Touring Rapid City, SD!

This morning we had an IHOP breakfast (International House of Pancakes) before heading out to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

'This year marks the 70th Anniversary of the completion of the Mount Rushmore carving. Please enjoy its beauty and reflect upon the symbolism of the four Presidents, the magnificent feat of engineering required to carve a mountain and the artistic accomplishment evident in the four faces.'

The National Park service has been entrusted to preserve and protect this iconic symbol for future generations. It is recognised internationally as a symbol of freedom, patriotism and democracy.

I had no idea of the history of this carving nor the reasons for the choices of the faces. The four Presidents are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Rosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. We paid an entry fee of $11 and were able to park in the undercover section of the carpark. Our ticket was valid for the light show this evening, but we decided not to go back.

I also paid $5 for the audio tour and was really glad that I did. As we walked around the memorial, we were able to listen to further information - especially from the perspective of the Lakota Indians who were opposed to the carving of the site. To the Lakota (Ogalala Tribe) the Black Hills area is sacred. We spent more than three hours walking around and taking in all of the information and sights. A trip to the gift shop was also fruitful, finding a unique piece of Black Hills Gold jewellery to bring home!

Next, we drove another 15 miles to the Crazy Horse Memorial.

Crazy Horse is not a federal or state project. It is a non-profit, educational and cultural project financed primarily from an admission fee, which for 2011 is $10 per adult.

Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear stated in 1939, 'My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know the red man has great heroes, also.'

In 1948, work began on the mountain.

This is history in the making. The men were working on the sculpture as we were there today, Sunday. We enjoyed walking around the Memorial, learning about the Lakota people, the Indian culture and the history of the USA over the last 200 years.

Crazy Horse, as far as the scale model is concerned, is to be carved not so much as a lineal likeness but more as a memorial to the spirit of Crazy Horse - to his people. With his left hand thrown out pointing in answer to the derisive question asked by a white man (when Crazy Horse was detained) - 'Where are your lands now?'

He replied, 'My lands are where my dead lie buried.'

For us, it was an interesting, sobering day. We really enjoyed the hospitality of the Lakota Indians and learning about their culture. We left for home very late in the afternoon!