WELCOME TO MONTANA  AND THE LAND OF THE BIG SKY

                                                        July 30-August 2, 2015

Over the pass at the peak of the Bitterroot Mts from Idaho into the Bitterroot Valley of western Montana the RTT made for a steep descent as the transmission hauled our rig triple tow (RTT) down the  8% grade.  Arriving in Montana the first stop  enjoyed a visit with Ken and Gina Coleman who live in the valley at Darby, MT They built a custom log house that is a Montana dream home overlooking the Bitterroot River which flows gently by their back deck. Humming birds fluttered to the bird edfeeders and squirrels entertain us all while ribs cooked on the grill in a smoker for sinner.

 Their gracious hospitality was much appreciated after a long day’s drive through and over curvy steep canyon roads which JR seems to refer to as a piece of cake driving.

The four of us shard an afternoon at Lake Como State Park where the fellows had JR’s dory and kayak out for a bit of fun.

A dip for a brief swim in the lake took the edge off the heat of the day. An evening passed enjoying a glass of wine, listening to some blue grass music and followed with a jaunt to the Bandit Brewery for some beer tasting.  A late dinner with smoked salmon and Gina’s homemade brownies and ice cream topped off our first two days in Montana,

There was a chance to watch Ken feed the two alpaca llamas they board for care and give the neighbor’s pinto horses an apple and some watermelon rind before thanking the Colemans and departing for Helena the capitol city.

 

Six hours later the Cathedral of St. Helena mesmerized us. Bells chimed from the church steeple tower as we steeped out of the Jeep as if to personally welcome our arrival. The Cathedral is reminiscent of grand cathedrals one would find throughout Europe, not something one expects to find in Helena.  

Built in the early 1900’s the  church’s 59 stained glass windows were carefully designed by the bishop and German artists and fabricated in Bavaria and Germany. 

A pipe organist is playing music from the altar area which echoes high into the ceiling rafters. The resounding notes bellow through the pipes adding to the grandeur of the cathedral.  

The perfect proportion and airy spaces, with the light through the windows, makes for a moving experience even for the non-religious. The marble and the decorative touches are reminiscent of old world craftsmanship. It takes time to explore all the nooks and crannies in the building. The small cathedral indeed rivals any grand cathedral found in Europe.