A 2 Day Mississippi River Cruise!

From the 50 State Visitors Guide : Iowa

Iowa Code 2026  §§692A.101 through 692A.130.  441 I.A.C. §103.3(692A)  661 I.A.C. §§83.1(692A) through 83.5 (692A)

Registration Triggers and Deadlines:

3 business days for initial registration, updates, and visitors who enter the state. §§692A.104, 692A.105.  Updated Aug. 2026

Residency/Presence and Other Restrictions:

Residence restrictions: Registrants with convictions involving minors for “aggravated sexual abuse” in the 1st or 2nd degree, or in the 3rd degree except for a conviction under I.C. §709.4(2)(c)(4), may not reside w/in 2,000 ft. of daycare center.

Presence restriction:  Registrants with convictions involving minors may not loiter within 300 ft. of, or be present at, any school, day care center, public library, or any place intended primarily for the use of minors, unless certain permissions are obtained.  No registrant may loiter, volunteer, or be employed at residence facility for dependent adults.

Local governments are pre-empted from adopting more restrictive requirements.  §692A.127.

Procedure for removal from registry after departure is set forth in §692A.106.

Duration & updates:

10 years to life.  Updates depend on tier level: TI – annually, TII – every 6 mo. TIII – quarterly. §§692A.104

From the 50 State Visitors Guide : Illinois

20 ILCS §4026/15, 45 ILCS §§20/1 through 20/2 Not registry laws.

720 ILCS 5/11-0.1; 11-9.3;11-4.1; 11-24. Updated Aug. 2026

730 ILCS §5/3-3-11.5, 730 ILCS §§150/1 through 152/999, 20 Ill. Adm. Code §§1280 through 1282.30

Registration Triggers and Deadlines:

3 days for initial registration and updates.  “Residence” is any place at which one resides for 3 or more days in a year.  FAQ states that visitors are required to register if they spend “more than 3 days in a calendar year” in the state. Adams County sheriff dept. (Quincy) Nov. 2020, confirmed that it’s the 4th day that triggers registration.  Students & employees must register within 3 days of beginning school or employment in IL. 730 ILCS 150/3(a-5).  Transient registrants must report weekly.  730 I.L.C.S. §150/3

IL’s “sexual predator” category includes CP possession, and also ANY person required to register in another state.  730 ILCS 150/2 (E-10).

Per Rolfe Survey, visiting Registrants are placed on state’s website.  Per Adams County sheriff dept. (Quincy) Oct. 2020, procedure is available for removal from registry after departure.

Residency/Presence and Other Restrictions:

Residence restriction: “Child sex offender” may not reside w/in 500 ft. of school, park, playground, or facility where minors gather.  §730 I.L.C.S. §150/8.

Presence restriction: “Child sex offender” may not knowingly be present in any public park, playground or recreation area; even if in a private building. "Public park" includes a park, forest preserve, bikeway, trail, or conservation area under the jurisdiction of the State or a unit of local government, but doesn’t mention national parks or forests.

“Child sex offender” may not loiter w/in 500 ft. of school facilities or be present in school facilities unless a parent present for specific reasons. 720 I.L.C.S. 5/Art. 11.

“Child sex offender” may not knowingly photograph or videotape a child without permission of parent.  720 ILCS 5/11-24.

Duration & updates:

10 yrs to lifetime.  SO moving to state: lifetime.  SVP must update quarterly. All other annually.  §730 I.L.C.S. §150/5-10.

A 2 day Mississippi River cruise in Iowa

Iowa allows three business days for initial registration, updates, and visitors who enter the state. That’s a short time period. However, there appears to be no limit per month or year.  Also, you can extend you visit by 2-3 days days if you include a weekend.  You’ll need to take advantage of these weekend days to go on this river cruise.

While in-state as a visitor you may need to be a little careful if your offense involved a minor because if so you may not loiter within 300 ft. of, or be present at a school, day care center, public library, or any place intended primarily for the use of minors, unless certain permissions are obtained.  No registrant may loiter, volunteer, or be employed at residence facility for dependent adults.

Here’s a piece of good news: Local governments are pre-empted from adopting more restrictive requirements.  §692A.127.  Therefore, wherever you go in Iowa at least you know what the rules are.

Also, you may have noticed that there is no prohibition against being at or loitering near a public park, museum, or historic site – unless of course it includes a “place intended primarily for the use of minors,” like a playground, in which case you just need to stay 300 feet away from that place. Outside Iowa City there is a shopping mall that includes the Iowa Children’s Museum.  The food court is right next door.  If you ever find yourself in this shopping mall, you can’t go to the children’s museum or loiter within 300 feet of it, but the rest of the mall is okay and no one has ever accused me of "loitering" just because I had lunch at the food court.

I am not going to type the name of this cruise company or other identifying information because I don’t want to draw unfriendly attention to it.  I just want you my readers to know about it, and you can find all the info you need in the photo above.

Where to report as your “destination”

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT !! If you are required to report travel to your local registry office, the cruise itself IS NOT your “destination.”  You should not even tell those bozos you’re going on a cruise!  NO, a boat – even a river cruise boat – is merely a mode of transportation taking you from one place to another, just like a car or train or airplane.  For domestic travel you are not required to report train reservations.

This river cruise begins and ends in Le Claire, Iowa, just outside of Davenport.  Day 1 travels north (upstream) up to Dubuque, where your overnight stay in a nice new riverfront hotel that’s included in the fare.  Day 2 travels south (downstream) back to Le Clair.  In most situations your "destination" is the hotel near Le Claire that you are staying at on the nights before and after your cruise.  The cruise line has arranged discounts at some hotels for passengers.  Pick one, and that’s the address you will report as your “destination.”

Cruise days are:  Sunday-Monday, Tuesday-Wednesday, and Thursday-Friday.  Tuesday & Thursday departures operate late May to late October; Sunday departures are September & October only.  This schedule can affect how and where you report your “destination” at your home state registry office.  

Iowa’s visitors grace period is only three business days, and the third business day triggers your obligation to register, so you really only get two business days.  Therefore the best departure day is Sunday, since you can arrive in Le Claire Saturday evening and neither Sat. nor Sun. will count against you.  You return to your same hotel Monday night, spend a restful night, and when you leave Tuesday morning it’s still only Business Day #2 in Iowa.  The bad news is, they only offer Sunday departures in Sept.-Oct.

For Memorial Day through Labor Day you’ll have to turn to the second best option, which is a Thursday departure.  The problem is that this option uses up both of your allowable business days in Iowa.  You’re fine for the whole weekend that follows, and maybe that suits your travel plans better, but you can’t stay at an Iowa hotel on Wednesday night.  Instead, some of the discounted hotels are in Illinois. 

That’ll work fine, but ONLY FOR ONE NIGHT.  That’s because Illinois are such a bunch of dickheads they only allow visitors three days aggregate per calendar year, AND partial days count, AND the third day triggers your obligation to register, so once you stay there on Wednesday night (being mindful of all of Illinois’ disgusting and unconstitutional restrictions – see above), you’ve used up the two partial days you’re actually allowed – per year.  For Friday night, you must stay in Iowa.

In this scenario, you are not obliged to – and you definitely should not – report your Illinois hotel to your local registry office as a “destination.”  Let that be one less thing to concern yourself with on your one night stay there.  Instead, allow me to suggest reporting the Dubuque hotel the cruise line is putting you up at as your “destination.”  Lastly, the only time you can do the Tues.-Wed. cruise is if Monday is a holiday.

So anyway, it’s a really nice cruise!

Le Claire is a little river town.  You’ll want to set aside some time to stroll its quaint downtown either the evening before or after your cruise.  Also, visit the Buffalo Bill Museum next door to the river cruise – yes, he was born and spent his early childhood here (check ahead for hours of operation).

Buffalo Bill Museum                                    Quaint downtown Le Clair

Passengers are assigned seats at the dining tables.  All meals including both dinners are served on the boat.  Between meals there’s plenty of seating out on the decks so you can enjoy the ride.  Each day there’s hokey entertainment including a banjo player and folk singer. 

The Mississippi River has a system of locks and dams to aid navigation.  This cruise goes through two of these locks (each way), and that in itself is an interesting part of the trip.  There are also river towns like Clinton, Sabula and Belleview.  

Entering the lock at Belleview

Barge on the Mississippi delivering Iowa corn to the world

However, for most of each day this cruise passes through several wildlife refuges and the main attraction is wildlife – especially bald eagles ! whose population has boomed since the mighty river has been cleaned up. They’re everywhere!

