July 4th at Mount Rushmore

July 4th at Mount Rushmore

The drive to Mount Rushmore today was absolutely beautiful. Even before we officially entered the park, we caught a glimpse of the monument from the road—and that was such a thrill! Seeing the massive faces of the presidents carved into the granite was surreal. I’ve always thought the Statue of Liberty’s nose was huge at 10 feet, but learning that the noses on Mount Rushmore are 20 feet long—twice that size—really puts it in perspective. These sculptures are enormous.

I’ve always loved the symbolism behind the four presidents chosen for Mount Rushmore. Each one represents something fundamental about America:

George Washington symbolizes the birth of the nation.
Thomas Jefferson represents the expansion of the country, especially with the Louisiana Purchase.
Abraham Lincoln stands for unity and the preservation of the Union during the Civil War.
Theodore Roosevelt embodies development and the country’s growing role in world affairs.

To me, this monument really captures what America is—or at least what it strives to be. And I’ll admit, this year it’s been hard. A lot of people feel divided, and it’s been tough to say we’re proud to be American when we don’t always feel united. But today, surrounded by people of all backgrounds—everyone waiting for the lighting ceremony together—it reminded me of the good. The Air Force Band was there, and I think the Boy Scouts were scheduled to perform, but a huge thunderstorm rolled in before it could happen. The rain came fast and hard, and even though we had rain jackets, we were soaked. It even hailed, and the temperature dropped—but somehow, it didn’t take away from the magic of the moment.

What did feel magical was that out of all the winding roads and long days of driving across the country—including Route 66—we actually made it to Mount Rushmore on the 4th of July. That felt iconic. Almost meant to be.

Traveling across the U.S., it’s impossible not to notice the contrast: vast open land, incredible beauty, and yet heartbreaking poverty and abandonment—people struggling, homes falling apart, communities neglected. And when you add the deep historical wounds—like the fact that the U.S. has broken over 500 treaties with Indigenous nations—it really puts things into perspective. These weren’t just misunderstandings or conflicts—they were deliberate, legal agreements that were violated time and time again, often in pursuit of land, resources, or expansion.

We need to do better. Better for those who are homeless.
Better for the people whose lands we’re on.
Better for future generations.

It’s not just about patriotism or criticism—it’s about truth, accountability, and a desire to live in a country that actually lives up to its promises. And sometimes just seeing it with your own eyes, from the highways to the small towns, makes it impossible to ignore.

After Mount Rushmore, we decided to head over to the Crazy Horse Memorial. We weren’t sure about paying since it was so late, and when we got to the entrance, the man told us they were closed for the day and to come back at 8 in the morning. But kindly, he let us drive up a bit to turn around, and we managed to snap a few photos from there. Even from a distance, it was impressive.

And the drive back? Absolutely stunning. The colors in the sky as the storm moved on… It’s hard to describe. It just felt like the perfect ending to a meaningful day.