I explore abandoned places, most often farm houses here in Ontario. I post my photos to Flickr, my account there and some of them I select to post to the groups I began for Ontario Rural Ruins and Canadian Rural Ruins. People like my photos and will often ask, "Did you go inside?".

I very seldom go inside the abandoned places I photograph. Not everyone understands this. Some people think you aren't a real explorer if you don't go inside. But, I feel differently. I love to see the outside of the homes for one thing. I also prefer the places which are very deteriorated, eroded by the elements and overgrown by plants. Those kind of places are not safe to enter. I know one explorer who has some engineering and fire fighter background, he takes more risks and enters the places which are risky. But, he is educated about it and decides to avoid anything dangerous.

There is another issue about entering an abandoned or derelict place. You don't own it. So you're trespassing in reality.

At an abandoned place you decide for yourself how far you should go. For me, I walk around the building (watching where I step) but I don't go inside. That's the point where it doesn't feel right to me.

About Trespassing

Basically, trespassing is going onto the owner's property knowing you are doing so and not having permission from the owner. So, by the law urban and rural and industrial exploring of property you don't own yourself, is trespassing.

But, I do it anyway. Sometimes I do stop at a clear sign that the property owner does not want anyone there. If I see a 'No Trespassing' sign or if the property has a locked gate blocking access, I will stop there and just use my camera's zoom feature to get what photos I can. You can take photos from a public access area - that isn't trespassing. You can walk up and down the street along a 'No Trespassing' location and take as many photos as you like. (From the public side).

But, I do sometimes take a step onto the property so I can see more. I don't cause any harm. I don't litter or take anything away with me. I also don't enter the premises (the building) on the property.

The odd times I have had someone stop and ask me what I was doing it was a neighbour who was curious. Sometimes they will tell me all they know about the building and the people who owned it (especially when it comes to old farm houses).

Once, I was asked to leave the premises by security. This was at a location in Orillia, Ontario which had once been a sanitarium. I think they left me to my own devices for awhile before approaching me. I was able to have a nice walk around and I had just finished taking the last photo I wanted to get when they stopped me. They were very nice about it and I had no problem leaving by then of course.

Just to note: a trespasser would probably not be prosecuted if the property was not fenced in, did not have trespassing signs and the land was open - if the trespasser did not interfere with the owner's use of the property and if the trespasser left without incident once (or if) they are asked to leave. (You can be asked to leave by someone who is not the owner and that counts too).

This is why I am strict about the 'Leave only footprints; take only photos' theme of exploration. This is also why I almost never enter the building on the property but I will carefully walk around it to view as much of it as I can.

Some people may think the property owner is just being a miser, a Scrooge or a Grinch about the whole trespassing thing. So, you need to consider it from their angle. First, if you are injured while on their property (even uninvited or as a trespasser) the property owner is liable for whatever happens to you. Not quite fair is it? The property owner isn't even there to have a voice in your exploration, yet they are responsible for you while you are there.

Of course, any harm you do while there will be left for them to deal with or clean up. So don't leave so much as a coffee cup around and don't take anything you didn't arrive with on your person. A property owner can claim ownership of the photos you have taken while accessing the property, if you were not on public grounds while taking the photograph.

As a kid, I really wanted to be one of those early explorers of the world. Travelling on a tall ship, braving the elements and the dragons at the edge of the map... Of course, as a kid, I ignored all the practical things like asthma, allergies, my financial allowance from my parents at the time and assorted other stuff that just gets in our way as adults.

It is sad how far we 'grow' from those days of being a care-free kid who thinks we can do so many things if we can just figure out how to make it get started and get our parents to understand and let us do all these great things. Still, now we are the adults and we can actually do some of the world exploring we wanted to do as bold adventurers when we were younger.

You don't have to take on the world, drain your bank account or find yourself a tall ship to be an explorer. Just get the basics: a map, a camera, maybe a flashlight, sturdy footwear, maybe a jacket if things get wet or messy and a good backpack to stash it all in for easy carrying around. Bring a few bags or something practical for any treasures you pick up along the way. Maybe some bottled water too, for yourself to drink or they also make good storage for plant cuttings, seeds, small fish or assorted other interesting finds.

Now, just take yourself out there, into the world. You can plan a destination, or just move your feet, pay attention to your surroundings (don't watch your feet - look up and really see where you are and what is around you, all the things you usually take for granted and miss). You might plan an adventure which ends up with you at your favourite coffee shop - an adventure doesn't have to be an all day or all week event. An hour is good. Just see something new - new to you. Stop and smell the roses as they say. But, I would say, you should touch some of those roses and not just settle for smelling and seeing them.

