Summer time has quickly found its way into Montana! The temperatures are rising, daylight hours are getting longer, and Montana’s waterways are at max capacity.  As a family we try to make a point to get out and explore as much as we can throughout the summer.  With full-time jobs and three children in and out of camps and activities this at times proves to be a challenge.  Often times we take for granted this amazing state we live in and get too caught up in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day. So two weeks ago we very intentionally loaded up the girls and headed out! We packed a picnic lunch and pointed the pickup westward.  I’ve been up the Boulder River several times but have never taken the family…so we headed that direction.  It was a perfect Sunday morning.  Montana has had a pretty wet spring with the occasional spring shower popping up pretty regularly, but not this day.  This was a great opportunity to show the girls some of the amazing sights to see right in their own back yard.

If you are reading this and you have younger children and you want to get them outdoors a little more, I have a few helpful suggestions.  Have some smaller binoculars for all of your kiddos.  They love to explore and see all the things.

Stop along the way as much as you can. This helps break up the trip and you would be surprised what kids think is pretty cool to see.  With all of the technology these days right at our fingertips we often forget about how it used to be when it comes to taking pictures.  My kids are young enough that they don’t have their own phones so it’s a great idea to get them those little disposable cameras.  You may have to look a little for them or get them online but talk about a game changer when the little ones can take their own photos.  It’s also a great time to remember each trip when you get the film developed.  You’ll be surprised what they take pictures of.  So don’t waste any more of the summer, load up the family and get outside!