Our Trip to see Nicholas Cage's Cemetery Plot

After our late morning snack, we decided to take the trolley and walk around one of the cemeteries.

Now, if you know anything about the Ballards, we don't really like following the crowd, or paying good money to be lectured on something we may or may not be interested in.

We usually take off and explore at out own risk,

most of the time discovering many unusual and memorable sights along the way.

Off we went!

 We thought this was the cemetery we were looking for, but got directions form the trolley driver, that we had to walk a few blocks and under the freeway to get to our destination.

 

Well, we walked four blocks along a busy city street. 

We came to the overpass, over our heads.

We carefully navigated crossing the multi lane underpass

to get to the cemetery we could see in the distance. 

When we crossed the last street to get to the grassy knoll,

two workers were taking a break in front of plastic, orange construction fencing. 

 We asked where the entrance to the cemetery was.

The older of the two workers,

pointed us to the right saying we needed to walk along the fence

until we get to the fountain and the entrance will be on out left.

The youngest of the two,

told us to be very careful though, as we would be walking next to the highway. 

We thanked them very much and began our precarious hike.

Yes, indeed!

Up the hill, clinging to the fence when we could,

V in the lead, watching for uneven ground,

 in preparation for her mother who is very unsteady on her unfeeling feet!

We walked for what seemed hours!

After a while we began looking for ways to either crawl under

or fling ourselves over the black metal fence, to no avail.

Finally, in the distance, we saw the fountain and the gate.

It was the entrance used by the cars coming from the freeway.

Any entrance at this point was a welcome sight!

 

 After entering into the cemetery, we were totally lost. 
The only item we brought was a tour book.
 Surely there would be some kind of tour group? 
It was a beautiful day for exploring.

V had to use the restroom,
so we headed towards where we could see the main funeral home building.
We walked and walked, looking at the interesting  plots and beautiful layout.
This place was huge! 
When we finally came to the building, entered
and asked the nice older lady, if there was a tour map of any kind. 
She smiled, and led us through the building,
around corners and through doors and hallways.
We were introduce to another woman, who asked if we wanted the tapes for the civil war tour?
"No thank you.  We actually are interested in seeing where Nicolas Cage has pyramid monument."
Well, that changed her attitude!
"I'm sorry, but Mr. Cage is not a resident of New Orleans,
and does not have any plots at this cemetery. 
You will have to go to ..........(I forget the name.)"
At least V and I are nice people and not rude, but tried quickly to back pedal.
V asked to use the restroom.
As she was occupied, I asked the woman if they had any informational maps.
She told me about Anne Rice and the Weeping angel,
and was very kind to point out different areas on the map.

The other lady returned and said that the water company
was unable to make it for at least another hour.
As I eavesdropped on their conversation, which I am very prone to do,
I discovered that the building was without water, and had been for quite a while that day.
The second lady said that as soon as she, meaning me,
was through using the bathroom, she was going to close it. 
She had been saving water all day in a jug, so she could use the toilet herself.
I immediately piped up saying that I was fine, I didn't need to use the facilities!

When V came back to the hall, we thanked them and went on our way.
V was very disturbed, as the toilet wasn't working and she found a jug of water to use to flush.
I explained, and we had a good laugh.
Then began our informed, map in hand, tour!




There was something strange about many of the doors.  As we explored, we noticed only one handle on these random doors, were lifted.  I will have to research to see if this means anything, or it was just totally random.  Interesting for sure!  We did not move any of the handles.







Please enjoy these beautiful, haunting, quiet photos.  We so enjoyed our time here!

 

 

 This made me smile!  Looks to be a hardy woman, happy, and needed reading glasses?

 

 

 

  Anne Rice, the author of Interview with a Vampire, etc,
 has a plot here where her daughter is buried.

 A view into the creek.

 Even trusted pets have a place near their departed families.

 

 This was assuredly my favorite area.
 Beautiful statue I would love to have in my garden,
and unexplained, undisturbed money at the door.

 

Lovely stained glass viewed from inside the tomb.

 

 Kinda creepy, even for a cemetery:

 

 Very sad and sweet.

 Our last stop, and really, the only thing we wanted to see, was the weeping angel.
It is a private mausoleum, and has a chain around the door,
but is open just enough to see through to this lovely statue.

 

Then, we tried to get out of the cemetery.

We had two choices:

1.  We could go back the way we came....2 1/2 hours earlier

or

2: see if there is another exit close to where we were.

 

V took off in one direction, and I took off in another direction..

.both of us with the street and iron fence as far as we could see. 

After a few minutes we met back up,

 and decided to go back the way we first entered the cemetery.

 

On our way, we both noticed the orange construction fencing a bit further.

Forget that long walk back,

we will climb under or over that fencing to get to  freedom!

When we were almost upon the construction,

 to our right we noticed,

 of all things,

around the corner from the construction,

 

 the PEDESTRIAN'S ENTRANCE!

We were so mad and so shocked that those two workers led us so far astray! 

Just a few steps from where they were working,

was this beautiful entrance,

 that they just happened to not mention to these two female tourists!

 

Needless to say, we used this exit,

walked to few block back to our trolley stop,

and went about our evening happy for the adventure of a life time!