There’s a slightly surreal quality about going to any place that has been commonly used in popular culture. The Empire State building, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Washington Monument are all familiar icons of America and the cities they belong in. Even if you have never seen them in person, you immediately know where they are and what the setting is when you see them. Nothing epitomizes this surreal feeling more than Mount Rushmore National Monument. To walk up and see the carved faces in the mountain is both familiar and strangely foreign as if you are on a movie set or suddenly inserted into a kitschy vintage postcard. Though they are a destination in and of itself with no major city surrounding them (other than a million tourist traps leading to and from the monument) Mt. Rushmore stands for America. I just wish I could have run across all the presidents’ faces like Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint did, but sadly the National Park Service apparently frowns on that sort of antics.
Nicole says
I have always wanted to see Mount Rushmore in person, but haven’t made it to that part of the country yet. My great grandmother was from South Dakota and I remember she had one of those little touristy decorated plates featuring Mount Rushmore on her display shelf along with an assortment of pretty cups and saucers she had collected. Now that I think about it, that little plate would now be quite an antique and might have even dated back to the year Mount Rushmore was completed. Thanks for sharing your photos!
Sabrina Modelle says
I love that you mention the VERY BEST Carey Grant movie ever. Yes, I shouted.
Adri says
Beautiful! I have always wanted to go to Mr. Rushmore, but have visited only through the work of Mr. Hitchcock. I bet most Americans of a certain age think of that film when they think of Mt.Rushmore – or the other way around. Poor Roger Thornhill had no idea what awaited him. This is one gorgeous post. It must be astounding to see it in real life. I hope there were no crop dusters around the day you were there…