The best part of our visit to Helena was our stop at the Mediterranean Grill. We ordered an appetizer sampler. It included 1)Hummus, 2) Bisara (like hummus with fresh mint, coriander, Italian parsley) and 3) Muhammara, (turned out to be our favorite) a Syrian dish that is a blend of walnuts, roasted red bell peppers and pomegranate molasses. We ate it before I got a photo. Our main dish was Adana Kabob - seasoned ground lamb and ground beef kabob similar to what our friends Angie and Frank make. It was great!
Dessert was extra special as well - it is called Kunefe, shredded phyllo, butter, walnuts, mascarpone and Kasseri cheeses with pistachio nuts on top. With a great cup of coffee we called it a day!
We had no idea what a "Buffalo Jump" was so we headed out to "First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park. First people is preferred over terms like Native American or Indian - who knew??? We sat here, yes these are buffalo skins, to hear the ranger tell the story behind the buffalo jump. This one is believed to be one of the largest buffalo jumps in the world.
We did the 3.5 mile hike up to the top but the story is: A young warrior is selected to lure the herd of buffalo to the edge of the cliff. The warrior jumps to a ledge and the unsuspecting buffalo go over the 50 foot face of the cliff where there are tribal women prepared to use every part of the buffalo for the life sustaining buffalo meat and hides. No part of the animal was wasted, even the horns were used to make spoons and other utensils.
We actually saw a rattle snake but he was more afraid of us and he was gone before we got the photo. However, we were very impressed by the cool spot this rabbit had picked out. He didn't even flinch as we passed by!
How can you go to Great Falls and not go out to see "Great Falls?" We were amazed when we found out that Captain Clark used a sextant and a rod and measured the falls to be 97 feet 3/4 inches. A recent electronic measurement has it at 96 feet! The Missouri river, with 5 falls in this area, actually drops more than 550 feet in just over 20 miles!
They have built a dam behind it but have preserved much of the original falls. This hydroelectric dam provides enough electricity to meet the average needs of 54,000 Montana Household. It is also the background for yet one more "we were there" photo.
We saw all the falls in this area: Great Falls (above) Black Eagle, Rainbow Falls, and Crooked Falls - number 5 is not visible any more as it is now below the surface.
The falls are definitely a worthwhile stop but, to us, the most amazing water site was Great Springs, the world's largest freshwater spring. This water originates South East of Great Falls in the Little Belt Mountains where the Madison Formation is exposed to the land surface. In the springs area this formation is 400 feet below the surface. It takes 50 years for the water to flow from the Little Belt Mountains to the Giant Springs area. The water emerges from the ground at a consistent 54 degrees all year round. The picture once again does not do it justice as the water is just as clear as glass.
What is even more mind boggling is that 150 million gallons a day cascade down...
...to the world's shortest river, the Roe at 210 feet, into the Missouri which is America's longest river at 2,540 miles. It is hard for us to look at this beautiful clear water and know what it will look like when it does get to Missouri.
We did get quite a few sunny days and got to play lots of golf at Hickory Swing, Eagle Falls and these photos from Anaconda Hills. This course was so hilly we broke down and took a golf cart!
Bear sightings are Mark's favorite but they are not out too often. Second only to bear are these guys, Pronghorns. They are part of the antelope family and when they take off, they can really move!
That's it for Great Falls, Montana - now its on to Missoula, Montana.
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