Mount Rushmore: It’s smaller than you thought. It’s more crowded than you thought. It’s farther from civilization than you thought. (Attempted) humor aside, Mount Rushmore is an inspiring monument. Officially, it’s Mount Rushmore National Memorial. My National Park Senior Pass was not accepted here; had to pay $5 to park (would have been $10 if I were younger). We visited in the evening and some of us again in the morning; arriving when they open at 5:00am when they don’t collect the parking fee. And we were literally the only tourists there. Just us, rangers, and goats.
In the evening there is a ceremony when lighting the monument. First, patriotic music, then a video about the enshrined presidents, honoring veterans, and finally the lighting.
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- In the evening.
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- Lighted. I’m not a fan of this; they’re really washed out.
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- Arriving before sunrise. This winter they will remodel this walkway, removing all the pillars.
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- Here comes the sun…
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- The location was chosen to catch the sunrise. Much better than the evening lighting.
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- The morning crowd.
