Ben and Sue Day 10

Day 10, Sunday, September 16, 2007

. . . Because today was Sunday Ben and I decided not to do a lot of sightseeing or shopping -- just took the day easy. We slept in a bit, then as Ben was still sleeping I was able to take a long while to pray and study Scripture and just relax and enjoy the 10th day of glorious warm, sunny weather. After a leisurely breakfast we headed up to Mount Rushmore. Words are so inadequate to describe the majestic, awesome, magnificent view that was before us as we drove up the mountain and first saw those faces carved into the mountainside. The faces are those of (L to R) George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt -- Presidents whose courage and wisdom guided American through some of her most turbulent years. As I saw those faces, the song came to my mind "How Majestic is Your Name In All the Earth." Ben and I stood there for a long while -- I felt very patriotic. Although it was the original idea of one sculpture, Gutzon Borglum, it was certainly God alone who gave him the resources, the time, the motivation and the strength to carry out this colossal project.

. . . We at a bit of lunch, came back to the trailer for a nap and returned for evening show/lighting. When the entire mountain is very dark/black they light up the faces -- breath taking. I learned that at one time there were plans to house the original Declaration of Independence and Lincoln's Gettysburg address in a cave behind the faces. However Mr. Borglum died before this was finished. So instead, those who carried on his vision -- had the entire Declaration of Independence and Gettysburg Address and other historical records, carved into slabs of granite and buried 4 feet deep into the mountain behind the heads. Oh I do hope each of you will have an opportunity to visit his National Monument one day.

. . . Some interesting facts about the monument: George Washington's head -- forehead to chin is 60 feet. Width of eye -- 11 feet. Length of nose -- 20 feet. Width of mouth -- 18 feet.

. . . Tomorrow . . . drive, drive, drive towards Newton Iowa where we are very excited to visit with our very good friends Bev and Jeff Lloyd.