Traveling on our own we seldom take guided tours but we had the opportunity at the Freightliner rally to do so and we did. It was a long day bus ride through Rapid City with a couple hours each at the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mt. Rushmore. The driver had quite a patter and MY driver got to sit back and enjoy the scenery. Nice day.
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| All carving on the mountain starts from this model |
The story behind Crazy Horse Memorial was unsuspected. What an amazing project. The sculptor Korezak was hired by the Native Americans and blasting started 1948. From that time on, all monies were donations. No federal funding has been received. He and his wife had 10 kids. He passed away in 1982 without seeing the face which was dedicated in 1998. 7 of his children continue work on the memorial.
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| He started with this |
The sculpture is being done in the round so what we see from the visitor center is only part of the carving.
There is no timeframe for completion but with more donations coming in, more modern equipment is able to be used and progress seems faster. But it still could be another 50 years until completion.
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| Today |
Already there is a Native American art gallery and a prep school for the Native Americans. Many more facilities are in the plan for grounds.
We have been to Mt. Rushmore a few years ago and the stone faces didn't seem to have changed any... :o). So we took the opportunity to sit in the shade and people watch. It was amazing to see how many people "do Rushmore" in 20 minutes or less. "Check that off". Short vacations and lots to see. No time to dawdle!
