To be a souvenir smashed-penny collector; I can't think of a hobby too much finer than that. This collector has an elusive goal; find every last souvenir smashed penny that exists in the country, in North America, in the world.

There is something special about a smashed-penny collector. He is always on the hunt. He drives down I-5 in California's Central Valley. He is headed to Los Angeles but sees a sign diverting to Yosemite. The idea hits, "I bet there is a penny-smashing machine in the park. Wow! Yosemite, what a great one to add." All of a sudden a mundane trip takes him on a quest.

He is now on highway 120, and no longer pushing lead for Los Angeles. He is on a quest for his treasure- a Yosemite smashed penny. Life has its treasures.

He enters the park. Yosemite is a vast wonderland. There are signs for El Capitan, for Half Dome, for the Seven Sisters, but a penny-smasher makes his own map. "Excuse me, park ranger, I am looking for the penny-smashing machine, can you direct me to it? I have driven here from San Francisco to get my treasure." That is not exactly the kind of information one volunteers.

So the afternoon proceeds. Into every gift shop, every restaurant, over the shoulder looking at towering rocks and waterfalls; however, in Yosemite's treasure, there is only one treasure, the smashed penny.

Ah, ha. At 4:45, in a candy stand, there is the elusive machine, where it has sat on duty for thirty plus years. Two quarters into the slot and a penny into the tray, and smash! The image of a bear and "Yosemite National Park," written on a one cent coin. Seek your treasures.