Mt Rushmore and the Needles

A 99 degree day predicted in Raid City so the air conditioned car beckoned. We set out toward Mt Rushmore about 25 miles away (40 km.) It was an amazing sight as we approached and, as only the Americans can, it is staged very well.




There is a long walk up to a viewing platform, with the flags of each state along each side of the walkway




Here is Dan's birth state flag.




At the end of the promenade then you are right there in front of the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln carved by this gentleman




and finished under the direction of his son.




It is an amazing sight and was carved between 1927 and 1941. It took about seven years of work. Each face is 60 feet high about 18 meters.




And they are full sized pine trees at the bottom so pretty awe inspiring.




We saw rocks at the bottom with dynamite holes drilled in them so pretty good detail for a blasted face. I didnt notice much wildlife except for this little chipmunk.




Too many people around I suppose. The road to Rushmore was littered with animal petting farms and caged animal displays. Ughhhh. From Mt Rushmore we went to Crazy Horse memorial




which a man spent his life working on for native american chiefs to show that they had heroes, too. Crazy Horse was a Latoka chief




who refused to go to a reservation. He is famous for the words " my land is where my dead lie buried" . This sculpture was started on 1948 and is nowhere near finished even though they charge 27 dollars for a car load.




All the plans are done, and the sculptors family continue to work on it. There is no projected completion date. In this picture you can see how it will look when done.




There is a big complex there, non profit, and it is dedicated to the native american culture. Good displays and selling genuine Indian artifacts.




From there we paid another $15 to enter the state park of the Needles highway.




This is the reason that the Americans have such good facilities in the Parks. They charge for everything. The Devils Tower also cost $10 even though it is a national monument, and Rushmore $11.




So maybe NZ has to start charging to go to our special places. This road is narrow but people take care on the roads and are patient.




If you think this hole is bus sized then you are right - just!



No room for error. And our car made it, too. Stunning landscapes.







So tomorrow we move on possible to Sioux Falls or somewhere along the interstate as we approach Minnesota. Another big day of driving is ahead . Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:6th St,Rapid City,United States