28 Aug 2022 - Arrived at Fort Harrison Campground, Helena MT

28 Aug

 Good evening from Helena MT, stop #29 of 37 on our 2022 RV adventures!  We departed Johnson's RV Park in Saint Mary MT this morning about 0900 hrs.  It was a chilly morning there as the temps dipped to 38F this morning between 0343 hrs and 0355 hrs.    

By the time we were loading up it had warmed to 50F and the sun was out. We saw views this morning of the surrounding mountains that we had not seen before because of all the overcast weather during our stay.  

So we headed over to Browning MT and filled with fuel because the highway robbers were out here at Saint Mary.  Price gouging at it's finest.  

This station was at Saint Mary near the east entrance to Glacier National Park.  $6.69 for diesel.  

Diesel fuel at Browning just 27 miles away is $4.91.

We fueled at Browning and then headed south on Highway 89.  At Choteau we turned onto Highway 287 and then followed that down to just 30 miles north of Helena when we got on I-15 at Wolf Creek.  What an amazing drive!  We followed the Rocky Mountains the whole trip.  There is so much beauty in this great Nation you just have to get out there and see it!

Check out this guy's driveway!

The drive through Wolf Creek on I-15 was beautiful also.  

Some significant climbing and descending in the big ol' brown truck!

Soon we arrived at Helena MT.  There was smoke coming from a mountain to the south of town and aircraft fire suppression operations were in progress.  Was interesting to watch as we drove to the campground and after we arrived.

Looking south as we approached Helena.

  

We pulled into the Fort Harrison RV/commercial gate at 1350 hrs and used their intercom system to notify security we were there.  

Security responded quickly and after signing in at the lodging office we headed a few blocks to the campground.  We stayed here in 2017 for several days during our Northwest USA RV trip so everything was pretty familiar.  

The campground at Fort Harrison

A view of the VA Medical Facility just south of the campground

The RV sites here are not bad but not optimal.  Whoever designed the campground likely though they were doing us a favor by installing these concrete curbs but they are a real pain in the keester.  They cause issues with the stairs, with sewer drainage, and access.  It may not be evident from these pictures but it would be so much nicer if they would eliminate the curbs.

Our kitchen slideout overlaps our neighbor's patio and within inches of their concrete picnic table (above).  Yep, that is our sewer hose on their patio.  Our neighbor on the other side has his sewer hose similarly on our patio, otherwise it would not drain.  Very poor planning from whomever designed this place.  They likely have never owned an RV...

Once setup was complete we rested a bit and then headed into town to buy some groceries and replenish the pantry and fridge.  When we returned we came in the main gate since we were not towing the RV.  

The history of this fort dates back to May 1892 when Fort William Henry Harrison was established.  It was originally named Fort Benjamin Harrison for the 23rd President of United States Benjamin Harrison since the establishment of the fort coincided with his term of office. However, it was discovered that a fort by that name already existed in Indiana, so in 1906 the name of the Montana post was changed to Fort William Henry Harrison. The fort is now home to the Montana National Guard, US Army Reserve and US Navy Reserve. The Veterans Administration Hospital, Montana Military Museum and Service Club are also located at the fort.

We are only here two nights and then we head south to just west of West Yellowstone.  While we are here we will reconnect with retired California State Command Chief Cindy Downing and her husband Win. 

I served with Cindy on a national-level committee while I was Iowa State Command Chief.  Cindy and her husband have since relocated to Montana.  We've made plans to have lunch tomorrow!