Crazy Horse Night Visit

I went to the "night blast" Sunday. It celebrated the 85th birthday of the sculptor that started the carving of the Crazy Horse Memorial. It also celebrated the battle of little big horn (June 25). They hung a sign up for Ruth. A cold front had gone through earlier and there were some cool looking clouds and skys. The second picture shows the dimentions of all items when complete. The last picture is of Mrs. Ziolkowski after the lazer show and blast celebration where everyone was invited for cake. It must have been a monster cake, as every table in the resturant had plates of cake on it and just about every flat surface and counters too. There was alot of people there. It was cold and windy, but it was nice to see that she came out to greet everyone. They also had some additional guest speakers including a commander of one of the space shuttle flights in which he said he took a piece of blasted rock on the journey and returned it to Mrs. Z after the flight. And some native indian music and dancing.

Zip Line Ride

The first picture is from the approach to Rushmore Cave and the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride that Cooper and I went on yesterday. The ride starts about half way up the mountain and goes down to the building at the bottom. The next one is from the start just before we were released to zip. The next one is on the way down. Then at the bottom, after you hit the shock absorbers, they bring you back up. The shock absorbers are smooth, but you do not come to a complete stop before going back up, and there is a jerk at that time. This pic was taken just at that moment. I would have lost my camera if I did not have the strap around my wrist. And then the last one is what it looks like from the side. It was not as fun or as long as sliding down the mountain, but at least I did it to see what it was like.

Finish Line in Sight

Finally, the finish line is in sight. View from one of the parking lots. And the medal this year. On the front it says 26th Crazy Horse Voldsmarch 2011, Crazy Horse South Dakota. On the back it reads Never Forget Your Dreams, Crazy Horse lived within the spiritual circle of life that guided his vision and dreams for his people. Crazy Horse Memorial embodies the dream of Korczak Ziolkowski and Henry Standing Bear to honor Crazy Horse and all north american indian people. Crazy Horse Memorial.

Wildlife

Saw a goat up on the mountain, but it went around the corner before I got a picture. But I did shoot one critter. Beaver?

On the way down

Going down. Note: more still coming up as I go down. Only passed 3 people on this stretch going down when I was on my way up.

More

The tunnel under the arm.

5 more

The last 2 are at the end of the arm where the hand will be. Work is just starting on the hand and horse mane.

Made It

More from the top. Asked someone to shoot me too.

Views from the Top

WOW! Nice clear day. The face alone is 87 feet high to give you a reference of the photos.

Volksmarch 10K pics

Final climb and last pic is the top of the arm in front of the face. Notice not too many people up here yet as I made better time this year. 1 hour and 15 minutes to the top.

Crazy Horse Mountain Walk

Ok, first from the starting point, then just before checkpoint #2, next 2 on the way, finally the final climb back and forth up the side of the mountain. Nice day. 40 degrees to start and sunny with about 10mph wind.