Alaska Adventure; Part Eleven

16 June 2013; From Juneau to Skagway --

The Alaska Marine Highway is a ferry system that carries passengers -- with or without their automobile, truck and/or travel trailer/fifth wheel -- between various coastal Alaskan cities. There are cabins for the accommodation of those passengers who choose to reserve them. [Grumpy believes that those who bring their travel trailers or campers onboard, are not permitted to occupy or sleep in them!] We did not choose to have cabins on this short leg of our journey; we did make reservations for the four-day and three-night passage from Skagway to Bellingham, however.

This four-hour trip from Juneau to Skagway entertained us with breathless views of snow-covered mountains on both sides of the narrow waterway called "Lynn Canal" [although it is glacier-formed, not man-made], and left us most of the afternoon to do some exploring in Skagway and take a sightseeing tour.

On the sightseeing tour, hosted by "Charity", a vivacious former dance-troupe member from New York, we saw many of the historic places and  heard tales and legends that are born out of the bawdiness and lawlessness of boom towns such as Skagway once was during the Gold Rush to the Klondike in 1898-9.

For example, we saw the grave-site of William Jefferson "Soapy" Smith; Soapy was, for awhile, highly-respected and admired by a majority of the citizens of Skagway. When the truth became known of his illegal past and fraudulent presence in Skagway, the town turned against him, he was shot and killed by the "new" town hero (Frank Reid), and buried three feet outside the consecrated area of the city's cemetery.

On the other hand, Frank Reid (the new town hero) was memorialized with the tallest and most elegant grave-site marker of all! Later information revealed that Frank had a shady past as well, but Skagwegians apparently either disbelieved the evidence or chose to ignore it; he continued to be revered in post mortem by the townsfolk.

Our final foray into the shady past of Skagway happened following our thoughtful   discussions about whether or not to eat our "evening*" meal at a place called the "Red Onion Saloon". Adventure and anticipation soon replaced temerity and good  judgement, however, and enter we did with the eye-popping enjoyment of the scenery.

Signs inside invited male customers to "enjoy" the night (or day) "relaxing" with one of the shady ladies "for $10 per 20 minutes". Grumpy assumed that these were historic and not contemporary invitations. [Although it may be misleading to make such an assumption in a town such as Skagway still may be!] 

Grumpy was especially attracted by this array of old-fashioned China bedpans and urinals, hung high up on one wall up near the ceiling. How they fit into the overall decor of this historic saloon/brothel, Grumpy could not decipher.

* "Evening" took on a new meaning in Alaska as the sunset, to which we were all accustomed as the boding of the night, did not take place until about 10:30 p..m. (Skagway), or 12:00 p.m/ (Fairbanks). Dinner time here in Skagway felt more like a mid-afternoon snack for the "Sedate Seven".

The Inca in Peru -- Experts in Innovation

December 5th-8th, 2012; Around Cuzco, Peru --

What do you do when you run out of land on which to raise the crops that you and your civilization need to eat? The Inca give us a glimpse of what they did to solve their dilemma in this respect: they constructed level land -- and developed the irritation* systems to make it productive. But exactly how they did some of the things they did -- it is still a subject of mystery and conjecture.

• * The word, "irritation" was intended to read, "irrigation"; however, this typo is fruitious in that the construction of these agricultural developments provided considerable irritation to explorers, like Grumpy, who clambered up and down these sites centuries later.

John Deere tractor plowing a field.

Span of oxen plowing in adjacent field

Here are a couple photos of some quite level and rich soil, albeit at the elevation of 12,000 feet above sea level. Grumpy was told that the Inca occupied (lived on and cultivated) this area. Grumpy was fascinated by this contrast of the John Deere tractor and the span of oxen working in adjacent fields.

The city of Cuzco, situated on the bottom of a prehistoric lake, was also home to a large population of Inca at the time the Spaniards arrived. So why did the Inca find it necessary to construct crop lands in such inhospitable places as Moray, or Pisac, or Ollantaytambo --- or Machu Picchu!? Probably for the same reason the present world is running out of areas where crops can be productive -- partly because of the encroachment of pavement and warehouses onto our most tillable land. The effort to which the Inca went to develop crop lands should be a lesson for us to be better stewards of this precious commodity of which we still have quite a bit.

