Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Montana Capitol, Charcoal Kilns and Bannack
I returned to the Montana Capitol early for another round of photographs before heading south toward the Canyon Creek Charcoal Kilns. The rough washboard road led past the ruins of Glendale and finally to the old beehive-shaped kilns once used to produce charcoal for the mining district. From there, I continued to Bannack State Park and arrived in time for an evening walk through the ghost town before settling in for the night.
Serendipitous Sunday in Helena
What began as a quiet Sunday morning in Helena turned into one of the most unexpected days of my Montana travels. I toured the State Capitol, ran into a friend I had known decades earlier in Switzerland, watched the Septemberfest soapbox derby, wandered through Reeder’s Alley, photographed downtown Helena and ended the evening back near the Montana Heritage Center.
Tour of Heritage Museum
I spent most of the day exploring Helena’s new Montana Heritage Center, which opened in December 2025. The Charles M. Russell Gallery was the highlight, but the Poindexter modern art collection and beautifully designed Montana Homeland Gallery made this one of the best museums I visited in Montana.
Drive South To Helena
Instead of taking I-15 from Wolf Creek to Helena, I followed back roads through the Missouri River valley and into Montana ranch country. The day brought fishermen, mountain valleys, creeks, old bridges, abandoned farms, red barns, a long conversation with fellow van travelers, a stop for new tires in Helena and an evening photographing the Montana State Capitol.