An Outdoor Walk Through History - Staglieno Cemetery, Genova, Italy

After Milan we headed south to Genova to visit one of my favorite places to walk. A cemetery! I love to walk in old cemeteries and I can't image a better cemetery than Staglieno. An outdoor art gallery filled with ornate tombs and sculptures by some of Europe's finest marble carvers including Giulio Monteverde and Leonardo Bistolfi.

Covering more than a square mile the cemetery provides ample space to stroll. There's no map available at the cemetery so if you visit be sure to download one from the website Staglieno Cimitero Monumentale. We were there about 3 hours and didn't even come close to seeing the whole place!

We started our walk by hiking up the grand staircase of the domed Pantheon. (modeled after the Pantheon in Rome)

If you don't go anywhere else be sure to visit inside this building. It's filled with beautiful sculptures and creepy hallways and stair cases!

I find old cemeteries to be peaceful and lovely but I'll have to admit there were areas of this one that gave me the willies...Dark and dank with an ominous feel. 

Thankfully it was also filled with beautifully craved statutes and grave markers...

 This is my favorite grave marker ever...an angel knocking on the lid of a crypt and pointing up. Like she's saying "come on it's time to go"! At least she's pointing up!

The cemetery goes up the hillside. Be prepared to walk a lot of stairs if you want to visit the oldest parts. 

Can you see Josh way at the top of this staircase?

 (This little UP sign is a joke from our trip to Germany and Austria. Every time a local would tell us about an interesting place to go it would involve a 15 minute walk UP! We found this little card at a tourist info rack and thought it was perfect. Now we carry it on most trips because when you live in the flattest state everywhere we go seems to be up)

The views of Genova are spectacular from the hillside of the cemetery.

The many mausoleums look like a magical city on the hill.

Staglieno Cemetery in Genova is a wonderful outdoor walk through history and we only saw a tiny portion on our visit. This cemetery is on my list of places to revisit one day.

Walking Historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta

I know it may sound weird but I love to walk in cemeteries. Not just any cemetery though.  They must be old cemeteries hopefully with a few graves of famous or interesting people and big marble angels. Those are my favorite.

Nancy and I took a trip into downtown Atlanta to visit just such a cemetery. 

Historic Oakland Cemetery

Founded in 1850 on six acres of land on the outskirts of Atlanta, Oakland became the resting place for both the most prosperous and the poor. Soon forty eight additional acres were purchased in order to lay to rest 7,000 Civil War soldiers.

Today the cemetery is slap dab in the middle of downtown, just 5 blocks east of the state capitol. Not only interesting for the historical value, Oakland is also one of the largest green spaces in downtown Atlanta. A perfect place to take a walk alone or with friends, They even welcome well behaved dogs. 

There were so many lovely things to photograph in this cemetery. I'm sharing just of few of my favorites. 

The Lion of Atlanta (1894)

Modeled after the Lion of Lucerne in Switzerland this statue was erected by the Atlanta Ladies Memorial Association to honor the unknown Confederate dead. The lion which represents courage is mortally wounded by a broken spear as he clutches the Confederate battle flag. 

Georgia Harris (d. 1920)

The grave of Georgia Harris is one of only two documented cases of an African-American to be buried in the general section of Oakland. (In other words the white section) before Maynard Jackson (b.1938-d.2003) Atlanta's first African-American mayor.  

The Boyd family for whom Georgia Harris was with for many years obtained special permission to bury her in the family plot. 

Famous Golfer

Robert Tyre Jones (1902-1971)

Bobby Jones was the greatest amateur golfer of all times. He co-founded and co-designed the Augusta National Golf Club, site of the annual Masters Tournament. The area leading up to his grave marker is a putting green and many people leave golf balls here in his honor.


A Famous Author

Margaret Mitchell Marsh

b. Nov 8, 1900 d. Aug 16, 1949

Margaret Mitchell wrote  "Gone With the Wind" the Civil War era novel. . The novel won the National Book Award in 1936 and a Pulitzer Prize in 1937."Gone With the Wind" was the only novel published during her lifetime. She is buried beside her husband, John Robert Marsh.

Symbolism on a Grave Marker

As you walk around you'll see many symbols used on grave markers. This Neo-Classical monument is a good example. 

In the 1890's Thomas Neal erected this statue in memory of his wife and daughter. 

One woman holds an open bible that symbolizes knowledge, the other holds a closed book meaning a finished life. The laurel wreath is for eternity, a palm branch for victory over death and a Celtic cross for eternal life, faith and redemption. 

