Day 5 - Mt. Rushmore

Good evening everyone. Today we slept in, I did not set the morning alarm the night before.  Anyway I made breakfast once again. Using the left over biscuits I cooked up a couple of eggs and some pre-cooked bacon for Mari and I. Oh yea, don't forget the most important drink of the day, coffee. We decided to take the scenic Needles Highway to Mount Rushmore. Enjoyed the leisurely drive to Rushmore. We drove the narrow highway driving the twisting and turning road. I especially like the pig tail bridges and the tunnels. Best of all I love the smell if pine in the air.
 
We got to Mount Rushmore after 1pm and walked around before having lunch in the cafeteria. Mari got a cheese burger, cookie and 2x drinks for $15. We ended up splitting the burger and fry. After a quick bit to eat we were off. Went up to amphitheater  and watched a film about the making of Mount Rushmore. Mari said she never seen it before. The short film is narrated by Tom Brokaw. Mari got a book "Mount Rushmore Q&A" by Don "Nick" Clifford in the souvenir store. The last time we were out this way we had gotten the book and Don Clifford signed the copy. Well somewhere between the Black Hills and Yellow Stone the book disappeared or gotten lost. We followed the foot trail around the base of giant carving. With the temperate in the high 90's or low 100's (depending on which weather website you looked at) the walk on the trail was not bad since it shaded. Mari thought was the climb back up the stairs to get to the main area was the worst part of the hike.

On the way out of the park Mari had to stop by the souvenir store for a few things. While inside we found Don "Nick" Clifford was signing copies of the book. Nick is now 92 years young and still very alert. Mari got Nick to sign her copy of the book again. I got a photo of Nick, his wife, Carolyn and Mari together.  She was so excited. Lets hope she keeps track of this copy. ;-) Once she got her t-shirt, bracelet, key chain and etc we headed back to the cabin for supper.

We got back to the cabin and decided it just not that great staying in a cottage/cabin with no air conditioning, TV or internet. With it so hot and with forecast predicting the temperature to remain high we decided after eating supper to locate a new base of operations. After looking up a few hotels in the area on the phone internet we (Mari) choose to stay at a hotel in Keystone. The place is called Mt. Rushmore's White House Resort. It is centrally located in the heart of Keystone with shops and restaurants in walking distances. The price is not to outrageous. We got packed up fairly quickly and hit the road. On the way to our new location we drove by Mt. Rushmore and I was able to inquire about night lighting ceremony. We got to Keystone and checked in fairly quick. Mari had to use the dolly to get all our (her) stuff. Once settled in I was off to Mount Rushmore. Mari stayed at the hotel to relax in an cool place.

Lighting ceremony begins about 9pm with history lesson about 9:30pm they light the presidents heads. It was really neat. I have always found inspiration by visiting Mount Rushmore. The dream of a man to build something monumental. It reminds me of times back in college sculpting stone (on a much smaller scale). Using my hands and tools to create or to draw out what was laying in the stone. Bringing what ever I felt and saw to the surface. I feel so invigorated but also so lost not working in and with the materials I so much enjoyed. I have so many responsibilities and so active in the my career it is difficult to find the time, motivation and inspiration I once had as a art student. Tonight I worked with a media I have not worked with in a long time. I was so excited and felt inspired I will share a few of the pictures I took. I can not describe the feelings I had tonight listening to the ceremony and taking the pictures of the monument and people.

Enjoy.