january 10, 2023 (sorry, but this is why I was late with today's post!)

Atomic City, Idaho is almost a ghost town - only about 30 people live there, and a large number of buildings are abandoned. I've already learned that rural Idahoans can get weird about people shooting photos of their property, though, so this is the story of how I went into that bar.

I pulled into the town and found a lady who was outside near another abandoned building, and I asked her if anyone would mind if I shot photos. The lady told me to go to the brown house at the end of the road if I wanted permission - the owner lived there, she owned both the bars in town.

Driveway had a Corolla with a Trump/Pence magnet stuck to it, and I steeled myself and knocked on the door anyway. This is the kind of photography I want to do this year. I need to get used to it. I decided here is where I would get used to it.

The owner was lovely. She told me she was happy to let me shoot anything; I could even come into the bar. She turned on the neon sign for me, let me get my shots, and invited me inside. I bummed a cig and smoked it inside as we chatted, she gave me water, we talked about race cars and life in rural Idaho. The other patrons ignored me; she, if she clocked me (and I have to assume she did), did not give a shit. I got my shots and drove home. I have at least three or four more incredible images from Atomic City.

I do not understand America, but I'm thankful I appear to be surviving okay for now. I hope it continues.