<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" > <channel> <title>Mule deer – THROUGH THE EYES OF JEFFERSON</title> <atom:link href="https://eyesofjefferson.com/tag/mule-deer/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://eyesofjefferson.com</link> <description>Presidential site adventures as told by a bobble head</description> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 05 Nov 2024 21:12:17 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1</generator> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">167670250</site> <item> <title>269: SHOCK ME – A DAY OF RECKONING AT MOUNT RUSHMORE LEFT ME PARALYZED WITH GRIEF</title> <link>https://eyesofjefferson.com/269-shock-me-a-day-of-reckoning-at-mount-rushmore-left-me-paralyzed-with-grief/</link> <comments>https://eyesofjefferson.com/269-shock-me-a-day-of-reckoning-at-mount-rushmore-left-me-paralyzed-with-grief/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Watson]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 26 Nov 2023 00:37:06 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Abraham Lincoln]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Black Hills]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Donald Trump]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]></category> <category><![CDATA[George HW Bush]]></category> <category><![CDATA[George W. Bush]]></category> <category><![CDATA[George Washington]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gutzon Borglum]]></category> <category><![CDATA[KISS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lakota Sioux]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mount Rushmore]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mule deer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Six Grandfathers Mountain]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Theodore Roosevelt]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Thomas Jefferson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Thomas Jefferson bobble head]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://eyesofjefferson.com/?p=20134</guid> <description><![CDATA[Monday, September 18, 2023, was a very special day for my photographer and his wife. When Tom’s alarm rang at 6:00am, the first thing my companions did was wish their twin grandsons, Bo and Rory, a happy ninth birthday. The…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Monday, September 18, 2023, was a very special day for my photographer and his wife. When Tom’s alarm rang at 6:00am, the first thing my companions did was wish their twin grandsons, Bo and Rory, a happy ninth birthday. The morning became even more special when I heard Tom say he wanted to make another visit to Mount Rushmore; that decision was primarily due to the fact there weren’t many clouds in the sky over the Mountain View Lodge – which was a hair over ten miles from the famed memorial.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">At eight o’clock, we were in the van and on our way towards one of the most beautiful landmarks and historically significant memorials in the country – Mount Rushmore. Even though I knew what to expect at the memorial, I also knew the view we had two years earlier would be hard to beat. During our visit in October 2021, the sky was completely cloudless, and the giant sculpted heads of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln absolutely “popped” out of the deep, blue backdrop. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">While I love visiting Gutzon Borglum’s creation, which began on October 4, 1927, and was deemed “complete” on October 31, 1941, the best part for me was getting a chance to once again admire the 60-foot-tall handsome face of Thomas Jefferson. That may seem superficial, and perhaps it was. After all, seven Presidents have visited the monument since Calvin Coolidge’s dedication in 1927 and on that day, I’d get another opportunity to stand in the footprints of FDR, Ike, Bush 41 and 43, Clinton, Obama, and of course, Donald J. Trump – who believes his face should be added to the mountain.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Without further ado, I’d like to invite you, my dedicated viewers, to see the images from my visit to Mount Rushmore National Memorial on September 18, 2023 – as well as some historical images from the past. This post will undoubtedly surprise all of you.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="1292" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-2.jpg?resize=800%2C1292&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20139" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-2.jpg?w=1053&ssl=1 1053w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-2.jpg?resize=186%2C300&ssl=1 186w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-2.jpg?resize=634%2C1024&ssl=1 634w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-2.jpg?resize=768%2C1240&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-2.jpg?resize=951%2C1536&ssl=1 951w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Just as we entered the Avenue of Flags at Mount Rushmore, the three of us noticed a four-point mule deer prepared to Lick it Up. As soon as I saw the beautiful critter, I was reminded of Harry Truman when the buck stopped here.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="800" height="623" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Six_Grandfathers.jpg?resize=800%2C623&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20142" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Six_Grandfathers.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Six_Grandfathers.jpg?resize=300%2C234&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Six_Grandfathers.jpg?resize=1024%2C797&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Six_Grandfathers.jpg?resize=768%2C598&ssl=1 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This photo, taken around 1905, was prior to Borglum’s project. Originally called “Six Grandfathers Mountain” by the Lakota Sioux, this beautiful mountain was changed to “Mount Rushmore” after the land was illegally taken from the Sioux Nation by the United States government.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-3.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20140" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-3.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-3.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-3.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-3.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-3.jpg?resize=120%2C90&ssl=1 120w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-3.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">I wanted the best and I got the best as the weather couldn’t have been more perfect during our morning stroll through the Avenue of Flags.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1231" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-4.jpg?resize=800%2C1231&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20144" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-4.jpg?w=1105&ssl=1 1105w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-4.jpg?resize=195%2C300&ssl=1 195w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-4.jpg?resize=666%2C1024&ssl=1 666w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-4.jpg?resize=768%2C1182&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-4.jpg?resize=998%2C1536&ssl=1 998w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Moments after I had posed in the Avenue of Flags, a female mule deer passed through in search of the buck. I thought of a great name for the pair – Harry and Bess. We were surprised to see the mule deer as they are usually Creatures of the Night.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="617" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-5.jpg?resize=800%2C617&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20146" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-5.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-5.jpg?resize=300%2C232&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-5.jpg?resize=1024%2C790&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-5.jpg?resize=768%2C593&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-5.jpg?resize=1536%2C1185&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-5.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">It was an affectionate “TRUe roMANce” when Harry and Bess were reunited.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="548" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-6.jpg?resize=800%2C548&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20149" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-6.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-6.jpg?resize=300%2C206&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-6.jpg?resize=1024%2C702&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-6.jpg?resize=768%2C526&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-6.jpg?resize=1536%2C1053&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-6.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">When Tom finished his moment with Harry and Bess, we turned around and had this spectacular view of the Larger-Than-Life George, Tom, Teddy and Abe.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1131" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-7.jpg?resize=800%2C1131&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20150" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-7.jpg?w=1203&ssl=1 1203w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-7.jpg?resize=212%2C300&ssl=1 212w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-7.jpg?resize=725%2C1024&ssl=1 725w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-7.jpg?resize=768%2C1085&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-7.jpg?resize=1087%2C1536&ssl=1 1087w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">I’ve been all over the country visiting Presidential sites, but there isn’t a place where I’ve felt more patriotic than at Mount Rushmore. Just when I felt like the King of the Mountain, I discovered there were Two Sides of the Coin – and trust me, that was a huge dose of reality.