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Cave Hill Cemetery walk

Photo by: Tim Bindner

I woke up Friday morning October 30th, grabbed my camera and headed off to all places a cemetery.  For those who know me, or don’t, you must know I have a powerful allure to cemeteries.  I am sure it might be a subject for my therapist, but I am not fascinated with death, more of the history that cemeteries provide.

I drove to one of Louisville Kentucky’s true gems, Cave Hill Cemetery.   This 296 acre area has over 120,000 people buried in it (as of 2002) and many famous people have this as their last resting place, with a few more to come.  Muhammad Ali, Colonel Sanders (Kentucky Fried Chicken), George Rogers Clark, Senator Georgia Power, Nicola Marshall, Enid Yandell, Jeptha Barnard Barney Bright IV, and Susan Look Avery all rest here.   I have it under a good authority that Mayor Greg Fischer (Louisville), and John Schnatter (Papa John’s) will also eventually be buried here once they pass away.

I pulled into the main entrance at 8:10am and parked along the long row of trees, guiding visitors into the cemetery.  The temperature was 50 degrees and there was a cool 9mph breeze blowing.  I grabbed my coat and camera and headed toward my favorite section in the area.  Section D.  I was not alone.  I heard the buzzing of chainsaws, the hum of riding mower engines, and then the echoes of geese flying overhead.  I had no plan other than taking pictures and seeing what was around me.  Normally I love shooting in monochrome, but today with the fall colors, I broke from my norm.

As I walked deeper into the site, the noises I heard at the start faded, and eventually dissipate. I found myself in utter silence, other than the wind rustling through what was left of the leaves on the trees.  A sense of peace came over me.  My mind relaxed (which was the intent) and I just enjoyed my surroundings.  Things that caught my eye, I shot.

The deeper I ascended into the cemetery, the more isolated I felt.  I read dates, names and even inscriptions on the headstones.  I peered into tombs and admired the stain glass I could see through the door openings.  I smelled the rotten leaves, the sweet smell of the cedar trees, and the aroma of fresh cut grass.

I spent two hours walking around and walked 4 miles.  I visited areas I had never seen before and saw markers I would have missed driving in a car.  I even had two occasions where a large hawk decided I was two close and swooped down at my head while I was trying to take his picture.

Being Halloween Eve and also being a huge horror movie fan, I spent a few fleeting moments thinking about the many zombie movies I love and how I would battle my way through 120,000 undead if I had to.  While having those thoughts the wind blew some leaves on the ground behind me which gave me a spook.  I smiled and carried on.

This place is wonderful, and so peaceful.  I highly recommend if you are ever in Louisville, come walk the grounds or at least drive through.  It is a cheerful place for me and I will return soon enough.

Until next time,

Tim (a. k. a. Kilmer)

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