hospital for the criminally insane

The buildings of the Pennsylvania State Hospital for the Criminally Insane seem like they will be swallowed up any moment by the surrounding verdant fields. Dense ivy envelops entire walls, covering some of the few windows that have not been boarded up. The tight seals formed by vines and boards makes for stifling temperatures as one travels through the deserted corridors. On the rooftops, one can finally get a breathe of fresh air and study how nature is taking over the expansive ruins. Below the buildings, in the twisting tunnel system connecting them, there is also relief from the heat. In fact, it is almost chilly. Condensation makes the walls and pipes cool and slippery. In some areas, dense fog hangs in the air, making flash photography almost impossible, as the fog 'catches' all the light. A bit of fun can be had in certain of the longest tunnels- the wet and crunchy floors echo footsteps so that it sounds as if someone is walking far ahead of you. This occurrence is a tad creepy just before you realize that the footsteps are in time to your own.