July in Montana tends to fill itself to overflowing.

Our mountain-retreat lifestyle becomes a revolving door of people we love who understandably want to be in Montana during this glorious sliver of summer. Family and friends, rodeos and the Big Sky PBR, long evenings entertaining, sharing sunsets and stories.

I managed to snatch a day from the blur to share with my niece Jillian. We struck out at the break of dawn and spent a glorious day hiking in the Crazy Mountains.

There’s something especially delicious about adventuring with someone you love, and Jillian is one special being.

Rock under our paws.
Big country all around us.
A mountain lake surrounded by goats on the lingering snow for me to plunge into—and snow slopes for Jillian to “sled” down on her raincoat.

Pure mountain joy.