Day 55, Sunday, Oct 26, Mount Rushmore, SD

En route to Mount Rushmore from Hot Springs, SD, you pass through Custer State Park where the buffalo still roam free and where you will also see herds of antalope, deer, elk and other animals in the wild.

We took this picture on our way to visit Mt. Rushmore this morning. We saw much to enjoy during our brief time here in South Dakota's Black Hills.

This photo was taken from what they call the Grand View Terrace, the main viewing area for visitors to Mount Rushmore.

It was Borglum's intention that the granite portraits of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln represent the birth, growth, development and preservation of our country.

Three million visitors come to Mount Rushmore each year from all parts of the world.

A foot trail allows the visitor to come this close to the monument. Despite the intense cold, below 30 degrees, numerous persons, old and young, were venturing along the path in order to get a closer look at this majestic scene.

We awoke to clear sky's but very cold temperatures, 32 degrees and below, and strong icy wind.

We prepared for attendance at the 10 a.m. Sacrament meeting at the local Branch, here in Hot Springs, but found the building locked and no one about on our arrival (Perhaps it was their Stake Conference - we didn't know). So, we went back to the hotel and changed to more suitable clothing for a visit to Mount Rushmore.

This is our first picture upon arrival at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. It is quite a sight to see; realizing that it has been hewn out of solid granite by human hands.

Day 54, Saturday, Oct 25, Hot Springs, SD

This was the sunset on Saturday, as viewed from our hotel window. Tomorrow we will attend Sacrament meeting at 10 a.m. at the Hot Springs Branch, located just a few blocks from our hotel. We will then drive to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

We have a room in this hotel in Hot Springs, South Dakota, in the famous Black Hill country and about 50 miles south of objective: Mount Rushmore.

We have stayed at the hotel to rest up and reorganize ourselves, do some laundry and get ready for the last leg of our journey back to Rexburg and then down to Arizona.

We plan to be in Rexburg on Wednesday and at Ann & Steve's home in Linden by Saturday, Nov 1.