I more or less took Saturday off and explored Helena, Mt., a beautiful little city that has rich areas with gorgeous old mansions and down the social scale to a few unkempt trailer parks way out on the edge of town.
However, for the most part the city is very clean. Most yards are mowed, trash cans are not left on curb for long and there weren’t many cars parked in the front of houses.
People were extremely friendly.
They spoke and made eye contact.
They even stop in the middle of the block and let you cross the street.
One thing that seemed odd was that almost ever convenience store, restaurant or pub also was a casino.
Tiny casinos with slots only and a quarter was the largest amount of money you could play (but you could play it up to five times).
The Bull’s Eye was a casino, lounge, restaurant and horse racing book. A guy there told me they were having a terrible problem with beetles killing the trees. I hadn’t noticed, but of course, I did after he said that.
I had some great Mexican food (enchiladas with a mole sauce that was to kill for). Talked to some really interesting people, all who most certainly remember Bobby (and Paul) Petrino, but more on that later.
Looked high and low for a baseball cap that says “Montana’ on it but still haven’t found it.
Today I’m headed south back into Idaho. On the way I plan to stop in Butte and see the big hole in the ground (seriously, it is a tourist attraction with viewing areas) and anything else that seems interesting.
I have no schedule so this is going to be a long, but leisurely drive.
Exploring new areas is something I’ve always enjoyed and so far this vacation has supplied plenty of that.

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