Welcome to Mt. Rushmore...

I bet you thought you'd never see it?  Me too.  So it is quite a trek out to South Dakota, and since it's not known as a vacation spot per say, come along with us!  I'll give you the short tour :)

Sat. morning we decided to drive up to Rapid City, South Dakota.  It took us 3 1/2 hours to make the trip from our house to the Mt. Rushmore National Memorial.  The weather is still freezing in this part of the country for the most part.  We've had a few snowstorms late this spring, which we are hoping will provide with a greener Summer season.  It doesnt make for great travel weather, but we wanted to make this trip before school ended and soccer season begins {which we're looking forward to this week} There was hardly anyone else there, and it was so nice to get a great view of the monument.
I do hope Luke and Isabel remember this one! I think they might...4 huge granite men statues on the side of a mountain?

This is the beautiful entrance walking up to the monument, with a flag of every state, and what year that state was admitted into the Union.  My three eager students on the right there...

He was proud he could name all four of the Presidents.  Can you ?  :)

Were they?

A. Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln

B. Jackson, Jefferson, Adams, and Lincoln

C. Washington, Roosevelt, Adams, Madison

D. Jefferson, Adams, Roosevelt, Lincoln

{Answer below}  ;)

The monument was originally supposed to be of Western heros, but then they decided to make it more of a National tribute, so they decided on these four Presidents.  It was also supposed to be the faces along with the bust of each one, but funding ran out.  As we watched the video and toured the museum, it really was amazing to think what it took for them to create this.  All of the rock/rubble you see below is from the blasts of dynamite.  The monument was started in 1925, and completed in 1941.

Have you figured them all out yet?  I bet you can name three, but are stumped on that last one? 

Am I right? :)

We drove back home the next day through the Custer National Park, where you could see the monument from several different locations, which was pretty neat that they thought through that so long ago.  But if you stop and think, it's really not that old.

Good little travelers, but COLD!

I do wonder what these great men would think about our country today.  It kind of makes me sad because they truly did their best to establish our nation with such strong morals, character, and all were God-fearing men.  I think we all still need to be reminded to pray for our nation and it's leaders like never before.  I long to see more leaders who are truly willing to stand for these things, and not just try to please everyone.  

And the answer: A

Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln

I hope you enjoyed the tour.  I do recommend visiting, but I also recommend anywhere in this part of the country.  You will find so much beauty in every corner.  

Now I must run...shovel the sidewalk of what we hope to be the last snow of this cold cold Spring.  I am so grateful for it, because i know it wont last, as nothing does.  But oh how i long to see GREEN!

I think that will be my color this summer!  SO fresh and cool.

Be back soon !

Love and miss all of you precious family and friends.