Hat

As we trekked North on deadly highway 97 from Bend to Biggs Junction I was finding a descansos every few miles. These two were up on a hill, quietly sitting off the side of the road.

Mile marker 45 marked the final resting spot of what I assume were two individuals. No identifying information but each cross was decorated differently; the left with a little alien face at the top of the cross, the right draped in a hat and other clothing.

Of course there was a stuffed animal.

My wife asked why I get stressed out by the stuffed animals and if it meant a child had died. I shared my thesis that it’s not as likely a child died as a child lost a parent. She could relate to that, and now she asks me if there are stuffed animals at the memorials I photograph.