Okay, be prepared for picture overkill. I took a bizillion pictures from a million different angles, but only posted some - and it's still too many. I just didn't feel like doing a slide show this time.
So Mt. Rushmore was amazing. The scale and scope of the whole thing was unreal. It was our first time there and we were really impressed with it. The memorial is in the Black Hills of South Dakota, about 20 minutes south of Rapid City (a bustling metropolis). The granite is abundant all over the area (it looks just like the granite used in SLC at the temple and conference center) and we discovered that the hills are really like giant geodes because they're all full of crystal caves! (I think I read that 68 of the world's 72 calcite caves are in the Black Hills. ) So we also visited a cave and I'll have to post those pictures later.
Anyway, the clever folks who take care of the area went to great lengths to enable visitors to have some pretty cool views of the mountain from the roads leading to it, especially Ironman Road. We went through 4 tunnels that perfectly framed Mt. Rushmore as you entered them. The whole thing was pretty cool. Here's a view through the trees from the same road on a turn.
It was pretty sunny so the lighting was tough, but you get the idea.
It was interesting to learn why they chose this spot - it had a large expanse of granite, mostly flat, and it faced into the path of the sun. It was very visible.
This is a shot of the valley that the mountain looks down on. Low rolling hills and meadows.
This is a shot from the visitor's center. Good idea of scale.
Here are Darren and Marc (his dental partner) hefting the stroller down some stairs. There's a trail you can take to get some closer views.
Here are our boys and two of Marc and Deb's girls, Ashley and Courtney. Of course, none of them are looking at the camera. BTW - Dalton slipped into his cowboy mode. It all goes back to the Rennaker farm, but it came on REAL strong earlier this summer when we spent about 8 days in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Uncle Lee got him this sweet cowboy hat.
An up the nose shot - just to emphasize the undulating surface.
President Lincoln all by his lonesome, as seen from the trail.
Good Ol' George as seen through a crevice in some rocks at the base of the trail. He has such grandeur.
Their prominence in the rock face actually gives them more prominence period.
All four gentleman as seen from the viewing terrace. Classic, right? The pile of rubble at the base is interesting - from the blasting.
The entrance to the memorial is flanked on both sides by all 50 state flags. It was pretty cool.
So patriotic.
Hard to see, but this is Darren, Marc, and the kids at the entrance - just to give an idea of scale.
So Mt. Rushmore was amazing. The scale and scope of the whole thing was unreal. It was our first time there and we were really impressed with it. The memorial is in the Black Hills of South Dakota, about 20 minutes south of Rapid City (a bustling metropolis). The granite is abundant all over the area (it looks just like the granite used in SLC at the temple and conference center) and we discovered that the hills are really like giant geodes because they're all full of crystal caves! (I think I read that 68 of the world's 72 calcite caves are in the Black Hills. ) So we also visited a cave and I'll have to post those pictures later.
Anyway, the clever folks who take care of the area went to great lengths to enable visitors to have some pretty cool views of the mountain from the roads leading to it, especially Ironman Road. We went through 4 tunnels that perfectly framed Mt. Rushmore as you entered them. The whole thing was pretty cool. Here's a view through the trees from the same road on a turn.
It was pretty sunny so the lighting was tough, but you get the idea.
It was interesting to learn why they chose this spot - it had a large expanse of granite, mostly flat, and it faced into the path of the sun. It was very visible.
This is a shot of the valley that the mountain looks down on. Low rolling hills and meadows.
This is a shot from the visitor's center. Good idea of scale.
Here are Darren and Marc (his dental partner) hefting the stroller down some stairs. There's a trail you can take to get some closer views.
Here are our boys and two of Marc and Deb's girls, Ashley and Courtney. Of course, none of them are looking at the camera. BTW - Dalton slipped into his cowboy mode. It all goes back to the Rennaker farm, but it came on REAL strong earlier this summer when we spent about 8 days in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Uncle Lee got him this sweet cowboy hat.
An up the nose shot - just to emphasize the undulating surface.
President Lincoln all by his lonesome, as seen from the trail.
Good Ol' George as seen through a crevice in some rocks at the base of the trail. He has such grandeur.
Their prominence in the rock face actually gives them more prominence period. 
All four gentleman as seen from the viewing terrace. Classic, right? The pile of rubble at the base is interesting - from the blasting.
The entrance to the memorial is flanked on both sides by all 50 state flags. It was pretty cool.
So patriotic.
Hard to see, but this is Darren, Marc, and the kids at the entrance - just to give an idea of scale.
It was a fun trip and we were surprised at how much the surrounding area offers. Maybe I'll post some pics of the other stuff we did, but for now I think this is plenty.
6 comments:
That is incredible. And a beautiful blue sky to frame it all.
I love George Washington's intense, thoughtful, concerned, patriarcal demeanor. Same look he is always shown with, but ever so visible there.
wow. those are cool. i can't believe you didn't take the say anything about meeting rocky raccoon "somewhere in the black hills of south dakota." when opportunity knocks you gotta take it stac!
dang it! missed that for sure.
amazing what a cool experience
What great pictures you took. looks like you had a great time.Glad to here you love it whereyou are i would love to go see mount rushmore some day :o)
It looks like you are having too much fun in CO. Funny story about Dane. Miss ya TONS!
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