I guess cottonwood trees grow in various parts of the United States (maybe other countries, too, I don’t know.)  But, cottonwood trees seem to be in my memory bank.  Along the rivers and waterways of Nebraska the impressively majestic cottonwood trees provide beauty and shade.  It has been a treat to be back in Nebraska several times in the past two years to see the rivers, namely the Platte, Niobrara and Missouri with the cottonwood trees gracing their banks.  I learned on this latest (May 2018) adventure in northeast Nebraska that men on the Lewis and Clark expedition cut and hollowed out cottonwood trees to make canoes.  I am sure it was a difficult endeavor.  I am happy just to admire their beauty and to mention them in some of my stories.