Streets of Tokyo, Japan: Vol. 1

A few random visuals from wandering the streets of Tokyo, Japan.

Bassano Dam in Southern Alberta

Opened in 1914, the Bassano Dam in Alberta is part of the Eastern Irrigation District where water is diverted from the Bow River to feed numerous canals and reservoirs. The construction of the dam was a massive undertaking and provides irrigation for roughly 1.5 million acres. 

Inside the Crown of the Statue of Liberty

An incredibly tight spiral staircase, a 20 story climb, and a surreal perspective from inside one of the world's most recognizable landmarks - this is the experience of ascending through the girders and copper framework to reach the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York City. 

There are a few things worth pointing out. 

The Statue of Liberty is smaller than you think. No more than 10 people can fit in the crown at any one time, hence the need for timed entries that (in most cases) require booking months in advance. There is also no elevator to the crown so be prepared for a climb. And finally, despite the lookout there's actually not much of a view considering the statue faces away from the skyline.

All that said, it's an unreal experience to see the landmark this way. To see the framework of the statue up close, to see the island below, to realize where you actually are for a moment. As part of a series of distinctly New York travel shoots I was doing, this one ranks pretty highly.

Looking up into the framework of the Statue of Liberty.

Exploring the Abandoned Riverside Waterslide

Following the surprising popularity of my latest photo essay featuring the former Riverside Waterslide in Medicine Hat, Alberta - I connected with a fellow urban explorer who happened to grab a few shots of the water park during the brief window that it sat abandoned. 

These images of Riverside Waterslide (below) were shot in August 2010 on an iPhone.

The water park had already been closed for several years at this point. The grass and trees had become overgrown and the hope of saving it had largely began to fade. While the park had obviously experienced some vandalism, it's clear that Riverside Waterslide was already in rough condition when it closed given the number of patches on the slides, the rotten wood, and the badly faded paint throughout every section of the park. 

These casual snapshots (shared with permission from the photographer who asked to remain anonymous) are a rare glimpse inside Riverside Waterslide during the few short years it sat completely abandoned. Only a year or two after this, the site had been completely cleared and Riverside Waterslide was officially no more.

See the full photo essay here.