Today I had the honor of visiting the Mount Rushmore National Memorial located in the Black Hills of South Dakota for the “first” time in my life. The memorial was created from 1927 to 1941. The sculpture features the 60-foot-tall heads of four United States Presidents: George Washington (1732–1799), Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) and Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865). The four presidents were chosen to represent the nation’s birth, growth, development and preservation, respectively. The memorial park covers 1,278 acres and the actual mountain has an elevation of 5,725 feet above sea level. Breathtaking! Mount Rushmore has grown in fame as a symbol of America – a symbol of freedom and hope for people from all cultures and backgrounds.
As I continue to look for opportunities for “firsts” to experience, a trip to South Dakota to visit friends in Rapid City presented itself. I jumped on it. Without my mindset of looking for firsts, from living my Leap Year of Firsts, I’m not sure I would be here. I may have never have experienced the spectacular piece of iconic art incredibly carved into granite. I would have let the opportunity pass me by because I was “busy.” Or it was inconvenient and would take an effort to plan. Aren’t we always busy? But, I made the time. I found time for a first. I made the effort. I am grateful I did. I LOVE firsts! How about you?
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” – Eleanor Roosevelt