Last Chance Train Tour

 Touring Helena

Tuesday June 21 

We are very much still on Hawaii time which means we aren’t falling asleep til almost midnight and then getting up around 10am. It feels very weird, definitely not the normal schedule for our family. I’m super grateful to have a few quiet days of rest after all the days of travel. And I’m also thankful to be able to do laundry! We’re staying at Dave’s Aunt Vicky and Uncle Hank’s house who are out of town. They were so generous to open up their home to us. 

Today we took a fun “last chance” train tour around Helena. We saw the beautiful capital building, the original governor’s mansion, the old homes on the west side of town, and last chance gulch. We learned that the name came from a group of miners who hadn’t had any luck in the mine, but before they gave up they decided they would give it one last chance. Good thing they did, because they struck gold and that’s why Helena is here today. 

Dave’s other family here in Helena, Aunt Myrna and Uncle Jerry had us over for dinner. They kids loved playing with their Australian shepherds Abby and Maddy. They have a beautiful mountain home over looking Canyon Ferry Lake. It’s been such a joy to get to know them better and make more family connections. 

Good things today...

• 1889 coffee shop

• Josh loving the home gym in the basement. He loves to “get strong” 

• When Josh shared his chip with Liam

• Beautiful blue sky 

• Seeing mountains, lake, and trees from Myrna’s kitchen window 

• Getting Junior mints with Caleb 

• Dave got me a grapefruit Radler

• Playing outside with the kids

• Watching Liam try to run and play with the big boys

• 1st day of summer, light from 5:30am to 9:30pm 

• I heard Liam say “I wanna go there” I LOVE hearing his little voice and I’m so glad he’s trying to communicate and express himself. 

Fun summer Christmas tree at 1889 Coffee Shop 

Liam working on an old timey grinder 

1889 Coffee Shop…we got delicious sandwiches and cinnamon streusel  

We took the Last Chance Train tour around the city of Helena. 

Montana State Capital 

Helena’s beautiful cathedral 

A Helena tradition is for the high school national champions to ride around town in a fire truck. This is a mural of one of those teams. 

Beautiful old homes on the west side of Helena. 

Helena’s walking mall 

Last Chance Gulch 

Fire tower 

Lewis & Clark Library 

The view driving to Uncle Jerry and Aunt Myrna’s house.

Uncle Jerry grilling dinner 

Josh loved rubbing Maddy’s belly 

Playing in the backyard

Brotherly love 

Enjoying the extra daylight today and playing in Uncle Hank and Aunt Vicky’s backyard. I love how Liam tried so hard to keep up with his big brothers.