Bald Eagle in flight

Once debarked in Dubuque, the tour offers an evening trolley tour of this little city.  It was interesting and fun but after all, it’s a small city and has few big attractions.

At the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

On the morning of Day 2, the nearby National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium opens early for riverboat passengers with complementary tickets.  This really is a fine museum and a high point of the cruise adventure.

Mississippi Riverfront Park as seen from my hotel room (included)

Then it’s back on the boat for a day floating downstream.  Tadahhh !!

Train speeding past our riverboat.  I love trains!

 Shoshone Nations

Visiting Native American Nations

Painting at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, WY

Native American nations can be fascinating places to visit, but make no mistake – you might tell yourself you are entering a sovereign nation when you cross the reservation boundary but you aren’t.  You’ll still be bound by the registry laws of whatever US state you’re in. 

Nor should you get any funny ideas if you are of native ancestry that you can somehow escape your registry status by moving to the reservation of whatever tribe you belong to.  You can’t.  As you must already realize, the oppression of the registry will follow you onto the reservation whether you’re a visitor or become a resident.  That’s why I have included the registry laws of states like Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Nevada and California in this blog entry, rather than any tribal registry laws.  There may be a few tribal laws on the books but they’ve got bigger concerns than having yet another outsider passing through.

Another point that must be clearly made to anyone planning to travel to Indian Country is that you are NOT going to a tourist attraction.  As I will explain below, this is especially true of the Shoshone. It’s not Pennsylvania Dutch Country where you as a tourist are invited to gawk at the locals driving their buggies and eat at an expensive smorgasbord.  To the contrary, you are about to enter upon a place where quite frankly you don’t belong.  Your visit is merely tolerated, and as far as I’m concerned that is as it should be.

Visiting Shoshone Country: Aug. & Sept. 2026

My 2026 Pacific Northwest and Southwest tours weren’t intended to be a history and cultural lesson on the Shoshone Nations, but they turned out to be just that.  I kept finding myself on Shoshone traditional lands, and the more I saw, the more I learned.

From the 50 State Visitors Guide : Wyoming

Wyo. Stat. 2025 §§7-19-301 through 7-19-320

AWA Compliant

Registration Triggers and Deadlines:

Three business days for initial registration and updates, including temporary trips and vacations. “Temporary residence” includes hotels, motels, camping areas & parks. §7-19-301(xi)(C).

Visitors must register within 3 business days. §7-19-302(c)(iv).

Residency/Presence and Other Restrictions:

Residence restriction: Adults “who are required to register … pursuant to §7-19-302” may not reside within 1,000 ft. from schools. §6-2-320.  Cannot reside within 1000 of a child care facility (WS §7‑19‑302; Act #52 (2026)).  Updated Aug. 2026.

Presence restrictions:  Adults “who are required to register … pursuant to §7-19-302” may not enter school grounds if s/he “has reason to believe children … are present and are involved in school activity or when children are present within 30 minutes before or after scheduled school activity” and may not “knowingly loiter on a public way within 1,000 feet from the property line of school grounds.” Various exceptions apply. §6-2-320.

NOTE: Because §6-2-320 says these restrictions apply to adults “who are required to register … pursuant to §7-19-302”, and visitors in state for less than three business days are not required to register, such visitors would, in theory, not be subject to these restrictions.  However, this theory remains untested.

Duration & updates:

Lifetime; petitions for removal available. §7-19-304.  Updates: §7-19-302.

Wind River Shoshone & Arapaho Nations

I wasn’t paying much attention to reservations in 2023 but I was so impressed with Wind River Canyon, which is on this reservation, that I vowed to come back and see more.  Now that I’m paying attention, I did return on the last leg of my 2026 Pacific Northwest road trip.

By the time I got here I had already met the Shoshone on my way through Idaho, at Craters of the Moon Nat. Monument and at Fort Hall Reservation, which I will describe below.  I had found them to be an inward looking, private people who would like more than anything else to simply be left alone.  I didn’t see as much tribal government or outward symbolism as I had seen at other nations.

The Shoshone share this reservation with the Arapahoe tribe.  There is a separate town of Arapahoe that I did not visit this time.  Sorry, and I promise to get to you next time.