Explore your neighbourhood. Explore the alley behind your house. Explore your driveway if you broke your leg and can't get around much. Or, be braver and explore another town, an old house, a rooftop with a view, a cave, a museum, an art gallery, pick something interesting and find something new there. Explore your world.

This summer just past my nephew, Zack, and I did a little exploring together. I told him about some places to see in his town and area. Then we explored this school, which he had found, together. The school has been closed a few years but is not abandoned, just not still being used. Once a year it is open with the Doors Open event for people who come to tour the historical places.

Keri Smith has impressed me with her lust/ zest for life. We could all use more adventure and exploration in our day to day lives.

Get started as an urban explorer with a great backpack. Mine is not as cool at this one from National Geographic, but I can dream (or think of it as a goal for the future). What sort of explorer wouldn't be tempted by something called an Earth Explorer Backpack designed by National Geographic (those explorers/ documenters of the world.

You don't need a lot of gear to be an urban explorer. The basics: digital camera, map, decent footwear, flashlight and something sensible, somewhat waterproof and light to carry them in. Some explorers bring a lot of safety gear, extra gadgets and electronic accessories. If you are exploring risky areas like drains, tunnels and industrial areas it is a good idea to come prepared for danger from gases, chemicals and whatever else might be lingering around.

You could bring water, exploring is thirsty work. I prefer to go for coffee somewhere after I've taken all the photos I want. Of course, it does depend on how mucky I end up being. Not many coffee shops are going to be happy with you if you track in a lot of mud and possibly worse smelling stuff (depending on where you explored that day).

Urban exploring (usually wandering around without permission) is taking a risk. You could be charged with trespassing. However, if you don't have a lot of gear and equipment (beyond your camera) you won't look like someone who has planned to cause trouble, steal or damage anything. I've never had any trouble. People ask what I am doing and I explain that I enjoy old buildings and like to have a look and take some photographs.

Another thing for explorers to know is the 'rule' of urban explorers. Take only photographs; leave only footprints. This means you don't take souvenirs, or remove anything from the property (other than your own garbage).

Don't confuse urban exploring with dare devil stunts. Urban explorers love history, old places and things. It isn't about taking risks or breaking laws. Urban exploring is about documenting history and using photography to share what we find with family, friends and others you can trust not to vandalize or break the rule; take only photographs; leave only footsteps.

There is something about carrying your gear, gadgets, camera and assorted stuff in a backpack from National Geographic. You can pick from smaller backpacks and take a look at the camera strap (below) too.

You can be an urban explorer safely. But, it means setting limits on how far you go when you are exploring. You will also need to buy some extra gear and be prepared to carry it around.

Let's be upfront, urban exploration is not safe. It's not a safe, clean and tidy hobby. There are dangers and risks involved: animals, holes, damaged buildings, drains, chemicals, police, and so on. Of course, the risks all depend on where and how you are exploring.

You can be an urban explorer and take less risks, play safe. I tend to be this way myself. I have some admiration for those who investigate drain tunnels, sewer systems, and infiltrate buildings and places past the point of 'staff only' and 'no trespassing' signs. It's jut not for me.

So, play safe if you want to but understand you will have to set limits on how far you go and how much you see.

You're also going to need to spend some money on extra gear like better footwear, flash lights and exploring clothes.

Of course, you also need to read up on trespassing laws and bylaws in your area. If you really want to be safe you need to find and contact the property owner and get real permission for your exploring there.

The Risks of Exploring Dangerous Places

Some people call it urban spelunking, because it's like climbing around in caves - in the city.

You need a lot of the same gear too if you're going to go inside industrial sites, drains, subways, bridges, tunnels, sewers, rooftops, and derelict places where the floor could give in, there could be chemical or biological waste and so on.

Urban Exploring Gear

How much gear you need depends strongly on how dirty you plan to get exploring.

I explore old farm houses in rural Ontario, mainly. I bring along my camera, a map book and I usually stash a pair of sturdy boots in the car. I wear clothes I can move in and wash easily. I don't tend to walk through much, other than tall grass and weeds. But, I have run into territorial birds and I had a bee stuck in my hair that buzzed around for what seemed ages before it found it's way out (without stinging me!).

If you are exploring mine shafts, tall buildings, grain elevators:

Rock climbing gear.

If you are exploring tunnels, drains, sewers:

Portable gas detectors, oxygen monitors, or handheld air quality testers. Portable SCBA units or emergency air canisters.

If you are exploring underground or buildings/ places with asbestos or black mould:

P-95 or better air respirator.

