Mount Rushmore: Keystone, SD

Our first stop today was at Mount Rushmore.

The kids started their Jr. Rangers right away.  We took a Ranger Walk along the Presidential Trail and then explored the Artist's Studio.  

The kids finished their Junior Ranger activities and were sworn in.

This is a view of Mt. Rushmore through one of the granite tunnels we drove through the next day.  We were heading back into town from Custer State Park to ride the President's Slide.  

Maddie made me take a picture of the sign that shows George Washington sliding down.  The kids thought that was really funny.

Rushmore Slide was super fun.  You take a chair lift up, grab your sled and then slide on down. Max was ready to fly down the mountain at full speed.  Maddie wanted to hold the brake the whole time when she went down the first time.  After that, she yelled, "Faster!  Faster!" the entire time.  

I think Maddie looks the most ready for office.

We went back to Mount Rushmore this evening, 6/23, for the lighting ceremony.  It was a nice presentation.  Very patriotic.

Know Before You Go:  Mount Rushmore charges $10 for parking which allows you to return any time you want for the next year.  The movie inside the park about how the monument was created is really interesting.  It shows how the granite was carved primarily with dynamite. The ranger walk along the first half of the Presidential Trail is a good way to begin exploring.  Then continue on to the sculptor's studio.  It houses the artist's working model that he considered his masterpiece and was used to measure out the blasting and sculpting of Mount Rushmore.