Touring the Wild, Wild West

My two best efforts to make a "different" photograph of Mt. Rushmore.

Upper: Fuji X-T20, Fujinon XC 50-230mm f4.8-6.3 OIS lens

Lower:  Fuji X-T1, Fujinon XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OISII lens

The Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and More

Our second and third days in the Custer area were spent cruising the area and seeing the sights. We spent some more time in Custer State Park and took a long drive through the Black Hills.

The original entrance to Wind Cave. If it looks like

a hole in the ground, that's because that's what it is.

Fuji X-T20, Fujinon XF 27mm f2.8 lens Fuji

 

We also went to Wind Cave National Park and took the tour through the cave. If you've never been, don't bother. The cave has a very interesting history; in fact the history is more interesting than the cave itself, which is mostly like taking a long walk through a tunnel. There are very few formations or anything else of interest to anyone other than scientists or spelunkers.

Rock Formations in the Black Hills

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OISII lens

The Black Hills, on the other hand, are free of charge and well worth the time it takes to drive through their spectacular stone formations.

Looking at Mt. Rushmore through the Scovel Johnson tunnel.

(Click to enlarge)

Fuji X-T20,  Fujinon XC 50-230mm f4.8-6.3 OIS lens

 

The crowning event of a visit to the Black Hills is, of course, Mount Rushmore. But getting there was even better. We took the Iron Mountain Road; 17 miles of 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 tunnels and 3 pigtails (turns in which the road loops back over itself), winding its way to the 5,445-foot summit of the mountain. If my memory is correct (by no means a certainty), all three of the tunnels are aligned so that Mt. Rushmore can be viewed through each of them.

There was a large crowd at Mt. Rushmore the day we visited.

Fuji X-T1, Fujinon XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OISII lens

I tried hard to get a photo of the sculptures on Mt. Rushmore that was at least a little different from the standard tourist/postcard shot. My best effort leads off this post.

Our last night in the area we went to the sound and light show at the Crazy Horse Memorial. The monument is impressive, but is a work in progress, as was the sound and light show. Both may be better by now, but ask around before you spend your money.

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Photographs copyright David B. Jenkins 2020)

Soli Gloria Deo

To the glory of God alone