Per my warning in the previous blog, you know, the one that even I have trouble reading, I was headed for Mt Rushmore for my next adventure. As you can see, I made it
The monument is truly awe inspiring. To know that this was carved out of the mountainside and that it took 14 years to complete is just beyond comprehension. The sculptor was truly a genius. To have the vision and then make that a reality, is beyond my understanding, especially when I have trouble just cutting in a straight line.
As you drive up the highway to the park, you are climbing through a forest. In the distance, you can see an occasional mountain peak, but just for a second. You have no glimpse of the faces for most of the way up. Then as you round a bend in the road about 1/4 mile from the entrance, the forest parts and you see Mt Rushmore for the first time. There is a little room to stop and pull over to take a picture, but it is usually filled with people doing just that. Once you enter the park and walk from the garage, you can see the faces. The entrance is built like a boulevard, and it is lined with some buildings and then the row of States. This is made up of 7 square columns on each side of the walkway, with 4 flags from each of the States and the Territories that make up the United States. Beyond that is the amphitheater, stage and main viewing area of Mt Rushmore. The area is wide enough to accommodate many people, but the crowd was small at this time of the year. There is a walkway that you can take to go to the base of the mountain, but that was not open today. Still, there are many spots for picture taking and they are all great.
The sculpture seems to change color as the lighting changes. When there are no clouds, it looks as white as snow. But as clouds pass overhead, the colors become gray to light beige and shadows become more pronounced.
There is also a lighting ceremony every evening that is very interesting to watch. The faces are in darkness as the lights come on, and very slowly, the light intensifies until they are are bathed in brightness. It is so bright, that the monument can be seen from miles away if you had an unobstructed view. I was able to glimpse back on the run down the hill as I left the park, and it was a great site to see.
I also took a drive on the Norbec hiway. This is a combination of three scenic hiways that circle Custer State Park. Since this is the Black Hills, the drives go up and down the mountains, using switchbacks and pigtail bridges throughout the drive. Pigtail bridges are the name for the hairpin circular turns where a small bridge carries you as you turn a complete 360 degrees and over the part of the road you just traveled on. There were about 6 of these style bridges. In addition to that, there are three tunnels that were cut out of the rocks. The amazing thing about the tunnels, other then the fact that they are extremely narrow and built for just one car to pass thru at a time, is that each one was built facing Mt Rushmore, and you can see the faces through each tunnel. It is something to see. Overall, the drive was very pleasant and the views were outstanding. The park has wildlife, and I was finally able to see Buffalo. At one point, a head of more than 100 were in fields on both sides of the road, while some were on the road or the shoulder. I got some great close ups. So close, one of two could have put their head through the car window. They are an impressive animal to see.
I think this will do it for tonight. Enjoy the pictures. I hope to have more tomorrow.
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