Mount Rushmore and Beyond

Day two in the Custer area began with a leisurely breakfast at Legion Lake Lodge in Custer State Park, where my parents were staying.  The only item left on their agenda was to see Mount Rushmore...and they had saved it for when we arrived.  So off we went to see the large granite faces of four of our presidents - symbolizing the foundation, expansion, preservation, and development of our great country.  Indeed, it is impressive to see them - and to ponder what each of these great men did and what it means for us today. 

I enjoyed exploring the Sculptor's Studio, where Gutzon Borglum (also chief designer of Stone Mountain, but left in the middle of the project) had a 1/12 scale model of the presidents' busts that he worked from.  You could see the carvings on the mountain from his studio and imagine what it might have been like to see work in progress.  It was also fascinating to learn about the various techniques that the workers used to carve such a massive mountain of granite with such precision.  A little bit of trivia for you... did you know that there is a Hall of Records inside of Lincoln's head?  Borglum actually had very elaborate plans for the scuplture - not just the presidents - but he died before it could be finished.  However, there is a Hall of Records that now houses 16 porcelain enamel panels with text from important U.S. documents inside. 

We traveled to the memorial on the Iron Mountain Road, where you are able to catch glimpses of the sculpture as you approach through various tunnels and around pigtail curves.  We took the Needles Highway back, where you also have to drive through some very narrow tunnels.  One was so narrow (the Needle's Eye) that we pulled the mirrors in on the truck to make it a bit more comfortable for passage.  While we were at Mount Rushmore a cold front must have moved through the area because by the time we were jumping out of the car to try to catch a few pictures of these magnificent tunnels, it was COLD!  50 degrees in the middle of the afternoon cold...yikes!  I don't think we brough enough warm clothes for this weather.

Plans to enjoy marshmallows around the campfire with Dinny and Poppy after an easy dinner at the camper were going well until it began to sprinkle more heavily and we all packed up the chairs and said our goodbyes until we return to Georgia.  Their flight left this morning from Rapid City.  We were almost battened down when there was a slight incident with the awning and Matt's fingers - see related post: Checking out the Custer ER.

 

Tracy