One of the most unique Inca sites is called Moray; it was built around a crater-like formation that may have been a "sink hole", since some of this area is limestone. There were actually two natural, circular depressions at this site plus an additional one that appeared to Grumpy to have been formed by damming an adjacent ravine. This site included a comprehensive irrigation system, utilizing water from surface run-off plus a diversion from a spring in another nearby valley. Most of this irrigation system was intact and functional.

The site that had the most elaborate irrigation system, and the one that was actually functioning when we visited, was at Tipon. Here on the left is a view across the series of nearly-level fields; the fields slope gently down toward their lower retaining wall. On the right is the irrigation canal bringing water along this side wall to various spots where it is diverted into cross-field canals (located next to the wall separating it from the field above it), from which each individual field can be flood-irrigated. This is the most water-efficient method of irrigation; least water is lost to evaporation, as is the case with "sprinkler" irrigation.

The Inca site that most clearly demonstrated the apparent desperation of the Inca to be able to grow crops in order to survive, was at Machu Picchu. Here in this part of Peru is the most "vertical" topography Grumpy has ever seen! Yet a hardy group of Inca came to this location (following a ridge from higher ground closer to Cuzco) to establish this settlement; then, after "only" 15 years, they inexplicably left, taking all of their belongings with them. To have accomplished as much as they did in only that short time is amazing in itself. The fact that they "made" fields on hillsides as steep as the one you see in the photo on the right is absolutely stunning to Grumpy. As you may note, the lower fields virtually stop only because below it is a near-vertical cliff.

A Short Side Trip to Peru -- Oxygen Not Included

December 5-10th, 2012; Cuzco City, Peru --

This side trip during the last week of my two and half month visit in Brazil was a pleasant surprise organized by my lovely Brazilian Sister-in-Law: Our stay in a beautiful old mansion, retrofitted into an upscale hotel, the tickets and driver to take us to each of eleven former Inca sites -- and the endless walks (up to 10,000 steps a day according to my trusty pedometer!) -- all were arranged by her.

View of dining plaza; right of entry

View on entering enclosed courtyard

I would like to start out by showing you a couple photos of the hotel. It had three floors of guest rooms, a large indoor courtyard dining area where a complementary breakfast was served each morning [this "complementary breakfast" was head and shoulders better than the so-called "free" breakfasts advertised by U.S. motel chains!], and each guest room included a Jacuzzi in addition to a shower and other "necessities". Four "suites" were located on the second floor behind a balcony which overlooked the dining area. Lunch and dinners could be ordered by guests from a "Chef's Menu".

Meat was also unrefrigerated -- flies would die!

Step right up and eat with gusto -- and the flies!

Our first exercise, upon arriving in Cuzco (also spelled "Cusco"), was a walk to the Central area to see such sights as the city market place (food service and fresh meat storage not meeting FDA standards!) as well as one of the Cathedral's that was built over the ruins of an Inca temple. The Catholic priests evidently believed that by building over their ruins that the Inca would recognize the defeat of their religion by Christianity; I believe the good padres were misguided in their approach, but I wasn't there.

Cuzco is at an elevation of 11,000 feet above sea level. Walking around the city took an effort, even though it was not as hilly as downtown Seattle. Needless to say, Grumpy's lungs, acclimated to sea level, found the Oxygen content of the air here to be very lacking; he "huffed and puffed" a lot during the entire visit to Peru, but especially the first couple of days.

Close up of scene on left!

These aren't just little rocks!

[This Inca site was developed in a large crater.]

The second (and first full) day, we visited four Inca sites located at an altitude of 12,000 feet! Fortunately, these sites had only a few stairways up (and down -- or down then up!). By going slow and taking lots of photos, Grumpy was able to survive. His leg muscles were in decent condition since had been exercising on the treadmill fairly faithfully in the days and months leading up to going to Brazil, and again while visiting his brother and sister-in-law in Brazil. But the leg muscles still needed Oxygen and Grumpy opined that Peru must have been rationing it since there seemed to be so little of it available to we tourists.

Subsequent days we visited about three or four different sites each day, all at altitudes between 11 and 12 thousand feet. As if the altitude wasn't enough, each successive site seemed to have more stair steps -- and steeper stairways! Besides the altitude and the numerous and steep stairs, the Inca must have had a peculiar body form to have been able to build and accommodate their stairways: Grumpy figured that they must have been only about 5'5" to 5' 7" tall -- but with legs that were at least four feet of their body height and very well muscled! Grumpy's reasoning stems from the fact that in most sites, the riser (height of a step) was 15-18"! Sometimes the tread (the part where your foot goes) was only 8-10"! Going up was sort of like going up a ladder; going down was like contemplating suicide! [And of course, there were, and are, no handrails!!]

