How this LOL Terry!
Not admitting it yet, but much close than a few weeks ago ( or was it months ago) when I wondered why people had such high mileages on their toads.
I will honestly say I am now looking forward to a few weeks of sitting around doing nothing. At my age touring the sights wears me out and I miss my afternoon naps. I believe what is going to happen is that we will do a lot of long distance driving in the MH as we want to see ALL of the US, but there will be many periods where we just sit and chill out by a pool, or take hikes around a wilderness dry camp area. And then here will be times where the toad will take us to "required" tourist visit points of interest. How this all balances out will be a function of many variables. My olde farte body with its love of chilling out is just one of those variables.
I do see now, however, that the toad will get more miles than originally anticipated. Still not sure if it will outmile the pusher, which was my original question.
Yesterday we were on the road again with a full day of toad gas burning.
The main visit was Crazy Horse. I had high expectations (just like for Yellowstone in 2003) but was greatly disappointed. It came across to me more as a tourist trap and money maker. Hard to pinpoint the difference between Crazy Horse and Rushmore, but Rushmore was a much more vibrant experience, even though it had its share of stores and restaurants.
I got off on the wrong foot when I found there was a $20 admission, and none of our coupons, permits, passes, etc would work. I had the boldness to ask how the fee was used and was told how expensive sculpting and dynamiting was. OK. Fair enough.
I looked forward to the chance to see a work in progress. complete with dynamiting, sculpting, maybe even visits up close to stand near mountain sculptors and watch them work. Something the completed Rushmore could not offer.
As the day wore on, we never saw a single sign of life on the face of the mountain. The only sounds of dynamiting were coming from the theater. I found it interesting that not only did the theater emit sounds of dynamite when picturing the work of past years, but also during the intermission would emit explosive sounds that could be heard throughout the building. At first I had the impression that real work was going on. Eventually I figured out the sounds were all being created electronically.
A big disappointment came within the theater, when the film (not nearly as interesting as the Rushmore film) showed a final shot of the Mountain as it stood in 1998. As far as my unpracticed eye could discern, it looked identical to what I saw in real life in 2005.
I was so unnerved by this I asked at the information desk if work was still going on. "Yes" was the answer.
I asked why I had not seen any activity for several hours. "They are working on the back side of the mountain."
Is there a way I can get a view of the back, even a distant one, so I can view the work in progress? "No."
So much for that conversation.
I will say the work through 1998
is impressive to view. But not worth $20 compared to the $8 and the view of Rushmore.
I am wondering who is the guiding force since Korczak Zilkowski's death in 1982?
I asked this question all around and could not get a consistent answer. It seems on their web site, that sculpting work did continue ( but based on Korczak Zilkowski's original plans) until a final blasting in 1999. I get the feeling it is sort of petering out, but it is politically unwise to explore this, as one is quickly questioned about one's feelings towards the American Indians. I love the social structure of the Native American and though new to learning the history, I am very interested and very supportive. I do agree the settlers did not treat the Native American well, and that our American culture does not have the necessary appreciation of native culture. I want to do better myself in this area.
But the only driving force I saw yesterday was the force to make money and commercialize.
The best thing Crazy Horse has going for it is the museum. I don't think one can call it the best collection of Native American artifacts in existence, but it is close to making the visit worth $20. Even so, there is a LOT of commercial activity going on inside the museum. Not opposed to commercial activity, and we even bought a necklace for the Admiral which is lovely. Not from an Indian though, but from a Caucasian "beader".
It is just that I expected to see more love of history as exhibited at Rushmore that could go along with the commercialism.
Hope I am not offending anyone here.
I just better enjoyed the $20 we spent for a magnificent lunch at the Alpine Inn in Hill City that same day. This is only the second restaurant recommendation I have made since joining the forum. I can assure Bernie and Marlene that the rest rooms work, the air conditioning works (though yesterday it was not needed) and the setting is far more attractive and scenic than my first recommendation.
The prices are awesome. Lunches run $4 to $6 and are elegant. A strong German influence but lots of variety and all dishes with their unique and elegant presentation. Sharon ordered a Reuben with homemade German potato salad included. The sauerkraut in the sandwich was also home made.
I ordered an open faced smoked salmon bagel with home made cream cheese, Bermuda onion, etc.
We both enjoyed the finger sandwich platter, with 8 half sandwhiches, each different, and each much larger than my idea of a finger sandwich.
Belgian strawberry and ice cream waffle, and multilayered chocolate cake for desert.
I wish I had the foresight to have taken a picture of the filled table. I did however get a shot of the Inn from the car on the way out and will upload that with other goodies when I get this laptop fully set up.
We will be back to the Alpine one evening before we leave for their reservation only steak dinner. The only thing they serve at dinner is a 6 oz filet Mignon for $5.95, and an 8 oz for $9.95. complete with beverage, sides, and desert.
I have eaten $75 meals that are not prepared as well.
The Alpine Inn at Hill City SD.
