Distinctly Montana Magazine

LAST CHANCE GULCH Historic Last Chance Gulch runs through Downtown Helena from about Eleventh Avenue south to just past Wong Street at Heritage / Pioneer Park. Across Park Avenue from Heritage / Pioneer Park is Reeder’s Alley. www.downtownhelena.com www.reedersalley.com MONTANA STATE CAPITOL The 62nd session of the Montana State Legislature convened on January 3. They meet each odd year for about 3 months. So now’s a great time to tour the beautifully renovated century-old building and watch our legislators in action. The capitol is open year round for CATHEDRAL OF ST. HELENA Visitors may tour the cathedral unless Mass is being held. Guided tours are available during the summer, Tuesday through Thursdays, 1:00-3:00 p.m. For guided tours during the rest of the year, call (406) 442.5825. www.sthelenas.org self-guided tours. During the summer, guided tours are offered from May 1 though September 30, Monday through Saturday. Tours begin every hour from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. On Sundays tours begin every hour from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. (406) 444.4789. www.mhs.mt.gov have worked to remove the “read and dead” trees that dot the mountain and threaten a cataclysmic summer fire under the right conditions. But today’s jaunt is about tranquility, not fires. A crow caws. Snow drops from a tree in a big clump before burst- ing into a fine powder. I tug on Bailey’s leash, and we stop to take in the view. More than a mile above sea level and 1,300 feet above Last Chance Gulch (Helena’s Main Street through Historic Down- town), you can see pretty much everything from up here. There’s the Continental Divide to the west and Canyon Ferry Lake to the east, just beyond the Spokane Mountains. Below, Spring Meadow Lake is starting to thaw. Next to the park sits the Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts, a world-renowned residency program for both ceramic masters and artists in training. “This is the summer to visit the Bray,” says Rachel Hicks, director of programs and communications. This year is their 60th anniversary, and they plan to celebrate in style, with a full slate of activities starting in June. www.distinctlymontana.com 55

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