Kim's Thoughts
Just a few thoughts I feel worthy of jotting down!
You Don’t See That Every Day!!!
I go through Mount Albion Cemetery 3-4 times a week to water the crocks on our family graves – sometimes more often, if it is a particularly hot/dry spell – sometimes less often, if we’re getting a lot of rain. But, in general, I go several times a week. It is so beautiful, there……quiet, shady, peaceful…….just a wonderful place to enjoy a lovely day!
Last Sunday, I went through after church. I entered the usual gate (the smaller one east of the main gate), drove to my Great Grandmother Freeman’s plot and watered that crock – deadheading any spent blossoms, then made a stop to take care of Charlie’s and my Grandpa and Grandma Freeman’s flowers, and then proceeded out the main gate……just like every time I go, except on days when I feel like just driving around and checking out the other sections. But, that particular Sunday, I was in the right place at the right time and witnessed something very strange and definitely not something you see every day!!!
As I pulled around the chapel to head out the gate, I noticed a small group of young people and it looked like they were setting up for a photo shoot. As I got closer, I noticed they were applying fake blood all over each other! I did a double take! The curious (read: nosy) side of me had to go back to check it out! So, I drove up the street, back in the east gate, and around to the chapel, parked the car, and went over to see what they were up to!
I introduced myself, told them I write a local blog, and asked if they minded telling me what they were doing and if I could take some photos. They seemed very happy that I was interested enough to stop and ask! (…..and for those who will jump right to the conclusion that they must have been filming one of those local movies……NOPE…..that’s not it!!!)
They told me they were participating in GISHWHES (The Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen)! According to the flyer they gave me, “GISHWHES is the single largest contributor to Random Acts (click here for more info). Many of our scavenger tasks are to benefit the community and help get people out of their shells, others are just to have fun and be the goofiest you can be. GISHWHES has broken 5 Guinness World Records, including the most pledges to complete a random act of kindness in 2012.”
They told me that they are a team and they were completing one of the GISHWHES challenges to earn points. This particular challenge was to play croquet in a historic location…..as zombies!!! So, they had a croquet game set up in Mount Albion Cemetery (listed on the National Registry of Historic Places) and they were getting themselves ready to play by smearing each other with “blood” and “open wounds”! IT WAS A HOOT…..so cool to see!!!
Sooooo……why didn’t I run right home and post the photos? Why did I wait until a whole week later to share my cool and unusual find with the world? Well, there is a rule for their challenge – they can not share anything related to their challenge on social media until after the week long challenge period is over or they could get disqualified……so, I was a nice person and kept my promise to not write my post until today…..and here it is!!!
Here are some of the photos I took:
The team participants: (l-r) Henry Haines, Irene Youngman, Angel Smith, and Page Smith
Yep…..definitely NOT something you see every day!!!
Want to know more about GISHWHES? Here is a video that was posted on their web site and you can visit the web site by clicking here.
Kim's Thoughts 
O have to ask. Were they from Albion?
Yes, I think they were.
Love the article! It was soooooo much fun! Definitely a crazy week. Maybe we will see you again this time next year!
So glad you liked it! I would love to find you doing other challenges next year or beyond!
GISHWHES sounds neat, but this zombie stuff is just weird!!!
Aw, come on, Tom – it was cool!!!
is there video of this?
I don’t think so – they were only taking still shots while I was there!
Hey Kim! Its The Zombie from last year! GISHWHES starts in about a month! Hope to see you around!