California: Part III

I have booked my annual California trip! I usually go in May, but since this semester lasted forever and a half, I just couldn't get it all together in time. So, I will be going the first week in June. Gonna do some more grave hunting, sight seeing, and whatever else I can cram into my week.

I have meaning to post my grave pics from the last trip I took, and just kept forgetting. So, my upcoming trip finally lit the flame in my brain, and here they are!

Valda Valkyrien was a dancer and silent film actress. I saw a beautiful and haunting picture of her once and it sparked my interest in her. I had to climb up a very steep hill to find her grave. I got my workout in for sure at this cemetery, which I believe was Forest Lawn although I don't remember which one off the top of my head.

Actress Estelle Taylor was best friends with Lupe Velez and was the last person to see Lupe alive before she committed suicide.

I thought Eva was buried in a part of Hollywood Forever that had been closed to the public. Turns out I had been walking right past her crypt for years. Yeah, me and common sense sometimes don't mix very well.

Famous mobster, Bugsy Siegel

My rose for Evelyn. She was such a beauty.

Finally found Alla! Man oh man, I walked all over the hillside to find her.

This little guy was the son of Charlie Chaplin and Mildred Harris. He was born severely deformed and died after living for only three days.

Stage and film actress, Doris Kenyon. I walked over a mile up and down hills to find her. My map was wrong so I had to try and find where I was. *whew* Worth it though.

Stage actress, Gilda Gray. I remember it was so windy the day I found her grave, I was scared that either I was gonna get blown down the hill or even the car was. But, I was bound and determined to find her grave, and I did!

This is me being sneaky again. I asked to go looking in the Great Mausoleum of Forest Lawn, which is usually off limits because it is the final resting place of such stars as Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor, and Michael Jackson. The lady I talked to was very nice and told me I could look around this one section of the building. I didn't get to see Harlow or Lombard (damnit) but I managed to find the hallway where Red Skelton and Syd Grauman were entombed. Photography is a big no-no at this park, so I had to be slick.

This is the burial plot for the Costello family, including sisters Dolores and Helene. Helene's grave is unmarked, but the black headstone at front is Dolores Costello Barrymore's. She is Drew Barrymore's grandmother.