Crazy Horse

When Crazy Horse died there was no photographic image of him. He had never signed any of the treaties, all of which were broken, and he had never agreed to live at a reservation. Ziolkowski worked with the survivors of the Battle of Little Big Horn like a police artist to recreate a likeness of Crazy Horse. Today he stands unbowed above the Black Hills, "My lands are where my dead are buried."

When finished it will be the greatest memorial in the world, bigger than the biggest pyramid, taller than the Washington Monument, all four heads of Mt. Rushmore would fit in just the face of Crazy Horse. No public money has ever been used to acquire land, to get equipment, or for any purpose. When Ziolkowski started the project in 1948, he did it on a little more than $100 dollars. Today the budget is in the millions. It is for the family and for everyone associated with the effort a true calling. Only one person working on the crews has worked for less than 25 years, and everyone works for minimal pay.

The completion of the face has brought in thousands of visitors, and the support of Native American Tribes has popularised the effort.

It is estimated that the horse's head, the arm, and pointing finger will be done in another decade. The outline can be seen drawn in the rock.

When it is all finished it will be completely three dimensional and will look like Ziolkowski's model in the museum/visitor center. The museum is now one of the largest and finest collection of Native American artifacts and art in the world.

After my morning visit to the memorial, I took a helicopter flight over the site and over the town of Custer. Here are some images. It was hard to get good pictures because of the haze in the air from fires in the area. It is really dry out there.

I spent the whole morning in the Black Hills. At noon I came back to the motel and watched the European soccer final. I am delighted with the outcome. It has been a pleasure to watch the greatest national team in the history of soccer. Viva Espana!

Tommorrow I continue on the trip to Lawrence. Here is my projected route.

Black Hills to Lawrence