Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Helena: Queen City of the Rockies
Tucked away in the heart of the Rocky Mountains is a sleepy little mountain town called Helena, Montana.
Natural wonder is abound in and around the Helena Valley. There is never an absence of natural theater to tickle the senses. In my few short days visiting, I experienced -20 degree temperatures at night to 50 degree temperatures during the day. Thats CrAzY. Here is a small feast for the eyes. The picture taken at the bottom right is an area called "Scratch Gravel". Although the Helena Valley is nearly devoid of precipitation due a rain shadow, these mountains are located in an extremely dry microclimate because of the continental divide that is located directly to the west. Wild.
Downtown Helena was founded after the Four Georgians found massive amounts of gold in a last ditch effort to strike it rich. A huge gold rush ensued and Helena was born. The gold soon dried up and today, a quaint little walking mall consisting of local shops is built, literally, on top of that very gulch.
Left: The Parrot is a local confectionary that has been producing mouth watering candy and ingenious soda fountains since before I was born. I highly recommend the almond bark. As a cub scout, the proprietor gave our troop a guided tour and a few free samples. Rad. Right: This is a local watering hole where I saw my first fist flying, head knocking, cowboy bar fight. I ran.
Left: Bustling Helena on a typical afternoon. Right: I have no idea. I wish I had a detailed map of downtown Helena because there are so many nooks and crannies that make absolutely no sense but are terribly intriguing. Legend has it that this was once an entrance to a brothel.
Art has been a core tradition in the city's evolution. Center: This mural, which is roughly the size of a city block, honors the importance of women in the city's development. Ma'am (cue tip of the hat now). Left: This buffalo has sat at the entrance to the local library since I was a youngin'. Right: Roll along little doggy. This is the Bullwhacker. Giddy up.
The buildings in downtown Helena display their war-torn exterior with pride. Like the bark of a tree, each weathered crack represents a cruel and unusually harsh year gone by. Just ask the old firetower (left), which has been standing since 1874.
Left: The Great Northern area is a new part of town that consists of a carousel, kids learning center, local vendors, a coffee shop, a watering hole, and even a few bus stops. Wow. Right: Mount Helena as a backdrop to the local civic center.
Locals will reference the ability to sustain a local acting and theater production, ballet company, a symphony, a plethora of museums, an independent movie theater, many live performance venues,a fine arts walking mall, a few cathedrals, a ceramic arts institute, etc. ...but I thought this was a little presumptuous. Regardless, I say run with it...
Helena, you continually amaze me. I appreciate you more each year as I uncover all that you have offered me. I thank you and promise that I will return...
Natural wonder is abound in and around the Helena Valley. There is never an absence of natural theater to tickle the senses. In my few short days visiting, I experienced -20 degree temperatures at night to 50 degree temperatures during the day. Thats CrAzY. Here is a small feast for the eyes. The picture taken at the bottom right is an area called "Scratch Gravel". Although the Helena Valley is nearly devoid of precipitation due a rain shadow, these mountains are located in an extremely dry microclimate because of the continental divide that is located directly to the west. Wild.
Downtown Helena was founded after the Four Georgians found massive amounts of gold in a last ditch effort to strike it rich. A huge gold rush ensued and Helena was born. The gold soon dried up and today, a quaint little walking mall consisting of local shops is built, literally, on top of that very gulch.
Left: The Parrot is a local confectionary that has been producing mouth watering candy and ingenious soda fountains since before I was born. I highly recommend the almond bark. As a cub scout, the proprietor gave our troop a guided tour and a few free samples. Rad. Right: This is a local watering hole where I saw my first fist flying, head knocking, cowboy bar fight. I ran.
Left: Bustling Helena on a typical afternoon. Right: I have no idea. I wish I had a detailed map of downtown Helena because there are so many nooks and crannies that make absolutely no sense but are terribly intriguing. Legend has it that this was once an entrance to a brothel.
