A quarter is worth a thousand words

The other day I received as change California and Oregon state quarters. It was the first time I had seen either, and looking at both at once, I noticed that they really rather look like two parts of the same scene. Thanks to the magic of Photoshop, I’m able to share it with you.

I guess it’s not all that surprising that they look alike. The quarters depit Yosemite Valley and Crater Lake, both of which lie along the Sierra Nevada mountain range. There sure is some beautiful scenery ’round these parts. Laura and I are going to be driving up to Ashland at the end of the week; I always like to drive past Mount Shasta. At the right time of year, it resembles nothing more than a giant marble cake.

Actually, glancing at the Minnesota quarter that was released—and the state admitted to the Union—between California and Oregon, it’s a tree-and-lake design as well. Is 2005 nature year for quarters?