I over-reacted to the $11 parking fee! I'll admit it! I just had no expectation that the facility would resemble airport parking! I quickly grasped that oodles of people visit this place, and need a place to park! I couldn't use my National Parks Membership card either! Darn!
We took a ranger tour describing some of the 400 men who worked to animate the sculptor: Gutzon Borglum's vision to honor America's great presidents with a monumental sculpture! He built this monument as a memorial to the country he loved! Nothing would stand in his way! Therefore, it is appropriate that our family visited this, dare I say it, sacred place over Fourth of July weekend! The men who dynamited, drilled, sweated, but did not die on the mountain, believed they had a calling to build this structure that, Gutzon prayed would stand in perpetuity, with the wind and the rain as its only foes! The ranger described their positive, "can-do" attitude! We had the privilege of meeting one of the men, Nick Clifford, who celebrated his 92nd birthday today! He said the greatest thing for him, at the time, was that he had a job!!! For Rushmore was constructed during the Depression. These men worked until the jack hammer was pried from their fingers. And came back the next day and the next...on and on for 14 years! Construction finally ceased with the untimely death of Gutzon! They earned between 50 cents to 1.50 hour! Gutzon hired skilled, jobless mine workers. Therefore, the job was done right, and safely!
Our first impression is that the monument wasn't monstrous! But it grew on us! Especially when we began to learn the history. I won't recount it here, you can read it elsewhere, or borrow a book! The artist's studios still stand. He could look up from his studio and see the optimal view of the Presidents. I didn't expect the patriotic "vibes" that I experienced there! The entire spirit of the place is dedicated to the hard working people who are America! That came through when I spoke, briefly, with Nick (the last surviving worker.)
The "avenue of state flags" elicits pride as well. Brian took pictures of SCs pillar and flag!
As usual I bought-out the book store! I love this stuff, and MY KIDS WILL LOVE IT TOO! ---by golly!(and they do!) We didn't buy the five dollar ice cream though!
We loaded up after several hours of picture taking and museum touring and headed over to I 90, the road home!
Dinner consisted of $59.00 of Wendy's!! What did we order? Oh yeah! 12 people...and Ben DOES eat! It adds up. No fries next time!
It's about dark now...still no McDonalds on the disappearing horizon. Few "city folk" live here. There are NO cities!!! Only hay bales and hills (John's words) Siri has told us the nearest McDs is 60 some miles away!! We tried the "Joe" at two gas stations. YUK! No half 'n half at one, coffee-water at the other one. Que lastima, tambien! (what a shame!) because they ground the beans in house. They just need to use 3x the amount!!
Brian is talking to Elisabeth now. He is describing how surreal all the experiences have been: from kicking tumbleweed, to the tasteful production of Mt Rushmore's setting! I hear his excitement! He recounts our Rushmore experience, for it is fresh in his memory!
We just noticed the time change! We've LOST an hour! it'll be 1 AM when we arrive at Blue Mounds!
Where's the coffee!
Ben runningaway!
Selfie, sort of
Awaiting the ranger talk
Rapid Falls, SD. A big city!?
On the road between Rapid Falls and campground.
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