October 1, 2018
Keystone, South Dakota
Artist and Sculptor: Gutzon Borglum
Scientists put the lifespan of Rushmore at about 7 million years.
One of the most notable refinements in the carvings was Borglum’s treatment of the eyes. Concave depressions were carved so that the dark shadows gave the impression of depth. The pupils were represented by a shaft of granite 20″ long projecting from the socket with its front surface ground smooth to reflect light.
On Roosevelt, the artist managed the eyeglasses by merely carving a curved ridge under a part of an eye.
We even snuck a picture of the last living carver on Rushmore, Nick Clifford (95 yr old)
Crazy Horse
Sculptor: Korczak Ziolkowski
Chief Henry Standing Bear invited Ziolkowski to the Black Hills to carve Crazy Horse. Ruth his wife followed and together they had 10 children. Construction begun in 1948 and has only a face to show for the decades of blasting and work done so far. This memorial is privately owned and the progress is painfully slow. The Ziolkowski children and grandchildren carry on the project today. We were here 5 years ago and honestly I see little if any progress.
This is what it will look like if ever completed.
If you were to stack all the heads of Mount Rushmore on top of one another the tower of presidential noggins still wouldn’t reach half the height of Crazy Horse. The horse head alone could easily fit two of Lincoln’s inside of it. Scientists put Rushmore’s life expectancy at 7 million years.
We spent the morning driving beautiful country through the Spearfish Canyon Byway and Custer National Forest.
Spent the evening in Rapid City which turned out to be a really fun night exploring alleyways, restaurants and bars.
Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota
We found the Blackhills to be absolutely gorgeous.
Mount Rushmore is definitely on my bucket list!! Looks so cool. Glad you are enjoying your nomadic lifestyle and hope you and Arnie are well…