Coastal Ceremonies
This weekend was spent in Northern California, we stayed at a gorgeous bed and breakfast. We had two of the best breakfasts we've ever had at a B&B and we loved the gorgeous views. The dinner we had the first night at the inn was delicious and all organic too!
Saturday morning was spent walking along the driftwood strewn beach, dodging the cold seaweed filled tides, and exploring the old "mill pond". It was a gorgeous fall day and surprisingly warm. The evening was spent at a wedding up the coast. A non-traditional affair on a windswept cliff overlooking the ocean. The wedding party even included a red doberman.
Saturday morning was spent walking along the driftwood strewn beach, dodging the cold seaweed filled tides, and exploring the old "mill pond". It was a gorgeous fall day and surprisingly warm. The evening was spent at a wedding up the coast. A non-traditional affair on a windswept cliff overlooking the ocean. The wedding party even included a red doberman.
The history of these coastal towns is rich and eclectic. Even today many of the residents are full of colorful stories and a varied past. During our drive to the B&B we passed a cemetery on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Nestled in the cypress trees, with the ocean crashing on the cliffs below, it was foreboding the night when we drove by, the waining moon glimmering on the sun bleached stones. I could imagine how it would be even more so on damp foggy night.
Today as we left for our drive home we decided 
to visit this final resting place on the Pacific. The cemetery was divided into three different sections, Catholic, Druid, and Community. The ground by the stairs to the Catholic cemetery was eroding away, and the concrete arched gate was settling into the soil. The long cracks in the thick columns looked almost like granite veins. Sheltered by a grove of cypress, the shadowy entrance appeared foreboding even in the daylight, but as you entered the gate and moved towards the ocean, it was gorgeous. There were lilies all over the grounds, brightening the dried grasses in pink pools. The tombstones varied from weathered wood 
crosses to elaborately carved stones. Many of these tombs stated the residents within were natives of other countries, Italy, Ireland, Norway, Finland, etc. Family plots were common and usually surrounded by stone borders, metal chains, or weathered wood "fences". Some stones were so worn the text was lost to history, while others were hiding in the tall dry grass. Little children often had the largest stones, standing in tall tribute to a life that had barely begun.
to visit this final resting place on the Pacific. The cemetery was divided into three different sections, Catholic, Druid, and Community. The ground by the stairs to the Catholic cemetery was eroding away, and the concrete arched gate was settling into the soil. The long cracks in the thick columns looked almost like granite veins. Sheltered by a grove of cypress, the shadowy entrance appeared foreboding even in the daylight, but as you entered the gate and moved towards the ocean, it was gorgeous. There were lilies all over the grounds, brightening the dried grasses in pink pools. The tombstones varied from weathered wood crosses to elaborately carved stones. Many of these tombs stated the residents within were natives of other countries, Italy, Ireland, Norway, Finland, etc. Family plots were common and usually surrounded by stone borders, metal chains, or weathered wood "fences". Some stones were so worn the text was lost to history, while others were hiding in the tall dry grass. Little children often had the largest stones, standing in tall tribute to a life that had barely begun.
posted by Susan at 10:10 PM
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