You may be thinking, "Ok, she's lost it. Why is a cemetery an adventure?" Because it is. Actually, Evergreen Cemetery is on the trail list of Portland Trails and provides the ability to walk changing terrain for miles via the various roads and paths and connects over to Baxter Woods which can also wind you along to Baxter Boulevard. I've been known to walk for 2 hours and put on almost 8 miles meandering around. It's also a major birding hotspot year round, in the summary home to numerous warblers. And all right in the city.
Now that I've bored you with all that, let's move on.
On this particular trip, I brought my camera. I haven't gone in search of headstones and notables in a long time - I know it sounds morbid. There is something peaceful in knowing that I'm fulfilling that family's intentions, of making sure that their beloved was recognized and thought of, even if I had no idea who they were. I see the family plots and wonder what it was like for them, what happened to them and how loved they must have been to have such elaborate statues and stones created to mark where they lie.
Come join me in my journey around the Cemetery, and then maybe if you're in the area - you can take a trip of your own.
The main building provides information around the grounds, the trails and what to expect
I'm hoping he's not the caretaker...
I like to take Western Avenue (to the right) down towards the duck ponds
After all those years of wear and tear, something's gotta give
Hmmmm, I feel like it's Halloween or something
This is one family plot and yes, those are all children and children's children. Some were all wiped out in the same year, probably due to a major outbreak of some kind.
Seriously - more ducks than one wants to count. All Mallards and a few Black Ducks.
Peekaboo!
A male Hairy Woodpecker watches me walk by
Hydrangeas unwilling to shed their skin
Highfield Avenue
I wonder if she has brain freeze
Sunset Avenue
Almost exactly 100 years before I was born
The oldest stone I could find - she passed in 1849
The Civil War Monument
I grew up near the Evergreen Cemetery and spent hours walks those roads. Always found it fascinating that I would see the names of dates of people who lived years before me. I think that's why I've told my husband that I don't care that I am buried... but I would like a stone with my name and date placed somewhere... anywhere...so that some day someone walks past it and wonders who I was. Just like I wondered about all these folks as a child. Thanks for bringing back some great memories.
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