One thing I look for when visiting native nations is a cultural center.  At Fort Hall I didn’t find one, and at Wind River it was very difficult for my GPS to find.  That’s because it turned out to be located INSIDE the tribal high school.  Obviously, there was no way I was going in there!  But my reaction was – Oh, how Shoshone of you.  You don’t care whether I learn anything about Shoshone history and culture.  The only important thing is to teach your own children.  Okay, got it.  I’ll bet that’s where the Fort Hall cultural center is too.

Wind River Canyon

The Wind River Shoshone appear to be uninterested in commercializing their lands.  Their greatest natural wonder, Wind River Canyon, is a case in point.  It really is a truly great canyon and you can drive right through it on US 20 between Shoshoni and Thermopolis, but you can’t leave the public right-of-way.  The Shoshone are not offering canyon tours as other tribes do (see Grand Canyon West and Antelope Canyon). 

A couple of great canyon views.  At left, a sign showing geological info.

On my 2023 drive through the canyon I happened to meet a geologist who was there making videos to use in his university classes.  He couldn’t stop gushing about how important this canyon is, how its exposed rock layers show the geologic history of the region, etc. etc.  And yet this canyon isn’t on anybody’s map, because the Shoshone don’t want it to be.  They also don’t want a scenic train ride on the rail line through their canyon.

More canyon views.  At right, Wind River rafting.

However … it turns out there are outfitters in the nearby pioneer & cowboy culture town of Riverton who can take you on rafting or kayaking trips down the Wind River – see photo.  I’ll bet that would be really cool!  But it’s only because the river itself is a public waterway and the Shoshone can’t stop you from floating down it.

Sacajawea Cemetery

The Shoshone insist that Sacajawea, who was Shoshone, is buried among here among her own people at their traditional cemetery at Wind River.  They resist saying exactly where she is, but they have placed a respectful monument near the rear of the cemetery and allow outsiders to visit. 

Sacajawea Cemetery                                             Sacajawea Monument

The remainer of the cemetery is a truly magical place where the Shoshone honor their ancestors in their traditional way.  It’s an active cemetery where recent graves had been dug on the day I was there.  Local people were also coming and going, paying their respects to their ancestors in a way we anglos never do.  Be sure to honor these traditions when you come here.

Chief Washakie’s Monument

On your way to see Sacajawea you’ll probably drive past Chief Washakie’s Monument, which looks like a gravestone but isn’t.  This monument describes Washakie as a great chief “noted for his friendship toward the white men.”  But notice the small print at the bottom: “Erected by the Historical Landmark Commission of Wyoming, 1956.”  So any assertion about Chief Washakie on this monument was not made by the Shoshone, but 90 years after the fact by outsiders.

Other attractions in the Wind River region

National Museum of Military Vehicles – It’s not my cup of tea, but I realize that for many this will be a top attraction.  It’s big!

National Bighorn Sheep Center – You are at the epicenter of bighorn sheep habitat in North America.  Go learn something about them.

Fort Washakie Trading Post – If you’re going to shop for crafts and jewelry, why not do so at an authentic but full-line reservation trading post, instead of one of the crappy pioneer & cowboy culture shops in the anglo town of Riverton?  Or at least in addition to?

Boysen State Park – A park named after the person who built the dam for the reservoir the park surrounds.  Many recreational opportunities.

Turkeys at my Boysen St. Pk. campground                          Wyoming Dinosaur Center

Wyoming Dinosaur Center – In case you didn’t know, Wyoming is major dinosaur country.  This is the biggest dinosaur museum.  Therefore it’s a must see.

Hot Springs State Park – Unfortunately, due to some underground seismic alteration, the Hot Springs have totally crapped (!) and the town of Thermopolis is left with an ugly mess!

Nearby pioneer & cowboy culture towns – Riverton and Lander.  Pioneer Museum, Museum of the American West.

Nearby public lands within Shoshone influence – Red Canyon, Bridger-Teton Nat. Forest, where I camped the night before I visited Wind River; and Shoshone Nat. Forest.  I say that if the US Government names a national forest after your tribe, you get preferential treatment.

Tribal theme fruit:  Chokecherry (& Huckleberry)

The Ft. Washakie Trading Post includes displays for Chokecherry (& Huckleberry) jams, candy bars, taffies, pancake mixes and syrups.  The Huckleberry products are the same brand as seem throughout the region, but labeled “Wyoming.”  Only the Chokecherry products are authentically Shoshone.  Maybe they should change that name, because the finished product tastes pretty good.

