dave plans to dynamite the local dam and flood the nearby salt flats, creating a large supply of salt water. because the dam is private property, however, dan attempts to contact the governor for permission to blow up the dam. knowing they must halt the monoliths at the canyon's edge, dave acts without waiting for the governor's approval and the dynamite is detonated. the group watches as a huge torrent of water flows over the salt deposits at the canyon's edge, reaching the monoliths; their growth is finally halted when the last huge formation of monoliths crashes down into the salty water. dan reveals to the group that he had finally reached the governor who told him "not" to blow up the dam, pauses, and adds unless dave was absolutely certain of success. as they all laugh, dave then comments, first repeating martin's earlier assertion that the region's salt flat was "mother nature's worst mistake", then pointing out, ironically, that this near-disaster has just proved otherwise.