen-Adler Kaserne, or Lion-Eagle Barracks began in 1892 as a military training ground under Emperor Wilhelm II. It was so named because it was technically two separate barracks, the Lion's Barracks for infantry training, and the Eagle's Barracks for artillery and later mechanized training.