Today we took the very scenic route from Boise through the Sawtooth Mountains and the Stanley Basin to Sun Valley. In answer to your question if there's snow in the mountains (you did have that question didn't you?), John K. is demonstrating below. The photo was taken at the Bethine & Frank Church Overlook with the Sawtooths and the Basin in the background. You can just see the other John over John K's shoulder. Guess where that snowball went? Some guys just never grow up!
On to Ketchum and the grave of Ernest Hemingway. John G. went to his funeral and wanted to leave a penny on his grave. It's the large flat stone under the trees on the right. Actually that's not true. It looks like the flat stone in the photo but is just to the right out of sight next to it and is covered in pennies. The one in the photo is for Mary Hemingway. I just missed the one for Ernest in my excitement to capture the other "visitors" in the left of the photo. I'm now convinced the real reason folks leave pennies is because the other "visitors" would just eat the flowers.
Trivia from yesterday... Senator Frank Church
Today... Assuming I'm wrong about the reason for leaving pennies, then why do folks leave pennies on Hemingway's grave? a) for luck; b) a sign of respect; c) to ask a favor of Hemingway; d) they're too cheap to leave a quarter; e) someone told them to
As an earnest of their good intent?
ReplyDeleteTraditionally, pennies are left on grave markers as a sign of respect for the deceased. But pennies on Hemingway's grave? I choose "c."
ReplyDelete