Another wonderful day! First of all, the weather was perfect. The ferocious wind finally died down and it was 85 and sunny with a cool breeze. We dropped Doogie off at a local kennel for boarding (no dogs allowed at the memorial) and a bath and headed out to Crazy Horse.
The sculpture is a work in progress, started over 30 years ago and funded entirely by donations. It looks like it will take another 30 years, because only 11 people, mostly family, are currently working on the mountain. But the property has an amazing museum, working Lakota craftspeople, a replica of Korczak Ziolkowski's home, a restaurant, a tour, and a movie. We stayed until we were entirely saturated. Interestingly, the foundation that supports this project has been offered federal money, but has turned it down. In addition, the effort continues to be heavily controlled by the Ziolkowski family and the Lakota leaders. Korczak's widow, Ruth, who is 82, is still chairwoman of the board. I'm guessing tat there are some interesting political goings-on and would love to know what happens behind the scene!
After lunch we headed up route 16 again, driving carefully so as not to encounter Officer Barrick again, and went to Rushmore. Again, the beautiful weather just heightened the beauty of the mountains and the park. The National Park Service has done its usual fabulous job of creating this place. We stayed all afternoon, had dinner at the restaurant, and stayed into the evening for the lighting. Every evening at the end of the Ranger Program they invite every veteran in the audience to come down to the stage to touch the flag that flies in the amphitheatre and speak their names into the microphone. Very moving.
A factoid worth considering. The word Sioux, meaning snake, was given to the native people who live here by French traders. It is increasingly considered derogatory. They prefer to be called by their tribal name - Ogala, Lakota, Dakota or whatever.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment