Dean & Linda Stock
Well-known member
Day 1 September 1, 2015 Custer, SD
Dean, Sherlock the Cat, and I have been off the road for two years, and this first week we have spent re-learning the RV routine. We had only 2 weeks to prepare, as we expected Dean to have shoulder replacement surgery (brought on by him trying to be a weightlifter and hoisting a huge roll of carpet over his head to put it on a shelf in the garage). It turned out that his tendons and bicep muscles are too shredded for surgery--years of over-doing. Physical therapy was recommended, but he is too strong, even with the torn tendons and bicep. He surpasses the exit criteria for PT. So, he said, "Let's get going!" Shock!
We just got our Internet up today so I can start my log, and we are now enjoying our first scenic attractions.
Our park is an easy 40-minute drive to Mt. Rushmore. Last time we were here, it was snowing and Dean was on crutches. This time, it was a beautiful low 80's day with a slight breeze. Parking was $12. The NPS formed a partnership with a private company to get a loan to build the shady 3-story garage, which will soon be paid off, and the fees repaid (with huge interest, I'm sure) the loan. Admission was free.
At the entrance, you can rent an audio tour, but we passed and don't feel it could have added much. We saw the same information in 2 or 3 different places. We entered through the Avenue of Flags which represent all 50 states and their date of admission. (Pic 1/5352)
We were awed by the presidents' carvings at the end of the Avenue of Flags. I thought Borglum did an especially spectacular job on the eyes and expressions. Eyes are so difficult that on many sculptures they leave them blank. (Pic 2/5363) Words can't describe the sculpting adequately--you have to go see it.
Our first stop was the Visitor Center. We enjoyed the 15-minute excellent movie describing each presidents' virtues and the carving of Mt. Rushmore. They had attractive, informative exhibits.
There is a nightly summer ranger-led Evening Lighting Ceremony, but we chose to go elsewhere. I had planned to go to the Heritage Village, and I forgot. They recommend 10-30 minutes. I'm going to make checklists in the future to make sure we don't miss anything.
I learned so much today, and I thought I knew a lot about these presidents. I learned that Jefferson was a redhead. Washington had a long nose--his is 21' long, and all the others are 20'. Lincoln only had a beard during his presidency, and then, it was usually short, as depicted on the mountain. A South Dakota historian was the first to suggest carving the mountain to lure tourists to South Dakota.
Of course, erosion is a concern. Each year the NPS works on preventing water from accumulating in the cracks, expanding during the winter, and crumbling the portraits. They put a special oil in the cracks, and the NPS has put in a monitoring system on the 21 most critical ones.
The NPS studied methods of treating cracks. They fit the crack with foam backing rods and then use caulking guns to inject silicon sealant into the crack. Then they sprinkle a little granite dust on the sealant so it blends with the rest of the mountain.
Timing our trip to Crazy Horse Monument was a challenge, and we did it close to perfect (for us). Admission was $11 each and included everything except dinner. We arrived at the monument just in time for the 5:30 talk and hoop dancing. The 21-year-old woman gave us a little history, vocabulary, and an audience-participation demonstration on how to use hoops to make symbolic figures. Her finale was a dance, starting with one hoop and building to 21 hoops, using her feet to fetch the additional hoops. She used oval hoops to fashion a tail (?) or a snake (?) She says we need to use our imagination to interpret the dance, but I'd like to see the true story of what we were seeing. (Pics 3 & 4/5397 & 5396.)
We ate at their Dancing Waters Restaurant adjacent to the demo. I had a very good Native American taco (translation "Indian taco.") Dean had a good burger. I heard that their buffalo stew (tanaka) was excellent, also. They offered extra sour cream, salsa, and free drink refills. Prices were reasonable (taco was $10.29). Service was outstanding!
The museum had excellent exhibits. What fascinated me most were the smaller sculptures that the Polish artist, Korczak Ziolkowski, did as prototypes. I didn't get a chance to go through their lovely gift shop, and if I were to do it again, I definitely would allow more time for that.
At 8:30, you can view the laser light show either from the parking lot or the patio where we saw the dancers. The parking lot is the preferred spot. We tried to get photos, but it's kind of like photographing fireworks in motion.
I heard disturbing stories of how they used their profits last time we were here. They are funding an Indian University & Medical School (eventually), which now offers classes but not a 4-year bachelors and scholarships to outside universities. Of course, they have maintenance of the beautiful cultural center and restaurant and parking lots, and they fund the carving. I learned that they work on the Crazy Horse Monument Monday through Friday, weather permitting, 52 weeks a year. However, the CHM wasn't noticeably more complete than when were here a few years ago.
I didn't realize the magnitude of the project. The head of Crazy Horse is bigger than all of Mount Rushmore. (Picture 5/5371) When Korczak's son, Adam, was a teenager, he was driving the bulldozer. His brakes failed, and it sent over the side. His dad saw he was okay, then told him, "You got it down there. Now you get it back up here." He had 10 children, and 7 are still involved with the monument. It's their passion. It will take another 2-3 generations to complete the monument. They haven't even started the horse yet, but they have drawn it. (Pic 7/5373) The original artist's children and grandchildren are working on the monument now. His wife, who is in her 90's still works on the board and speaks to raise money.
Staying at Broken Arrow Campground--$40, has everything, including stables for your traveling horse. Very nice hosts. Level, pride-of-ownership campground.
