The Many Faces of Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln Embarking : Springfield, IL

Given that this year commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, I thought I'd post a few of the many renditions I saw of Lincoln while I was on the road. These are in addition to the several I posted from the road. Most of these were taken in Springfield, Illinois.

Contemporary Lincoln : Springfield Public Library : Springfield, IL

Lincoln a la Jelly Belly : Springfield, IL

And, because it's so unique, come back tomorrow and see the chopper made to memorialize Lincoln.* It's pretty darn cool!

Lincoln as Portrait : Springfield, IL

Lincoln in Stone : Mount Rushmore, SD

* I only posted one photo of it previously. Tomorrow's entry will show you some of the detail.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential/Janet Kincaid, 03/09

Two Things Challenge: Window / View

View out the Windows of the Pro Football Hall of Fame

As a result of being on the road and getting home last week, there was no Two Things Challenge last Sunday. This week's challenge was Window / View. I'm using two photos from my recent road trip. The first was taken at the Pro Football Hall of Fame near the beginning of my trip and features a guard sitting by the window looking out over the parking lot and the interstate.

View of Mount Rushmore in the Windows of the Visitors' Center

This second photo was taken at Mount Rushmore, just outside Rapid City, South Dakota, and shows a view of this amazing memorial to four of America's greatest presidents reflected in the windows of the park's visitors' center.

If you'd like to see how others interpreted this challenge or if you'd like to participate, visit Two Things Challenge.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential/Janet Kincaid, 03/09

Wall Confidential

Wall Drug : Famous Worldwide : Wall, South Dakota

Due to inclement weather across Washington and Montana today, we decided to stay in Rapid City, South Dakota, an additional day and give the snow time to work its way out of our way! The result was seeing parts of western South Dakota that we otherwise would have skipped because we would have been long on our way to Montana. Because we saw so much, I'm breaking today's posts up into three separate entries. Hope you enjoy them!

L: Animatronic Campfire Quartet
R: The pharmacy section of Wall Drug, complete with hunting mounts.

Our first stop for the day was 50 miles back up the road in Wall, South Dakota. Wall is famous for one thing and one thing only: its ginormous frontier drug store. It is quite literally the largest employer in the tiny town of Wall.

The Traveler's Chapel : Wall Drug : Wall, South Dakota

There are entire city blocks that are nothing but parking lots for tourists and tour buses filled with people coming to see Wall Drug. Here are a few pictures from this unique South Dakota attraction and the town of Wall.

Wall, South Dakota's Public Library and Public Utilities Bill Paying Boxes

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 03/09

Badlands Confidential

The Badlands National Park : South Dakota

After enjoying a donut at Wall Drug, we climbed back in the car and headed up the road to see the dramatic geologic wonder known as the Badlands. If you haven't seen this phenomenon, it's like looking at a miniature version of the Grand Canyon. While it isn't nearly as awe-inspiring as the Grand Canyon, it certainly holds its own.

As Far As the Eye Can See : The Badlands

Cathedral : The Badlands

I wish we'd had a geologist along for the ride to explain the different strata to us, as well as the age of the rocks and formations and how they were formed. No doubt there are one or two of you out there who might be able to impart some geologic wisdom? In the mean time, here are a few pictures to enjoy.

Vermilion Strata : The Badlands

Tiered : The Badlands

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 03/09

Rushmore Confidential

Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln : Mount Rushmore

Finally, after seeing Wall Drug and driving through 35 miles of the Badlands, we high-tailed it back up to Rapid City and then headed south for 30 miles to see one of America's most iconic monuments, Mount Rushmore.

Approach to Mount Rushmore

I have only one word to describe what is surely the second or third most recognized memorial in America and that is: Wow! If you haven't been to Mount Rushmore, you must make a point of going at least once in your lifetime. It is amazing!

Mount Rushmore
(Click images to enlarge)

To some, it doesn't look like much, but when you realize that the bust of Washington alone is 460 feet high and then you compare that to the Washington Monument, which is 555 feet tall, it really puts it in perspective and makes quite a heady impression (no pun intended.) Put another way, imagine if we took Mount Rushmore and put it on the National Mall next to the Washington Monument. The difference between the two would be a mere 95 feet. It was truly spectacular! After the Lincoln Memorial, I think this is officially my favorite memorial.

Mount Rushmore

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 03/09

South Dakota Confidential (The East Side)

The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota.
Yes, those are actually ears of corn decorating the outside of this unique building.
(Click to enlarge.)

After leaving the Amana Colonies, we continued northward through the upper half of Iowa and into South Dakota. On the east side of the state is a town called Mitchell. Mitchell is famous for the Corn Palace Convention & Visitors Bureau--a special events center whose front and side facades are decorated entirely in corn. A new design goes up every year at a cost $130,000 annually. Let's just say, we found this little bit of Americana to be trippy.

The east facade of the Corn Palace.

This part of the South Dakota leg was memorable for several reasons. First, the Corn Palace. Second, filet mignon for $6.95. Third, a tow truck company whose billboards advertised as "toe service." And fourth... Well, I can't think of a fourth one. Sadly, I didn't have a $6.95 filet mignon and I wasn't able to stop on the interstate to photograph the billboard advertising toe service.

Tomorrow, I'll bring you the western side of South Dakota.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 03/09