Day 8 ( A day in camp) At Rushmore KOA  Total Miles still 2081.7
Found out we could take a shuttle from camp to The Monument for $6 a head instead of driving one of the motorhomes back up the mountain and paying $27 to park..(probably a 2000' climb on 6% grades)   The shuttle goes up at  6PM, so we would have about 1 1/2 hrs of daylight viewing before the nighttime program started and the lighting ceremony.  That meant we had the day to relax around camp.
Met a camp worker from Bridgewater/Middleboro area whose wife was from Whitman and who was related to an old neighbor of ours from Susan Lane in Middleboro.

Dave & Jean's Camper

a view from camp

In our walk we met a couple traveling on a motorcycle with a pop up trailer who were back at Rushmore to celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary.  They were married on the mountain and come back every year to celebrate. They were really well equipped, including carrying his fly rod with which he had caught his breakfast the night before. (a 17" rainbow in the pond in camp).
While Jan was doing some laundry, Dave and Jean and I did some more walking and played a round  of miniature golf.  Despite Dave and my weekly golf at home, Jean beat us both.  I guess you know what part of our game needs the most work!

The trip up the mountain (in a school bus) was very enjoyable and sure beat driving the motorhome in the dark on those grades.

We took the Presidential walk on the mountain (about .5 miles) which afforded many different views of the carvings.

We didn't realize the trail ended with a climb back up about 200+ steps to the spectator pavilion.  The show was very informative and inspirational and highlighted the political diversity of the four presidents depicted and emphasized that this diversity of ideas and views of how to manage this great country was one of the reasons we were so strong as a country today. In no way were there any implications to our present political atmosphere and the talk was very positive and forward looking. Our leaders in Washington need to reflect on this!

Dave is on the far right in the very front

The walkway of the state flags

The show ended with the lighting of the mountain.  They then asked all members of the armed forces, past & present to come to the stage and assist in the lowering and folding of the flag.  Dave was proud to go down and was a part of the ceremony.