As stated in a post from a few days ago, what got us here in the first place was my penchant for shooting cemeteries. But that didn't start with a camera...ever since a young age I've enjoyed strolling around in a cemetery. Not only do they offer great insight into local history, but occasionally there is a surprise by way of an unusual marker, or the way they may be grouped by ethnicity. Fascinating way to learn a culture.
They also are quiet places that often offer shade in the warmer months. Because of that, when I used to go to Austin on business several times a year and would be sleepy on the drive home, I would stop at the cemetery at Giddings to take a little nap under the shade of a lone oak tree right in the middle of it. That became a habit not only at Giddings but in other places whenever I might be traveling alone.
Not only are they great places to take a nap, due to the very nature of what cemeteries are they make for great practical jokes. At Scout camp Urland, outside of Woodville, there was an old abandoned cemetery adjacent to the property. As an initiation it was a tradition for the older scouts to take Tenderfoots on a midnight hike to that cemetery, where others would be waiting behind the gravestones. Using our flashlight along the path, on the way we would tell them scary ghost stories. Naturally, by the time we got to the place the youngsters were already on edge, but the guys jumping out from behind the markers with sheets on absolutely scared the bejeezus out of them. It was great fun, but don't suppose they do that kind of thing any more.
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