My travels have been confined to border towns in Mexico, seven provinces in Canada and all of the United States. I've been to the top of the Empire State Building, I've seen the Golden Gate Bridge, I've driven the Alaskan Highway and I've been to the Grand Canyon. Blah, blah, blah. As with most of these things, once I see it, my reaction is usually the same. "Wow. Awesome. Let's go have lunch."
If the place has any historical significance, there are only rare instances when I'm interested enough to read about it. History was never a favorite subject of mine so I investigate only the things that really intrigue me.
But, this past weekend, I was wowed; right here in America. Awed. Amazed. Speechless. How did that happen, you ask? Eddie and I visited Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota, that's how.
Once we got into the park, we were able to face it head on. This is what the mountain looks like when you're standing in the viewing area, right in front of the sculpture .
Ed kept asking me why I was so "wow-ed" by it all, and the only thing I could think to say was that it wasn't just a natural phenomenon, like the Grand Canyon or Devil's Tower or a Glacier; it was something that a man created, by hand. He literally sculpted a mountain.
I felt as if it were one of those special things that not everyone has an opportunity to see in person. There are many things people come across when traveling say, across country. But this isn't just one of the things along the way. This is something you actually have to plan to see. Because really, what other reason is there for going to South Dakota anyway? Which was exactly the plan that Doane Robinson, the state's historian, had back when he concocted the idea of carving people into mountains; he wanted to increase tourism. And since over three million people a year visit, I'd say his plan worked.
To me, this is something I'll never forget. I actually think I'd like to go back, and maybe next time, I'll plan my trip to coincide with Sturgis; the other reason people go to South Dakota.
3 comments:
I used to work for South Dakota Tourism. Mt. Rushmore does indeed bring many visitors. But, in addition to the Sturgis Rally, South Dakota also has pheasant hunting, snow skiing, the Missouri River with more shoreline than California and more! Visit again, and take in some other sites. Did you stop by the Crazy Horse carving? Another man-made mountain carving that's a work in progress.
did you drive your truck up to the parking area? We were just a few miles from Mt Rushmore once and a lady told us that we couldn't get our truck up the road to see if. Just wondering so next time we may be able to stop.
Rita,
Yes, we actually did take the truck up there. We dropped our trailer at a lot at the bottom of the hill and drove the truck up. It was also off season though, so maybe it was a little easier to get around. Although, we did park VERY close to the visitor center when we got there and it was amazing seeing the mountain coming into view as we drove up.
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