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Dakota Discovery: The Black Hills And Mount Rushmore
Program #14854
Amidst the herd on the seemingly endless rolling grasslands, you reflect on the words spoken by a Lakota elder. “We once hunted for buffalo, we now hunt for knowledge,” he said. Here, in the Black Hills of South Dakota, you are in the landscape that today, is still as large as the heroes who laid a claim to it; a landscape where two civilizations once collided. Monuments to these cultures stand in grand relief against the nearby granite hills. You reflect on the true destiny of this place and realize that perhaps it does not belong to either of them, but to the stands of pine, the sea of grassy plain and the herd itself.
Road Scholar offers excellent value for your money. Each program includes quality accommodations and most meals, educational excursions, and all gratuities. Free time is left for each traveler to explore in greater depth or diversity their own interests available locally. Emergency medical and travel assistance are included for all Road Scholar travelers.
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Begin with a visit to arguably the most famous American monument of all — Mount Rushmore. Learn about Gutzon Borglum, the artist who conceived and directed the carving of Mount Rushmore and the questions surrounding the land chosen for the monument’s creation. Reflect on the presidents commemorated in granite, and feel a swell of pride in their legacy during the evening lighting ceremony.
Venture into the foothills of the Black Hills for an exclusive visit to the studio of Dale Lamphere, a nationally known artist and sculptor who has completed more than 40 large-scale, public works. Discuss the intent of monuments through the artist’s perspective, use his tools and learn the creative and mechanical processes he employs.
When completed at a height of 560 feet, the Crazy Horse Memorial will be the world’s largest sculpture. Through special access, go to the top of Crazy Horse Mountain to see the carving of the Lakota leader up close and in progress. Later, take a fascinating look at the culture and history of the Lakota Sioux with Dr. Ronnie Theisz. Learn about the Native American belief in Mother Earth and why many believed the Black Hills were the source of life itself.
As members of the Great Plains culture, the Sioux hunted the millions of bison that once roamed the North American grasslands. Experience the thrill of tracking bison on a jeep safari into the heart of Custer State Park — home of one of the largest publicly held bison herds in the world.
Crossing into nearby Wyoming, we'll explore the mysterious Devil’s Tower — the nation’s first designated National Monument and the monolith featured in the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Next, we'll discover the historic town of Deadwood. The discovery of gold ignited a rush of yellow fever seekers to the area in 1876. From this came colorful stories, legends and legacies left behind by notorious characters like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Poker Alice. Learn about these historic figures and discover what spurred their desires to strike it rich in the Dakota Territory. Discover the historic town of Lead that once housed the largest gold mine in the Northern Hemisphere.
