We went back to Mount Rushmore on Monday. The monument was clear with no fog or clouds obscuring it from view! Here we are at avenue of the flags. The Avenue of Flags was initially established as part of the celebration of America’s Bicentennial at the request of a visitor. The 56 flags represent the 50 states, one district, three territories, and two commonwealths of the United States of America.
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| Avenue of the Flags |
Here is a close up of the monument. Notice the attention to detail. Even Teddy Roosevelt's wire rim glasses are present,
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| Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln |
One of the reasons we came back today was to attend the nightly lighting ceremony. It is a very patriotic ceremony that will make you feel good about this wonderful country! While we were waiting several people starting laughing and pointing at George Washingtons head.
There were some mountain goats on top of George!!
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| Mountain Goats on top of George! |
They moved on top of Jefferson and then on top of Roosevelt. It was a good distraction as we waited for the ceremony to start!
Promptly at 9:00 PM the ceremony begins. A US Ranger comes on the stage on gives a brief description of Mount Rushmore. Then a 20 minute video from the National Geographic Channel is run.
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| Lighting Ceremony |
After the video is run the ranger invites all active military and all individuals that have ever served in the military on to the stage for the flag lowering ceremony. After the flag is lowered one by one each individual says his/her name and what branch they served in.
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| Flag lowering and Folding |
At this point extreme spotlights are pointed at the monument!
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| Lighting Mount Rushmore |
If this does not choke you up and put a tear in your eye, you are not a true American!!! God Bless America!!! God Bless the U.S.A.!!!!!
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| Mount Rushmore! |
On our way out I took another picture of the lit Mount Rushmore from the Avenue of the Flags.
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| Avenue of The Flags |
If you get to Mount Rushmore we would really recommend the lighting ceremony. The parking pass is good for the entire year so go back as often as you want for free!
As you nay know by now one of our favorite things to see is waterfalls. We found there was a pretty good falls in Spearfish Canyon not to far from Rapid City. In addition the drive through Spearfish Canyon was pretty spectacular too! The falls are called Roughlock Falls.
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| Roughlock Falls |
You don't even have to walk too far to get to them. The top is pretty near the road.
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| Top of Roughlock Falls |
Most people seemed to stop here and not hike to the bottom. Although it was a fairly steep descent to the bottom is still was a good trail and certainly moderate. We're not going to let that stop us! LOL
You can see the tall fall in the back of this picture.
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| Roughlock Falls from the Bottom |
Somebody offered to take this picture of us. One of the rare times we are not taking a selfie!
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| Brian and Patty at the Falls |
Well this wraps up our two week stay in our new domicile of South Dakota. We are heading home via Colorado. You will not want to miss that!
Please continue to pray for Avery Huffman!!!
Love you all,
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