Travel

Located near Keystone, South Dakota, is the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.  Originally commissioned as a way of encouraging more visitors to an area where the local economy needs tourists, the 18m sculpture was started in 1927 and completed in 1947.  The memorial depicts facial likenesses of past Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, and is responsible for bringing around 2 million visitors to the Dakota area each year.

Although there doesn’t outwardly appear to be much to keep visitors at the area for a day,  be prepared to spend a while there as Mount Rushmore is more than just a historical carving in the face of a mountain.  During the day, take advantage of the beautiful area to do some hiking or biking.  There’s plenty of wildlife in the Black Hills area to provide photograph opportunities and excite younger members of the family.  If it’s a hot day, cool off a little in the Lincoln Borglum Museum which shows a 13 minute movie about Mount Rushmore.  Afterwards take a stroll along the Presidential Trail which begins at the Grandview Terrace (above the theatre), which is one of the best viewing areas of the memorial, and ends at the Sculptor’s Studio.  Here you can learn more about the process involved with creating a memorial on such a huge scale.  If you have children in your party, there’s also a children’s program led by a ranger which lasts about a half an hour, but they must be accompanied by parents.

Once dusk falls the rangers lead a evening lighting ceremony.  This is held in the amphitheatre and is more information about how the sculpture was created.  Immediately following the presentation, Mount Rushmore is illuminated and remains lit for two hours.

If you only have a few hours to spend, then try to organize your visit so that you not only enjoy the memorial in sunlight, but also can experience the magic of seeing the huge sculpture illuminated against the dark evening sky.

If your travels take you anywhere near Grand Junction or Fruita, Colorado, then make sure you take the time to visit the Colorado National Monument.  Compared with the larger canyon type national parks, the Colorado National Monument is small, but this makes the experience less impersonal.  It also means that it’s less likely to be overflowing with other tourists – making it a great “get away from it all” retreat for anyone needing a little solitude.

What the semi-desert Colorado National monument lacks in overall size, it makes up for in content.  Packed within its boundaries are some of America’s most impressive hoodoos, whose vibrant colors are hard to match anywhere.  Alongside the geological wonders and juniper trees, is a spectrum of wildlife that includes golden eagles and desert bighorns.  The Monument Canyon is the monument’s largest feature as it covers the entire length of the park and holds incredible rock formations.  Return to various observation points throughout the day, particular sunset and sunrise, to see how the light reflects across the canyon’s natural structures.

For any couple with a passion for the great outdoors, or an interest in geology, or even just a desire to organize a wedding with a difference, the Colorado National Monument allows couples to be married at certain locations within its boundaries – remember to allow 14 days for the processing of your special use permit application.  Choose your location well to have wedding photos that will be second to none as regards the spectacular backdrop provided by nature.

Close the world’s largest flat topped mountain, Grand Mesa, the Colorado National Monument allows activities such as horse riding, biking, and of course hiking.  It’s also possible to camp in the area at the Saddlehorn Campground if you wish to spend longer in the park.