There is much more to tell. In coming days, (as I relax from the trauma of perparing my 2012 FORM 1040!!) I will concentrate on a few of the more impressive (to me) sites and try to describe with photos the "ups and downs" that made them impressive -- to me. Stay tuned.

The Colors of Autumn

Grumpy's Castle; On a Rainy, Windy Monday --

Grumpy took special note of the beauty of the leaves turning red and yellow and orange and purplish-brown and ...

All this surged up in his artistic heart and inspired the following "poor man's poetry":

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2883923/Autumn%20Colors.docx

Your comments are enthusiastically welcomed. Grr-rr!!

Sandhill Crane Viewing; Part Three [Caravan to NE with Hazel]

Sunday, on the Road to Nebraska --

Hazel had driven from Carlisle IA in her F-150, attending to important business in Philip SD before meeting me in Rapid for our visit with Cousin Ann and Jack. We travelled caravan style, down the East side of the Black Hills where the tall prairie grass, in its winter dormant phase, evidenced the previous good moisture year(s). It was a beautiful sight for Grumpy to see, reminiscent of his childhood growing up "out on the prairie" of Western SD. Grumpy strained his eyes (watching the road at the same time!) trying to spot some Buffalo pasturing in this lush grassland; unfortunately he missed seeing some wild turkeys on both sides of the road! Hazel teased him about his oversight later.

At the junction of our North-South highway and Nebraska SR-2 in Alliance, we stopped briefly to visit the Car Henge. This is someone's idea of "modern" art! The Grand Mother and Grumpy stopped last summer to see this, and Hazel indicated that she was interested in seeing it too. Although it was "on the way", Grumpy (who was leading the caravan using his trusty GPS) managed to miss two (2) opportunities to turn off. Grumpy even forgot the route information posted on a huge road sign aways before! So we had to make a side trip (up and back) of about 4 miles after going through Alliance, in order to see this "art".

In mid-afternoon we arrived at our Cousin Marvin & Gaylene's home in Arnold NE where we visited, had supper with them and enjoyed their hospitality for the night, with a delicious toast-n-egg breakfast the next morning.

Summer 2008: Day 6, More Visiting Aunt Margaret

The second day of visiting started out as vigorous as the first, with each sister talking as fast as they could -- and at times, both talking at the same time! Grumpy could hardly keep up, so any misquotes in this BLOG about their conversation is entirely unintentional or accidental.

Grumpy watched as the conversation peaked and waned. He waited to get his words in edgewise, but the sisters never seemed to hear him -- they just kept with on their delightful conversation; glimpses and images of girl-hood memories that made Grumpy's heart fill with admiration and even some envy.

As the day wore on, however, the principals inevitably grew tired and soon one of them was nodding off asleep. There was considerable sympathy with this one falling asleep: after all she had celebrated her 92nd birthday the month before. And besides, the physical therapist had taken her for a "session" where no quarter was asked and no pity given.

Then before Grumpy could hardly move the camera fast enough to focus on the other sister, she too fell asleep! Grumpy was elated that he had this rare opportunity! Why, he took several photos, just in case some of them didn't turn out in sufficient resolution to be able to determine the identity of each individual. These two photos should impress the reader that Grumpy did an admirable job.
With both of them fast asleep, Grumpy could not bear to lose this historical picture opportunity! [I'm sure that the astute authors and photographers who read this will understand his dilemma. Grumpy may not live to a ripe old age if either of them finds out their pictures were taken while they slept. But he will pass on, knowing that he saw his chance -- and he took it! Not to worry, though Grumpy will not say whether he heard either of them snoring! As far as he was concerned it was just some more of their conversation -- with his bad ear, he couldn't tell the difference.]

Why, even the best friend, Jan was soon found to be fast asleep! Grumpy would not have forgiven himself had he missed this unique photogenic opportunity! Three talkative ladies -- all fast asleep at the same time!! It may be historic!!! The Guinness Book of Records must be contacted!

Further observation found even the faithful dog, Gracie, dozed off, even while attending to her self-appointed duty of barking at all door-knocks and approaching "prowlers" which she may have seen or imagined outside the patio sliding doors.

Later in the day, everyone was alert and eager to drive to the nearby town of Granite Falls for an afternoon snack at the local Dairy Queen. Afterwards we were driven by the local Mallard ducks with their half-grown ducklings, and finally an afternoon photo of the Minnesota River valley with the younger sister, Grumpy's First Wife, posing beautifully in her gorgeous pink-flowered dress from Hawaii. [Grumpy tried without success to convince her to pose with one leg up as is customary in the Zimmerman Clan. But her innate Norwegian heritage prevented her from doing so on this occasion -- Grumpy will try again another day.]

A Sunday Brunch and Mt. Rainier Sights

This past Sunday, the Grand Mother with our long-time friend Margaret and Grumpy (driving and grumbling) enjoyed brunch at the Black Diamond Bakery. Our friend Margaret had invited us for this treat and we happily accepted, the food at said Bakery being always delicious. This past Sunday was no exception. The Bakery was crowded and noisy when we got there but Margaret had made reservations in advance so we were seated almost immediately. The visiting had to be postponed for later as the crowd noise was "something else"! Our seat was in an area where a good view of Mt. Rainier could be enjoyed. However, Mt. Rainier was "not out" on this day, the sky being heavy-laden with drizzle-threatening clouds.

After being treated to a "more-than-he-should-eat" feast, Grumpy assembled the ladies back into the Red Rocket for a drive south and east where he hoped a glimpse of the mythical mountain might be seen. The skies seemed to be clearing toward the southeast, so Grumpy was optimistic. As we drove onto the plateau east of Enumscratch, it became apparent that the clouds might not part, but now Grumpy's assessment of the clouds suggested that they were of the low-laying type. Thus, his vast meteorological training suggested to him that as we gained altitude, we would "rise above the clouds" and be rewarded with a stunning picture of Tahoma drenched in bright sunlight with clouds shrouding her base.

Grumpy's optimism was not dampened in the least as we entered Mt Rainier National Park and began the ascent from 2,00o feet above sea level to the near 6,000 feet at Chinook Pass. As the Red Rocket punched through the 4,000 foot altitude on the Mather Parkway, a view of snow and rocks on the side of Rainier gave Grumpy hope that "we will see the Mountain!" At the Pass, Grumpy had to admit that his keen knowledge of weather and mountains was a total bust: No Mountain, No Picture of Rainier reflected in Lake Tipsoo. Well it was a nice drive anyway.

In an attempt to distract the ladies from realizing my total failure to satisfy my predictions, Grumpy tried to point out the beauty of the alpine meadow around Lake Tipsoo. (The reader will have to take Grumpy's word for the fact that these pictures are taken in Mt. Rainier National Park.) The lavender flowers we spotted growing along the steep cliff next to the road just above Cayuse Pass toward Chinook Pass are called "lavenderia florabundii". The reddish ones, found growing profusely in the meadow by Lake Tipsoo, are called "paintus brushis indianensis". The whitish-petalled (actually I thought they were a pale lavender) daisy-like flowers with the yellow centers were growing right alongside the road at Lake Tipsoo and are called Yellow-eyed Daisies. (Well, what did you expect me to call them?)

A fascinating scene was this faux 1930's stone and beam railing which was tipped over by the snow this past winter -- the first winter after it was built. Close examination revealed an obvious design flaw (no reinforcing to tie it to a more substantial footing) or shabby construction (if the original design specified the reinforcing, it certainly was not used!). The uprights (posts) were merely flat-based pieces, sitting on fill dirt, placed within rectangular slots in the edge of the sidewalk. Grumpy opined that the designer must have been an Electrical Engineer who did NOT study engineering at SDSM&T. There everybody had to take Civil Engineering 101, and this prepared one for properly designing important structures such as printed circuit boards and power lines. This railing would fall into the category of a "power line" I think -- it distributes the power of the tourist in such a way as to (supposedly) keep said tourist from tumbling over the embankment.

Ward & Elynor's 2007 Wandering: Home at Last; The Highlights

We arrived home on the 18th of July, a day early. As we came over Snoqualmie Pass we were engulfed in a cloud and a steady drizzle accompanied us all the rest of the way into Seattle. We were thankful for the reprise from the heat in which we had suffered the past 19 days (Well, how much can you really suffer when you drive an air-conditioned car, stay in air-conditioned motels and eat in air-conditioned restaurants? Not too much!). We were home! Our view from our home is the main reason for the Grand Mother's (and truthfully, Grumpy's as well) insistence on continuing to live in this house.

Reminiscing about the 5,000 mile trip we had just finished, brings to mind some highlights which we would like to share with those who might be bored to read each of our previous periodic postings.

The first major sight which Grumpy likes to call a "highlight" is the "traffic jam" caused by the herd of Buffalo in the North Dakota Badlands. In front of our car (lower left in the above photo) are five other cars (the white pickup in front is the Park Ranger who is holding the tourist cars a respectful distance behind the herd of Buffalo). Part of the herd (there were more than 100 head!) can be seen walking on the roadway around the curve and out of sight in the center of the photo. There were another ten or more cars behind us; we all proceeded at a "leisurely Buffalo pace (about 1/2 mile per hour)" for about two hours before the herd finally decided that they had reached the "greener pastures" on the other side of the South Unit of the ND Badlands, and vacated the roadway. The worst thing was that there was no "Rest Stop" during this interval and not all behind the Buffalo (including the Grand Mother and Grumpy!) were prepared for such a long wait -- you should have seen the scramble to the latrines at the visitor center afterwards!!

The next highlight, which we enjoyed on several different occasions during this trip, were the times when unexpected people gave us pleasant surprises by being where we had planned to visit. Specifically, this includes seeing Mia (Ed & Sara's daughter who had flown in from Iraq the day before our visit there); Jack and Ann, who drove all the way from their ranch in mid-western SD to be at the cousin picnic in Spearfish; Roy (my old high-school buddy) whom I had the pleasure of bamboozling again with my made-up story about being lost on I-90 when I surprised him at the visitor center between Sturgis and Rapid City; having the pleasure to see Gary's daughters, Stephanie and Alisha, her husband and children who were up from Texas due to floods at the military installation there; also getting to see Larry's daughter, Melanie and her children; the surprise of seeing Kay and Bob, up from Colorado Springs for the 4th of July; getting to have lunch with Edythe (Elynor's cousin) and her brother, Harry in Altoona IA; the surprise of seeing my cousin, Jeannie (from Everett WA!!) at my sister Hazel's place; getting to visit simultaneously with both Karl and Kathy (our former foster twins), not once but twice, once in Buffalo WY and again a few days later in Thermopolis WY; and, getting to meet Neil's & Dylllis's granddaughter, Natalie, and Dulcinda's husband, John when we stopped in Lander for a visit and lunch with Neil and Dyllis.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention this old church we found in Arthur NE; it is made of straw bales! Now maybe that fact wouldn't have had such a powerful meaning to us if our Grandson, in concert with his wife, hadn't built their house of straw bales (Grumpy had the distinct honor of doing the electrical wiring for the Amboy and his spouse!). This church was built in 1928 -- who says straw houses are "flimsy" and won't last a long time? (Incidentally, Grumpy was just a year old when this church was built, and look how he is still alive and kicking!)

I think it would also be remiss to fail to mention the great honor and pleasure Grumpy had in showing the Grand Mother the namesake features of Thermopolis WY: The natural hot springs and the resulting mineral deposits left by the evaporation of this hot, mineral-laden water as it flows over naturally-forming terraces and into the Wind River, as shown in this panoramic photograph.
Grumpy is also honored to have had the opportunity to drive the Grand Mother through the Wind River Canyon -- we had to negotiate this scenic drive twice: going to Thermopolis from Casper WY and again going from Thermopolis to Lander WY. Scary but impressively beautiful. Too bad Grumpy didn't stop to take pictures. But they wouldn't do justice to this grand sight. It is best viewed in person.

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The highlights are all pleasant memories. But there were a couple of notable unpleasant things that happened during the trip that may be worth remembering -- if only so we don't let it happen again.

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The first was our stay in Livingstone MT; Livingstone is a nice little town and the people are hospitable. But our stay at the Travelodge Motel was memorable in that it was the most expensive of our trip and also one of the least accommodating. The "free INTERNET" didn't work and the "free custom breakfast" turned out to be a breakfast buffet with fewer choices than the advertised "custom" breakfast. Grumpy made the mistake of thinking he had stayed at the Travelodge last time he was in Livingstone whereas it was the Econolodge next door: half the price with as good or better beds; maybe even with free INTERNET-- that worked.