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="462" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GWBUSH-MOUNT-RUSHMORE.jpg?resize=800%2C462&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20166" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GWBUSH-MOUNT-RUSHMORE.jpg?w=1000&ssl=1 1000w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GWBUSH-MOUNT-RUSHMORE.jpg?resize=300%2C173&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GWBUSH-MOUNT-RUSHMORE.jpg?resize=768%2C444&ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">President George W. Bush delivered a speech at the foot of Mount Rushmore on August 15, 2002. In the first part of the speech, Bush said: “Standing here at Mount Rushmore reminds us that a lot of folks came before us to make sure that we were free. A lot of pioneers came to this part of the world to make sure that enterprise could flourish. A lot of our predecessors faced hardship and overcame those hardships, because we’re Americans.” Bush forgot to mention how the War Machine came and stole the land he was standing on.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="899" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-10.jpg?resize=800%2C899&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20152" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-10.jpg?w=1513&ssl=1 1513w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-10.jpg?resize=267%2C300&ssl=1 267w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-10.jpg?resize=911%2C1024&ssl=1 911w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-10.jpg?resize=768%2C863&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-10.jpg?resize=1367%2C1536&ssl=1 1367w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">When Tom carried me down to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Amphitheater, he snapped this “postcard view” of the historic memorial. I had Great Expectations, but that view exceeded everything I could’ve hoped for.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1164" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-BUSH.jpg?resize=800%2C1164&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20151" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-BUSH.jpg?w=1374&ssl=1 1374w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-BUSH.jpg?resize=206%2C300&ssl=1 206w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-BUSH.jpg?resize=703%2C1024&ssl=1 703w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-BUSH.jpg?resize=768%2C1118&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-BUSH.jpg?resize=1055%2C1536&ssl=1 1055w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">President George H.W. Bush delivered a speech during the dedication ceremony recognizing the fiftieth anniversary of the completion of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. In one part of his speech, Bush said: “Look at the vast sculpture before us, and you see carved in stone a symbol that evokes the American character, soaring and unafraid.” For some reason, he forgot to mention the words ‘greedy and treacherous.’</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1190" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-11.jpg?resize=800%2C1190&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20153" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-11.jpg?w=1143&ssl=1 1143w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-11.jpg?resize=202%2C300&ssl=1 202w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-11.jpg?resize=688%2C1024&ssl=1 688w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-11.jpg?resize=768%2C1142&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-11.jpg?resize=1033%2C1536&ssl=1 1033w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tom carried me along the Presidential Trail when suddenly I had this amazing view of George Washington. The likeness of Washington on Mount Rushmore was dedicated on July 4, 1934. This was the moment when I had an epiphany – we lived in A World Without Heroes as Washington was known as Conotocaurius by the Iroquois in 1753. In their language, George was the ‘Town Destroyer’. </figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1200" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-12.jpg?resize=800%2C1200&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20154" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-12.jpg?w=1133&ssl=1 1133w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-12.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-12.jpg?resize=682%2C1024&ssl=1 682w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-12.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-12.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&ssl=1 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This teepee was part of the Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota Heritage Village, which was constructed along the Presidential Trail near the base of the famous sculptures. There are many local members of the Indigenous Tribes who feel the “fake village” should be transformed into a memorial that documents Native American genocide. One Native American said: “Indigenous people are trying to teach a very young nation a different way of being. We want white Americans to learn that life has so much more meaning if they can just see past the dollar sign.”</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1200" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-13.jpg?resize=800%2C1200&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20155" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-13.jpg?w=1133&ssl=1 1133w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-13.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-13.jpg?resize=682%2C1024&ssl=1 682w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-13.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-13.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&ssl=1 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">I’m standing at the granite base of Mount Rushmore, with the 60-foot-tall faces of the Presidents looking over my shoulder. I wanted to Shout It Out Loud: ” The sacred Six Grandfathers Mountain would’ve looked more majestic without the four dead Presidents.” Unfortunately for me, my painted lips were sealed tight.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1157" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-16.jpg?resize=800%2C1157&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20157" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-16.jpg?w=1175&ssl=1 1175w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-16.jpg?resize=207%2C300&ssl=1 207w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-16.jpg?resize=708%2C1024&ssl=1 708w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-16.jpg?resize=768%2C1111&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-16.jpg?resize=1062%2C1536&ssl=1 1062w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This was as close to the sculpted Presidential heads as I could get. Some of the large granite pieces that were blasted from the mountain top laid just behind me. In my mind’s eye, I saw the Lakota people watching in 1927 – as each piece of the mountain fell, I noticed their Tears Are Falling, too.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1358" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-17.jpg?resize=800%2C1358&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20158" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-17.jpg?w=928&ssl=1 928w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-17.jpg?resize=177%2C300&ssl=1 177w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-17.jpg?resize=603%2C1024&ssl=1 603w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-17.jpg?resize=768%2C1303&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-17.jpg?resize=905%2C1536&ssl=1 905w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A commercial passenger jet passed over the top of George Washington’s head.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="643" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-18.jpg?resize=800%2C643&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20159" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-18.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-18.jpg?resize=300%2C241&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-18.jpg?resize=1024%2C823&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-18.jpg?resize=768%2C618&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-18.jpg?resize=1536%2C1235&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-18.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The sculpture of Thomas Jefferson was dedicated by Frankin D. Roosevelt in a ceremony held at Mount Rushmore on August 30, 1936. Jefferson was chosen to represent our nation’s expansion.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="902" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-FDR.jpg?resize=800%2C902&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20162" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-FDR.jpg?w=1250&ssl=1 1250w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-FDR.jpg?resize=266%2C300&ssl=1 266w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-FDR.jpg?resize=908%2C1024&ssl=1 908w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-FDR.jpg?resize=768%2C866&ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">On August 30, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt helped dedicate the Thomas Jefferson section of Mount Rushmore. FDR was seated in the automobile, while the likeness of Jefferson was still concealed behind the American flag.