Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorials

It’s amazing what people can do when they try.  Here, at the Mt. Rushmore National and Crazy Horse Memorials, artists and craftsmen carved enormous sculptures of four U.S.A. presidents and a leader of indigenous people.

Starting next year, there are plans to upgrade Mt. Rushmore National Memorial.  The plaza and Hall of Flags will be redone.  Trails and terraces will be improved.  Fortunately, you can still use the terrace   and see the Memorial during construction.

Over at Crazy Horse Memorial, they have completed the head, and now work on the arm pointed forward, as in this model.  

There are many more years/decade(s) of work to be done to complete it.  The art center, movie, and museum are worth checking out now, too.

In this spirit of positive thinking and doing, I predicted a quick fix for the Wanderer when it came down with troubles the day before the Fourth of July.  The rear axle cracked and leaked fluid, which made it undrivable.  Thankfully, the people of Rapid City Ford were able to diagnose and fix it “rapidly.”  A thumbs-up to them.  I was on my way by the end of the week.

The situation created a couple of days of downtime, which I enjoyed in town,  It also reaffirmed accepted truths:

•  “Hope for the best; be prepared for the worst.”  Although I hoped I could make my campsite reservation this Sunday night at Great Sand Dunes National Park, I thought of alternate plans in case I was out of commission for weeks.  Try to be flexible, and have a Plan B.
• “Be kind to people, and they will be kind to you.”  I met many strangers this week, under stressful circumstances (car troubles.)  I chose to be positive, and got positive responses.   Like the Beatles wrote, “The love you take, is equal to the love you make.”  This is a version of the Golden Rule.
• Always fill up your clean water tank on your RV before you leave a campsite.  And, keep a few days of food and supplies on-board in the frig.  You never know when you may need them; or, when you’ll get the chance to restock.