From the 50 State Visitors Guide : Idaho

Idaho Code 2025 §§18-8301 through 18-8414.  I.D.A.P.A. §11.10.03.000 through 11.10.03.012.

Registration Triggers and Deadlines:

Two working days for initial registration and updates.  Transient registrants must report location every 7 days.  §§18-8307, 18-8308.

Visitors: Statutes do not address registration requirements for visitors.  However, "Temporary lodging" means any place in which the offender is staying when away from his or her residence for seven (7) or more days. 18-8323 (1)(h). “Residence” now includes any place a person visits for longer than 5 hrs./visit more than 5 times in a 30 day period (!) Updated Aug. 2026

Also, “any person who enters this state … & makes an application for an identification card or a [drivers] license in this state” is presumed to be establishing a residence. §18-8306(4). Sheriff will notify you of the 2 day obligation to register (see above).

Temporary volunteers or employees:  Must register if in state for more than ten consecutive days, or for an aggregate period of 30 days in a calendar year.  If “employment involves counseling, coaching, teaching, supervising or working with minors in any way,” must register “regardless of the period of employment.” §18-8303(6).

Residency/Presence and Other Restrictions:

May not reside or loiter within 500 ft. of school or day care, and may not reside within more than one person also required to register, with certain exceptions.  §§18-8331, 18-8332. Updated Aug. 2026

Loitering restriction:  Schools and Day cares, unless picking up or dropping off one’s own children.  §18-8327.  Updated Aug. 2026

Duration & updates:

Lifetime.  Petition to remove – 10 yrs.  Sexually Violent Persons must update every 3 months.  All others update annually.  §18-8307.

Per Rolfe Survey, Visiting Registrants once placed on state’s registry ARE NOT REMOVED.

Fort Hall Shoshone & Bannock Nations

The Fort Hall Shoshone & Bannock Nations sit within the growing and prosperous region between Idaho Falls and Pocatello.  The two off-reservation towns of Chubbuck and Blackfoot (home of the Idaho Potato Museum) appear to be doing well.

Idaho Potato Museum - Unfortunately it was closed

But all this commercial and residential growth and prosperity end at the reservation boundary.  The Shoshone appear uninterested in participating.  In fairness, as always the agriculture looks just as good as the surrounding region.  But behind the casino on I-15, the tribal town of Fort Hall is typical reservation poverty.  My notes say, “a few new streets with bike lanes don’t help anybody.”

Craters of the Moon National Monument

From the park brochure:

“The ancestral lands of the Shoshone peoples … include southern Idaho and encompass the vast lava fields of Craters of the Moon.  Since time immemorial, the deep relationship between the people and the land has been central to Shoshone identity.”  Say no more – I’m all in with the Shoshone.  And I can only hope that Shoshone (& Bannock) tribal rights are being respected here if it’s right there in the brochure.

Devil's Orchard Nature Trail                                                 Cinder Cone

This was my third visit to Craters of the Moon.  The first time was just before I went to prison, and now twice since I got off paper.  It is so bizarrely beautiful I can never get enough. 

Like Lava Beds National Monument only bigger (see Northern California), it consists of vast lava beds (laid down only 2000 years ago) and twisted formations.  Like most national parks and monuments, this one has an easy but spectacular nature trail called Devil’s Orchard, and an otherworldly scenic park loop road with stops like Inferno Cone and Big Sink Overlook.  And if you really want to hike into a lava wilderness and become completely disoriented, you can do that too.

Care for a wilderness hike?

Craters of the Moon – Shoshone (& Bannock) ancestral lands that will blow you away.

From the 50 State Visitors Guide : California

Cal. Penal Code Effective July 1, 2021  §§290 through 294

Cal. Penal Code §§ 3003, 3003.5.   Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 6608.5

Registration Triggers and Deadlines:

All registrants must register within 5 working days of coming into the state. §290.011; updates also within 5 working days.  §§290(b), 290.013.  Those working in the state for 14 days or for more than 30 days in a calendar year must register. §290.002.  Those who “regularly reside” at a temporary or permanent residence must register “regardless of the number of days or nights spent here.” §290.010.

Transients must reregister every 30 days. §290.011.

Residency/Presence and Other Restrictions:

Presence restriction:  Registrants may not enter schools without permission.  §626.81. Parolees with convictions involving minors under 14 may not enter parks without permission. §3053.8.  May not enter daycare or place for dependent adult if conviction involved dependent adult. §653c. 