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1172" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-20.jpg?resize=800%2C1172&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20160" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-20.jpg?w=1160&ssl=1 1160w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-20.jpg?resize=205%2C300&ssl=1 205w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-20.jpg?resize=699%2C1024&ssl=1 699w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-20.jpg?resize=768%2C1126&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-20.jpg?resize=1048%2C1536&ssl=1 1048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The likeness of the Great Emancipator, Abraham Lincoln, was dedicated on September 17, 1937. Lincoln was chosen by Borglum to represent the preservation of our nation, which obviously did not include the Sioux Nation or its sacred culture.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1197" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-21.jpg?resize=800%2C1197&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20161" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-21.jpg?w=1136&ssl=1 1136w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-21.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-21.jpg?resize=684%2C1024&ssl=1 684w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-21.jpg?resize=768%2C1149&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RUSHMORE-21.jpg?resize=1026%2C1536&ssl=1 1026w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The likeness of Theodore Roosevelt was the last to be finished and dedicated, which happened during a ceremony held on July 2, 1939. Teddy was chosen by Gutzon Borglum because Roosevelt represented conservation. Borglum died suddenly on March 6, 1941, with his dream still not completed. However, on October 31, 1941, Borglum’s son, Lincoln, declared the memorial complete and drilling stopped for good.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="410" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-TRUMP2.jpg?resize=800%2C410&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20168" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-TRUMP2.jpg?w=1063&ssl=1 1063w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-TRUMP2.jpg?resize=300%2C154&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-TRUMP2.jpg?resize=1024%2C525&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MOUNT-RUSHMORE-TRUMP2.jpg?resize=768%2C394&ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">President Donald J. Trump came to Mount Rushmore and delivered a speech on July 4, 2020. Part of Trump’s speech focused on demands by certain Native Americans who have insisted the sculpture be destroyed, and the mountain returned to the Lakota Nation. Trump had Nothin’ to Lose and admitted their demands would never come to fruition – come Hell or High Water. </figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">As we walked along the Presidential Trail and admired the giant sculpted faces of the four Presidents, there were moments when darkness that fell over my enthusiasm. We were on land held sacred by the Plains Indians such as the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Lakota Sioux, who used the area for centuries as a place to pray and to gather food, building materials, and medicine. The Lakota called the mountain “Six Grandfathers”, which symbolized their ancestral deities as the six directions – north, south, east, west, above (sky), and below (earth). In the late 1800s, expansion by the United States into the Black Hills led to the Sioux Wars. However, in the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, the U.S. government had granted exclusive use of all the Black Hills, including Six Grandfathers Mountain, to the Sioux Nation in perpetuity – in other words, forever. But less than a decade later, the United States broke the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1877 and asserted control over the area, which led to the mass invasion of settlers and prospectors in search of gold. The Native Americans were betrayed, and to this day, still want their land back. And part of me doesn’t blame them one bit – a deal is a deal and our beloved government reneged on that signed treaty. But no matter what, that mountain will never look the same as it did prior to 1927 when Six Grandfathers was desecrated. My initial thoughts, as Tom carried me along the trail, was compensation for the Sioux seemed the logical solution – even though that mountain where we walked was priceless.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">In 1980, the United States Supreme Court ruled the Sioux Nation had been ripped-off by the government and did not receive just compensation for their land that was illegally taken. That year, the Supreme Court proposed $102 million for the loss of the Black Hills. In 2021, that amount with accumulated interest was nearly $2 billion, but representatives for the Sioux Nation said their people would not accept a settlement. “We won’t settle for anything less than the full return of our lands as stipulated by the treaties our nations signed and agreed upon.”</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Most times in the past I’ve sided with the Indigenous people because of the manner in which they were treated in their own country. However, in the situation with Mount Rushmore and my admiration for the Presidents, I felt the need to fly the flag of Donald J. Trump – which in most instances is rare. During his visit to the historic memorial on July 4, 2020, Trump said in his speech: “Today, we pay tribute to the exceptional lives and extraordinary legacies of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt. I am here as your President to proclaim before the country and before the world: This monument will never be desecrated — these heroes will never be defaced, their legacy will never, ever be destroyed, their achievements will never be forgotten, and Mount Rushmore will stand forever as an eternal tribute to our forefathers and to our freedom.”</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Over and over during our visit, I thought about President Trump’s Mount Rushmore speech. However, the more I digested his words, the less I believed he was right – especially given Donald’s track record of caring for anyone but himself. As much as I admire the four Presidents depicted on the memorial, including my namesake, three of them had flaws when it came to their empathy for the Indigenous tribes on our continent.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">George Washington, a symbol of American freedom and liberty, once said: “Indians and wolves are both beasts of prey, tho’ they differ in shape.”</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Thomas Jefferson, the man who once wrote of independence from tyranny, said: “If ever we are constrained to lift the hatchet against any tribe, we will never lay it down till that tribe is exterminated, or driven beyond the Mississippi… in war, they will kill some of us; we shall destroy them all.”</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">The Great Emancipator, Abraham Lincoln, wrote to General Sibley on December 6, 1862: “Ordered that of the Indians and Half-breeds sentenced to be hanged by the military commission, composed of Colonel Crooks, Lt. Colonel Marshall, Captain Grant, Captain Bailey, and Lieutenant Olin, and lately sitting in Minnesota, you cause to be executed on Friday the nineteenth day of December, instant, the following names, to wit…” However, while that text appears to shed a dark light on Lincoln, he actually had compassion for most of the 303 Sioux warriors who were sentenced to death. After careful deliberation and thought, he pardoned all but 38 of the Native Americans – and those 38 had committed massacres not associated with battles, and according to Lincoln, at least two of them had “violated females”. In 1862, most people regardless of race would have faced the death penalty for those same crimes had they been found guilty in a court of law. Which made me wonder whether or not the condemned Sioux warriors had their day in court or a fair trial. The execution of those 38 American Indians in Minnesota initiated the largest mass hanging in American history.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">And Theodore Roosevelt, who lived in the Dakota Territory for several years where he got a first-hand look at the Indigenous people of the land. Roosevelt said in an 1886 lecture entitled “Ranch Life in the West: “I don’t go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of ten are, and I shouldn’t like to inquire too closely into the case of the tenth.”</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Mount Rushmore National Memorial was titled the “Shrine of Democracy” by its creator Gutzon Borglum. But Native Americans, on the other hand, call it the “Shrine of Hypocrisy” because the memorial’s construction desecrated their sacred Six Grandfathers Mountain, which was illegally taken from them.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">As the three of us walked through the Avenue of Flags on our way back to the van, I turned and saw the majestic faces on Mount Rushmore one final time. I looked up and stared into the sculpted eyes of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln – but at that moment, the mountain meant something entirely different to me. Mount Rushmore was no longer the symbol of American freedom, liberty, and patriotism. Instead, it represented deception, oppression, and treachery. