Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore – the reason so many people come to South Dakota, including us! So it only makes sense that our first sightseeing adventure would start here, plus it’s only 30 minutes from where we are staying in Rapid City.

Evening Lighting Ceremony

Our first visit was on Wednesday evening for the lighting ceremony. This patriotic event is held every evening at 9pm throughout the summer. It was refreshing to see so many people engaged in a pro-America program. From the video presentation, to singing the national anthem, to recognition of veterans on stage, it was very inspiring. Considering the late hour there were a lot of people in attendance, with the majority being rambunctious scouting troops.

We arrived about an hour in advance of the start time, but we didn’t attempt to see all the sights since we knew we would be coming back in just a few days. We mostly just absorbed the environment, and gazed at the monument which is pretty amazing.

The National Park Service has really done a great job with this park. The parking is plentiful and adjacent to the entrance. There are plenty of bathrooms, a couple of gift shops, a full cafe with delicious ice cream and so much more. I think a visit is worth a two-day drive from Texas. The only cost is $10 for parking, and once you pay, you can keep your parking ticket and enter as many times as you want for a year.

The Presidential Trail

The following Saturday morning we arrived back at the park rested and ready for adventure! We expected it to be busy, and it was, but it wasn’t bad at all. The clear, cool, sunny morning was perfect for further exploration. Once again we were awed by the dramatic walkway with all of the state flags waving in the breeze. There was a man playing a Native American flute for donations, which added to the dramatic atmosphere.

We went straight to the start of the Presidential Trail which is a .6 mile scenic walking loop with various views of the presidents. Along the way we visited the Sculptor’s Studio, where the man who sculpted the monument, Guzton Borglum, worked from 1939 to 1941. It has a 1/12th scale model of Mount Rushmore the he used to accurately sculpt the final monument. A park ranger explained the process, which was pretty amazing.

After completing the trail and enjoying the views of the beautiful Black Hills surrounding the monument, we headed to the ice cream shop. It was delicious. Dale got a scoop of vanilla that was made from the recipe found in Pres. Thomas Jefferson’s own handwriting. Jefferson, who served it several times during his presidency, is credited as having recorded the first known American ice cream recipe. I tasted it and it was truly a presidential experience! Ha ha!

We spent about three hours there before heading into Custer State Park to have a picnic at Sylvan Lake. We plan on returning to Rushmore at least once more before leaving South Dakota.