Mount Rushmore National Memorial
.
Driving Back Home!
After a good night’s rest, we drove to “Mount Rushmore National Memorial.” We arrived early before the large groups and enjoyed the impressive statues! We learned about the sculptor Gutzon Borglum and why he carved George Washington (1st), Thomas Jefferson (3rd), Abraham Lincoln (16th), and Theodore Roosevelt (26th) in the mountain. Borglum created his masterwork to celebrate America’s first 150 years as a free country. He chose the four Presidents who played an essential role in the founding, growth, preservation, and development of the United States of America.
After visiting the memorial, we went to Bear Country USA and drove through the wildlife park with North American wildlife in their natural habitat. Bears, wolves, elk, buffalo, and other wildlife are roaming around freely here. We enjoyed the three-mile drive while safely sitting in our car, knowing the mountain lions were hanging above us in the trees. After the drive-thru, we went to their “Babyland,” where young animals were raised.
On our way back to the camping, we followed the narrow Needles Highway, a tourist attraction since 1922. Again, a drive worthwhile with unique granite statues like the Needles Eye and Cathedral Spired!
.
That evening, we went out for dinner in Custer downtown at Steak’ N Ribs Place, a local restaurant in a historic old building. We were warped back in the late 1800s with walls draped in antique-looking wallpaper and old photos on the walls. The food was good, and the company was great! The parrot near the entrance loved to be part of our conversation!
Date
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Distance
about 90 miles
Moving Time
All Day
Walking and Driving
Weather
82 °F
clouds, sunny