Day 4: Tuesday, April 23, 2013

We are really having so much fun!!!  Today: Mount Rushmore

 I found it quite remarkable that the melting snow made it appear that the Presidents were crying.

 Not spelled the same, but..... Neal Gallegher was listed among the workers that helped carve and sculpt the faces.

 As we walked up to the memorial, we rounded the corner from the front sidewalk onto this stone pathway. Hydie's first comment was, "Wow. It really is real."

 John found the Mississippi flag...

 I had never seen a snowblower this upclose....

Being here and seeing the Presidents carved in stone was such a surreal feeling and very hard to describe.  Pride in America, respect for Gutzon Borglum and the workers, amazement at the magnitude of the project, excitement to fulfill a life-long dream, and sadness that my Mom didn't make it to see this mountain.  Her favorite road trip was to visit the mountains; for years, when we went on a trip, we usually picked her & Shelton (Punkley) up.  She absolutely LOVED seeing mountains, waterfalls, and natural landscapes.   It was very emotional to be there... extremely happy to see it in person with some of my kids.... and very sad, too, that Mama had missed this view...

 Carter and Hydie learned from Poppy how to blow stuff up....

 and then, wouldn't you know it???? Poppy started throwing snowballs....

 Hydie grabbed one of her own....

Not to be outdone, Carter got in on the action quickly...

 and of course, Trip had to have a shot....

 Carter said that Poppy didn't like getting snowballs thrown at him!!! LOL

 As we headed into the gift shop, Carter came up to MiMi, nearly in tears, saying, "My hands are cold."   All we had.... MiMi's gloves..... but they worked... LOL

 Sexy.....

Then, we hit the road.... again....