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The second unpleasant thing was our "welcome" at the Super 8 in Indianola. Grumpy had made a confirmed reservation for a room with all the requirements needed for the Grand Mother (first level, non-smoking, queen- or King-size bed). The reservation had been made by calling directly to the motel six weeks before our planned arrival and Grumpy was even given the room number: #108! While we were visiting at Hazel's, the Grand Mother, being ever cautious, had convinced Grumpy that he should call the motel to "make sure that they have our room and will hold it if we are late getting there". Grumpy acceded to her wishes and was assured that "the room was ours and they wouldn't give it away; we could come in as late as we wished".

But when Grumpy walked up to the front desk at about 9 p.m., he was informed that "we are sorry, but #108 isn't available -- the people that had it last night haven't checked out. But we will give you another room -- here, #2xx". Grumpy firmly announced that a second floor room was out of the question since the motel did not have an elevator and the Grand Mother couldn't accommodate stairs. The clerk then offered a room downstairs with two Queen-size beds. "Non-smoking, right?" Grumpy asked.
"Oh, no. Sorry sir, but that's all we have. Is that a requirement?" the clerk offered.

At this, Grumpy, having driven from Olivia MN to central IA that day plus visiting all afternoon, erupted into a very foul mood. Slamming his fist on the counter, he demanded that something be done to give us the promised (and required) accommodations, "AND NOW!".

"Would you like to speak to the manager?" asked the young clerk, redundantly.
"You d---ed right I do!" said Grumpy, grumpily.

The manager was called from some back room and, when he appeared said, "May I help you?"
Grumpy explained the situation and the manager immediately "found" a non-smoking room on the ground floor with two Queen-size beds. Why couldn't the clerk have "found" that room without the clumsy effort she had made? Grumpy and the Grand Mother will remember NOT to stay at this Super 8 in the future.

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The best is left for last. As many of you know, at least those of you who are related to the paternal ancestor's family (either by birth or by marriage), there is a tendency for one with a certain surname (usually a male member), when posing for a picture, will put one leg up, the foot resting on a step, a log or a rock -- sometimes even another human being! Some of those related by marriage in particular, have noted this phenomenon and have questioned it's source, summarily attributing it to genetics. Grumpy disagrees and thinks he has found the answer: see the following photo.In the photo above, the observant reader will note the Grand Mother gazing at a scenic overlook of the North Dakota Badlands, with one foot up on the convenient railing!! Now, to Grumpy's keen observation and with his scientific mind, this is proof positive that the trait is a tradition, not a genetic characteristic unique to the paternal strain as some naysayers would have you believe. So go ahead there offspring and associated companions: When posing for a photograph next time, lift a leg without shame or worry.

It's traditional!

Ward & Elynor's Summer 2007 Wanderings; Sights Along the Road

From Arnold Nebraska westward and northward we drove, not knowing where we would find shelter or where we would rest our weary heads when night fell. In planning this itinerary Grumpy had reckoned that these secondary (i.e., not 75 mph freeways) would be slow going, with 25 or 30 mph speed limits through the frequent small towns one encounters when on highways other than the Interstates. Well, Grumpy was wrong and, much to the dismay (at times!) of the Grand Mother, the speedometer often-times belied the fact that the nearly featureless (compared to the Cascades or the Rockies) landscape seemed to be in slow motion as it slipped by us. However, not exceeding 100 mph, we were able to find accommodations in Alliance NE for the night of July 11th. Our goal for the next morning: to drive through the Pine Ridge National Forest and Fort Robinson State Park, with Thermopolis WY our next night's stay.

But on the way to Alliance Grumpy was not driving so fast that the Grand Mother couldn't spy a sign that directed us (on a side road!) to the little town of Arthur NE. Thinking only to photograph the sign at the town limits for the sake of our little King Arthur, we were pleasantly surprised to find other fascinating scenes as well, including this little church erected in 1928 using bales of straw! We thought a couple of Grand Children would get a kick out of this.

At breakfast the next morning, some Alliance natives encouraged us to drive by the "Car Henge", an artistic parody of the mysterious arrangement of stones located in Wales Great Britain. This "monument" is comprised entirely of various auto bodies and parts, arranged in an intriguing variation of upside down, right side up, sideways and every which ways! Two dimensional photography doesn't do justice to this sight, but this view with the sun gleaming in the background might elicit some mysterious feeling in the heart of the reader.

The erosion-resistant sand-stone layers in western Nebraska, together with the high altitude (between four and five thousand feet above sea level) contrived to nurture the Ponderosa pine forests that we both relished in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. The sandstone also afforded these interesting spires and columns as the softer material beneath were carved away over the eons by the wind and water.