Too Many Children Died Young

It's always sad to see grave markers for children. 

Often times it's a reminder to be thankful for modern medicine.

Bloomfield

This marker honors four young sisters (2, 4, 6, and 8) who died within a 10 day period in 1863. They were the victims of diphtheria, one of the leading causes of death among children at that time. 

The ivy on the cross represents fidelity and friendship and the rose garland in the center is for love and beauty. 

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection. It can be treated with antibiotics and antitoxins neither of which was available in 1863. Penicillin wasn't discovered until 1928 and wasn't perfected for use until the 1940s. Diphtheria is now rare in the United States due to vaccinations against the disease. 

Seashell Marker

There were several examples of this type of marker for a child's grave. So popular it could be ordered from the Sears and Roebuck catalogue. The seashell is a symbol for resurrection.

The inscription on this marker

Maurine

Son of R.P. and Anna A. Robbins

b. Jan 7, 1896 d. April 1, 1896



I'll Leave You On a Happier Note

Oakland Cemetery, like many of the older historic cemeteries, is filled with beautiful old trees and flowers. Oakland is actually an arboretum and a botanical garden. Most of the trees are tagged and there are gorgeous flowers everywhere. 

If you find yourself in downtown Atlanta take a walk and enjoy this beautiful park. 

Lace up and take a walk through history!

Click here to see more about Oakland Cemetery.

It's Getting Warmer! Kolomoki Mounds State Park

We're heading south and it's definitely getting warmer. Almost anything would be warmer than where we've been! We were at Cloudland Canyon State Park and at 14 degrees it was icy cold so 40 degrees was like a summer day...

Kolomoki Mounds State Park is located in Early county in southwestern Georgia. Not only are there 5 miles of hiking trails but also a great temple mound that stands 57 feet tall. The park itself is pretty flat but those 76 stair steps make quiet a climb to the top of that mound!

We practically had the whole park to ourselves. I guess it's still too cold for most people to be out but really once you get moving you warm up.

We found 6 Geocaches while visiting Kolomoki. I loved the creative containers and the fact that they were pretty easy to find. I don't like it when you have to do a little (sometimes a lot of) bushwacking to get to the cache. 

There was also a small cemetery located in the park. I love old cemeteries...Weird I know.

Take a walk and check out a State Park near you!

Self Guided Walking Tour of Monticello, Florida

Heading home after a visit with our son and his family we took a side trip to visit the town of Monticello. I've seen the sign for this historic town many times but we've never taken the time to visit. I was happy that we did take the time on this trip.

At the Chamber of Commerce we found a brochure for a tour that could be made on foot or in the car. Of course we took the foot route.  I forgot to take a water bottle that I could carry with me but I thought we'd find a place to stop for a cool drink if needed. Wrong! Nothing is open in this quaint little town on Sunday afternoon. Fortunately most of the walk was in the shade so we didn't suffer too badly.

We stopped by the Chamber on Commerce 420 W. Washington Street to pick up a map of the walking tour.

The Chamber of Commerce is located in a cute little converted church. Even though it was closed on Sunday the maps are located in a stand at the front door. 

Monticello Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce

Monticello Opera House was built in 1890 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The walking tour took us by several churches. This is the most interesting one (in my opinion:-)

Christ Episcopal Church located on High Street was built in 1885. 

Interesting details on this building. Lots of intricate woodwork and beautiful stain glass windows. The woodwork sets it apart from other Episcopal Churches built around this time. 

Anytime a walk includes a cemetery I'm happy. Weird but true...

City Cemetery 

(1827)

There are many early settlers of this area laid to rest here as well as Union and Confederate Soldiers.

Next time we see an interesting sign we won't wait so long to check it out! 

Get off the main road lace up and start walking!

Walking Among the Dead - A Walk Through Evergreen Cemetery With Friends

Today two of my friends joined me for a three mile walk through Evergreen Cemetery. 

It was a nice day. Started out a little cool but quickly warmed up. Walking in short sleeves felt nice. 

We met at the office and walk down Woodlawn Ave. and crossed over the railroad tracks. Once in the back part of the cemetery we just wandered up and down the roads stopping occasionally to peer inside a mausoleum or to check out a grave marker. 

We were the only walkers but there were plenty of maintenance people around so it didn't feel desolate. 

It took us right at one hour to walk three miles.

