| To be a souvenir smashed-penny collector; I can't | | | | Half Dome, for the Seven Sisters, but a |
| think of a hobby too much finer than that. This | | | | penny-smasher makes his own map. "Excuse me, |
| collector has an elusive goal; find every last | | | | park ranger, I am looking for the penny-smashing |
| souvenir smashed penny that exists in the | | | | machine, can you direct me to it? I have driven |
| country, in North America, in the world. | | | | here from San Francisco to get my treasure." |
| There is something special about a | | | | That is not exactly the kind of information one |
| smashed-penny collector. He is always on the | | | | volunteers. |
| hunt. He drives down I-5 in California's Central | | | | So the afternoon proceeds. Into every gift shop, |
| Valley. He is headed to Los Angeles but sees a | | | | every restaurant, over the shoulder looking at |
| sign diverting to Yosemite. The idea hits, "I bet | | | | towering rocks and waterfalls; however, in |
| there is a penny-smashing machine in the park. | | | | Yosemite's treasure, there is only one treasure, |
| Wow! Yosemite, what a great one to add." All of | | | | the smashed penny. |
| a sudden a mundane trip takes him on a quest. | | | | Ah, ha. At 4:45, in a candy stand, there is the |
| He is now on highway 120, and no longer pushing | | | | elusive machine, where it has sat on duty for |
| lead for Los Angeles. He is on a quest for his | | | | thirty plus years. Two quarters into the slot and a |
| treasure- a Yosemite smashed penny. Life has its | | | | penny into the tray, and smash! The image of a |
| treasures. | | | | bear and "Yosemite National Park," written on a |
| He enters the park. Yosemite is a vast | | | | one cent coin. Seek your treasures. |
| wonderland. There are signs for El Capitan, for | | | | |