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">I believe the United States government must pay the Sioux Nation all the money owed; and at the same time, return all of the land in the Black Hills as agreed upon in 1868 – including Six Grandfathers Mountain. When the mountain is back in the hands of its rightful owners, let them do with it what they may. Maybe the Lakota Sioux will destroy the sculpted heads and let nature attempt to return the mountain to its natural beauty – which would likely take over 100,000 years. Another option would be for the Native Americans to keep the Presidential sculptures in place as a visual symbol of the greed and deception our government has become over the years. At the same time, the Lakota Sioux would also keep all of the profits from tourists. Or a third, and perhaps best option, would be to enhance the memorial in a way that would be the best of both worlds. They’d leave the sculpted heads in place, but at the same time, they would symbolically tell the U.S. government to “KISS the Presidents Goodbye” and praise Haokah, the Sioux Nation’s God of Thunder. </p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="779" height="521" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/KISS-RUSHMORE-2-2.jpg?resize=779%2C521&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20176" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/KISS-RUSHMORE-2-2.jpg?w=779&ssl=1 779w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/KISS-RUSHMORE-2-2.jpg?resize=300%2C201&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/KISS-RUSHMORE-2-2.jpg?resize=768%2C514&ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 779px) 100vw, 779px" /></figure></div> <p> </p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://eyesofjefferson.com/269-shock-me-a-day-of-reckoning-at-mount-rushmore-left-me-paralyzed-with-grief/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20134</post-id> </item> <item> <title>268: HOBNOBBIN’ WITH A LITTLE STYLE, GRACE, AND SILENT CAL IN CUSTER STATE PARK</title> <link>https://eyesofjefferson.com/268-hobnobbin-with-a-little-style-grace-and-silent-cal-in-custer-state-park/</link> <comments>https://eyesofjefferson.com/268-hobnobbin-with-a-little-style-grace-and-silent-cal-in-custer-state-park/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Watson]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 23 Nov 2023 17:05:33 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[American bison]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Begging Burros]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bumbleberry pie]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Calvin Coolidge]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cathedral Spires]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Coolidge Summer White House]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Custer South Dakota]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Custer State Park]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Grace Coolidge]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Hood Tunnel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mule deer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[National Treasure: Book of Secrets]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Needles Eye Tunnel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Needles Highway]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Purple Pie Place]]></category> <category><![CDATA[State Game Lodge]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sylvan Lake]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Thomas Jefferson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Thomas Jefferson bobble head]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Wildlife Loop Road]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://eyesofjefferson.com/?p=20053</guid> <description><![CDATA[For the first time since we left Michigan ten days earlier, my photographer and his wife, Vicki, didn’t wake up to an alarm clock. Tom figured the three of us needed a more-relaxed day, which he figured would be spent…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">For the first time since we left Michigan ten days earlier, my photographer and his wife, Vicki, didn’t wake up to an alarm clock. Tom figured the three of us needed a more-relaxed day, which he figured would be spent driving, climbing, and hiking in and around Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was roughly 9:15am on Sunday September 17, 2023 when we finally left the Mountain View Lodge near Hill City. After Tom carefully placed me on the backseat of the van, I had one thing, and one thing only, on my mind – I couldn’t wait to see the State Game Lodge, which served as President Calvin Coolidge’s Summer White House in 1927. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Surprisingly, Tom didn’t seem to have a well-laid out plan for Custer State Park. I made that discovery when I heard him tell Vicki we were just going to “wing it” for the day. My photographer also said besides the State Game Lodge, he didn’t know what to expect in the park except for the beautiful scenery and its abundance of wild critters.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">At a few minutes before ten o’clock, Vicki navigated the van onto Needles Highway – which was a 14-mile stretch of winding and twisting two-lane paved road that bisected the center of Custer State Park. We visited Sylvan Lake, which we found out later was the film location for a memorable scene in the 2007 movie ‘National Treasure: Book of Secrets’. After we spent time in and around the famed Needles Tunnel, the three of us made our way to a very scenic area named Cathedral Spires. Finally, at the end of the Needles Highway, my photographer’s wife drove us to the promised land where I got the chance to visit the Summer White House of President Calvin Coolidge. </p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="557" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-9.jpg?resize=800%2C557&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20056" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-9.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-9.jpg?resize=300%2C209&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-9.jpg?resize=1024%2C713&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-9.jpg?resize=768%2C534&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-9.jpg?resize=1536%2C1069&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-9.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Our first point of interest along the Needles Highway came when Vicki drove through Hood Tunnel, which at 10′ 6″ wide, was the widest of the three tunnels along that highway. However, the Hood Tunnel was also the smallest, with a height of only 9′ 10″ tall.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="573" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-1.jpg?resize=800%2C573&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20058" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-1.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-1.jpg?resize=300%2C215&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C734&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-1.jpg?resize=768%2C550&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C1100&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-1.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tom set me in the magic waters of Sylvan Lake, which was created in 1891 when a dam was built across Sunday Gulch Creek.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="500" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-10.jpg?resize=800%2C500&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20059" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-10.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-10.jpg?resize=300%2C188&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-10.jpg?resize=1024%2C640&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-10.jpg?resize=768%2C480&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-10.jpg?resize=1536%2C960&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-10.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">It turned out Sylvan Lake was also used for a scene in one of my photographer’s favorite movies – ‘National Treasure: Book of Secrets’.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="335" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/NAT-TREAS-2.jpg?resize=800%2C335&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20076" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/NAT-TREAS-2.jpg?w=1366&ssl=1 1366w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/NAT-TREAS-2.jpg?resize=300%2C126&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/NAT-TREAS-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C429&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/NAT-TREAS-2.jpg?resize=768%2C322&ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">In this scene from ‘National Treasure: Book of Secrets’, Ben Gates (foreground) had just activated the mechanism which opened the secret passage behind Mount Rushmore. The area where we hiked can be seen in the background across Sylvan Lake.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1200" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-11.jpg?resize=800%2C1200&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20061" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-11.jpg?w=1133&ssl=1 1133w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-11.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-11.jpg?resize=682%2C1024&ssl=1 682w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-11.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-11.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&ssl=1 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">I wanted to surrender my hand to the heart of the warrior, like Benjamin Gates did in the movie. But unfortunately, I wasn’t standing anywhere near the precise spot where that scene was filmed. </figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="569" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-47.jpg?resize=800%2C569&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20060" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-47.