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.

Originally published: Boston : Hougton Mifflin, 1997.

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