A Cairn Kind of Day

While out blazing the trails, you run into all kinds of things that shouldn't be out there but are. Cairns are one of these. Here are a few examples of some hiker-induced cairnage I ran across today.


Here is an example of what is known as a Bates Cairn, the brainchild of one Waldron Bates. This particular style cairn is used quite extensively on the island, but are usually a little larger than this one. If you look closer, you'll notice that the coin leaning against the right support rock is in fact a quarter -- this cairn is only about six inches high!


Now, here's an interesting phenomenon. This little pine has taken it upon itself to create its own bonsai persona, but someone thought it might need a little help and added a Counterbalance Cairn. We don't typically use cairn for these purposes, but I'll bring it to my boss' attention.


This one by far wins today's prize, if in fact there was such a thing. This cairn was no doubt designed by the one and ony Dr Seuss himself, given the unique style and the delicate balancing act. Normally, when we come across cairns such as this one and the two above, we completely dismantle them and throw the stones just as far as we can into the woods to discourage further attempts at such tomfoolery. Today, however my co-worker Michael and I merely let them be in sincere appreciation. Who can argue with art?