Mt Rushmore and beyond.

Dear Family and Friends,

After enjoying Deadwood, we headed out to see Mt. Rushmore.  The main purpose of this trip was so that Matt could see this monument.  Mt. Rushmore was on his bucket list.

We couldn't have asked for a nicer day weather wise.

Here we are posing in front of the monument.

They have audio guides that you can rent.  You learn about the man who designed and supervised the carving of the monument and that 90% was carved with controlled amounts of dynamite.  Also about how it was for the 400 workers.

Here are Matt and Chuck listening to the audio guide while looking at the monument.

We were fortunate because Nick Clifford, the sole surviving worker on the monument, was in the bookstore signing books.  He started working on Mt. Rushmore when he was 17 years old.  He is now 92 years old.

When we were leaving Mt Rushmore we found a place on the highway where you can see George Washington's profile.

Custer State Park is very close to Mt. Rushmore.  If you go to Mt. Rushmore be sure to drive through this park as well.  It is awesome.

http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer

The drive through the park included beautiful granite outcroppings.  They reminded me a little of sand castles you build at the beach by dripping sand and water.

There were tunnels so small that only one car could go through at a time.  No big RV's on this road.

The most awesome tunnel we went through had a view of Mt Rushmore as you came out the other end.  How cool is that?

You can see from this picture that the Custer State Park is not that far from Mt. Rushmore.

Another awesome day of touring.

Love,

Nancy