Mount Rushmore

Settled into a dispersed campsite late this afternoon.  Felt quite lazy and sluggish from all the driving, an existential funk if you will.  Finishing off a leftover partial cinnamon roll had left me in a sugar depleted doze.  Luckily Cindy motivated me to go for a run.  What a difference just 30 minutes of exercise does for mental health!  Found out about the evening lighting of the Rushmore monument, so we drove over to it around 830 pm.  Spectacular viewpoints along the Needles Highway on our way over.  The tunnels are the best part, especially seeing the monument through them.

Quite an amazing sight to see at mount Rushmore. An amazing work of art which really enlivens your patriotism. An interesting duality though, especially after reading a number of native american books during this trip. While they were 4 great men representing an amazing history of a nation from birth through world dominance, the complete annihilation of the Indians is an immense tragedy. Unsure about the choice to build this monument in the middle of historic Indian territory, rather than back east. It was mentioned that the original thoughts were to sculpt the faces of Lewis, Clark and an Indian chief. I think that would have been more appropriate. Overall, a great 1 hour presentation consisting of a park ranger intro, short film about the 4 presidents, lighting of the monument accompanied by music and finale of bringing all the military audience members on stage to bring down the flag and introduce each one of them.