ROAD TRIP! Day 4

Day 4: Rapid City, SD to Denver, CO

We woke up and headed out to Mt. Rushmore. Piero told us that he had gone on a similar route before and recommended Bear Country USA. We thought we’d stop there too. Before I get into that…

We’re traveling off-season. This is awesome on so many levels because there isn’t anywhere near the amount of people or traffic. We got to travel off-season in Europe and it made all the difference.

…now, the downfall of traveling around here off-season is that a lot of stuff is closed, including Bear Country USA. So, back to the original plan. RUSHMORE!

Stop 1: Mt. Rushmore
This place has really changed since I saw it when I was 7. Very nice. A great clean look to the viewing area. We also got to see them doing some maintenance up on the mountain. Unfortunately this mean the trail that leads even closer to Rushmore was closed.

Stop 2: Crazy Horse Memorial
I had been here when I was 7 as well, but I don’t remember it much. After going in I realized that not much was completed by that point. Well, it is still a work in progress today and many tons of rock had been moved, but nothing carved. Crazy Horses face wasn’t completed until 1998.

The story is interesting. An artist/sculptor won an award for a statue, Native American tribes thought it was important that people remember there were red heroes as well as white. Artist begins work.

Government funded? No, never. He built himself a cabin in the Black Hills and lived there…until he passed away not too long ago. AND he managed to have 10 kids, 7 of which are continuing his work.

Stop 3: Denver, CO
We’ll be staying a few days in Denver so today was all about getting there.

We’re here.