Art has been a core tradition in the city's evolution. Center: This mural, which is roughly the size of a city block, honors the importance of women in the city's development. Ma'am (cue tip of the hat now). Left: This buffalo has sat at the entrance to the local library since I was a youngin'. Right: Roll along little doggy. This is the Bullwhacker. Giddy up.
The buildings in downtown Helena display their war-torn exterior with pride. Like the bark of a tree, each weathered crack represents a cruel and unusually harsh year gone by. Just ask the old firetower (left), which has been standing since 1874.
Left: The Great Northern area is a new part of town that consists of a carousel, kids learning center, local vendors, a coffee shop, a watering hole, and even a few bus stops. Wow. Right: Mount Helena as a backdrop to the local civic center.
Locals will reference the ability to sustain a local acting and theater production, ballet company, a symphony, a plethora of museums, an independent movie theater, many live performance venues,a fine arts walking mall, a few cathedrals, a ceramic arts institute, etc. ...but I thought this was a little presumptuous. Regardless, I say run with it...
Helena, you continually amaze me. I appreciate you more each year as I uncover all that you have offered me. I thank you and promise that I will return...
...now go on, git!
Monday, December 29, 2008
East Helena: A horse of a different color.
Although barely large enough to sustain an independent movie theater, Helena, MT actual has a suburb...welcome to East Helena. This is the kind of place where the gears of a clock grind to a reluctant halt, as if time simply forgot to step forward. Change is a concept that has not reached the inner core of how this town operates. For better or worse, it is completely amazing. How do I know all this? Well, yes, this where it all began for me. I have witnessed the cryogenic qualities of this place firsthand. This tip of the hat is to you, East Helena, for your silent rebellion.
Top Left: Welcome. Top Right: This is Mainstreet School, where I attended kindergarten. This school was built in the 1800s! It is now being used as the East Helena City Hall. Bottom Left: Across the street is the old convenient store where I used to go buy Pogs. Does anyone else remember those? Bottom Right: Just in case you commute to work by tractor, there is also a repair shop on drag.
City Center was truly marvelous. Lets keep moving down the street.
Oh look!
Top Left: This church is soo awesome. Catholics, eh. Protestants, psha. The Big Sky Church of Christ...YES! A truly homegrown community of people exercising their religious freedom and right to worship. Keep the faith my friends! Top Right: Smiths Bar... for when church gets out. Bottom Left: Downtown. Timeless. Bottom Right: Unmetered tractor parking. Praise allah, I forgot my quarters!
Well, again, heres to who ya' are, East Helena, and aint nobody gonna tell yer tado nothin' different!
Top Left: Welcome. Top Right: This is Mainstreet School, where I attended kindergarten. This school was built in the 1800s! It is now being used as the East Helena City Hall. Bottom Left: Across the street is the old convenient store where I used to go buy Pogs. Does anyone else remember those? Bottom Right: Just in case you commute to work by tractor, there is also a repair shop on drag.
City Center was truly marvelous. Lets keep moving down the street.
Oh look!
Top Left: This church is soo awesome. Catholics, eh. Protestants, psha. The Big Sky Church of Christ...YES! A truly homegrown community of people exercising their religious freedom and right to worship. Keep the faith my friends! Top Right: Smiths Bar... for when church gets out. Bottom Left: Downtown. Timeless. Bottom Right: Unmetered tractor parking. Praise allah, I forgot my quarters!
Well, again, heres to who ya' are, East Helena, and aint nobody gonna tell yer tado nothin' different!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Alas, Montana.
It's the morning of December 25th and I am in Montana! I am so excited to be here. For whatever craziness that I had going on in my day to day life in Seattle, it is completely glossed over now that I am here. As I tell the city folk that I grew up in Montana, often I see images from "A River Runs Through It" running through their mind. Well, I'm here to show you that I did indeed actually live that life while growing up. Here are my last 2 days..
