Some Old and Interesting Tombstones

I recently revisited  an old cemetery located off Route 47 near Sunderland.  As you can see there were several old tombstones and some unique ones as well.  Note the markings on the back of the left one in the grouping of three old ones.  You can see scoring on the back where the tools apparently gouged while it was being "mined".  What stories do these tell?

Perhaps the front views will tell. 

 

The individual close-up views below reveal the artistic details as well as details of their lives.

This man was a Revolutionary War veteran.

 

This one is made from a rock.  It is also part of a double tombstone as shown below.

Note the personalized inscription, "She did it her way."

Another made from a large piece of rock, perhaps granite

This one appears to be made from a millstone.

Note the ornate artwork on this one.

For more pictures from Riverside Cemetery in Sunderland, please check this link: Riverside Cemetery Photos.  If you do visit this beautiful place please be respectful and treat it with dignity.

Discovering Another Local Mill

Took my first scooter ride of the year today and enjoyed the mid-50's temperatures.  In addition to my trip to Atkins for cider donuts, I visited this nearby old mill location.

I'm not sure if this was originally part of the mill or not.  Perhaps it was the residence of the mill keeper.  You can see that the water is roaring over the spillway. What a lot of power this represents!

This is the mill building across the street from the above picture.  It is a large building so it must have contained an impressive mill operation.

The size of this spillpipe would have carried a large volume of water which then got diverted back into the stream.  To the right of the picture, at the corner of the building it looks like the remnants of a waterwheel.

The spillpipe leading back to the stream.

Side views of the mill building.

It looks like a wagon or truck could have loaded here.

How many people have gone through this door?

Another view of the falls.

 For those of you who are local, this building is located near the Granby-South Hadley line off Aldrich Street.  It is a private residence so please respect their privacy.  I did ask permission to take the pictures today.  You can see it all from your car if you drive slowly by and I'm sure the owners are used to that.  If anyone knows more specific information about this mill, I would be interested in it.

This link will take you to a video showing a typical type of millwork, grinding corn to make cornmeal and flour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWg53NV5ImQ

Is Spring Really Here?

As you can tell, I have been keeping a low profile this winter.  It is Spring now isn't it?  It is hard to tell especially waking up this morning with a dusting of snow on the ground. 

Since this blog is supposed to be about my adventures, discoveries, trips, and exploring things, I haven't done much worth reporting--- except our trip to Kenya, maple sugaring, visiting the Old Mill Bookstore, viewing some unique tombstones in an old cemetery, and taking pictures of a house that always fascinates me.  Although it is a private residence now, it certainly looks like it used to be a water-powered mill.  I want to see inside it so badly that I am thinking of knocking on their door and offering them $5.00 to let me take a quick look around.

Perhaps my first "Spring" report will be about that house.  It is located on Rt 47 in North Hadley.

Here's the view from the bridge heading toward the house.

Close-up of where the waterwheel must have been.

  Can't you just imagine this water running through a chute that turned a waterwheel which provided power to a mill?  Can you also imagine what sleeping must be like here with the constant sound of that water running?  What a great location for a bed and breakfast!  I would be there in a flash!