Here is a new category. If you get all 12 sites you will also pick up 12 states. And we will add to that total of 24 RAT points an additional 15 RAT Points for effort.
A
recurring piece of public statuary stands in twelve locations from Maryland to California,
tracing a historic travel route from "covered wagon days." The statue is the Madonna
of the Trail, an 18-foot tall tribute to the pioneer women who traveled west with
their crazy husbands.
The Madonna of the Trail is a pinkish, stony-faced pioneer Mom, in long skirt and bonnet, strutting westward with an infant in her arms and another cruncher in tow (you may find Dad on another statue in town, riding a horse).
The Madonnas of the Trail were a Daughters of the American Revolution project, dedicated in 1928-29. They are strung along the National Old Trails Road, now mostly Rt. 40. Artist August Leimbach created the mold; the poured algonite stone sculptures are identical. The historical info on the base of each varies from locale to locale.
To properly honor the pioneer spirit, one should retrace the entire trail, and photograph all twelve statues. Or, with less honor, take twelve photos of one and say you saw 'em all...