During our recent vacation to Wyoming in late June, my mother took us on a tour of an old cemetery near Muddy Mountain. As we were traveling over BLM land we would see old wagon wheel ruts left from the Oregon trail as the area is near Independence Rock. We were traveling in a four door sedan, and with it's low clearance, it caused a few moments of questioning our travel on this particular non maintained rural road. However we did arrive without knocking a muffler or rear end off the auto.
I had been curious about why my mother wanted me to visit a cemetery of all places. However, it turned out to be an interesting first stop in our Casper Mountain journey. Freeland cemetery is not your normal cemetery. I wonder how they get the funeral procession here?
The photo above shows how smoky it was at the time as there were many fires around the state. The old single loop galvanized fence with the post finials really gives a rustic look. Not exactly your typical manicured cemetery.
Many of the tombstones were made of natives stones derived from nearby areas. This particular one is made of petrified wood.
I speculate that this fenced in area may have been built for the original family to be buried here.
Many of the tombstones were made of natives stones derived from nearby areas. This particular one is made of petrified wood.
Another petrified tombstone.
Now here is an unusual tomb. Must have been a rock collector.
The gravesite about is more my style. Native!
In conclusion, this last tombstone is really cool.
Wouldn't you like to hear the story behind this pilot's grave-site?
What a cool place! I always find cemeteries fascinating. Another great one to visit is the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Mass. The "Authors Ridge" section of the cemetery has the grave sites of Louisa May Alcott and her family, and other authors such as Hawthorne, Emerson, and Thoreau. Yes, it would be fascinating to know the story about the pilot.
ReplyDeleteI would think the authors section would have interesting words on their grave sites.
DeleteReally interesting post, and I loved the wood/tree headstones (unusual) and you are correct - that last one seems to be by or for a man with real adventurous spirit. Lovely. LT
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cemetary-and what a gorgeous backdrop for it.
ReplyDeleteI too find cemeteries fascinating. I like the petrified wood one.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting cemetery. I had difficulty reading the last tombstone:
ReplyDeleteDo not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star-shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
Thank you for sharing. I always find old cemeteries interesting and this one is great. Never thought of using petrified wood as tombstones. Obviously, the people here used what was available and that is why it is so interesting. The iron work photos are very nice.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. And, very good photos.
ReplyDeleteI like visiting old cemeteries, for some reason. They're full of history and sometimes give an insight into times past.
Thanks for taking us along.
Oh my! That Hopi prayer is the one we remember my 14 month grandson by.... How nice to see it spread about.
ReplyDeleteHi Greg. Being a genealogy researcher this posting is fascinating to me. I have spent a lot of time in cemeteries LOL! I love all of the petrified markers and the Rock collectors burial site. How unique and interesting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow, a petrified wood gravestone! Now that's a monument. Yes, the story of the pilot would be interesting....is that a ventilation tube capped there (in case of emergency?)
ReplyDeleteYou have captured a fascinating place with your wonderful photography. Do you know the story of the final grave?
ReplyDeleteI've never seen so much creativity and personal expression in a cemetery. It says a lot about the people who are buried there, as well as the families who laid them to rest. I think they would all be honored by your post.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has a real thing for rocks, I have to say that is one of the neatest cemeteries I've ever seen. Thanks for taking us along for the ride!
ReplyDeleteThis is AWESOME. What a wonderful place to visit. So full of rustic treasure. The fence with the finial posts is so cool. Kudos to your mom for taking you there. She knows her stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteI love poking around old graveyards, and this one looks really interesting. It appears to be out in the middle of nowhere. Is it far from any town? While we were in Colorado years ago we came across a similar place in Crested Butte. This was well before I had a digital camera, and I think I used an entire roll of film.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun and interesting. The cemetery was out on ranch land and blm land. Probably 20 miles from casper. Dick cheneys parents are buried there.
ReplyDelete"Excuse my dust"
ReplyDelete"This is on me"
-- Dorothy Parker
My mama used to say that cemeteries tell the story of people living and dead. I worked at a funeral home and cemetery for several years and found it to be true. Great post.....
ReplyDeleteI love to explore old cemeteries, and I don't think I have seen one more fascinating than this one! I do wonder what stories those tombs hold!
ReplyDeleteWow, that tomb is amazing. For me, it's so grotesque it becomes beautiful. Cheers to whoever built it and whoever is resting inside it. And to you for posting it. Great cemetery.
ReplyDelete