People are PROUD of this cemetery

[cornerofmadness]

Spring Grove cemetry in Cincinattti OH that is. One, it's a gorgeous cemetery placed into the hills, and it is huge, one of the largest in this country. I've been wanting to go for a while and I spent like 4 hours there and still didn't even see it all. I love that, not unlike Mayfair Cemetery in Cleveland or Greenlawn in Columbus, this cemetery takes pride in itself and is open to cyclists and hikers. In fact there were 'walk for health' trails all over it and would that I lived closer because I'd be t here several times a week.

The cemetery has self guided historical trails with map and self guided arboretaum trails as well. AND it has a tram you can pay and take the historic trail with a historian. Were I there all weekend I would have done that too. I took pictures of kids who needed proof they were there for scavenger hunts for school. There were other kids there collecting tree bits for class. I picked up one leaf (red and black) to key out when I get to work tomorrow AND an oak leaf and acorn that is covered in a shaggy husk. I have never seen an oak like that. I hope to key it out because naturally the two trees I wanted to know had no tags.

Three times people stopped next to me to tell me all about the monument I was photographing. Do you know what that is? me- no, well i have the guide but it's in the car Them (slightly offended by my ignorance) - let me tell you. And they did. I'm too tired to sort the vast amount of pictures tonight but hopefully tomorrow I'll have it done. And I'll tell you about it all.

Can anyone explain southern OH girls interest in taking glamor shots in weird ass places. Over here we kept getting them in those raggedy log cabins. In Cinci they were in that cemtery. I'm not talking taking a quick shot next to something cool or a stone with your name. These girls were in dresses and heels (and there were at least four sets of them thru the day) climbing on the mausoleums, lying in the flower beds. It was just strange.

Finally, starving, I made a final pitstop in the office, snagged some souvenier bookmarks and headed off, covered in mosquito bites.There are tons of little ponds in this place, each one breeding a million mosquitos. I now have west nile and malaria and this will be my final blog with my luck.

Both my print out of google maps and Maggie the Magellan wanted me to NOT go to I-71-N which makes sense since that will spit me out back near the renn fest which ultimately leads me back to I-35 40 miles north of where i need to be which is all well and good when I go to the festival. However, I wanted to go to SR-32 but both of my maps didn't want me to go 71-275 loop since technically that would be more miles but quicker. Dear god, I went on a journey thru the back roads of Cincinatti and thank god I used to do home health for a living because I don't panic when road signs are missing (I get ticked mind you). I got to go through an area that I'm guessing might be called Mt Lookout from the signs. Whereever it was, it was great. I wanted to get photos but couldn't since at least three homes had this organic mushroom cap look with tons of eyebrow windows. And then I got sidetracked by the biggest of oxymorons, a fun run for charity.

Finally I get on 32 but at an area I've never been. Usually I'm on it to go to evil_little_dog's but I hit the 275 loop to 71-s. This took me thru a cute little town called Newton where I finally found food (wendy's) since all the restaurants where i was in Cinci were closed on SUnday. There are a couple of fun road names on this trip, Brimstone (near the renn fest and I'd want to live there just for the name) and Burnt Cabin Rd...

I went to the new pizzaria in Jackson, La Rosario (or something like that) I figured it was a chain and got proof in Cinici since they were everywhere. They had Newcastle Brown Ale, one of my favorites. I'm now dead where i sit so I'll leave you with some renn photos under the cut. How would you like the big post of cemetery art (well might be more than ONE post). under a cut or linked out. The former kills my inbox the latter is more a pain for you.

Also did a little bit of pimping of bob_fish"s Grumman & Chris stories in my latest fma_fic_contest story which features Grumman & Chris and one jealous little boy.





