Mount Rushmore - Part I

Since we were coming from the west and the campground we'd picked was to the east of Mount Rushmore we decided to stop at the monument first.  Our parks pass was not valid for entry since there is no cost to enter Mount Rushmore--but there is a parking fee.  The parking garage was built and is managed by a concessionaire, so I can understand the fee.  It was just $11 and allowed us to come back anytime in the year.  This was useful as we planned to return later in the evening to view the lighting ceremony and see the sculptures at night.  Interestingly my first impression upon seeing the mountain for the first time in many years (I'm not sure how old I was when I visited the site with my parents) was that it seemed smaller than I thought it would be--Amy thought the same thing.  It was still quite impressive, but the shots you usually see on TV or in pictures make it look bigger than it is.

I just found out via the Mount Rushmore NPS site that there is a mobile app for the monument.  I notice that the version history within iTunes indicates that version 1.0 was released June 14, 2012...the day AFTER we were at the monument this summer!  *sigh*  If you have a compatible device it is well worth checking out.

This picture is from slightly later in the day, but early on we did walk through the Avenue of Flags, which was an impressive sight.

I had to find California.  Even though many things are currently wrong with the state, I still do have a fond place in my heart for the state in which I was born and raised.

California has the best state flag in the Union!

After passing through the Avenue of Flags we headed for the Presidential Trail which provides some of the closest views of the monument.

The first face we saw close-up was Washington and actually through a crack in between two large rocks.

All four faces were easier to photograph at different points along the walk.  Sometimes I think they are better appreciated from a distance, as many irregularities are visible when you zoom in.  But on the other hand those make it quite interesting to view also.

The slightly different and interesting views were my favorite.

I also enjoyed zooming in on various features to see how they were constructed.  This is Lincoln's left eye.

Four different plaques explained more about each of the presidents memorialized above.

Jefferson's collar was originally intended to be more extensive, but the nature of the rock canned plans to show more of the torsos of each man.

Jefferson's nose looks a bit difficult to blow out.

Roosevelt's glasses are very interesting, especially when you realize that they are only suggested, without complete rims.

The trail was wonderful to walk, winding through evergreen trees.

 I spotted some of the lights that would be utilized later in the evening to illuminate the mountain.

 There were also a few stairs to climb.

Eventually we came to the studio which contained several exhibits (and a passport stamp!).

There were several different types of models from various stages of the design process.

What's not to love about a fireplace?

This is a model of Borglum's proposed Hall of Records that was supposed to be a great repository of knowledge.  It was eventually "completed" many years after his death with the placement of a plaque and some other items.

This was the side of the studio--the side where you actually entered.

I like plaques.  :-)

An outdoor fireplace?

This was a great framed view of the monuments.

We did look around some inside and took a couple pictures in front of the monument.

Then we headed to our campground to set up everything for the evening.  The next post will cover the inside portions of the various buildings and museum areas and then the third Mount Rushmore post will cover the lighting ceremony and views after dark.

~Matt