Monuments

 Tuesday Morning Rushmore, Crazy Horse

After passing over the Missouri River and viewing the lovely statue of 'Dignity',  we let the sunset lead us to a place to stay for the night. In the morning before the first light, we headed into South Dakota. We have never been there and I did not particularly want to go look at some carved rocks. Bob really wanted to go so we went. I had seen pictures everywhere and heard about this area and thought we will just breeze through. We were well into the Black Hills when the first rays of light broke through. It came out just as we hit the summit of the mountain containing the busts of the Presidents on Mount Rushmore.
The Admiral stood up for the flag there at the top before we could go visit the monument. There was no one else on the mountain we could see. We had the views to ourselves. It was too far to go to the mountain for me. Bob took my camera and got these shots. I could see the mountain from the rig but not get close. We were on a schedule to get to Salt Lake for Thanksgiving so we could not spend too much time since we wanted to get in Crazy Horse monument also.

Rushmore

First shot pale light

Pinks and yellows of sunrise on side of the mountain

We got into the monument for free since we were the first ones there and it is open for free before 7 AM. The gate was open and we went in. The stores and other parts of the Monument were not open yet, but it was the mountain that we wanted to see.

It is a beautiful area and the monument is well maintained and staffed. Loved winter with NO crowds. Even though some things are closed many are open or you can explore by yourselves.

Crazy Horse

 

Years ago my Mom and Earl (my Uncle Dad...long story) went to Crazy Horse and saw the first parts of the plan for the biggest stone monument of any. It is an amazing story and they were so impressed with the small museum and plans for the monument. She also loved the movie about Crazy Horse they played there. My great grandmother on one side was first nation and suffered prejudice.

The template for the carving of the mountain

 

On the mountain, you can see the heavy equipment that is used daily to work on the sculpture. This has been a lifelong project of one man and the Indian nations. It has been continued by that man's family or 10 children. The mountain is worked on in weather up to 20 degrees below zero. Work must be halted during storms since the mountain is often hit by lightning. 

You can see from this more personal view the face that is finished. The whole of  Mt Rushmore will fit on the side of the face where the hair is. This is a huge endeavor. With the increases in technology and construction equipment, things are changing. The parts that took weeks and months can be accomplished in an hour with new equipment that is newly developed. This statue is to be a symbol of dignity and respect for the first nations people. 

There are many more things that are happening because of Crazy Horse. There is an amazing museum there with art, exhibits, and artifacts relating to the First Nation Indian culture. The place is expansive. If you visit to allow time to really look and learn about these people groups. Their look, their lifestyle, their culture, and way of thinking are quite interesting. There are movies and details there that may just change your mind about these beautiful people and what happened to them in their own country. There was also a University established that is specifically for furthering the education and job opportunities for these people so that they can be viable and successful without compromising their culture and heritage. 

    

There are van rides, restaurants and so many cool places here to explore. There are many trails and opportunities for inspiration and an increase in understanding the value of these great early Americans. It was also convicting me about what we do in trying to make all men like us rather than understanding and loving their beauty. Then I had to deal with their hostility towards our invasion of their nations. I think that there are some great opportunities for my own learning and viewing my own ideas about what happened with the Native Americans then and now. As they build this mountain may I consider my life and take time to visit my own ideas and prejudices and offenses. 

Build On!

Custer State Park

We went to Custer State Park on the recommendation of Willie, Bob's brother in law, who is an avid outdoorsman. He said it was the best area to find wildlife, deer, elk, and buffalo. We decided to take the time and search for the big game. We never did find the buffalo that there were signs all over about..."Caution, Buffaloe are dangerous" We did, however, find these beauties. We also got lost and were sent by the GPS on a 4 wheel drive road in the RV to find the highway on the other side of the park.

Mule Deer

Long ears and darker

White tail buck

White Tail Does

 Prairie Dog village was so fun. They were hopping around and warning the group that people were around.

 
A dozen wild turkeys hiding in the woods two days before Thanksgiving. Safe from the table/

This is the best part of the Beavercreek road that the GPS took us on. It went through miles of remote farms was only one lane the whole way and was mostly through the woods and plains. We did not see any buffalo or elk....But we had an adventure and found out the Admiral was built to endure!

Prairie Home w/Companion

Every day, every road opens up the pages of history that I studied long ago, and some more recently. It was a great series of days and adventures that I did not expect after the game in Minnesota. Today was a random ramble through some unknown areas.

We started driving after the game and made good progress until we decided we needed sleep. Mankato the first night, and an hour forty minutes east of Rapid City South Dakota a half an hour out of Chamberlain the second night. We headed off the road at some small unknown town that had an RV park, but we found it closed. We ended up sleeping in the back of a closed business by a gas station.

It is funny how when you close your curtains and put down the blinds you almost feel invisible to the outside world. We have heat, music, bathrooms, cozy couch, food and a comfy bed. Mostly we have each other. What else do we really need?

We left our 'hideaway' and drove all day until dusk. As the sun was starting to set we came near to a rest area on the edge of the Missouri River. The sign on the side of the road pointed to the rest area and said "Original Work by N.C. Wyeth.

We had to stop. In Maine, we went to the Farnsworth Gallery in Rockland and saw an exhibit commemorating the 100 year anniversary of Andrew Wyeth. The exhibit also went into the life of his Father, N.C. Wyeth who was a famous artist and book illustrator. I bought some children's books illustrated by him for our grandchildren. The exhibit area of the Rest Area was closed but outside the building looking over the prairie and facing the sunset was this beautiful sculpture. The Travel Dakota website tells about her. I have great pics of this on my camera but will use Bob's pics here.

