12 JANUARY 2023 World’s Largest Elk Antler Arch Worlds Largest Buffalo World’s Largest Holstein Heifer Paul Bunyan Grand Canyon’s Skywalk Worlds Largest Roadrunner Spokane River Waterfall Snoqualmie Falls World’s Largest Spur W ith the possible exception of Stone Mountain in Georgia, I have been to, looked at and examined all the major items on the “Things to See Before I Go to that Big Resort Up in the Sky” list I compiled before reaching my current age, which is somewhere between senior- dom and elder- hood. So now I am working on a secondary list of lesser attractions that hold great interest but are not as well-known as the Space Needle, Disneyland and Niagara Falls. Here are some that are worth adding to anyone’s list: In the spring and early summer, Snoqualmie Falls in western Washington has a lot of water thundering over a 270- foot drop-off and crashing into the river below. It is very accessible from above, but there’s an even bigger thrill awaiting those who take a path underneath the falls to watch the cascade. Also making it worthwhile, there’s no admission or parking fee. The Spokane River Waterfall in the eastern part of Washington isn’t nearly as spectacular, but worth investigating. The waters of the Spokane River roar over a series of obstructions and then fade into a gentleness right in the heart of the city. Walking paths along the river and falls provide excellent photo opportunities, and ample seating affords quiet time for those who just want to look and listen. I stumbled upon Scotty’s Castle in Death Valley by accident, but I sure am glad I did. Mistakenly thinking it was a miner’s shack built with empty beer and wine bottles, I ventured a visit and discovered a palace in the middle of the desert. Built in the 1920s by a Chicago industrialist, it is now a California State Park. The name is attributed to an old desert rat named Scotty, who befriended the owner and lived there during the summers, so he told everyone it was his place. Bigger-than-life things have always impressed me. Therefore, I have checked out items like the world’s largest holstein heifer in New Salem, ND, the world’s largest buffalo in Jamestown, ND, the world’s largest roadrunner in Las Cruces, NM, the world’s largest walleyed pike in Fergus Falls, MN, the world’s largest elk antler arch in Afton, WY, giant Paul Bunyan replicas in California’s Sequoia National Park and a park in Bemidji, MN, and in Arizona, the world’s largest cowboy boot in Tucson and the world’s largest spur in Wickenburg. The Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD, was on my must-see list, so I went there, but it was not good timing because the previous year’s corn mural had been removed, and the current year’s installation hadn’t been installed. So my photos didn’t turn out well. Lastly, although I don’t like getting my innards all twisted up because of acrophobia, the Royal Gorge and Bridge in Colorado and the Skywalk in Arizona were well worth inspecting. Once you overcome your fear of heights, that is. The pedestrian bridge over the Royal Gorge lets you look more than a thousand feet straight down to the bottom. The Skywalk, located on the Hualapai Indian Reservation’s section of the Grand Canyon, is even worse. Or better, depending on your ability to handle the fear of falling. It’s more than 4,000 feet from the glass-bottomed Skywalk as it juts out over the canyon to the canyon floor. Scary. White-knuckle scary. And worth every penny. Add these places to your bucket list The Lowe Road A former Valley newspaperman who now writes about his travels across Arizona, the U.S. and the globe. BY SAM LOWE I have been to, looked at and examined all the major items on the “Things to See Before I Go to that Big Resort Up in the Sky ” list. Christ Lutheran School Preschool - Grade 8 • www.clsphx.org LC-MS 3901 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix | www.cclphoenix.org | (602) 955-4830 LOVE GROW SERVE IN-PERSON WORSHIP Traditional Worship 8:00am/10:45am Contemporary Worship 8:30am/10:30am Teaching Service 9:30am ONLINE WORSHIP Sunday @ 8:am/10:30am FB Live or CHRISTCHURCHPHX.ONLINE.CHURCH

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