Helena

  Helena, Montana
Saturday, December 29, 2007

Another cold, clear day.  The six of us (Jen, Bill, Fiona, Bridget, Tom & Ruth) walked into the downtown area of Helena, which was unbelievably quiet.  We stopped at the Parrot Shop for hot chocolates (Tom and Ruth) and cold drinks (Bill and the girls) - we are not that acclimatised; we needed the warmth of our hot chocolates.  The shop is run by two brothers who make nearly all the chocolates on sale, as well as the syrups for the drinks.  It had the old style booths and even an old juke box.  It provided a great break and an experience of the America we remember from earlier TV shows.

In the afternoon the girls visited a friend and Jen and Bill went skating.  We decided not to venture out with them as we weren't willing to risk our first skating experience causing us an injury and it would have been too cold just watching.  So we amused ourselves at home.

Later we visited the Helena State Capitol Building which is where the Montana State House meets every second year!  As the representatives are elected for two year terms this means they have to be elected for every session.

The building has been restored to its original, bright colours.  We were the only visitors late on a Saturday afternoon.

At night, Bill's father and sister joined us for a delightful home cooked dinner.