a tornado scare
led to this downtown hassle
with a sparkling Vista
delayed flight gave time
for a capitol your
offering domed wealth
my man has arrived
for our drive to the North Woods
where water saves all
car
Road Trip 2019: Day Twelve, CycleLife
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?
Road Trip 2019: Day Eleven, Mill City
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
Road Trip 2019: Day Ten, One of Ten Thousand
the oldest arrives
to take over paddling
just one of these lakes
Road Trip 2019: Day Nine, Mosquitos
a state park lunch stop
(sad Superior goodbye)
brings mosquito hell
trips beget errands
in search of camping comfort
in this humid state
Road Trip 2019: Day Six, Gitchi Gami
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?
Road Trip 2019: Minnesota, Day Five
driving through trees, lakes
we leave Dakota behind
for the greatest lake
Road Trip 2019: North Dakota, Day Four
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
Road Trip 2019: North Dakota
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
Road Trip 2019: Dakotas, Day Two
from flat Dakota
emerges a river trail
hard on legs and kids
but water wins views
however it meanders
giving life to all
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