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 Sunday Aug 25        Rest Day 10

      Helena  (Mont)

A pleasant Rest Day in a sunny city.

The body had me up just at 7 so a chance to get a lot done before winding down in the early evening.

Few phone calls before breakfast...breakfast included this time but from a restricted menu.

Bit of housework(laundry) done by hand since very little after a short 3 day stint and I washed gear each evening on those days....good drying. Hung the washing out near the fence from what was Capital Hill Shopping Mall (demolished) and it dried quickly. Others (Ed) had tent problems and necessitated the employ of a tentmaker (Lloyd)

The Capitol Building is near here and I was thrilled to find an Irish connection. Directly in front of the Capitol is an impressive equestrian statue of Thomas Francis Meagher. Had to enquire and investigate. He was born in Waterford (where Grenville Hotel stands) and was active in the insurrection movement of 1848 (He had been sent to France to congratulate them on the establishment of their republic). In Waterford he devised a flag for the rebellion....our present tricolour of green, white and orange and flew it in Waterford for the first time. He was captured and in Clonmel was convicted and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered but then sentence commuted to transportation for life to Van Diemens Land. Escaped and arrived in New York, studied law and commanded the Irish Brigade in many engagements. After the Civil War he was the acting Governor of Montana from 1865 till he was drowned in the Missouri in 1867. Held in high esteem here and a lady I spoke to up near the Capitol remarked how he was known to be committed to the education and welfare of children. Nice to find an Irish connection and so close to home.

Purple and Gold.

Being a bit away I took the bike downtown to investigate there. First called to Carroll College one of the most impressive buildings in town. It’s a Catholic University of just over 1000 students standing proudly on high ground and established in 1909 and originally called Mount St Charles College. Interestingly the college football colour are purple and gold....according to their own literature. The administration block is O’Connell Hall funded by a James O’Connell whose father owned Eddy’s Bakery that I spotted later on my travels. Students have just returned to the college during the week and one I met was so keen and enthusiastic to give me directions and help. Couldn’t establish any Irish connection with Carroll or O’Connell......but there has to be!

In the distance a minaret caught my eye and I cycled up the short distance. In fact, I was surprised to discover that it’s the Civic Centre of Helena. It was built by the Arabic Order in 1921 as a shrine temple and for public events. Earthquakes in 1935 caused severe damage, the Order couldn’t afford the repairs but there was still a public demand for the event centre. The City of Helena stepped in and purchased and restored it and has a full list of upcoming entertainment events.

He’s to be found everywhere!

Down to the Old Town onto Last Chance Gulch Street which preserves the winding nature of streets of old. Within a year of striking gold a boom-town sprang up here but buildings regularly wiped out by fires. Last Chance Creek flowed down here and the effect is preserved by the sound of flowing water over stones. All stores and coffee shops were quiet this Sunday morning although I did find a good sports shop open and busy.

On the way back to the motel I dropped into a reputable store to buy a bit for lunch. As busy as ever there.

Mid afternoon on Rest Days is devoted to reorganizing the bags for the next stretch and charging instruments.

I enjoyed the day and finding the Irish connection, a strong one.

Thank God for a lovely day.