Converted to the Church of Urbex? First impressions from a newcomer.
I’m still buzzing from the fact that I was able to share this adventure with my wife. What started as a spontaneous road trip and getaway quickly turned into one of the most memorable experiences we’ve ever had together. She embraced the thrill, the challenge, and the unknown—proving she was more than up for the world of urban exploration.
The first day felt like smooth sailing. We wandered through forgotten homes, hand in hand along the decayed streets of this “nuke-like town.” There’s a strange beauty in that kind of silence, but we both knew bigger challenges were coming. Infiltration is never as simple as it looks—it can go wrong fast, especially with someone new to the scene. But she surprised me every step of the way.
The highlight of our trip was, without question, the church. We crept through the shadows, scanning for a point of entry, and found ourselves standing in awe among the warm glow of pews bathed in late afternoon light. Half in ruins, half preserved, the church felt like a time capsule—a sacred reminder of the lives that once filled it. The air was thick with stillness, and for a moment, we both stood frozen, as though we didn’t want to disturb the space.
With the last click of the shutter, I thought to myself, “Maybe I’m done here.” But are you ever truly finished with a place like this? It leaves an imprint on you.
Later, as we took a much-needed break, I laughed and told her, “You passed with flying colors—quiet, careful, and completely aware of your surroundings. You were incredible.”
She laughed, too, but sighed, “I get why you love this, Mike. But it’s such a waiting game. Why can’t we just run into everything?”
In the end, she admitted with a smile, “Thanks for showing me what you do out here. This is definitely your thing, though.” My goal was never to convert her to the church of Urbex—it was simply to give her a glimpse of this secret world I love. And by that measure, the mission was fully accomplished.