Back at the Ranch, Missoula, Montana

The view over the Missoula valley is stunning from one of the last family ranches in the hills above Missoula, Montana.

River Walk Sunset,Missoula, Montana

Missoula, Montana, has a great trail system along the Clark Fork River. With temperatures sliding down to the 70's Fahrenheit, evenings are perfect for a stroll, with the bonus of spectacularly calming views. (And I really couldn't resist another version of this sunset.)

Sunset Mountains, Missoula, Montana

Tuesday’s skies over Missoula, Montana, were graced with this magnificent mountain sunset.
I wasn’t the only one stopping to capture this light show to a photo.
(And for those who wonder: yes, this photo is un-edited, and the colours and light rays really were this magnificently crazy.)

Evening Reflections, Missoula, Montana

Long days are an amazing Montana summer hallmark. With sunset about 9:30 p.m., evenings provide ample time for outdoor meandering, conversation, sunset viewing...or even a moderate hike. 
Perhaps Stevenson was in Montana when he penned this little poem.
“In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.”
- Robert Louis Stevenson

Wheels of Time, Missoula, Montana

Summer's new grass infiltrates work-worn machinery; time's perpetual momentum keeps its wheels turning.

Rainbow Remainder, Missoula, Montana

Rainbows graced the skies over Missoula, Montana, courtesy of a thunderstorm which capped a hot, hot day.  We’re finally getting weather up into the 90’s F . To entonophobics (people with a tick phobia) like me, this signifies that ticks will head higher up the mountains, and fear-free hiking season begins. Call me a wuss, but if you’ve ever found one of those little bugs crawling on you - hours after you thoroughly checked! - you may understand the creepy factor.

Clematis Thriving, Hamilton, Montana

A friend in Corvallis, Montana, loooves clematis - if you want to know anything about clematis, just get her talking and you will be amazed and enlightened.  I love to watch people talk about whatever it is about which they're passionate. Their faces animate, drama enters their voice, they lose track of time. The only downside is when they typically stop and say, "I'm sorry, I get a little carried away."  Dedicated passion needs no apology. It needs to be shared.