Over the Tombstones and Thru the Graves

Adventures in last-minute shopping while at the same time getting a little needed exercise in the process.

To Target and Back

On December 22nd, I needed to make a last-minute gift purchase. The Teamsters were making life difficult for Amazon (and last-minute shoppers) so I opted for the nearest retail department store. In my case, that just happend to be Target. The it occurred to me: "Can I walk from my apartment to Target easily." I presented that notion to Google Maps. Surprisingly, not only is that possible, but it suggested an entrance to Rosehill Cemetery that I hadn't known about.

Google Street View didn't show the brightly painted yellow bollards and chain, but there they were, when I arrived. Even hopping the chain wouldn't work, since there is a padlocked eight-foot high fence and gate that's just out of sight and prevents entry to the cemetery unless you happen to have just completed Marine basic training.

Plan B was to simply walk around the cemetery, up Western Avenue to Peterson and then back East again to Target. This wasn't the most interesting walk in the world and certainly not as lovely as strolling through a well-manicured cemetery on a cold, wintry day, but it worked out okay, and only added about four-tenths of a mile to the walk. It didn't occur to me at the time, but I could have entered at Western Avenue (checking the gate status for the Peterson Avenue gate to avoid being trapped in the cemetery) and still been able to stroll past the mausoleum with its inventory of famous Chicagoans (John G. Shedd, Richard Sears, Montgomery Ward, plus miscellaneous politicians and other grifters). The mausoleum also has one of the largest collections of Tiffany stained glass in the world.

On the way, I did manage to check the status of the Peterson gate, and discovered it was open and that meant I could walk at least part of the way back home through Rosehill.

Going Home

With a good command of gate times I was able to navigate my way home while still enjoying a part of the cemetery, a true oasis of tranquility and civility in the middle of a somewhat hectic city. No spirits have ever hassled me as I stroll the roads and byways of Rosehill, Graceland, or any of the other notable cemeteries in and around Chicago.

So overall, here's what the walk looked like:

Notice that in the second row of tombstones, there seems to be a "missing man"—a slot where there should be an interment, but without a stone, or maybe without a deceased. Why is that empty slot there? Maybe some day I'll walk up to the cemetery office and inquire.

What started out to be a 2.8 mile round trip turned into a 3.7 mile trip, but it was still enjoyable. Plus, as a bonus, I stopped at The Fireside Restaurant and Bar Just outside of the Ravenswood main gate to Rosehill for a burger and a beer. The header photo at the beginning of this is the Fireside's real fire.

At home, a much smaller file awaited me.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas holiday, or if you're familiar with the current pop portmanteau neologism, Chrismukkah, since this year was the first year in decades that Christmas and Hanukkah have fallen on the same day.

Oh, and yes. Whatever it was that I was shopping for, I got it. But I've forgotten what it was or who it was for.

Peace!