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-47.jpg?resize=300%2C214&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-47.jpg?resize=1024%2C729&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-47.jpg?resize=768%2C547&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-47.jpg?resize=1536%2C1093&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-47.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">In the movie, Sylvan Lake appeared to be directly behind Mount Rushmore, when it was actually located fifteen miles southwest of the historic landmark.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="539" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-13.jpg?resize=800%2C539&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20062" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-13.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-13.jpg?resize=300%2C202&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-13.jpg?resize=1024%2C690&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-13.jpg?resize=768%2C517&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-13.jpg?resize=1536%2C1035&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-13.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Although we didn’t see Ben, Abigail, or Riley near Sylvan Lake, we did see a guy in a kayak as he enjoyed the calm waters. </figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1049" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-12.jpg?resize=800%2C1049&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20063" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-12.jpg?w=1296&ssl=1 1296w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-12.jpg?resize=229%2C300&ssl=1 229w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-12.jpg?resize=781%2C1024&ssl=1 781w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-12.jpg?resize=768%2C1007&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-12.jpg?resize=1171%2C1536&ssl=1 1171w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The three of us caught an up-close glimpse of a young mule deer as it foraged for food in the brush.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="678" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-NEEDLES.jpg?resize=800%2C678&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20072" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-NEEDLES.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-NEEDLES.jpg?resize=300%2C254&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-NEEDLES.jpg?resize=1024%2C867&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-NEEDLES.jpg?resize=768%2C651&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-NEEDLES.jpg?resize=1536%2C1301&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-NEEDLES.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">When Vicki parked near the entrance to the Needles Eye Tunnel, Tom placed me on the edge of a barricade at a scenic overlook. At that moment, I wondered why he puts me in such perilous situations.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="807" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-15.jpg?resize=800%2C807&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20064" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-15.jpg?w=1686&ssl=1 1686w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-15.jpg?resize=298%2C300&ssl=1 298w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-15.jpg?resize=1016%2C1024&ssl=1 1016w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-15.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-15.jpg?resize=768%2C774&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-15.jpg?resize=1523%2C1536&ssl=1 1523w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-15.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tom placed me on the van’s dashboard as Vicki threaded the needle. That’s right – we were headed through Custer State Park’s famous Needles Eye Tunnel, where motorists were forced to take turns going through the opening from both directions.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-17.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20065" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-17.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-17.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-17.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-17.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-17.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-17.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">My photographer, Vicki, and I had this spectacular view of the tunnel from the Needles Highway Scenic Overlook. The Needles Eye Tunnel is in the distance just to my left.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="549" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-18.jpg?resize=800%2C549&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20066" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-18.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-18.jpg?resize=300%2C206&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-18.jpg?resize=1024%2C703&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-18.jpg?resize=768%2C527&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-18.jpg?resize=1536%2C1054&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-18.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">At the Needles Highway Scenic Overlook, the three of us also had this view of the rocky hillside above us.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-19.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20067" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-19.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-19.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-19.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-19.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-19.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-19.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">One of the more breathtaking vantage points of the day came when Tom carried me up a short path at the Cathedral Spires pullout.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-20.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20068" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-20.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-20.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-20.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-20.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-20.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-20.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">As I stood in amazement while looking at the Cathedral Spires, it was difficult to imagine anything more spectacular in nature.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1200" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-21.jpg?resize=800%2C1200&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20069" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-21.jpg?w=1133&ssl=1 1133w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-21.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-21.jpg?resize=682%2C1024&ssl=1 682w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-21.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-21.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&ssl=1 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">I didn’t know what to expect at Custer State Park, but it surely didn’t disappoint.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="619" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-22.jpg?resize=800%2C619&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20070" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-22.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-22.jpg?resize=300%2C232&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-22.jpg?resize=1024%2C793&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-22.jpg?resize=768%2C595&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-22.jpg?resize=1536%2C1189&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-22.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">On the road to the State Game Lodge, we saw a lone American bison resting in a field.</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">At roughly 12:45pm, Vicki pulled our van into the parking lot of the historic State Game Lodge. The large stone and wood hotel was built between 1919 and 1922 and is located on the eastside of the 71,000-acre park, roughly 13 miles east of Custer, South Dakota. Upon first glance, I was very impressed by the historic hotel – especially when Tom photographed me standing in the same places around the exterior where Calvin and Grace Coolidge had posed in 1927 during their summer-long stay. As you know by now, I love standing in the footsteps of our Presidents. There was also an unexpected surprise – it turned out President Dwight Eisenhower had resided at the State Game Lodge during his week-long visit in 1953.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">President and Mrs. Coolidge, along with their entourage, came to the Black Hills to escape the scorching heat of the swamp – otherwise known as Washington D.C. Known as a man of few words, Coolidge was deemed as a person who disliked most everything, and it was written by reporters that his primary feat was to sleep more than any other President in history. The Coolidge’s had vacationed on the Massachusetts’ shore in 1925, and a year later, they travelled to the Adirondack Mountains in New York for the summer. In 1927, Cal was resolved to vacation somewhere “West of the Allegheny’s and East of the Rockies.” The political leaders of South Dakota, including the Governor and Senators, talked Coolidge into staying in their state as a way to promote tourism in the Black Hills. In their pitch to the President, they boasted of lofty peaks, magnificent forests, sparkling streams and an “ideal” climate. They also mentioned the area was splendid for fishing, golf, polo and tennis. The biggest concern Coolidge had for the visit was whether or not the flies and mosquitos were bad; claiming: “The last place we went, they nearly pestered me to death.” The other aspect the President hoped to avoid was crowds as he became annoyed easily when people gathered and gawked at him. Sounds to me like Calvin Coolidge was high maintenance, which reminded me of my photographer.