A visit to Green-Wood Cemetery

With young Percy attending school in NYC, we have more opportunities to head into the city than we did before. Spring break was ending this past weekend so we decided to make a day of it and what better way to do that than exploring a scenic cemetery?

Green-Wood (and that hyphen is driving me crazy) is 478 acres in the heart of Brooklyn.  Battle Hill is on the grounds and it's the highest point in Brooklyn. The view is breathtaking. I understand why rich assholes want to cut down trees that block their view of picturesque locations.

Stoopid trees, blocking my view.

It's a lovely place. It seems very polished in a way that cemeteries typically aren't. I don't mean that as a pejorative, but I do understand how it could be perceived that way. It seems that they are very deliberate in maintaining their identity, which is an unusual thing to say about a cemetery, but it's an unusual business facing unusual pressures. (This episode of the Search Engine podcast covers some of the history of cemeteries and the unique challenges they face.) 

Jen really enjoyed the monk parakeets.  I took a picture but they all flew away before I snapped it.

Ayup

Percy found a grave hidden away in a bush and mentioned how sad that seemed.

Like any cemetery of its size, it has some truly impressive mausolea. 

It's nice. It's peaceful. It's everything it should be. I appreciate the efforts of the people who run the place, who ensure that it will endure.