one last lake sunrise
switched for a city tour
architecture, parks
the storm has arrived
enough to bring shrieking youth
joy none of us find
yet the lake beckons
with its endless, silent joy
should we ask for more?
or live like ancients
who treasured every birchbark
for the life it gave?
an Ely day trip
for a family pic, hike
a little shopping
red sun, glassy lake
paddling with the puppy:
perfect lakehouse day
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
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?
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
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