Perched above the Columbia River, Washington’s own Maryhill Stonehenge isn’t ancient at all, but a full-scale concrete replica built in 1918 by visionary entrepreneur Sam Hill. While it may echo the mystery of its English namesake, this monument carries a far more specific and solemn purpose. Hill created it as a memorial to the soldiers of Klickitat County who died in World War I, and it is believed to be the first monument in the United States dedicated to those lost in that war. He intended it as a reminder of the cost of global conflict — a statement that modern “civilized” nations were still capable of profound destruction. Standing among the stones, it feels less like a roadside curiosity and more like a quiet call to remember.
There’s something unexpectedly fitting, then, about stretching out on the “altar” with a bag of litter collected from the trails below. Not exactly a sacred sacrifice — more like a modern-day offering of crumpled cans and windblown wrappers. If ancient stone circles marked the rhythms of the sun and seasons, perhaps this one can mark a different kind of ritual — a small act of stewardship. Remembering sacrifice is one way to honor the past; caring for the land beneath our feet is a way to honor the future. One handful of trash at a time, pliking becomes its own quiet tribute.
— Feb 22, 2026
PLIKING 