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
growing up
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 Eight, Lake Superior
Superior beach:
like the ocean without salt
great for paddling
kite flying kids
will remember these beach days
so different than home
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: 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
Road Trip 2019: Dakota, Day One
from womb to witness
our baby sees Mt. Rushmore
thirteen years later
even butterflies
and puppies couldn’t withhold
their love for the road
The Golden Gate
just one hour out
you can shed your city life
for backpacking dreams
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