A cool Viking but it was SO damn crowded, getting any photos was difficult



Dirk & Guido getting ready to do their children's theatre 'Robin Hood'



Okay this makes me sad in a way. We no longer have to worry about the kid not being tall enough, we now have to measure if s/he's too fat. This is why this generation will be the first since the 1930's to NOT outlive their parents. No kid young enough to ride this should be too fat to do so unless there is a medical condition.



I have no idea who she is, but her lying there, sword over her belly looked like a knight's burial



These chimes were cool b ut they were loud and right by the mehendi art place and i could see how weeks of that would drive you insane. It was a first for the fest for these chimes.



my tattoo. Upside down since i was too tired to think. Also it's still coverd with the paste. In fact it was SO DAMN HOT that the paste is STILL baked to my hand 30 hours later. I left it to get a deeper tattoo but it'll get it off later.

Comments

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

I love your lotus tattoo! So very nice. The woman should've crossed her feet, so she was a Crusader. :D

Wow people who take pride in their cemetery - that's really cool. I'm laughing at you getting lectured.

[enemytosleep]

That no wider than sign is so fucking depressing. The lotus is so pretty! Is there a reason it's on the palm and not the back of your hand?

[sonjajade.livejournal.com]

Cave Hill Cemetery here in Louisville is like that. Unfortunately, the tractor tours that have the guide cost money and are once a month, and you can't ride a bike inside or jog, but they do encourage walking. There's maps in the office with notable tombs to see.

Renn fair looks cool! Have you ever been to an SCA event? They do historically accurate recreations of everything from battles to weapon forging, games and music and everything. Those people told me renn fairs are not accurate, but I can't judge since I've only been to SCA events and never to a renn fair. Like I'm an expert on medieval history anyways.

SQUEEE! I'm looking so forward to more pics! Do what's easiest for you, the rest of us will manage ;)

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

is that the cemetery you mentioned to me before?

I was in the SCA for 20 years before I ran screaming. After talking to evil_little_dog about it, I actually wished I had lived in the south at the time. They didn't take it as seriously. IN my area they took it serious and were the hugest bullies I've met outside of High School. I eventually quit. I did have an authentic patterned gown of less than authentic materials then two more in the patternI have now, again authentic pattern but mom made the first as a surprise out of taffeta which stained and was so inaccurate I didn't want to wear it. Hot as hell too.

Renn fairs are basically shopping outtings with shows. There is no attempt to be accurate. It's meant for fun.

i'll work up the pictures somehow. thanks.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

it is. The obesity in children is epidemic, causing huge health concerns and is met with hostility by parents who refuse to believe it's an issue.

Thank you. Yes, traditionally the palms and soles as well as the back of the hands/tops of feet were done for weddings. Also this is where the skin is thickest and takes the dye the best I've learned from experience the back of my hands takes it poorly

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

thanks

she's close enough.

It's also stated all over the place the fines and jail time you will do if you damage stuff. I thought that one guy who was telling me about George Reeves would never drive on

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Cool to the jail time, though hopefully there are cameras around to back it up.

George Reeves is important!

[sonjajade.livejournal.com]

yep, same cemetery as before. and I think I might've asked you about the SCA before... forgive me, I smoked a lot of pot in high school and I can't remember anything half the time! Hey shopping with shows is awesome in itself! Get some rest before dealing with all those pics... How'd you do without your insulin?

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

you did not ask about teh SCA any more.

sadly the damage to neural tissues from that is lasting

my sugar was fine. It usually does whatever the hell it wants regardless of the insulin

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

not sure.

wait to you see why he was telling me about him.

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Oh,comma dear.

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the pimpage! The Renn Fair looks fun.

Whoah to the "you must be no wider than" sign. Was it really aimed at kids?

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

no problem, happy to do it.

The renn fest usually is

yep, that was the 'witch's hat' slide for the little kids

[sillymagpie.livejournal.com]

Maybe they were trying for an artsy cemetery/perfume/fashion ad look. Glam shots themselves mystify me. The women always look so vapid.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

well yes that too but this was just weird