Originally published: Boston : Hougton Mifflin, 1997

A short story collection follows the fortunes of a diverse group of characters on singularly American pilgrimages, including an East Coast girl who dares a cowboy to whisk her away to the Rocky Mountains

Pilgrims -- Elk talk -- Alice to the east -- Bird shot -- Tall folks -- Landing -- Come and fetch these stupid kids -- Many things that Denny Brown did not know (age fifteen) -- Names of flowers and girls -- At the Bronx terminal vegetable market -- Famous torn and restored lit cigarette trick -- Finest wife