Austin and I passed this massive and gorgeous cemetery thousands of times before finally making the plunge and taking an impromptu BKG day at Greenwood! As there was no attendant at the gate, we passed go without getting a map and quickly realized what a bad idea that was. It is amazingly easy to lose all sense of direction once wandering through a maze of tombstones, trees, and mausoleum-style resting places.
There was no method to our walking, just turning corners and climbing hills when something new caught our eye. Therefore, it should not have been surprising when we realized we had no clue where we had actually come in. But, hey, that’s the best part of exploring a new place—so much more is found when you are lost. At times we would pass a dozen graves huddled together in rows, and minutes later stumble upon an isolated monument perched alone at the top of a hill. It’s always strangely pleasant to be in one of these enormous tree-shaded areas plopped throughout our concrete city.
Eventually we found our way back to the gate from which we entered. When we had first arrived, it appeared the cemetery was preparing for a funeral as numerous cars and people in black clothing were loitering outside the only large building on the premises, tell-tale signs. Now, when we resurfaced by the gate, the cars and people were gone but the chimney was burning…a lot. We hadn’t been lost for long enough that a fire-breathing chimney seemed appropriate.
As it appeared there was a nice view of the Manhattan skyline in the distance, we walked around the back of the burning building only to find a dumpster filled with the discarded and forgotten flowers that loved ones had purchased for the recently deceased. It was somehow sad and beautiful at the same time. So, we admired the skyline view, checked out the fancy little Greenwood trolley, took some pics of the dumpster, and then started the journey to find our way home.
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