45 + 43 points
Katabasis by Alice Morgenstern, Sardonicus Tweed
August 3rd, 2009 6:37 PM
There isn't a lot of underworld in Florida. So unless we were going to do this task in scuba gear, our options were limited. So the underworld here described and discussed is that of the water tunnels below Orlando's Dickson Azalea Park.
Actually, the scuba gear idea's pretty cool. We should do that. But anyway, this is true. We don't even have basements in Florida, because of the aquifer.
The journey was undertaken by Sardonicus Tweed (whose comments are shown in green), Alice Morgenstern (comments in black), Mr. D----, and Ms. S----. Together we descended to the opening of the water tunnel. We straddled the ankle-deep water and did a ridiculous bent-over half waddle into the dark.



Once inside it was obvious that we were not the first to venture into tunnels. The graffiti included warnings,


messages of joy,

a claim,
"Wolf Pack Claims This Tunnel", it said. Obviously, I am behind on my secret societies.

cartoons,
This one's my favorite. v

and some illegible gibberish.


That stupid panda thing again. That thing is viral, man.



The first feature of interest we came upon was a more open area where some rusted rebar made a ladder up to a manhole above. At that point we'd left the park and were underneath the surrounding residential streets.
We titled it "The Oubliette", because we're giant nerds who have seen Labyrinth too many times. I climbed up the ladder to see where we were, but soon came to the realization that manhole covers are HEAVY.

As we traveled further,

and the graffiti disappeared,

we came to a smaller plastic tunnel which led to a storm drain.
We tossed one of Alice's highlighters outside to see if we could find it later. The highlighter was never seen again. At this point, everyone else decided to wuss out and not tramp through half-full storm drains in clothes not designed for adventuring after we were all hot and tired. Wusses.
Actually I believe it was you who had to be home before your 4pm curfew, Sardonicus.
Actually, the scuba gear idea's pretty cool. We should do that. But anyway, this is true. We don't even have basements in Florida, because of the aquifer.
The journey was undertaken by Sardonicus Tweed (whose comments are shown in green), Alice Morgenstern (comments in black), Mr. D----, and Ms. S----. Together we descended to the opening of the water tunnel. We straddled the ankle-deep water and did a ridiculous bent-over half waddle into the dark.



Once inside it was obvious that we were not the first to venture into tunnels. The graffiti included warnings,


messages of joy,

a claim,
"Wolf Pack Claims This Tunnel", it said. Obviously, I am behind on my secret societies.

cartoons,


and some illegible gibberish.






The first feature of interest we came upon was a more open area where some rusted rebar made a ladder up to a manhole above. At that point we'd left the park and were underneath the surrounding residential streets.
We titled it "The Oubliette", because we're giant nerds who have seen Labyrinth too many times. I climbed up the ladder to see where we were, but soon came to the realization that manhole covers are HEAVY.

As we traveled further,

and the graffiti disappeared,

we came to a smaller plastic tunnel which led to a storm drain.

Actually I believe it was you who had to be home before your 4pm curfew, Sardonicus.
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votelater6 comment(s)
posted by Ian Kizu-Blair on August 5th, 2009 9:13 PM
I like all the graffiti, it's very ominous. "Beware" "Wolf Pack Claims This Tunnel"
posted by artmouse on August 6th, 2009 11:07 AM
OUBLIETTE!!!!
that word sounds just sooooo very good uttered from David Bowie's lips ... too good, perhaps
posted by Alice Morgenstern on August 6th, 2009 11:11 AM
I have great difficulty imagining something that wouldn't sound good from David Bowie's lips but you're right, he makes 'oubliette' sound... almost blush-worthy.
posted by Ombwah on August 6th, 2009 11:59 PM
I even have an album posted of one I explored - with a map!
Check it out if you're interested! :)
kick assery