It is quite a long drive from Spearfish to Mt. Rushmore. When we got there, we had to do a lot of walking and climbing stairs. Lots of people there from all over the world. It was also a hot day and the sun was intense. We enjoyed the Memorial and took some pictures but the best pictures we got were when the sky clouded up and the light was better.
Gateway into the Memorial. This has all been recently re-done.
Main promenade leading into the Avenue of the Flags
Avenue of the Flags where they have the flag of every state and commonwealth. We tried to find Utah but so many of the flags were wrapped around their pole we couldn’t identify it. We found Colorado easy, and Oregon and Massachusetts. Washington and Utah were hiding.
View with the sun. We were there from about 1:00 to 3:00.
View when the clouds moved in. Best light is first thing in the morning, since the mountain faces east.
From the top of the amphitheater where they have nightly shows.
While we were there, we went into the museum and watched a short movie then wandered through the display they have of the tools and equipment used in the carving. Really amazing what they were able to accomplish with stone age technology…… and a whole lot of dynamite. The rock fragments on the mountain below the carvings is what they had to blast away.
We read an account of the poor guy who had to do the carving for the nostrils. He hated that job because he had to drill straight up, very awkward holding his drill, then the rock fragments and hot dust would fall on him and go down his neck and inside his clothing. But he did a great job!
We had a fun but tiring day at Mt. Rushmore. It’s an awesome place to visit and it is, indeed, well worth the effort to get there and mingle with the crowds.
We also enjoyed the drive getting there; windy roads but such beautiful scenery.
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