Mt. Rushmore National Monument

Saturday, August 7.   After driving all night, Larry took a break in the back seat.  I finished the stretch to Mt. Rushmore.  There was a turn off several miles prior to the national park.  It had a visitors center, hiking trails, and caves to explore.  In our time crunch, we passed on the caves and hit the 1 mile walk.  It was a gorgeous day!

It's great to see all the smiles even after 24 hours in the car!

The weekend we began our adventure happened to be Sturgis weekend.  I didn't know too much about it, but we learned that hundreds and thousands of bikers come from all over the country to camp and stay in Sturgis.  Several were making a stop at Mt. Rushmore along with us. 

Puyallup has painted pigs.  Mt. Rushmore has buffalo. 

Our first view as we came around the bend.

I think the best word to describe Mt. Rushmore is majestic.  There is a feeling of reverence there- even though there is not any reference to faith.  We are truly grateful to have had this experience.

This was an educational pit stop as well.

I might be thinking Christmas picture... what do you think?

There is an Artists' Studio there which holds the original plaster mock-up of the Mt. Rushmore sculpture.  As you stand in front of the 30 foot replica, you can see the real thing through the wall of windows.  Beautiful!

And, yes, that is Dino of the Flintstone's fame.  Right before you hit Mt. Rushmore there is a Flintstone's-themed campground that got all of us almost as excited as seeing the president's themselves!