Mt Rushmore-October 8, 2016

I do not have adequate words for what Mt Rushmore means to us. We enjoy it more every time we go. This was our 5th or 6th time to experience this beautiful sight. It has changed so drastically from the first time to this past week that it's hard to describe. 

In the 25 miles between Rapid City and Mt Rushmore you reach a

point on the highway where the carvings come into view. You feel like

you have seen it and you might as well turn around. Wrong.

 

Once in the park, depending on where you park you may have a lot of walking to do. We have finally figured out where to park and walk right into the monument. It is a stunning walk.

 

This is the first thing you see when you start walking toward the faces.

 

Then you get a full view as you walk the Avenue of Flags.

All state flags are displayed along with the date of admission.

Example:

 

 

Once in the amphitheater you can sit wherever you chose and just relax. It is the most peaceful place you can imagine. Crisp clear air, beautiful blue skies, lots of room to vegetate or meditate whichever you prefer. Then you take in the magnificence of this art. And then you can try to imagine what it was like to work on this carving, the danger involved and the pride of a job well done.

 

When it is time to go, you leave almost in silence trying to etch in your mind's eye what you have just seen in case you don't come back.

 

 

If you leave headed toward Hill City instead of returning to Rapid City you get one last glimpse of Mt Rushmore.

 

Good old George looks quite majestic from this point of view.

 

The entire park has changed so much over the years that it is hard to imagine it has not always been like it is now. You used to park in a rocky parking lot wherever you could find a spot and you walked on rocks to see the faces more from an angle than straight ahead. Now you can walk about a two mile loop which puts you directly under all of their noses. Then you realize how big they are. We have done that walk before but did not do it this time. We just sat and took it all in.

 

Of all the magnificent places we have been on our travels I rate this one in the top three along with Glacier National Park and the Grand Canyon. We are so blessed to have seen these places. We are also blessed we chose South Dakota as home. 

 

I hope you get to see this one day.