Better At Night

Friday, August 1, 2008

Tonight we visited Mount Rushmore. Having seen this beautiful nation monument once before, I was really surprised at how wonderful it looked after the sun went down. Day or night, however, these massive sculptures are a treasure for our country.

Just before dark, the younger ones in our party decided to take the close path below the monuments. They were so close in this picture that the trees are visible.

At 9 p.m., the lights come on and the Presidents seem to jump right out of the sky. By this time, there are at least a couple of thousand people or more in the amphitheater style seating in front of the mountain.

Over the next 40 minutes, the Park Service presents a really good show. They start with a visiting Boy Scout Troop who leads the entire crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

This is followed by singing of the National Anthem by everyone. There are quite a few tears to be seen while this is taking place.

A short movie about the four Presidents, Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln depicts the significant achievements for each man.

The conclusion of the evening is perhaps the most moving part of the presentation. All former United States Service Men and Women are asked to come down to the stage.

The Boy Scout Troop lowers and folds the flag. It is then passed hand to hand to each service person. It is really quiet during this ceremony. Even the little ones seem to realize the significance of what is happening.

Mount Rushmore is a bargain as far as a vacation goes.

The cost is only $10 per car load. The gift shops are reasonable. It was one of the easier sites to visit on our trip, so I highly recommend it to any and all. The four Presidents are carved into very hard rock.

Someday in the distant future, they may erode, but for now they are here for a long time. This is the last of my trip stories. It has been a wonderful vacation, and I hope you enjoyed hearing about the places we visited. America is still the best bargain vacation anywhere anytime!

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: