A few years ago there was a huge debate over whether or not there were mountain lions in this area. I will have to say that I am convinced there are. Although I have not seen a big cat myself, I know a few people who have. I know others who have seen tracks. Last fall Jon Wisthoff and I were looking for a place to camp. We found a good spot straight across the coulee from our house near this tree. The one side is all clawed up. I do not know what else could have made these claw marks but a mountain lion. A few days later Ruth and I walked across the coulee and I took this picture. I know that mountain lions are more afraid of me than I should be of them. However, I notice that I tend to look over my shoulder more these days when I am hiking in the coulee.
The theater where Lincoln was shot has been completely changed since the last time I visited a few years ago. They purchased the building.next door and turned it into the box office. The museum in the basement is much better than it was before. The derringer used by Booth has a prominent place. Most of the other weapons used by the conspirators are on display as well. The pistol and knife Powell attacked Seward with and the rifles, pistols, and knives Booth and Herold had with them during their twelve days on the run were there. It is a great museum, but anyone who plans on visiting should study up on the assassination first. Visiting the theater itself was a disappointment. I expected a ranger talk, but there was none. The theater is a working theater and workers were busy building a set. Nonetheless, I still get the willies when I think of what happened in there.
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