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">When the President and First Lady arrived on June 16, 1927, they had the entire State Game Lodge to themselves – along with their collies, Rob Roy and Prudence Prim; Grace’s pet racoon, Rebecca, who lived in a wicker basket; and five canaries. The Secret Service and other staff members resided in nearby cabins. Coolidge also had set up a formal office for himself and other officials at the Rapid City High School. Throughout his extended stay, the President made visits to Indian reservations, mines, farmers’ picnics, county fairs, church socials, and rodeos. Coolidge also relished the area’s climate – he professed to feeling healthier while he enjoyed a great deal of fishing. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">The most surprising event during Calvin Coolidge’s stay in the Black Hills came on August 2nd when he met with reporters at his office in Rapid City. The visit at Custer State Park had gone better than the President could have ever imagined, and he felt healthier than he had in years. When all of the members of the press arrived, Coolidge handed each reporter a slip of paper, of which was typed a single line: “I do not choose to run for President in nineteen twenty-eight.” For a moment, the reporters sat in stunned silence. Then someone asked Coolidge if he had anything else to add. The President said “No”, and he walked out of the room. Silent Cal was a man of few words.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">On August 10th, the President rode horseback with his entourage to Mount Rushmore, sporting the boots and 10-gallon hat given to him by local residents. Even though Coolidge did his best to limit his public appearances during his vacation, the President went to Mount Rushmore to help preside over the dedication of the mountain-carving project led by Gutzon Borglum. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Before the President presented Borglum with six steel drill bits which the artist could use to start carving the mountain, Coolidge delivered a dedication speech: “We have come here to dedicate a cornerstone laid by the hand of the Almighty. The union of these four Presidents carved on the face of the everlasting Black Hills of South Dakota will be distinctly American in its conception, in its magnitude, in its meaning. No one can look upon it without realizing it is a picture of hope fulfilled. Its location will be significant. Here in the heart of the continent, on the side of a mountain which probably no white man had ever beheld in the days of Washington; in territory acquired by the action of Jefferson; which remained unbroken wilderness beyond the days of Lincoln; which was especially loved by Roosevelt.”</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-6.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20088" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-6.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-6.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-6.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-6.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-6.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-6.jpg?resize=120%2C90&ssl=1 120w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-6.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Welcome to the State Game Lodge, located in Custer State Park in South Dakota. President Coolidge used the lodge as his Summer White House from June 16th to the early part of September 1927.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="623" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD-3.jpg?resize=800%2C623&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20098" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD-3.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD-3.jpg?resize=300%2C233&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C797&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD-3.jpg?resize=768%2C598&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD-3.jpg?resize=1536%2C1195&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD-3.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">On the lawn in front of the State Game Lodge, a local Boy Scout presented President Coolidge with a saddled horse.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1136" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-27.jpg?resize=800%2C1136&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20095" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-27.jpg?w=1197&ssl=1 1197w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-27.jpg?resize=211%2C300&ssl=1 211w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-27.jpg?resize=721%2C1024&ssl=1 721w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-27.jpg?resize=768%2C1091&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-27.jpg?resize=1082%2C1536&ssl=1 1082w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">I’m standing near the spot where Calvin Coolidge stood in 1927 when he was photographed wearing ridiculous-looking cowboy attire – including a$$less chaps. </figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1200" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD.jpg?resize=800%2C1200&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20096" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD.jpg?w=980&ssl=1 980w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1 683w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">With his wife Grace beside him, President Coolidge posed for photographers as he donned the cowboy attire which was gifted to him by local residents. If Silent Cal wanted to maintain a low profile in South Dakota, he certainly missed the mark by wearing that outfit.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="581" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-5.jpg?resize=800%2C581&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20089" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-5.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-5.jpg?resize=300%2C218&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-5.jpg?resize=1024%2C743&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-5.jpg?resize=768%2C557&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-5.jpg?resize=1536%2C1115&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-5.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">It was near this spot, directly behind me, where President Calvin Coolidge was photographed in 1927 with a large group of people – including the governor of Wyoming.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="575" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD-2.jpg?resize=800%2C575&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20090" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD-2.jpg?w=800&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD-2.jpg?resize=300%2C216&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOLIDGE-SD-2.jpg?resize=768%2C552&ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Even though Coolidge had removed his cowboy attire for this June 13, 1927 image, he still wore the ten-gallon cowboy hat as he stood alongside Wyoming Governor Frank R. Emerson.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="606" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-25.jpg?resize=800%2C606&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20093" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-25.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-25.jpg?resize=300%2C227&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-25.jpg?resize=1024%2C776&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-25.jpg?resize=768%2C582&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-25.jpg?resize=1536%2C1164&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-25.jpg?resize=120%2C90&ssl=1 120w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-25.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">I can’t forget about First Lady Grace Coolidge, who sat here with one of her dogs for a photograph during her stay at the State Game Lodge. </figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="543" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GRACE-COOLIDGE.jpg?resize=800%2C543&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20094" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GRACE-COOLIDGE.jpg?w=1000&ssl=1 1000w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GRACE-COOLIDGE.jpg?resize=300%2C204&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GRACE-COOLIDGE.jpg?resize=768%2C521&ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grace Coolidge sat alongside the State Game Lodge steps with her dog Prudence Prim.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="559" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-33.jpg?resize=800%2C559&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20097" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-33.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-33.jpg?resize=300%2C210&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-33.jpg?resize=1024%2C716&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-33.jpg?resize=768%2C537&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-33.jpg?resize=1536%2C1073&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-33.