Residence restriction: 2,000 ft. of schools and parks.  §3003.5(b).  NOTE: this statute was declared unconstitutional as applied to certain parolees by In re Taylor, 60 Cal. 4th 1019 (2015) and is only applied by the state to parolees having Static 99 scores of 4 or more.  However, local governments may enforce this statute or local ordinances.

Few local governments have more restrictive requirements, not because there is a state pre-emption but because ACSOL aggressively sues & overturns them.

Duration & updates:

Lifetime. Petition to remove: T1 – 10 yrs. T2 – 20 yrs. SVPs update every 90 days; all others update annually. §290.012.

NOTE:  Per ACSOL staff, procedure available for removal from registry after departure.

And most surprising of all – Death Valley National Park

I believe most regular americans will be as surprised as I was to realize how widespread the Shoshone peoples were – and still are – across the West.  So far I’ve discussed Wyoming, Idaho, and now I’m throwing in southeastern California.  That can only mean – and yes it does mean – that you also have to include all of Nevada and parts of Utah as Shoshone territory.

Here’s the sign that every visitor must pass when entering Death Valley National Park:

“Homeland of the Timbisha Shoshone.”  Not ancestral lands.  Not a place where we like to hang out sometimes.  This sign raises the ante all the way up to – This is our land, so deal with it.  It’s a reservation in all but name.  And a huge reservation it is, too – as far as I can tell, second in size in the lower 48 states only to the Navajo Nation.

The story goes that all this land and much more was stolen from the Shoshone (& Paiutes) by mining companies so America could have Borax.  But they didn’t even bother to kick the Shoshone (or the Paiutes) out of the way, they just left the little villages in place and pretended they didn’t exist.  When the Borax boom went bust in the 1920’s, the land thieves at first built a nice hotel that still exists and tried to attract tourists.  The Depression kinda sank that idea, so the “owners” “gave” the whole place to the US Government, even though it wasn’t theirs to give.

Meanwhile the Timbisha Shoshone didn’t go anywhere.  Their villages are still there, although – and this is ssoooooo Shoshone of them – those villages are not shown on any official park map, nor on my Rand McNally map.  Even within the tourist destination that Death Valley has finally become, the Shoshone just prefer to be left alone.

However, one of those villages near the Furnace Creek Visitors Center (where the hotel is) has taken the unusual step of letting outsiders know they exist.  See photo:

In this photo you can see part of the Visitors Center Village in the background.  What you can’t see is the name of the Timbisha village, because they don’t tell you.  Building a cultural center meant for outsiders would certainly be another big step, but remember, these are the Shoshone – who knows what the word “soon” means.

Death Valley Highlights

Zabriskie Point – First glimpse of Death Valley from the east, but the most amazing thing is everything else in this photo.

Death Valley as seen from Sea Level

Devil’s Golf Course – Truly shocking to behold.  They warn you not to try going in there because it’s dangerously sharp and you’re likely to slice yourself open.  The whole thing is made of salt, so wow that would sting!

Badwater Basin – The bottom of the world.

 

Artists Palette – A colorful outcrop in the desert.

Mosaic Canyon – Yes Death Valley has canyons and they’re pretty good but not as good as elsewhere.

Shoshone (& Paiute) towns in the region

Throughout this region there is a shared history of outsiders (first the Spanish and then the Americans) showing up, declaring they’re in charge, stealing the land and its resources, and all the while pretending the original people didn’t exist, even though the Shoshone (& Paiute) villages were there in plain site.

In the 20th Century, somewhat more enlightened leadership in the US government allowed many of these towns – or neighborhoods within the anglo towns that grew up around them – to apply for federal recognition and create their own mini-reservations. 

That’s why, as I drove up US 395 on my way to Yosemite, there was a Shoshone (and/or Paiute) mini-reservation in almost every town I passed through – Lone Tree, Fort Independence, Big Pine, Bishop.  Each has all the signs and symbols of every reservation – tribal administration, schools (sometimes called “Unified Schools” if shared with the whole town) and a Casino out on the main highway.  And this being California, you’re more likely to find surrounding anglos honoring native heritage than trying to compete with it with pioneer & cowboy culture monuments.

Bruce Hossfield, Atwo Zee Registered Traveler