miles of mansions,
waterfront owned by city,
planning perfection


cycling throughout
with restaurants in most parks?
happiness, designed





lakes and waterfalls
even a creek for a dip
could you ask for more?



miles of mansions,
waterfront owned by city,
planning perfection


cycling throughout
with restaurants in most parks?
happiness, designed





lakes and waterfalls
even a creek for a dip
could you ask for more?



lakes are not enough
to keep this city spinning
(wheat connects us all)




the bread of our lives
lives in these shared memories
that we’ll feast upon


from book shops to dusk
in a city new to us
we’ll catch this twilight

the oldest arrives
to take over paddling
just one of these lakes



a state park lunch stop
(sad Superior goodbye)
brings mosquito hell



trips beget errands
in search of camping comfort
in this humid state


Superior beach:
like the ocean without salt
great for paddling


kite flying kids
will remember these beach days
so different than home


cycling is life
as we tour Duluth’s sights
from bridges to ships



you haven’t ridden
over the Rockies; not yet.
Superior wins.


with a pup and girls
(unread itinerary)
we biked thirty clicks


Minnesota wins
for elevation record
on these little legs


and to end it all:
waterfall, campfire, cheese.
who would ask for s’more?



driving through trees, lakes
we leave Dakota behind
for the greatest lake




a frontier village
with world-record bison
thank you, Dakota


a cider dog fest
on a random Fargo night?
(mead is delicious)



the northern midwest
is a reality show
of kindness at play


i never listen
when someone says it’s boring
i always find fun
North Dakota wins
kindness, camping, paddling
and late-night sunsets

Earth lodge history
and indigenous genius
round out this cycle



with Art Deco touch
to capitalize the north
and give us this view



all in a day’s work:
this “boring” state makes dreams bright
campfires and all
