Day 28 - Helena, Montana

A beautiful Montana morning was the setting as Ray, our bus driver, picked us up at the campsite. We began our day at the Montana Historical Society museum tour. A small Lewis and Clark display was among the many interesting exhibits in the museum. Most of us immediately migrated to the MacKay Gallery of C.M. Russell Art. It seems as some if some of us can't get enough of the famed artist. In fact we understand some prints were purchased. There was also a great display of Herman Myrah western art. Other interesting displays included the "Buffalo Jump" and "Big Medicine".   

Buffalo Jump

Big Medicine

Our Guide, Sonja

Train Ride

After the museum tour we took a ride on the "Last Chance Tour Train" for a trip around  Helena. Our driver/tour guide/conductor, Sonja,  was very knowledgeable about Helena and quite a competent driver. She got a chuckle out of all us when she said she was going to back-up the train a "tish". She told us about mansions on the west side of town as well as taking us to see the Last Chance Gulch where four gentlemen from Georgia struck gold as they were packing up to go back home and became millionaires. Sonja also told us about how Helena burned to the ground at least six times during the gold rush years and showed us the fire tower where, two men, "Guardians of the Gulch" kept watch. The first name for Helena was the Last Champ Camp. Helena is at 4100 feet above sea level and the average temperature is 41 degree F.

Following the train tour we split into two groups, one of us going to the Original Governor's Mansion and the others going to the Montana State Capital Building. 

Governor's Mansion

Stained glass window

 The mansion was built as a private residence in 1888 and was the official governor's residence from 1913 through 1959.


After lunch at the Silver Star Steak Company we completed the split with our group going to the Montana State Capital Building. Our tour guide, Dallas, gave us a brief Montana history lesson. 

Lunch crowd at Silver Star Steak Co.

The figure on top of the building is named Montana. We were so pleased to see the painting by Charles Russell that had been commissioned by the state for display in the capital. The painting depicts Lewis and Clark meeting the Indians. The painting is priceless and is insured at $60M.

The two groups were again back on the bus and we took a short tour self guided tour of the "Cathedral of Saint Helena".  Very impressive. The cathedral will be celebrating its 100th anniversary on the 25th of December 2013.

Cathedral of Saint Helena

As if we hadn't eaten enough, our next stop was the "Great Northern Carousel" for a ride on the merry-go-round and have the opportunity to eat ICE CREAM. Some poor souls went for banana splits while others indulged in ice cream and carousel rides. Who says RVers don't know how to have fun.

We all scream for ice cream

Our Leaders

Annita and Mario, #10 in front of
commissioned C.M. Russell Painting