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">No matter where Tom carried me near the exterior of the State Game Lodge, it felt as though Calvin and Grace Coolidge were there with me. I was happy Tom didn’t force me to wear a$$less chaps.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-3.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20087" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-3.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-3.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-3.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-3.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-3.jpg?resize=120%2C90&ssl=1 120w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-3.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">During my time at the State Game Lodge, I focused most of my attention on Calvin Coolidge. However, the sign near the front entrance reminded me that President Dwight Eisenhower stayed in the lodge for a week in June 1953.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="460" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IKE-SD.jpg?resize=800%2C460&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20101" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IKE-SD.jpg?w=1000&ssl=1 1000w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IKE-SD.jpg?resize=300%2C173&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IKE-SD.jpg?resize=768%2C442&ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">During his stay, President Eisenhower received gifts on the stone porch of the State Game Lodge.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1067" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-7.jpg?resize=800%2C1067&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20102" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-7.jpg?w=1275&ssl=1 1275w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-7.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-7.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-7.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Let’s take a look inside the State Game Lodge where two Presidents had once relaxed, entertained, and dined.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="592" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-31-1.jpg?resize=800%2C592&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20107" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-31-1.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-31-1.jpg?resize=300%2C222&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-31-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C758&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-31-1.jpg?resize=768%2C568&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-31-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C1137&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-31-1.jpg?resize=120%2C90&ssl=1 120w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-31-1.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">I’m standing on the fireplace in the living room of the State Game Lodge. I imagined President Coolidge seated on the sofa while he read a newspaper. Suddenly, Coolidge looked up at the fireplace and noticed me standing there – nearly as silent as he was.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1011" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-32.jpg?resize=800%2C1011&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20104" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-32.jpg?w=1345&ssl=1 1345w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-32.jpg?resize=237%2C300&ssl=1 237w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-32.jpg?resize=810%2C1024&ssl=1 810w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-32.jpg?resize=768%2C971&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-32.jpg?resize=1215%2C1536&ssl=1 1215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">I was basking in the glory of the Presidents during my time inside the lodge. There’s no doubt in my mind, both Coolidge and Eisenhower saw this fireplace during their stays.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="563" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-28.jpg?resize=800%2C563&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20105" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-28.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-28.jpg?resize=300%2C211&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-28.jpg?resize=1024%2C720&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-28.jpg?resize=768%2C540&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-28.jpg?resize=1536%2C1081&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-28.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">My photographer and I were informed the dining area behind me was used by Calvin Coolidge during his three-month stay in 1927.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1211" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-29.jpg?resize=800%2C1211&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20106" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-29.jpg?w=1123&ssl=1 1123w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-29.jpg?resize=198%2C300&ssl=1 198w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-29.jpg?resize=676%2C1024&ssl=1 676w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-29.jpg?resize=768%2C1163&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-29.jpg?resize=1015%2C1536&ssl=1 1015w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">There were seven original lodge rooms in the upper level of the State Game Lodge. Calvin Coolidge slept there, and so did Ike – but not together. President Coolidge and his wife stayed in Room 37, which consisted of two separate rooms and still boasts the original desk used by Coolidge. Twenty-six years later, Eisenhower spent his week-long stay in Room 36.</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Following our photoshoot near the exterior of the State Game Lodge, Tom carried me inside where I posed in the living area, and then outside of both President’s second-story rooms. My photographer tried to gain access to Coolidge’s room, but he was told the room was occupied and there was no way we’d be able to see the interior. Even though the two of us were disappointed, mainly because the original desk the President had used was still inside the room, we understood the reasoning. There was one thing I knew for certain – Tom will make sure the three of us have reservations for that room during our next visit to the Black Hills.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">It was 1:30pm when my two companions decided to have their main meal of the day in the State Game Lodge dining room. While it wasn’t the same dining area used by the Coolidge’s in 1927, it was nonetheless a very elegant eating area. For the next 45 minutes, I had the pleasure of watching my photographer stuff his face at the lodge’s all-you-can-eat buffet – which included chili made with buffalo meat. Let me tell you, that moment was reminiscent of when John “Bluto” Blutarsky ate his lunch at Faber College in the 1978 movie ‘Animal House’.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">When we left the Calvin Coolidge Summer White House behind, I couldn’t believe what I heard come from the “Blutographer’s” mouth – and no, it wasn’t a belch. Out of nowhere, Tom said to his wife: “Let’s drive into Custer and get some pie. I met a guy in the hotel lobby this morning and he said the best rhubarb pie in the world comes from the Purple Pie Place in Custer. And as luck would have it, I’ve saved some room for a little slice of pie heaven.”</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Thirteen miles later, after we cut through the heart of Custer State Park, the three of us arrived in front of a bright purple, two-story building located on the western side of Custer, South Dakota. When the Purple Pie Place originally opened in 1981, it sold roughly four pies per day. But four decades and four owners later, the P³ sells an average of 100 to 150 pies each day during the summer and fall. Even though Tom had no intention of buying a slice of rhubarb pie, which is what the place is most famous for, my photographer did order a slice of bumbleberry pie à la mode; while Vicki stayed with a more traditional piece of cherry pie, with no ice cream. I had to admit – the bumbleberry pie and vanilla ice cream looked so scrumptious I wanted Tom to smear a gob onto my painted lips. Then I realized – he didn’t get that fat by sharing his pie with a bobble head.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1067" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PURPLE-PIE-PLACE-2.jpg?resize=800%2C1067&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20118" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PURPLE-PIE-PLACE-2.jpg?w=1275&ssl=1 1275w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PURPLE-PIE-PLACE-2.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PURPLE-PIE-PLACE-2.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PURPLE-PIE-PLACE-2.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Purple Pie Place in Custer, South Dakota featured lunch, dinner, ice cream, and the best homemade pie in the world.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="574" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PURPLE-PIE-PLACE.jpg?resize=800%2C574&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20119" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PURPLE-PIE-PLACE.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PURPLE-PIE-PLACE.jpg?resize=300%2C215&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PURPLE-PIE-PLACE.jpg?resize=1024%2C734&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PURPLE-PIE-PLACE.jpg?resize=768%2C551&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PURPLE-PIE-PLACE.jpg?resize=1536%2C1101&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PURPLE-PIE-PLACE.