Mount Rushmore and Beyond...

One of the cool things about being in this part of the country is the driving. Endless lengths of pavement give way to blue sky and rolling hills at every turn. And, sometimes, those rolling hills are the Black Hills and, if you're in the Black Hills, you have to go to Mount Rushmore.

Admission to Mount Rushmore National Memorial (that's the official name) is actually free. You do have to park, however, and that's where they get ya'. It's actually not bad. Parking is only $10, $5 if you're 62 or older and free if you're active duty military.

We actually didn't go into the park itself. I was here back in 2013 when I drove cross country, and took the hike that's offered around the base of the mountain. We were here for the photo ops, though, and a great photo op was available right there on the road leading to the park, SD-244:

 

 

Construction on the monument started in October of 1927 and opened 14 years later in October of 1941. People often wonder why these four Presidents were chosen. If you happen to be one of those people, well, wonder no more.

Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor of Mount Rushmore, is responsible for choosing the faces carved into the mountain. He chose them for these reasons:

• George Washington - Signifies the struggle for independence and the birth of the Republic.
• Thomas Jefferson - Signifies the territorial expansion of the country.
• Abraham Lincoln - Represents the permanent union of the States and equality for all citizens.
• Theodore Roosevelt - Stands for the 20th century role of the United States in world affairs.
  

 

 

One of the little known facts about Mount Rushmore is that the original design called for the sculptures to be head-to-waist, but funding dried up in 1941 causing the shutdown of construction:

 

This photo was taken during my visit in 2013...

The allure of such an attraction is lost on no one, and I got a kick out of watching this Hells Angels member and his girlfriend taking "selfies" with the mountain in the background:

From where we were on SD-244, we drove past the park entrance and, aft6er a few miles, came upon what's known as "Profile View". From here, you can see a great profile of George Washington. Sadly, the other sculptures aren't visible from this vantage point:

 

 

Mount Rushmore is one of those places in America that I think every American should visit at least once. There are a few of those places; Washington D.C. and Gettysburg are certainly worthy of such reverence. If you ever find yourself meandering your way through the Black Hills, take the opportunity to visit this magnificent icon of the American spirit...