Kathy and I got there just before the sun broke over the hills to the east. I had come again to photograph The Pardon Gray Preserve. This was my third visit to the quiet island of trees in as many weeks, and I felt the same quiet spirituality again settle over me. Although this historic cemetery sits just 500 yards off the parking lot, it seems like a distant vision. Surrounded by a tidy Rhode Island stone fence, it was here the Pardon Gray family laid their own to rest. There are only a few head stones, many tilted or fallen, but the grass has been recently mowed and dandelions add happy yellow accents here and there. The field was alive with red winged blackbirds, fluttering nervously as I passed by. The early morning sky was magnificent. There was a tangible stillness. I felt fortunate to be here, in this moment, photographing such lovely trees. This is a sacred place. I know I'll return.
