What do you expect to see at the grandest cemetery in the Los
Angeles area? Celebrity grave sites? Sure. And you'll see some on
this cache. But what will amaze you is the incredible art work that
is on the property. Ever seen an exact replica of Michelangelo's
David? You will on this cache. Make sure to schedule several hours
for you to complete and enjoy this one.
Now, this isn't going to be a carefree walk in the "park". Each
of the destinations on this journey will contain some information
that you will need to complete the questionnaire. To get credit for
your quest, you must send me an email with your answers to the 17
questions listed below.
Please be respectful of the
cemetery grounds, properties, and other visitors. The park is open
daily from 8 to 5, however, the museum on the property is only open
from 10 to 5 (it will be one of your stops along the way). A
general map of the roads and building locations is available at
information booth just inside the entrance. Caution: They will not
answer questions on celebrity grave locations.
OK, here we go…
The coordinates to this virtual cache are at the entrance to the
memorial park. Drive on in, and proceed to the first waypoint.
EasyGPS
file (EasyGPS Help)
1) N34 07.640 W118 14.978
This famous and much beloved actor had a "Wonderful Life".
Question #1: There is a statue very near his grave marker.
What weapon is the figure in the statue holding?
2) N34 07.718 W118 14.735
A cemetery with a museum? Yup. There are visiting exhibitions in
addition to the permanent collections. Enjoy.
Question #2: In the museum, how many years did Lorenzo
Ghiberti spend on carving the original "Paradise Doors"?
- The building next door, the Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection,
was built to exclusively house two of the world's largest
paintings. After solving question #2, feel free to wander over
there. One of the paintings is 195' long by 45' tall. They have a
22 minute presentation of the paintings every hour, on the
hour.
3) N34 07.538 W118 14.436
Who stands 16' 9" tall? Michelangelo's David, of course. This is an
exact replica of the original. The marble is even from the same
quarry in Italy. It is truly stunning. Look on the base of the
statue for a 1 1/2" bronze tag with a 4 digit number on it.
Question #3: What is that number?
4) N34 07.537 W118 14.408
What is the "Meaning of Life"? It's a mystery, perhaps. But Ernesto
Gazzeri's original statuary, with 18 life-sized figures, may have
some answers for you.
Question #4: What is the animal that is closest to the
crawling child?
5) N34 07.360 W118 14.246
(Leave your car parked near here as you continue to waypoint #16 --
it is just a little over 1000' away.) He was a player for 14 years
and a manager for 25. Over a 10 year period, his team was world
champion seven times!
Question #5: What is the nickname of this Yankee Hall of
Famer?
6) N34 07.372 W118 14.247
This 18' statue is an original in Carrara marble and bronze
overlaid with gold. It was made by Daniel Chester French. He
created almost 200 historical statues, and he is known mostly for
his sculpting of the Lincoln Memorial in our Nation's Capital.
Question #6: What is the title of this statue?
7) N34 07.367 W118 14.176
This is a reproduction of John Trumbull's famous painting of the
signing of the Declaration of Independence. However, this one is 3
times the size of the original and is composed of Venetian glass
tiles.
Question #7: How many pieces of tile are there?
8) N34 07.348 W118 14.109
This statue of George Washington by John Quincy Adams Ward is
acclaimed as the finest sculptural likeness of our first president.
The Liberty Chain was part of the actual chain that was stretched
across the Hudson River in 1776 to prevent the passage of British
ships.
Question #8: How many links of chain are there?
9) N34 07.355 W118 14.102
This legendary actor was nominated 9 times, and won the Oscar
twice. The winning roles were in "Captains Courageous" and "Boys
Town".
Question #9: What word is inscribed on the wall of his small
private garden?
10) N34 07.369 W118 14.110
This swashbuckler made 53 films in his colorful, scandalous, and
abbreviated life.
Question #10: Is the figure in the 2' bronze statue next to
his grave standing or sitting/leaning?
11) N34 07.351 W118 14.085
This corner private garden may be the last resting place for a man
who never lost touch with his inner child; or is he in cryogenic
suspension? His best friends in life included a mouse, a duck, and
a bunch of dwarfs.
Question #11: Where are Sharon Disney Brown Lund's ashes
scattered?
12) N34 07.344 W118 14.082
This is the entrance to the Freedom Mausoleum. Please go in and
take the first right, then go one room down on your left and into
the Sanctuary of Heritage. Halfway down on the right is the final
resting place of George Burns and Gracie Allen. Sit down on the
bench in front of George and Gracie. At least once a month, George
would sit on that bench and "talk to Gracie". "I don't know if she
hears me," he said. "But after speaking to her, I feel better."
Question #12: How many years did he keep up this tender
ritual?
13) Same location - same room - same wall
Located on the same wall is the final resting place of this
"Unforgettable" crooner.
Question #13: Who was he?
14) Same location - same room - same wall
Directly under the crypt of that "Unforgettable" crooner are the
remains of Jeanette MacDonald. She made 28 films, was a popular
recording artist at RCA, and worked tirelessly for the war effort
during W.W.II, entertaining troops and donating her salary on one
of her extensive tours to the Army Emergency Relief Fund.
Question #14: What was her married name?
15) Same location - same room - same wall
Clara Bow was known as Hollywood's "It Girl" and was considered
America's first "Sex Symbol". In 1927, she had the female lead role
in "Wings," the first Oscar winning "Best Picture." Her sexual
liaisons and extremely public private life were legendary,
including the widely circulated story that she once "entertained"
the entire USC Football team. She finally settled down with former
film cowboy Rex Bell.
Question #15: For what state was her husband a Lt.
Governor?
16) N34 07.313 W118 14.048
The labyrinth is located on the forecourt of the Gardens of
Contemplation. By now you've had a lot to think about! If you
brought your kids, it's time to let them play! See if they can
reach the center of the labyrinth without crossing through any of
the dark colored stone.
Question #16: In the center of the labyrinth, what year is
attributed to the Notre-Dame de Chartres?
17) N34 07.487 W118 14.596
This father "always knew best". He also made a fine M.D.
Question #17: In what section of the cemetery is he
buried?
Congratulations! You've completed the cache. Don't forget
to send me an email to validate your log.
Here's a bonus waypoint. N34 07.386 W118 14.909 This is
to a parking space in front of the Great Mausoleum. Time
Magazine called it the "New World's Westminster Abbey". Park the
car, and leave your GPS, camera, and papers in the vehicle. There
is a guard at the entrance, and they make sure that none of this
contraband enters the mausoleum. Inside you will find the Memorial
Court of Honor. It contains a stained glass version of Leonardo da
Vinci's "The Last Supper", and exact reproductions of the greatest
works of Michelangelo. Quite a few famous people are interred in
this building. Sadly, most of those areas are only accessible to
the families of the deceased. Just tell the guard that you are
there to see "The Last Supper".
We hope you enjoyed the tour and the cache. Please check out the
first "Eternal
Fame" in the Hollywood Hills. There's one little twist; there
is an actual cache box hidden there.
I hope you enjoyed the tour. For more information on what famous
people are buried at this cemetery, check out
findagrave.com. You may also wish to go to the
Forest Lawn - Glendale Web site.
Become a member of the
Southern California
Geocachers!
