Joseph Caylor… Mount Rushmore is really a special place within a special place. Nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore is in the center of many other exciting points of interests, such as Custer State Park, Wind Cave and Jewel Cave, just to name a few. While you typically won't spend more than half a day there, it is definitely a place you want to see especially if you want to see a large man-made monument in its grandeur and in a beautiful setting. Built out of love for his country, sculptor Gutzon Borglum's vision of his most famous work can be seen in the museum as well as the numerous interpretive signage throughout the park. Just as any massive work of art takes, the story of how it got there from mountain face to monument can all be seen and experienced at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
James Romeo… We visited Mount Rushmore in April. There was not a large crowd at the time, but certain parts of the site, including the Sculptor's Studio, are closed for the winter season and do not re-open until May. As always, be sure to check the National Parks website for hours and announcements when planning your trip. While the monument itself is a marvel to behold, the museum is where the story of Gutzon Borglum's greatest work comes to life for me. There are clay sculptures on display that show what Borglum had envisioned for the project, which left me imagining what Mount Rushmore could have become. I walked away with a greater respect for the artist and his amazing work.