Dean, Sherlock the Cat, and I have been off the road for two years, and this first week we have spent re-learning the RV routine. We had only 2 weeks to prepare, as we expected Dean to have shoulder replacement surgery (brought on by him trying to be a weightlifter and hoisting a huge roll of carpet over his head to put it on a shelf in the garage). It turned out that his tendons and bicep muscles are too shredded for surgery--years of over-doing. Physical therapy was recommended, but he is too strong, even with the torn tendons and bicep. He surpasses the exit criteria for PT. So, he said, "Let's get going!" Shock!
We just got our Internet up today so I can start my log, and we are now enjoying our first scenic attractions.
Our park is an easy 40-minute drive to Mt. Rushmore. Last time we were here, it was snowing and Dean was on crutches. This time, it was a beautiful low 80's day with a slight breeze. Parking was $12. The NPS formed a partnership with a private company to get a loan to build the shady 3-story garage, which will soon be paid off, and the fees repaid (with huge interest, I'm sure) the loan. Admission was free.
At the entrance, you can rent an audio tour, but we passed and don't feel it could have added much. We saw the same information in 2 or 3 different places. We entered through the Avenue of Flags which represent all 50 states and their date of admission. (Pic 1/5352)
We were awed by the presidents' carvings at the end of the Avenue of Flags. I thought Borglum did an especially spectacular job on the eyes and expressions. Eyes are so difficult that on many sculptures they leave them blank. (Pic 2/5363) Words can't describe the sculpting adequately--you have to go see it.
Our first stop was the Visitor Center. We enjoyed the 15-minute excellent movie describing each presidents' virtues and the carving of Mt. Rushmore. They had attractive, informative exhibits.
There is a nightly summer ranger-led Evening Lighting Ceremony, but we chose to go elsewhere. I had planned to go to the Heritage Village, and I forgot. They recommend 10-30 minutes. I'm going to make checklists in the future to make sure we don't miss anything.
I learned so much today, and I thought I knew a lot about these presidents. I learned that Jefferson was a redhead. Washington had a long nose--his is 21' long, and all the others are 20'. Lincoln only had a beard during his presidency, and then, it was usually short, as depicted on the mountain. A South Dakota historian was the first to suggest carving the mountain to lure tourists to South Dakota.
Of course, erosion is a concern. Each year the NPS works on preventing water from accumulating in the cracks, expanding during the winter, and crumbling the portraits. They put a special oil in the cracks, and the NPS has put in a monitoring system on the 21 most critical ones.
The NPS studied methods of treating cracks. They fit the crack with foam backing rods and then use caulking guns to inject silicon sealant into the crack. Then they sprinkle a little granite dust on the sealant so it blends with the rest of the mountain.
Timing our trip to Crazy Horse Monument was a challenge, and we did it close to perfect (for us). Admission was $11 each and included everything except dinner. We arrived at the monument just in time for the 5:30 talk and hoop dancing. The 21-year-old woman gave us a little history, vocabulary, and an audience-participation demonstration on how to use hoops to make symbolic figures. Her finale was a dance, starting with one hoop and building to 21 hoops, using her feet to fetch the additional hoops. She used oval hoops to fashion a tail (?) or a snake (?) She says we need to use our imagination to interpret the dance, but I'd like to see the true story of what we were seeing. (Pics 3 & 4/5397 & 5396.)
We ate at their Dancing Waters Restaurant adjacent to the demo. I had a very good Native American taco (translation "Indian taco.") Dean had a good burger. I heard that their buffalo stew (tanaka) was excellent, also. They offered extra sour cream, salsa, and free drink refills. Prices were reasonable (taco was $10.29). Service was outstanding!
The museum had excellent exhibits. What fascinated me most were the smaller sculptures that the Polish artist, Korczak Ziolkowski, did as prototypes. I didn't get a chance to go through their lovely gift shop, and if I were to do it again, I definitely would allow more time for that.
At 8:30, you can view the laser light show either from the parking lot or the patio where we saw the dancers. The parking lot is the preferred spot. We tried to get photos, but it's kind of like photographing fireworks in motion.
I heard disturbing stories of how they used their profits last time we were here. They are funding an Indian University & Medical School (eventually), which now offers classes but not a 4-year bachelors and scholarships to outside universities. Of course, they have maintenance of the beautiful cultural center and restaurant and parking lots, and they fund the carving. I learned that they work on the Crazy Horse Monument Monday through Friday, weather permitting, 52 weeks a year. However, the CHM wasn't noticeably more complete than when were here a few years ago.
I didn't realize the magnitude of the project. The head of Crazy Horse is bigger than all of Mount Rushmore. (Picture 5/5371) When Korczak's son, Adam, was a teenager, he was driving the bulldozer. His brakes failed, and it sent over the side. His dad saw he was okay, then told him, "You got it down there. Now you get it back up here." He had 10 children, and 7 are still involved with the monument. It's their passion. It will take another 2-3 generations to complete the monument. They haven't even started the horse yet, but they have drawn it. (Pic 7/5373) The original artist's children and grandchildren are working on the monument now. His wife, who is in her 90's still works on the board and speaks to raise money.
Staying at Broken Arrow Campground--$40, has everything, including stables for your traveling horse. Very nice hosts. Level, pride-of-ownership campground.