Impromptu Cemetery Tour

A last minute reminder from Lady Deveraux caught my attention this Thursday last..."Footsteps in Time" a cemetery walking tour.  How Romantic, I thought.  And we haven't had it planned for months in advance, Wot!  Le Chevalier thought I was quite impetuous and decreed we should have An Adventure.  Sunday at half past 2 o'clock, we trotted off in the gig to the Mountain View Cemetery in Oregon City. One of the oldest cemeteries in the West, our trip proved a hidden treasure.  Off of Molalla Avenue, and at the end of a residential community, a verdant vista greeted us.  The grounds were dotted with headstones as expected, but great ancient fir trees and grandfather oaks stood as sentinels on the sloping lawns. The the sky was overcast, and tho' we had donned our lightest cottons, the air was warm and close.  I wore sturdy boots and Le Chevalier kindly loaned me a walking stick.  It had a skull for a handle...and though somewhat appropriate,  I thought the mocking expression too morbid and covered his wicked grin with my scarf.  Upon arrival, we waited in the cool of a large fir tree with Lady Deveraux.  
Le Chevalier produced his spy glass so that she might discern the whereabouts of Sir Michael, strolling among the stones. 


















 Our tour lasted approximately one hour and took us over the main section of the grounds.  Many well known figures from Oregon City history are buried here, and there were eight personages scattered throughout the walk for us to meet.  There were steamship captains, Civil War veterans, and mothers mourning their children.  In between these "visitations", our guide discussed the symbolism to be found on the monuments and tombstones.
Of particular interest, were the headstones for the Woodmen of The World. A fraternal organization that used a distinctive large tree stump in the tombstone design.  The organization still exists, and you can read more about them here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodmen_of_the_World

 
A small family plot gated in curlicued iron fencing and gnarled Japanese maples beckoned.....Another excursion will have to be planned, a picnic with friends and perhaps a "headstone hunt" for additional famous Oregon City names. To learn more about the Mountain View Cemetery, visit the Oregon City website:

http://www.orcity.org/cemetery/mountain-view-historical-information

                                                      

After the tour ended, we continued to meander and I fell in love with this strange fairytale tree. Perhaps a Cheshire Cat is napping on its branches....It seemed happy in this lonely out of the way portion of the landscape.  One had to descend a steep slope with only a few shallow and Broken steps to mark out the spot.


Warm Regards,

  ~Mme Theo