December 23: I woke up and stepped out of my front door in Seattle, WA to start my day with a run in Magnuson Park, when to my amazement I was greeted by a trio of Trumpeter Swans. These swans very rarely make it to this area, however the bird book that I read said that these lil' fellas do occasionally happen upon the Pacific Northwest in the winters.
Well, as you may or may not have heard, Seattle is totally frozen over with layers of ice and hard packed snow. Despite the beauty, its pretty much a disaster. And in this, so begins my 3.5 hr bus trip from north Seattle to Seatac Airport. Ugh. And, yes, I turned my car into a giant face. I thought this was so funny for some reason. Ahh, the Breeze.
Seatac = Mess. Somehow, despite my bus breaking down, despite thousands of other people waiting and waiting, and despite the airline running out of de-icer, I snuck out of Seattle between storms with no delays and all my baggage. How? I dunno.
Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams. The two tallest peaks in Washington state were graciously waving goodbye through the clouds. Goodbye Pacific Northwest...I will be back.
Welcome to Montana. Family, I'm glad that everyone is here.
December 24: Montana greeted me with a cowboy sunrise. I almost missed it! Being as it was minus degree conditions, I captured it from the the comfort of my nice, warm bed.
Being as it finally crested above zero degrees, mom and I decided to go for a short walk. Why not? I have some amazing snot crusted all over my nose...superb.
The holiday season, for me, is rooted strongly in tradition. One tradition that we, as a family, have done since I was born is to go to the graveyard and wish my grandpa a happy birthday. More recently, however, grandma has joined him so we take the time to simply reflect on those that came before us. It always brings the family closer together and I treasure this familial observance.
Last night, well, I've been replaced once again. Santa brought my mom a little boppy for Christmas.
Well, I must sign off. But before I do, for all of you who may have missed the message...
In all honestly, I genuinely adore the festive spirt that this home embodies. As we drove away, the lady in the window waved to us. Merry Christmas to you as well, spirited woman in Montana...
December 23: I woke up and stepped out of my front door in Seattle, WA to start my day with a run in Magnuson Park, when to my amazement I was greeted by a trio of Trumpeter Swans. These swans very rarely make it to this area, however the bird book that I read said that these lil' fellas do occasionally happen upon the Pacific Northwest in the winters.
Well, as you may or may not have heard, Seattle is totally frozen over with layers of ice and hard packed snow. Despite the beauty, its pretty much a disaster. And in this, so begins my 3.5 hr bus trip from north Seattle to Seatac Airport. Ugh. And, yes, I turned my car into a giant face. I thought this was so funny for some reason. Ahh, the Breeze.
Seatac = Mess. Somehow, despite my bus breaking down, despite thousands of other people waiting and waiting, and despite the airline running out of de-icer, I snuck out of Seattle between storms with no delays and all my baggage. How? I dunno.
Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams. The two tallest peaks in Washington state were graciously waving goodbye through the clouds. Goodbye Pacific Northwest...I will be back.
Welcome to Montana. Family, I'm glad that everyone is here.
December 24: Montana greeted me with a cowboy sunrise. I almost missed it! Being as it was minus degree conditions, I captured it from the the comfort of my nice, warm bed.
Being as it finally crested above zero degrees, mom and I decided to go for a short walk. Why not? I have some amazing snot crusted all over my nose...superb.
The holiday season, for me, is rooted strongly in tradition. One tradition that we, as a family, have done since I was born is to go to the graveyard and wish my grandpa a happy birthday. More recently, however, grandma has joined him so we take the time to simply reflect on those that came before us. It always brings the family closer together and I treasure this familial observance.
Last night, well, I've been replaced once again. Santa brought my mom a little boppy for Christmas.
Well, I must sign off. But before I do, for all of you who may have missed the message...
In all honestly, I genuinely adore the festive spirt that this home embodies. As we drove away, the lady in the window waved to us. Merry Christmas to you as well, spirited woman in Montana...
~Ciao~
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