We spent the day Tuesday June 28th visiting Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse outside of Rapid City, South Dakota.

As I mentioned in the weekly update, we arrived there just about the time a rainstorm was starting. We hung out in the building where the cafeteria is at a table waiting for the rain to move off. We only had to shelter for about 20 minutes and then the sun was back out.

We took several photos and walked the Trail of Presidents around the base of the monument.

The layout of of the monument is much different in comparison to how I envisioned it. I’ve always had the impression that there was a lot of flat land around the rock outcropping, but it is in fact nestled into the hills.

The photo to the left was taken in the ampitheatre that faces the monument. There is a sound system there that plays a loop of John Phillip Sousa marches to give you that “patriotic feel”.

After finishing up the visit at Mount Rushmore, we drove south down the road to the Crazy Horse Monument. They have been working on that monument for over 60 years, and have another 50 planned. When complete, it is supposed to be the largest rock carving in the world.

We watched the historical documentary in the theatre in the visitors’ center. It was very good and we all found it informative and enjoyable. This monument is funded entirely by private donation and fees to see the monument. When complete, the monument will show Crazy Horse on his horse pointing out over the lands where his people are buried. His message is “My land is where my men lay buried”, which was a response to a US Army  general asking him “Where is your land now?” after defeat.

Next post will be about Glacier National Park.