Mike, I think its a real dream catcher.MickM, we are home, we do not let people know we are on vacation. Our pics and stories come after not during. But you right, Rushmore can be seen without paying for parking but we did it anyway just because. Crazy horse is the largest mad made sculpture in the world, Mount Rushmore is the same size as Crazy Horses face! And you got a great deal for 50 bucks, they were charging 125.00 per person for a van ride to the top.
I'm pretty sure you got a much more extensive ride than me. For the money I gave I got a school bus ride from the museum up the gravel road about 1/2 mile and stopped for pics. At no time did we venture on to the mountain.
Haven't been there for 8 yrs. so I imagine things have changed a bit. Got a bad itch for another road trip to the Black Hills, Wyoming and Montana!