Helena, Montana: Not a very exciting day, but we have many miles to cover over the next few days and we are very slow travelers. (When we were in Oregon, we met a couple who had driven to Portland from Arizona - towing a huge 5th wheel - in two days. Ugh.)
We left Lolo and continued on Highway 12 (which is also 93 at times) through Missoula - Home of the Grizzlies. Oddly, every tenth business seemed to a some sort of combo liquor store-casino, or diner-casino, etc. Today we also saw an outdoor shooting range next to a school. Maybe there are no zoning ordinances in Montana? The route continues over the Bitterroot Mountains, and reaches 6200 feet at McDonald Pass. We reached the 2000 mile mark on this trip near the pass. I snapped a photo at the top. This is how bad the wildfire smoke was today:
Deciding to stop for a while, we drove through downtown Helena for lunch. Gold was discovered in a stream bed flowing through town in 1864, and it is now covered over and a foot-traffic only area - Last Chance Gulch - lined with shops and restaurants. Sadly, so many of the buildings are empty and not very lively given it was lunchtime downtown in the state capital.
We found a table at The Hopper and had nice lunches. I had chicken tenders from the children's menu and DT had a burger.
We walked around the street and happily found the nicest outdoor outfitter, Base Camp, where my broken hiking pole was replaced. No, I do not need a walking stick because I am old and slow. I use one because I am old and blind. Really helps. Safety first.
Though we have been to Helena previously and have toured the Capitol building, we went by again because we heard the dome is under scaffolding and - get this - is going to be removed, restored, and replaced! This knowledge was imparted as I was in a shop looking to purchase postcards of the Capitol, and the clerk said something about the dome being under scaffolding and another customer said her dad was working on the project and then several people started talking about the restorating and I learned so much, all the while DT was sitting on a bench outside.
We did a drive-by on our way out of town, but did not want to go inside as we have already seen the dome. Our only other adventure was to stop at a gas station to buy DEF for the Mercedes. We are at a KOA just north of Helena for the night. With the time change, the Dodgers don't start playing until after 8p, so we may not make it to the end of some games for a while. With such a big lunch, there was no need for dinner. An early night. Big adventure planned for tomorrow.
Until my next update, I remain, your Helena correspondent.
Campground Information: Helena North KOA