The cars continue to draw a crowd.
Nice relaxed time with Sharlene and Kenny. They had been to the farmers market so we reaped the benefits with meals of fresh fruits and vegetables. We took a guided trolley ride around Helena and visited the Historical society museum with its large collection of old west paintings by Charles Russell.
On the trolley tour, we learned that Helena was once home to the countrie’s largest number per capita of millionaires – over 120. This was on account of gold mining in the vicinity. The trolley took us past many of their old mansions. I didn’t have my camera with me. I’m sorry to not have taken pictures of them.
Another interesting trolley ride story. They tore down an old bank building and they discovered and recovered enough gold in the mortar sand to finance the new building.
Sharlene spoke of a Montana resident who traveled to Wisconsin and had a hard time of it because they felt so closed in and claustrophobic. Sharlene says that even she and Kenny who grew up there have similar feelings when they go back to visit. I can see it. The grand vistas and low population density out here is quite …. I can’t come up with a word for it… freeing or calming maybe?
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- The cars continue to draw a crowd.
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- A friend of Kenny’s stopped by with his custom hot rod.
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- In front of Sharlene and Kenny’s home
We’re really enjoying this journal of your adventure – what a trip! Sheila, your pictures are beautiful – I see your artist’s eye in how you compose your shots. I’d love to chat with you about your camera some time (having just bought a new digital camera before our July trip to Montana). Those vintage cars just seem to fit into this rugged landscape better than modern vehicles would. Safe travels!