Her name is Dignity. The Dignity sculpture is a stunning combination of art and history. Located on a bluff between exits 263 and 265 on Interstate 90 near Chamberlain, the stainless steel, 50-foot-tall statue was specifically designed by sculptor Dale Lamphere to honor the cultures of the Lakota and Dakota people.

“Dignity represents the courage, perseverance, and wisdom of the Lakota and Dakota culture in South Dakota,” Lamphere said. “My hope is that the sculpture might serve as a symbol of respect and promise for the future.”
Representing the rich Native American culture of South Dakota, the 50-foot Native woman gracefully wears a dress patterned after a two-hide Native dress of the 1850s. She holds outstretched a quilt featuring 128 stainless steel blue diamond shapes designed to flutter in the wind. During the day, her star quilt – a representation of respect, honor, and admiration in Native American culture – glitters in the sun with color-changing pieces that move with the wind. At night, LED lights causes the diamond shapes to glow in the night sky, casting a peaceful presence easily visible from the Interstate."


Dusk had fallen and we saw her in the last light of the day, but because of the winter season, the LED lights were turned off. Ha Ha...our story for this late in the yeaer excursion, however. We have not run into a crowd anywhere (except the games) and we have had the ability to stay as long as we want and enjoy ourselves without lines or interference. Bliss in my book!

   

Westward Ho!

On Sunday, November 12, We got in our RV at Bear Pond Farm, hugged the guys good-bye from Farm Fest III and headed westward. You can see our first stop at the Football Hall of Fame in the last blog, but I wanted to catch you all up on the doings of the Admiral.  It is now Monday, November 20th and the final Rams game is over.

We left Minneapolis after the game, stayed in Mankato, MN for the night and headed out again this morning. We are still in 'Search for America.'
Thank you, Paul Simon!

We went through Pennsylvania and Delaware seemingly quickly. They were both states we had been in during our exploits from around the farm. As we stopped in Ohio we made a conscious shout out to Jake McQuaide and James Laurenitis who went to The Ohio State University.

We also ran into some Rams Fans at a Panera there that had been Rams fans since kids since Kurt Warner was from their town. People like to have famous players from where they live.  While in Ohio Canton was on our bucket list...Check!


Another special event happened. As we were going through Indiana, we noticed we were going right through South Bend. Papa Hekker, was an avid Notre Dame fan. Ken, Barbara's husband, would use lego men and video a halftime show out of lego band members, it included action and music and was always amazing. He did this for special Notre Dame games just to bless Papa. We would laugh and have fun. They were great!

We HAD to make it to Notre Dame. It was quickly approaching dark as we arrived in South Bend. College campuses are unusually unwieldy to drive a motorhome through. Lost in the maze of the campus, we kept making wrong turns until we finally saw the sign for the entrance to the football stadium. Bob and the Admiral jumped ship with me sitting in the middle of a permit only zone and ran around taking pictures.



It was good to talk about and remember what a remarkable guy Papa Hekker was. He was a real anchor to the family, with his kindness and care of his wife and all his kids. Neither Bob or I knew about 'Touchdown Jesus'. We sent the picture to the kids and Zach commented about it and we laughed but thought that he was just being spiritual! We got schooled by the kids! So cool.


We skirted Illinois traveling around Chicago. On our Rv map, we found a Walmart to stay at but it was in a scary part of town so we decided to go on out of the city area and more out into the country.

We stayed at Rockford, Il. It was quite a cute town and we settled in well. We awakened early and were motivated to move on since the weather was rainy and cold. Not much exploration incentive,

On Wisconsin! Sounds like a fight song.
Wisconsin's motto is "Forward" so we decided to do so and head across its country miles toward the twin cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

We were three days early before the game but had some important things to do. We had acquired a chip in our windshield from a passing truck and it that needed to be fixed. We had propane to find and fill, laundry to do, and cleaning and maintenance like an oil change before we could head out for the last of our trip.

Land of ten thousand lakes is the byline on the license plates of Minnesota. We counted but got nowhere near that number, but there were a lot and since we were there near winter we found a totally different sport to follow, ice fishing! We stopped at Walmart and Cabelas and found huge displays of fishing shelters, augurs to drill the ice, special seats, and heaters, and special dipsticks to clear out the holes from refreezing.

How do they keep the heaters that keep them warm from melting the ice they are sitting on? What kind of fish?

In St. Paul  I met a dear friend in person even though I have known her for over a year. What an incredible lady. Her smile is infectious and her intelligence a delight. She will go far.

We finally got to Minneapolis and began spying things out the day before the game so we could know what we were going to do.

It is quite a pretty city with some interesting architecture and structures to view.  Saturday we had lunch with Johnny at a very interesting restaurant (awful) but we had disagreed on three when we found this one. We still had a fun talk together about family and babies and life. We love this boy. He is on a new adventure, fatherhood. He will be great like his brothers.

USBank Stadium

US Bank stadium is massive and as you approach it takes over the skyline. It is a huge structure of glass and concrete and steel with thousands of steps and corridors and pathways and areas to get lost. I am so grateful for the Guest Services of these huge structures that make it so people with limitations can watch the games, too. You just ask for assistance and they help and direct and stay with you until you leave. They made it possible to enjoy this game. The outcome was tough, but the season is not over even though we are ready to head back west, to Utah for Thanksgiving and family and to Seattle and my huge soaking tub. We have Christmas around the corner and are looking forward to the loves and snuggles of our grandkids and children.

After the game and loving on our son, Johnny we took to the road and headed off into the sunset!