2 Aug - Maintenance day, shopping and Historic Broadwater Hot Springs!

2 Aug
We've been going at quite a pace, so today was kind of a down day.  We took care of some maintenance tasks, including changing my water filter cartridges (2), troubleshooting our Winegard Rayzar Automatic off the air antenna, washing the truck, cleaning the ice maker, replacing the truck air filter, etc,  Just like being home, things need tended to periodically..  We also hit the local Walmart for a few groceries and some other items.

This afternoon we continued to work around here, writing thank you notes, working on the finances, and making several phone calls for appointment after we return home after 1 October.

At 1700 hrs we quickly discovered the Chicago Cubs broadcast was going to be blacked-out.  Directv thinks we are home, and the game was broadcast on a home local channel we can't get here in Montana.  So, we shifted gears and headed to Broadwater Hot Springs here in Helena.  Ah, so relaxing!!

Broadwater Hot Springs is an icon here. It's history goes back to 1889 when Colonel Charles Broadwater built the world famous Broadwater Hotel and Natatorium (building containing a swimming pool), the year Montana achieved statehood. There was a grand resort here and it was the stopping place for elite travelers going to and from the national parks of Yellowstone and Glacier. "The Broadwater Hot Springs Natatorium pool at 30,000 square feet, was the world’s largest indoor pool. At one end of the pool giant granite boulders formed into two waterfalls, one from the Hot Springs and one from a Cold Springs. The Natatorium also sported toboggan slides, a “plunge” and observation decks. Stained-glass windows and colorful tiles covered the interior floors and walls. At night, lit from within by electric lights, the building glistened like a jewel box."

Now, the Broadwater still hosts fantastic hot springs mineral water pools of varying temperatures, hot tubs, a complete fitness area and a restaurant/bat adjacent to the outside pools.

The Mineral Spring soaking pool in the background with two hot tubs in the fore ground.  The pool is between 3-5 feet deep and runs between 97-102 degrees F.  The hot tubs run between 101 and 104 degrees F

This mineral springs pool is 25 ft x 70 ft with a depth of 3 to 10 ft.  It runs between 89 and 93 degrees F.

The bar/restaurant area in on the right.  There are outdoor tables with the blue umbrellas and inside seating as well.

We enjoyed the soaking pool for a while and then moved to the hot tub.  Later we retired to the bar and dining area for dinner.  We had a Kennebeck potato nacho and a small pizza along with some local brews.  The manager discounted our bill 40% as a thanks for serving in the Air Force.  Yes!  Was a really enjoyable evening.

Tomorrow we will investigate downtown Helena to include the cathedral and also plan to visit a museum.