Things Aren’t What They Seem!

Mt. Rushmore KOA

Day 22   July 1

Woke up this morning at the Mt. Rushmore KOA campground, excited to start the day and to get to Mt. Rushmore!

On our morning dog walk, we noticed the sign for an all you can eat pancake breakfast at the campgrounds. I don’t even like pancakes, and they’re not high on Mark’s food list either. But, when you travel, you have to experience things for experience sake. And that’s why we ended up at the all you can eat pancake tent that morning. And now, at least, we can check that off of the bucket list.

Had to try it once @ Mt Rushmore KOA

First stop of the day was the highly anticipated Mt Rushmore. We were both really excited to see this great American spectacle. And I have to say, I was kind of disappointed at how small it looked from the entrance. Big let down. Until we walked on the path that takes you closer up to it. And then, disappointment disappeared! So if you go there, you MUST take the walking path that takes you up closer for a much better look and appreciation of the big heads in the rock!

Big Heads in Rock

Yippeee!!! We’re at Mt Rushmore!

Mt Rushmore

A new head has been added @ Mt Rushmore!

Second stop of the day was the Crazy Horse Monument. I’d heard from others that this was an amazing thing to see. And I have to say, that I was also kind of disappointed when we first arrived. But here’s the thing….if you go there, you have to watch the film that’s shown in the theatre. The film explained and showed the magnitude of what is being done at the monument. When you look out at the monument, it just doesn’t look like much of anything. But, when you see what that mass of rock started out as, it is truly remarkable. 

Crazy Horse. More impressive when you learn about than, than when you just look at it and don’t know shit about it.

American Indian bead collection @ Crazy Horse Monument

You know what else is remarkable about the Crazy Horse Monument? That I didn’t buy any jewelry from the American Indian craftspeople that were showing their work in the visitor center. I love jewelry, and there were so many beautiful pieces there. But, in my new minimalistic lifestyle, I’m pretty content to just admire, and not have to own.