This morning we started off by driving to Keystone, a small charming little town on the way to Mount Rushmore. Keystone's population is 329 people! This is the archway carved out of the rock that leads into the town.
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The Main Street of Keystone was lined with tourist souvenir shops and restaurants. Hotels and motels occupied the secondary streets. It was a bit too commercialized for our taste.
A caved in and decayed mine gave us a glimpse of once rich gold mining community that existed here in the early 1900s.
The first visual contact of Mount Rushmore, the lightening was perfect with fast moving clouds letting the sunlight shine upon the faces of the 4 presidents like a spotlight.
J.J. wanted to wait for the perfect light to take his photos.
Profile view of George Washington.
Last look before we left Mount Rushmore.
The Crazy Horse Memorial is about 17 miles from Mount Rushmore and also in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It represents the life-time work of Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski which is continued by his wife, Ruth and their children. The memorial not only is dedicated to Crazy Horse, but to all Native-American tribes and their people.
Indian Museum of North America Cultural Center
Scale model of Sculptor Korczaj against the Crazy Horse sculpture in progress.
White outline shows the sculptor's design
In the Black Hills & Badlands of South Dakota, there are other must visit areas. J.J. and I decided to stay at a RV park for three nights so we could leisurely explore.
This RV park is huge. It is still off season, but the facility is well maintained and extremely clean. They also have cabin rentals.
The sun has hid behind rain clouds. We are enjoying the Aspen blossoms beside our RV home.
Aloha -- Cathi