The spot you picked for me is most excellent, but I am a bit perplexed about the hubbub over my presence. I know, I know, there are usually differences of opinion about structures of my nature, and the concept that I represent history might be a little hard to grasp, but there is truth in the matter, seeing as I am Cretaceous old — you know, 65 to 145 million years. Frankly, I don’t know how old I am. I am a bit concerned that I was constructed with dirty brown metamorphic rocks. I would have preferred a more handsome granite.

I realize that $28,000 is not a big number. For historical reasons, I would like to have had some prehistoric fossils, but I know ordinary metamorphism has crushed them out. Still a sexy trilobite or two would have been nice.

Also, there has been lots chatter about my appearance. One dude even likened me to an upside-down banana. A bit of color might have been nice, but this would have been artificial. In any event, I don’t see myself as a banana; I am a dinosaur, even though I was not given arms or legs, and my head is too small. Take a hard look at me from the east, and with a little bit of imagination, you will see a dim likeness to an Albertosauras. This is most apropos because I am so near Albertsons!

Since I now live in Durango, maybe some smart, local metal sculptors or nice iron workers from the railroad could construct me a metal dinosaur head that can breathe fire through the nostrils like monsters in all the movies. This would go great at Snowdown. One thing I do ask is that I not be festooned with bras, leis and funny hats like many of my compatriots around town are subjected. A fire-breathing head would be enough excitement.

So, ta-ta for now. I look forward to lots of onlookers and oohs from the tourists. I will be watching you.

Dwight Burgess

Durango