A few reasons to walk here:

1. No traffic to speak of. We were passed by two vehicles both were going about 10mph.
2. No exhaust fumes. 
3. Shady
4. Quiet
5. It would be difficult to get lost as the cemetery is enclosed by a fence. 
6. During the week there are lots of people working around doing maintainence and lawn work so you're not out there alone. 
7. Easy to park at the office or along the roads.
8. Interesting things to look at along the way

Evergreen Cemetery 

4535 Main Street

Jacksonville, Florida 32206

Grab a friend Lace Up and Walk!

A Rainy Day Walk in St Marys Ga

On this rainy Saturday we ventured north to St Marys, Georgia. St Marys is a small coastal town just over the Florida-Georgia line.

We weren't sure if anyone would show up for this walk because the weather was bleak. Overcast and
drizzling rain. It was a pleasant surprise that about 18 people came to walk.

Once the walk began it actually stopped raining. It did sprinkle on us a few times but over all it was a nice walk. The sun even appeared briefly.

There is always something interesting to see when we walk. This time we saw three things...

A new dad standing on his porch holding his new born baby (obviously a girl due to the pink ribbons tied on the mailbox), a wedding in the bandstand at the park and a funeral in the cemetery. The circle of life in one 2 hour walk!

The starting point. Everyone was together but eventually we all spread out. Some are super fast walkers and others like to stroll and see the sights. 

What ya see down there?

Christ Episcopal Church and one an example of the many large oak trees we saw on this walk.

Oak Grove Cemetery

A view across the marsh to the marina on the St Marys River. 

This walk is sponsored by the First Coast Trail Forgers Walking club. Today's walk was a group walk with the club but you can take this walk on your own. It's one of the many self guided walks set up by the club. Each self guided walk has a walk box that can easily be accessed for those who want to walk the trail. Once you locate the box you'll need to register on the sign in sheet and pick up the directions and the map. Most walks have a 5k and a 10k walk option. All walks are free unless you want IVV credit. 

 You can find a map and directions for this walk at the St Marys Welcome Center located at 400 Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA 31558. Ask for the walk box at the front desk.

Put your raincoat on and lace up and walk!

Walking With the Club - Fleming Island

A cool Saturday morning walking along quite, shady streets lined with big oak trees, beautiful houses and well tended yards with an occasional glimpse of the river.

Doesn't that sound like a lovely place to walk?

And to top it off an old Gothic Carpenter church with an equally old cemetery.

Yes, that's my idea of a nice place to walk.

We found such a place Saturday when we walked with the First Coast Trail Forgers walking club. The walk was set in Hibernia in Fleming Island just south of Orange Park and Jacksonville.

The walk started at the Publix shopping center in Hibernia Plaza. After crossing a semi-busy road and walking along a side walk for a couple of blocks we turned off on Augusta Drive and that's where the shady goodness began.

No sidewalk but there was no need for one. I think only two cars passed us on the whole walk. And they were actually going slow!

The walk started on a sidewalk through an area of newer homes.

Once we turned on Augusta Drive there weren't any sidewalks and the road was mostly shaded.

The dirt road to St Margaret Episcopal church.

As you can see from the pictures the group started out walking together and as the walk progressed we were spread apart. Some like to power walk to see how fast they can finish and others (like us) like to enjoy the walk and see the sights. 

To each his own...

St Margaret Episcopal Church. was built in 1878 and moved to its present location in 1880. The church is an example of Gothic Carpenter architecture and is one of the five oldest wooden churches still in use in Florida.

A cemetery is among one of my favorite places to walk. The oldest recorded grave in St Margaret cemetery (also known as Hibernia cemetery) belongs to George Fleming who died in 1821. 

In 1973 the church and cemetery were placed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

This was a 5K walk (a little on 3 miles) and we completed it in about an hour. All in all a nice Saturday morning walk.


A few reminders...

• There's no stops along the way so be sure to make a pit stop at Publix before you start the walk.
• Carry a bottle of water
• A cell phone might come in handy
• Very nice neighborhood but very few people out and about so safety sake you may want to walk with a friend.
• A couple of dogs weren't in a fenced yard one barked at us but neither one left the yard. '
• Don't forget a camera.
• This walk was set up by our walking club which is part of the AVA. The directions belong to the club so I can't post them here. Hopefully the map and directions for this walk will be placed in a walk box soon. Until then if you'd like more info on this walk you can contact First Coast Trail Forgers walking club.
• Of course you can always just wander about without a map. It's a beautiful area...
• 
  
• "not all those who wander are lost" 
• J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Fellowship of the Ring

Lace up your shoes and start walking!