For reasons I can’t explain, I’ve had a crazy fascination for Mount Rushmore National Memorial. I suppose it started in the eighth grade in Mr. Harness’ American history class, and from that point forward I had hoped to visit there someday. Growing up in the Midwest, over 25 hours away from the national memorial, I came to realize that if I was going to have a chance to see Mount Rushmore, I would need to plan a Western US vacation and add the monument to my itinerary. This year was the year to make that voyage.
With two weeks of vacation, I finally booked the trip not only to visit patriotic Mount Rushmore but to also include several national parks and interesting sites along the way. My dream was finally coming true.
Mount Rushmore is an American icon…a symbol of our country’s progress and freedom. It is a perfect representation of the most influential presidents of the United States….four Presidents who have made enormous contributions to the land of the free.
First, there is George Washington, the first President, who is credited for the founding of the United States. Thomas Jefferson, a principal author of the Declaration of Independence, was President from 1801 to 1809. Serving as the 26th President of the United States was Theodore Roosevelt who was instrumental in establishing the National Park System and preserving the nation’s natural resources. Finally, Abraham Lincoln, who abolishing slavery, signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
Passing through the visitor’s center, the pavilion is flanked by flags from each of the states, so I began my search looking for California, Florida, North Carolina and Ohio, the states where I have lived for some time in my life. From here, I can see the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln.
When Gutzon Borglum was asked to design a monument to draw tourists to the state of South Dakota, Borglum decided on creating the likeness of each Presidential Great. While Lewis and Clark and Buffalo Bill Cody were other options, Borglum insisted that the monument should represent the nation as a whole. It was from this decision, the idea of Mount Rushmore was born.
With years of substantial commitment and determination, Mount Rushmore was finally completed after fourteen long years and unveiled to the public in 1941. The work of Gutzon Borglum, continues to amaze as one of the most fascinating engineering marvels of all time, viewed by millions of visitors each year.
The sight of Mount Rushmore, towering over the Black Hills, left me in awe and inspired to continue our pursuit of equality and help protect our national parks. I finally managed to explore the one monument that had fascinated me all of these years.
Have you had the opportunity to visit Mount Rushmore? Did you too feel a sense of patriotism and were you inspired by the monument? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for taking a step back in time with me at Mount Rushmore and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
13000 SD-244
Keystone, SD 57751
Telephone: 605 574 2523
- Admission Fee: There is no entrance fee for Mount Rushmore National Monument, but parking fees are required: cars, motorcycles and RVs: $10 per vehicle, $5 for Seniors (62 and older) and Free for Active Duty Military;
- Hours: Open daily from 5AM to 11:30PM
- Amenities: Hiking trail, ranger programs, audio tour and Evening Light Ceremony.
- Scenic View: The platform provides a beautiful view of Mount Rushmore.
- Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
- Tips for Your Visit: There are several things to do at the park to learn more about Mount Rushmore. You won’t want to miss the Evening Light Ceremony which takes place at sunset to 9:00 PM. You can attend a ranger talk or opt to take the audio tour at your own leisure. A visit to the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center will provide you with a film and exhibits. The Presidential Trail is just over a half a mile long and allows you a closer view of this amazing sculpture.
Where to Stay:
Country Inn & Suites
2321 N. Lacrosse Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
Telephone: 866 522 8891
Where to Eat:
Carver’s Cafe
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
13000 South Dakota 244
Keystone, SD 57751
Telephone: 605 574 2515
What to Eat:
- Buffalo: A meat substitute for beef which is much healthier to eat.
- Chokecherries are a Native American cherry that is made into jam, preserves, butter, wine, jelly and sauce. Wojapi is a chokecherry sauce.
- Dakota Martini is made of three-fourths beer and one-fourth tomato juice
- Fleisch Kuchele is a meat pie originating from Germans who lived in Russia. The dough is filled with meat and onions, then deep fried until the pastry is hot and flaky.
- Hot Beef Commercial, also known as hot beef sandwich, beef combination, hot beef combo and hot beef combination. This is a sandwich made of real mashed potatoes and chunks of seasoned roast beef sandwiched between two pieces of white bread and smothered with homemade gravy until it floods the plate.
- Indian Fry Bread is the state bread of South Dakota, a recipe of the local Indians.
- Indian Tacos are made with a specially spiced beef and beans, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, onion, black olives and house made picante sauce on the top.
- Kolache is an amazing Czech dessert made from pastry and filled with fruit filling such as apple, cherry, lemon, apricot, prune and strawberry.
- Kuchen is German for cake and in South Dakota, visitors can enjoy this pastry filled with custard and fruit.
- Lefse is a flat potato bread coming from Norwegian-American origin and served with butter
- Mocha Cakes, also known as Blarney stones, are square or rectangular blocks of light and airy white cake. Frosted on all sides with vanilla buttercream, they are rolled in lightly salted crushed peanuts for ideal flavor and texture.
- Pasties are savory hand pies.
- Tiger Meat is South Dakota’s answer to steak tartare.
- Wasna is a buffalo and berry dish passed down by the Lakota Indians.
- Zebra Donuts are marbled chocolate and vanilla donuts that is fried, dunked in sweet glaze and hand-dipped in homemade chocolate frosting which feeds 15.
What to Read:
- The Mystery at Mount Rushmore, by Carole Marsh
- The Carving of Mount Rushmore, by Rex Smith
- Great White Fathers, by John Taliaferro
- Face to Face with Mount Rushmore, Jean L.S. Patrick
- Mount Rushmore: The History and Legacy of America’s Most Unique Monument, by Charles River Editors
Photo Guide for Mount Rushmore, South Dakota:
- Use a telephoto lens.
- Include impersonators with your photos
- Hike the path around the monument
- Take your photo during the golden hour
- Photograph Mount Rushmore on the Iron Mountain Trail through the cave entrance which frames the monument.
- Photograph George Washington’s profile just past the entrance of the national monument.
- Photograph Mount Rushmore from Mountain View Cemetery.
- Book a helicopter tour for an aerial shot of Mount Rushmore.
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