I've always had a thing for cemeteries. I'm not sure whether it's the peacefulness of the place, or whether it's just inbred. I used to have an uncle who was a funeral director so I spent a lot of time immersed in that world when we visited. Maybe I just like the fact that other people think it's weird. When I was in high school, I used to go on dates to the cemetery. No to do anything illicit, just to walk around and talk. The best dates were with guys who weren't creeped out by that -- the cemetery OR the talking -- but instead thought it was cool. (For the record, neither I nor those guys were cool; I'm completely aware of that now.) The other day, I took The Caterpillar and went walking. It was early morning, peaceful and a beautiful day. I plan to post quite a few of the photos I took over the next week or so. Because I can.
Cemeteries always have beautifully kept grounds.
Interesting buildings.
A place to sit and contemplate.
Callbacks to Robert Frost poems.
Mausoleums that make me wonder why anyone would ever choose the very top spot, but there is always someone who did.
Cool corridors.
Clever topiaries.
Silent sentries.
Some deep dark corners that aren't really meant for the public to see.
And geese. Every cemetery - back here, at least - is filled with Canadian geese. These were just coming in for landing.
Not a bad way to spend a morning when you need some solace.
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October 22, 2009 at 9:26 AM
I love cemeteries too, but more so from a genealogical point of view. I just love to walk around and look at all of the names and dates, figuring out the family connections and seeing how far back the dates go.
One of my favorite trips to a cemetery was one time when Kristen and I were driving up to my parents, we stopped at the cemetery where my father's parents were buried. Not only did we find their tombstones, but those of my great-grandparents, a sibling (we think) of my grandfather's (or was it great-grandfather's), and a great-great-grandmother, all of whom I'd never heard of. We also found out that my great-grandfather's body was dug up by some grave robbers or cult or teenage pranksters, and his skull was taken, but that's another story.
October 22, 2009 at 1:21 PM
I would want the top spot, were I to choose a building over the ground. No one can fall on me when an earthquake razes the building.
October 22, 2009 at 4:54 PM
I love cemetaries, too. They are some of the few truly quiet places in our modern world.
October 22, 2009 at 9:36 PM
I like cemetaries for the safety. Everyone there is dead. Not only does that mean they aren't much of a threat to me, but there's very little chance I might injure one of them. Unless they are zombies...
Does anyone else have a Z-day plan?
October 22, 2009 at 9:46 PM
@KoH: Just give me a cricket bat and I'll be ready. (Vague reference to "Shawn of the Dead" - awesome movie!)
October 22, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I'll bet people are just dying to get into that place.