#AtoZChallenge - Taphophilia

Hi, Welcome to my little corner of the Interwebz! I'm doing a pretty random theme this year - things that make me happy / are guilty pleasures / whatever makes me... ME!

The definition of Taphophilia is an interest in and/or fascination for cemeteries.  A taphophile is also called a Tombstone Tourist.   

That's me. 

I love to explore cemeteries - the older, the better.  And a lot of our vacations involve a trip to at least one cemetery along the way.  Spawn has gone to Nationals with her dance team out of state 3 times - I'd leave her with her friends and go explore by myself.   

Fun fact - Michigan has 32 Maple Grove Cemeteries.  That's also the name of my Halloween display, so I'm making it a point to visit all 32.  I'm halfway there. 

I can't pinpoint one particular thing that draws me in.  The art.  Beauty.  History.  Peace.  Unusual names.  All of it.  

Come explore with me!

First stop is Bethany Cemetery in Charleston, S. Carolina.

 

 

 Now, Christian Memorial Gardens in Rochester, Michigan where my Dad is buried.  

The stones are all flush - hence the name "Gardens".  But the statuary is amazing! 

 

 And some visitors, too.

Next is Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando, Florida. 

 A wood head'stone' from 1890

 

 This was a most beautiful memorial I'd ever seen!

Pure, creamy white marble that just glowed in the sun. And it was enormous. 

Next is Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston, SC. 

 

 

Next is Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Mary's, Georgia.  

My first ship was homeported at Submarine Base Kings Bay in St. Mary's until 1994.  I found this little cemetery and for some reason never forgot this particular grave (below - and all the Spanish moss), so I was thrilled when Spawn needed to go to Orlando.  So we flew into Atlanta and drove the rest of the way - via St. Mary's so I could pay my respects. 

 

Sacred to the Memory 

of 

Col. John Patterson

Aged 52 years

Mary Young, his daughter

Aged 19 years & 6 months

Charles Young, the son of

Mary Young, aged 18 months

James Batcholer, aged 17 years

& John Morris, aged 8 years & 9

months, relatives of the above.

All born at Philadelphia, State of

Pennsylvania, and fell victims within

a few days of each other, to the 

yellow fever of 1801, at St. Marys

State of Georgia. 

Pondering angel ponders.  

 This is called the "Resurrection Angel"

Last, be definitely not least, is Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan. 

I only made a quick drive thru one afternoon this February and must have said "oh WOW" 100 times.  A lot of famous Detroiters are buried here (most recently Aretha Franklin, but I didn't look for her yet).

 

The Dodge Brothers of the Dodge Motor Company

I can't wait to go back to Woodlawn since just looking at the few pictures I took with my phone from my car - still fill me with awe.   It's huge, so I'll have to explore by section. And there's no possible way I could do it in one day, either.  

Can't wait!