Our first stop was Colma, CA, where 73% of the available land is proudly devoted to cemeteries. [Learn about why Colma is called the city of the dead.] In one of these vast cemeteries is a tree which people claim to see the image of the Virgin Mary in a cut off branch. We debated whether or not we were in the right place, but there were some ribbons and flowers there, and quite a few nails in the trunk. Virgin Mary tree

Compare to the picture at Roadside America. It seems to have sap obscuring the image, but I understand what they were seeing.

Down the street is a large cemetery called Olivet. It is home to a large memorial for circus entertainers. It’s a spectacle.

There is also a memorial for the Sailors Union of the Pacific.

I think that’s classy.

Now, I’m not an expert on cemeteries or anything, but I thought these were very nicely maintained locations. Apparently I wasn’t the only one, because as we left, we noticed a couple having their wedding pictures taken at one of the fountains at the entrance.