Day 3

Albuquerque

We stayed with my sister, Rachel, and her family for two nights. We really had no plans for the full day we were spending there, we mainly wanted to catch up with them and get some much-needed rest before the gargantuan day ahead of us.

But, as so often happens with me, I realized I had the perfect opportunity to visit an old cemetery! It took me a while to find one that would suit my purpose, but eventually I found Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery. After convincing my mom that I should be allowed to go (and after a very yummy dinner of green chile chicken enchiladas!), mom, Rachel, my niece Jenna, and I went to the cemetery...I am so glad I did!

Mount Calvary is a beautiful cemetery in the lower left corner of "The Eye" (aka the I-40/I-25 interchange). It backs another cemetery which has a pet section (Best Friends). There are essentially two sections to Mount Calvary -- the grassy newer section, and the sandy older section (though there are older burials in the "newer" section and newer burials in the "older" section). There are lots of big monuments with names you find on Albuquerque streets, such as Candelaria and Griego. It is a wonderful place and I could've spend hours there, but it was after 7 pm when we got there and most (if not all) cemeteries close at dusk, so we had to get out.

Since I took so many pictures I will only post a few here, but I am planning a special Visions for later and you will see some more (or maybe repeats) from this cemetery.

 

BELOW: Damiano Cabeza De Baca. Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca (or Baca) was an early explorer of the Americas. His family name, which means "head of a cow," (and thus, the family name of his descendant Damiano, for only the one family could have this name) was the result of an early peasant ancestor who brought about a great victory over the Moors at the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, on 11 July 1212. The ancestor led the Spanish forces to a vital strategic position by placing the skull of a cow near it as an indicator. The peasant was ennobled and given the name Cabeza de Vaca and a coat of arms.

 

BELOW: Fred and Pauline Dempwolf.

 

 

BELOW: Grace L. Maes.

 

 

BELOW: Griego. There is a street (next to Candelaria) with this name.

 

 

BELOW: John Baron Burg. Note the inscription...

 

 

BELOW: Jose Justiniano Garcia. There are several monuments like this in the cemetery.

 

 

BELOW: Unknown. This monument is severely eroded. The only thing left is this Latin inscription...which I would translate for you if the light were better, it weren't well after midnight and I had my Latin dictionary here with me...

 

 

BELOW: Napoleon and Odella Tulip. What great names!

 

Should you ever find yourself in Albuquerque and want to visit this cemetery, it is at 1900 Edith Street. Be aware, the sandy section has some very gnarly stickers, so wear appropriate footwear and be sure to pull any stickers out of your soles before getting into your car to leave.