We found this artifact on Station Ridge, above the Arroyo Seco, on March 9, 2018. It was close to the highway, and only a little off the trail. So I doubt that the creator was much of a hiker. The display sits on a slope of the ridge with a nice view of the surrounding watershed. The higher piece on the left is a large shell lamp with the electrical cord wrapped around the top. Corn kernels are scattered in a circle around the base. Directly below this is an animal hoof candle holder. It contains orange slices and Monopoly money. A paper napkin is tucked under the hoof--because even gods dribble fruit juice onto their chins.
This was probably a Buddhist offering, possibly for Chinese New Year, which was on February 16, 2018. My Google-fu tells me that these are all common items that Buddhists leave for Buddha, in the hopes of receiving good fortune and enlightenment. Also, take note of the orange colors, which are particularly important to monks of Theravada Buddhism. In addition to the orange slices, the Monopoly money is also orange, which might have matched a meditating monk's robe.