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This was Tom’s bumbleberry pie à la mode, but unfortunately, he didn’t let me get anywhere near his little slice of heaven.</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">I laughed to myself as I watched my two companions struggle to get into the van. At one point, I thought my photographer might explode – which would have covered the entire town of Custer in bumbleberry pie, ice cream, and some hour-old chili.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">One of the aspects of Custer State Park that Vicki wanted to experience the most was wild animals, and up to that point, all we saw was one tired buffalo and a lone mule deer. But that all changed when Tom guided us towards a section of the park known as the Wildlife Loop Road – which was eighteen miles of paved roadway through open grasslands and pine-speckled hills where much of Custer State Park’s wildlife call home. We didn’t know for sure which animals we would see at four o’clock in the afternoon, but our eyes were pealed for anything walking on four legs – or on two legs if a Sasquatch was there.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">While the park’s brochure boasted of a countless number of wild bison, pronghorn, whitetail and mule deer, elk, coyotes, burros, prairie dogs, eagles, and hawks, the animal population must’ve had that Sunday afternoon off. For nearly two hours, the only critters we encountered was a couple of bison herds and a group of fairly tame, free-range, burros – which were affectionately known as the “begging burros” because they’re known to mooch food from passing motorists. </p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="688" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-39.jpg?resize=800%2C688&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20120" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-39.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-39.jpg?resize=300%2C258&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-39.jpg?resize=1024%2C881&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-39.jpg?resize=768%2C660&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-39.jpg?resize=1536%2C1321&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-39.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A herd of wild bison along the Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="644" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-40.jpg?resize=800%2C644&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20121" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-40.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-40.jpg?resize=300%2C241&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-40.jpg?resize=1024%2C824&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-40.jpg?resize=768%2C618&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-40.jpg?resize=1536%2C1236&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-40.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The first bison we saw on the “Loop” stayed quite a distance from us.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="897" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-37.jpg?resize=800%2C897&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20122" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-37.jpg?w=892&ssl=1 892w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-37.jpg?resize=268%2C300&ssl=1 268w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-37.jpg?resize=768%2C861&ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">However, one rogue bison was situated near a fence when Tom photographed it.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="522" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-42.jpg?resize=800%2C522&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20123" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-42.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-42.jpg?resize=300%2C196&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-42.jpg?resize=1024%2C668&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-42.jpg?resize=768%2C501&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-42.jpg?resize=1536%2C1002&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-42.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Then we came to the area of the park where we saw the “Begging Burros”. </figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="553" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-44.jpg?resize=800%2C553&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20124" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-44.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-44.jpg?resize=300%2C208&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-44.jpg?resize=1024%2C708&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-44.jpg?resize=768%2C531&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-44.jpg?resize=1536%2C1063&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-44.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Some of the wild burros kept their distance from the tourists.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="560" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-43.jpg?resize=800%2C560&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20125" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-43.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-43.jpg?resize=300%2C210&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-43.jpg?resize=1024%2C717&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-43.jpg?resize=768%2C538&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-43.jpg?resize=1536%2C1075&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-43.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">While others wanted their piece of the pie – bumbleberry pie!</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="541" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-45.jpg?resize=800%2C541&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20126" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-45.jpg?w=1700&ssl=1 1700w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-45.jpg?resize=300%2C203&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-45.jpg?resize=1024%2C692&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-45.jpg?resize=768%2C519&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-45.jpg?resize=1536%2C1038&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-45.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">We encountered one last bison as it walked along a section of grasslands.</figcaption></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="1169" src="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-46.jpg?resize=800%2C1169&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-20127" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-46.jpg?w=1163&ssl=1 1163w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-46.jpg?resize=205%2C300&ssl=1 205w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-46.jpg?resize=701%2C1024&ssl=1 701w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-46.jpg?resize=768%2C1123&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/eyesofjefferson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CUSTER-PARK-46.jpg?resize=1051%2C1536&ssl=1 1051w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Then it turned and charged towards my photographer and me – almost as though it caught a whiff of pie.</figcaption></figure></div> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">Even though we saw some bison and burros, the time we spent on the Wildlife Loop Road turned into a huge disappointment. We had hoped to see some animals with claws, or long antlers, or perhaps even a critter with very big feet, but that never happened. </p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">The sun was very low on the western horizon when we returned to the Mountain View Lodge at roughly 6:45pm. After my photographer struggled to get up the stairs and into our room, he collapsed in his bed seconds after he placed me alongside the television set. I knew my two companions were exhausted, and it didn’t take long before they were fast asleep.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">I wasn’t sure what was on the following day’s agenda except I knew we had another full day of sightseeing in the Black Hills of South Dakota. In my mind, I hoped we’d see Mount Rushmore again; but I knew that might not set well with Vicki as we had just visited that monument in 2021. But since we were only ten miles from one of the most spectacular and beautiful Presidential sites in the country, how could we not go there? But after that – I didn’t know what to expect; although I did hear Tom tell his wife he didn’t want to revisit the Crazy Horse Memorial again.</p> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size">I stood alone in the darkness throughout the night, and for the most part, my mind was filled with the sight of bumbleberry pie. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I envisioned I was standing on a table and holding five playing cards – two black aces, and two black eights; but I couldn’t make out the fifth card. Then I heard what sounded like someone cocking the hammer of a revolver. Was it Booth; or Czolgosz; or Guiteau; or perhaps even John Hinckley, Jr? It turned out to be my wild, wild imagination – likely caused by the aroma of fresh bumbleberry pie. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://eyesofjefferson.com/268-hobnobbin-with-a-little-style-grace-and-silent-cal-in-custer-state-park/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20053</post-id> </item> </channel> </rss>