If you are exploring unstable environments like unstable buildings and abandoned mines:

Hard hat. OSHA approved training in confined spaces.

If you don't understand the gear or know how to use it, get that information and training. Don't become an urban exploration statistic.

Trespassing: Where do you Stand?

Urban explorers have their own rules about where to draw the line on entering property they want to explore.

Some explorers literally will go anywhere. But this is not the standard, or the theme which urban exploration goes by. Urban exploration has a motto: take only photos, leave only footprints. Urban explorers are not vandals, scavengers for vintage house parts and they do not spray graffiti around. Also, urban explorers do not break and enter.

Instead of cutting a fence and urban explorer will look for access to the site which does not involved breaking or cutting anything. We might crawl under a fence, enter through a hole someone else has already left or walk past signs stating 'no trespassing'. It's a fine line, a small distinction but there are some ethics to urban exploring. Also, a pride in not crossing the line.

Urban exploration is about exploring, not causing damage to property (or upsetting property owners) by stealing, harming or leaving garbage of our own at the site.

Read more about trespassing laws in your own province or state. You should have the right information for your location and situation. In general, you are trespassing if you are on private property without permission.

This means you can take photos from the street, the sidewalk, the pathway, behind the fence... and be perfectly safe from trespassing. In cases like this it is really nice to have a digital camera with a lot of zoom.

Some Urban Exploration Links to Get Started With

• Place Hacking

• Forbidden Places

• Dark Passage

• Flickr: Canadian Rural Ruins

• Flickr: Ontario Rural Ruins

• Urban Exploration Resource

• HowStuffWorks : Top 10 Cities for Urban Exploration

• HowStuffWorks : The Origins and Codes of Urban Exploration

• A Complete Guide to Urban Exploration - Bearings

• Infiltration: Timeline

• The Past, Present, & Future of Urban Exploration

This Post Started as a HubPages Question

What do you seek when you visit other countries?

Baudelaire wrote of escaping "anywhere out of this world" and Proust pondered our longing to get out of our own lives, frustrated by discovery that they follow us wherever we go like our shadows. Enlightenment travelers are less concerned with the experience there are having than with understanding the places and people they visit, but it takes time and patience and modern tourists are short of both.

Asked by Beata Stasak.

I Like to Travel for Culture and History

I like to find the atmosphere of the place. I'm not a social butterfly, but I push myself a bit and talk to people when I travel. I ask about things that interest me. Sometimes I find out about a great place to visit while I'm there. Sometimes they tell me about a local group I could join in with. Often I get a new perspective on my old, taken for granted ideas.

I like finding culture and history. I will go to things like local museums and flea markets and those farmer's markets where they really do still have produce as well as crafts and such for sale.

One thing I always do it get out very, very early so I can be out people watching as the town/ city wakes up for the working day. I like to see the place start fresh and come alive around me.

There is something special about getting away. First you have that flash of horror at being adrift in a new place. But, once you get over that the adventure starts. It's only when you travel that you can really be free, reinvent yourself, try something new and waste a day doing nothing, guilt free.

How to Enjoy the Trip

Remember you're a tourist and take the day (or week, however long you are away) off.

Write about your adventures. Draw, doodle and illustrate if you can. Add postcards if you can't draw anything at all. Save ticket stubs and other bits of things which you can add to your travel journal.

Have one planned destination each day. Maybe a tourist spot, maybe a restaurant that sounded too good to pass up, or a place you planned to see long before you left home even. Don't plan every step of your day. Give yourself room for unplanned adventures, changing your mind and wandering.

Talk to people. Even if you don't usually talk to anyone, put forth a little effort and talk to a couple of people each day. A real conversation. See if you can get past the regular small talk about the weather.

Take photos, lots of photographs. We are past the days when you had to pay for photofinishing and film. Now, the digital camera sets you free to make a fool of yourself being a tourist with a loaded camera. Go all out and put your thumb in a few pictures too, it's traditional.

Take the time to send postcards while you are still away from home. Write them with a new pen while you enjoy coffee, tea or something else in a lovely location with a great view.

The hotel, motel, bed & breakfast, or hostel you are staying at is a good (easy to find) source for great places to see, what to eat and things to do.

Do some of the things you like to do when you're home. I like browsing at bookstores. It's a great way to spend an afternoon when I'm in another town, another city, province (state), or country. I look for second hand bookstores too, not just retail.

Do something you don't make time for when you are home and busy or just don't have the energy. It might be something like getting a pedicure for the first time ever. You might get tickets and go to a live theatre performance, evening or matinee. Be open to new experiences.