Out & About

We’re back from a week up at Lake Superior, which is pretty much becoming our home away from home (at least it feels that way whenever we go). There is something so restorative about the lake and the surrounding rocky shores, and I often wonder how different my life would be if day after day I was surrounded by so much beauty.

The early September air was cool and dry. Our hikes around the various parks were accomplished with much vigor (it also helped knowing an afternoon resting by the lake with a cold beer would follow).

For me, perhaps the most amazing part of our stay were the completely stunning sunrises that greeted us every morning. Each one a little different than the previous:

I consider myself a fairly cheerful person, but I can only imagine that a daily routine of sunrises and hikes and watching the water would have a pretty profound effect on my general outlook on life.

Until the day comes when that is possible, we will just have to get by with frequent getaways. And, once there, allow ourselves to absorb as much as we can of what the north has to offer.

We just got back from a few nights away at our home away from home (not sure if the proprietors would completely agree, but as long as we keep coming back, they probably won’t care what we call it). It’s a cabin just a few yards from the shore of Lake Superior, with a commanding view of the moody waters.

The next couple of days were a perfect combination of crafting, hiking, eating and drinking.

We spent the first full day hiking in the Split Rock State Park, with bright birch and aspen trees framing the various views of the lake and surrounding shorelines.

On Thursday morning I woke up at the crack of dawn (actually, a little before the crack) and found myself facing a serenely calm and beautiful display of light and water.

After breakfast we made our way over to Gooseberry Falls State Park, for another couple of hikes. The sky was bright, the sun full (luckily I remembered to wear a hat) and the trails pretty empty in the morning hours.

Virginia got the prize for most adventurous, hanging out with feet dangling over the Upper Falls.

I stayed a more comfortable distance from the edge.

Back at the cabin, we enjoyed the last of our growler (added bonus: the owner decided to open a brewery earlier this year and had several varieties available – I think he brews in 93 gallon batches, so it’s a small operation, but one we were quite willing to support) while sitting by the fire, all the while wishing we had a few more nights booked.

Still, the trip did the trick. We wore ourselves out during the day, slept well at night, worked on some creative projects, and felt ourselves being restored by the powers of that giant lake.

Lately, it seems the only time I have been outside is to quickly scurry from the back door to the garage, and then the car to the front door of the office, with the weekly beating back of the snow after it falls. So, I was overdue for a leisurely spent day getting some fresh air. As a post-Christmas, pre-Birthday celebration, we spent the greater part of Sunday at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, my new favorite outdoor spot within a short drive from our home.

Under a heavy blanket of snow, the Arboretum still offered plenty to its visitors. The still, 20º air was perfect for a walk along their groomed, outdoor trails. Although, I was a bit jealous of the cross-country skiers who were also taking advantage of the gorgeous, sunny day.

Snowy landscapes have tendency to appear lacking in much detail, but I love looking for little details here and there that offset that perception. For instance, a spot of red on the horizon:

Or, a little tuft of fur on a wintering magnolia bud:

Or, the long shadows cast while the sky is till bright:

This was exactly what we both needed after spending so much time inside. So, thank you to our friends, Dick and Judy, for inviting us to spend the day with them there.