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Volume 11, Issue 1

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8 | WheelsOfGrace.com | Issue 47 With the 79th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally just around the corner, it's me to start planning your i nerary for this monumental event. With more than 376,000 riders expected to a end this year's rally, you'll likely want to plan strategically in order to see the sights, and experience the best rides. Regardless if you make these South Dakotan fes vi es an annual event, or if this is your first me experiencing the celebra on, be sure to include the following five rides at the 2019 Sturgis motorcycle rally. Know before you go Many of the a rac ons listed on this page are part of the Na onal Park system. Individual entrance fees apply for each Na onal Park site, and depending on how many Na onal Parks you plan to tour, you can save money by purchasing the America the Beau ful Annual Access Pass. In addi on to the several Na onal Parks en-route-to and around Sturgis, the Access Pass permits you year-long entry into any Na onal Park in the U.S. *Please note that current US Military and their dependents can obtain free annual Na onal Park passes with up to date photo iden fica on. 1. Mount Rushmore Perks: As one of the most famous Na onal Parks in the United States, Mount Rushmore affords an up-close- and-personal look at the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Nestled in the heart of the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore was carved by the esteemed sculptor Gutzon Borglum in 1925. Debrief: While credit of this impeccable monument can (and should) be given to the dozens of workers who me culously chipped away at the sculptures, this astonishing mountainside wouldn't exist if not for the imagina on of Doane Robinson, the "Father of Mount Rushmore." It was Robinson who invited renowned sculptor Borglum to invest in the project in August of 1924. Despite Robinson's "fathering" of the mountain, however, this four-faced marvel is actually named a er the renowned New York lawyer, Charles Edward Rushmore, who represented the first group of esteemed men to find n in the E a mine of the Black Hills. Awestruck by the majes cness of the large granite mountain, Rushmore decidingly deemed the landmark "Rushmore Peak" in 1885. Fun Fact: Once appointed to the project, sculptor Borglum worked diligently with the intent to make Mount Rushmore the "Shrine of Democracy." While Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson were shoe-ins for the memorial, there was much debate over whether the fourth bust should be that of Thomas Roosevelt or Woodrow Wilson. Ul mately, Roosevelt's conserva on efforts and involvement in the construc on of the Panama Canal outweighed Wilson's leadership efforts during World War I. Fees: Motorcycles are charged $10 per vehicle. Ac ve Duty Military can enter the Park for free. 2. Crazy Horse Perks: Despite the awe and perplexity of Mount Rushmore, you're sure to find yourself again amazed by the magnificence of Crazy Horse. A er nearly seven decades of construc on, Crazy Horse is relentless in its mission of becoming the world's largest sculpture of a Lakota tribe leader. Debrief: A member of the Teton Sioux tribe, Crazy Horse was presumably born in 1843 on Rapid Creek, nearly 40 miles southeast of Sturgis. Originally called "Curly" for his wavy hair, it wasn't un l he proved himself in ba le that Crazy Horse earned the namesake of his father, Tasunka Witco, the original "Crazy Horse." Once old enough to focus on the rites of passage for a Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse became the epitome of bravery and power amongst the Lakota people. In 1876, Crazy Horse lead a ba le against Sargent Custer's Seventh U.S. Cavalry ba alion. Though 32 of Crazy Horse's fighters were killed in the fight, Custer, along with nine of his officers and 280 enlisted military men ul mately perished in the event. It wasn't un l 1877 that Crazy Horse approached the U.S. Military at Fort Robinson with a flag of truce. However, due to a misunderstanding in transla on, Crazy Horse was fatally wounded by an Indian infantry guard. Today, the memorial features Crazy Horse poin ng forward, which represents his response to the Cavalry man who asked him,"Where are your lands now?" His le hand poin ng forward is indica ve of his response: "My lands are where my dead lie buried." Fun Fact: Crazy Horse Memorial was under construc on for more than 67 years and today, stands at a staggering 6,532-feet-tall. As the 27th highest mountain in South Dakota, Crazy Horse was sculpted with the intent of preserving and protec ng the tradi on and heritage of the North American Indians. You can learn more about the South Dakota Indian Tribes here. Fees: Unlike the $30.00 per four-axle car, motorcyclists visi ng Crazy Horse Memorial are only charged $7.00 per rider. See the Crazy Horse Memorial web page for more entrance informa on. Check the weather before you go! 3. Custer State Park Perks: Located just 67 miles south of Sturgis lies Custer State Park, an expansive 71,000-acre haven in the heart of the Black Hills. Known for abundant wildlife and endless adventure, visitors of Custer State Park 1-800-LawTigers LawTigers.com Planning your itinerary for the 79th sturgis Motorcycle Rally? Whether you're a first-time participant or attend the rally annually, be sure to include these top 5 Sturgis rides to make your trip truly unforgettable. Top 5 Motorcycle Rides in Sturgis

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