It’s been almost three weeks since my last post and it feels like so much has happened. We celebrated Memorial day, Dave went to Boston for work, I went to Eau Claire to visit family and friends, and I just came back from four incredible days in Marquette, Michigan with one of my favorite humans. Now with only four days left before we leave for the next leg of our adventure I am feeling all the feels about it coming to an end. The last few days before starting another leg are always a mixture of emotions especially with all the “see you laters.” I feel like this visit has been one of our best visits to the Midwest. We will be sad to leave.
I find myself thinking about everything I want to do before I leave, even though I feel like we’ve definitely took advantage of every minute. We are currently sorting through things as well and trying to decide what we’re going to pack and bring with us versus what needs to be put back in storage. There is the weighing bags and trying to consolidate pouches as much as possible. While simultaneously making sure we get that last squnch, chat, smile, and time with EVERYONE! We still have a couple more chances to do that with a celebratory 50th wedding anniversary dinner planned for Dave’s parents on Friday, and our nephew’s high school graduation party on Saturday, before we leave for Boston early Sunday morning. It also helps that we know when we’ll be back. It feels good that it is only 5 months this time instead of 8 months like the last leg. It is nice knowing that we’ll be in North America so the times zones won’t be as difficult to navigate and Dave won’t have to work in the middle of the night to keep Central hours. It also helps that during this leg we’ll be able to see some familiar faces along the way.
We are very grateful to everyone who has continued to show up for us during this season. Who took time out of their busy schedules to spend time with us while we were here. We are very fortunate to have the incredible circle we do. We love you all very very much! ♥️♥️♥️
Minneapolis honors George Floyd on the sixth anniversary of his murder. The beautiful place where we’re staying has many nature friends. I named him Merlin after the amazing bird identifying app. 🙂Where I drink my morning coffee and bird watch. Taking a walk with friends around Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. It was a beautiful day to find yourself a log to sun yourself on. This mural, entitled “Guardians of the Flame” was created by Korean-American artist Julia Chon, and is located on the side of the building where Chef Ann Kim used to have her restaurant in Uptown, Minneapolis. First peony bloom of the season. I went to Eau Claire the last weekend in May to visit friends and family. My friend fosters dogs and this is one of them. Her name is Fran. This is my friend’s resident dog, Cinnamon aka Cinnie Minnie. Brewing Projekt is one of my favorite breweries to visit when I’m in Eau Claire. It is a beautiful spot right along the river’s walking path. Friday night, May 29th, 98% full. Saturday morning’s walk over the Eau Claire River. It really was a beautiful city to grow up in. This European Starling sure got creative when they built their nest in this traffic light pole. May 30th’s Blue Moon. This is the “Outoftheswamlows” couch. My sister adopted it when we moved out of our house in Saint Paul. I’m so glad I can still visit it every now and then and that it went to a good home. 😉Last week my friend and I walked the Saint Croix River Crossing between Hudson, Wisconsin and Stillwater, Minnesota. It is fun to see messaging that aligns with my truth out in the wild!When the Midwest has storms the sky can get pretty gnarly. The baby geese at Hidden Falls Park, near where we are staying in Saint Paul, are becoming teenagers.The wee bunnies are also enjoying our back yard. On our way to Marquette, Michigan. The lilacs were poppin and so wonderfully fragrant. This is the view from the bar the Crow’s Nest, which is on the top floor of the Landmark Hotel in Marquette, where we stayed. The view of the Ore Dock from Crow’s Nest. While we were in Marquette, Dave went to a tribute to Prince, Saturday night in Minneapolis. It was the 10th anniversary of Prince passing, and Sunday, June 7th would have been his 68th birthday.On Sunday we drove out to Little Presque Isle. The fog and the coastline, the clear water and the trees, nature is truly magical in Marquette.The weather was pretty perfect as well. I can never get enough of baby animals!This is the Black Rocks area of Presque Isle Park in Marquette. Lake Superior is beyond!😍Marquette is definitely our happy place!On Monday morning we paid our customary visit to the Ore Dock. After we visited the Ore Dock we started making our way to Munising. Any trip to Munising calls for a visit to Lakenenland Sculpture Park. “Lakenenland is a sculpture park located in Chocolay Township, Michigan. The park was founded in 2003, when artist Tom Lakenen moved his collection of scrap iron sculptures from his yard to a plot of land near the Lake Superior coast. Lakenenland contains more than 80 sculptures in the creator’s “junkyard art” style.”#minnesotastrongDryad’s Saddle mushrooms growing near Miners Falls. Miners Falls. “Miners Falls is a waterfall located on Miners River in the western portion of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Alger County, Michigan. The falls drops about 40 feet over a sandstone outcrop with a 10-foot crest. The falls can be accessed by a 0.6 mile gravel path, with stairs leading to a lookout.”Such a beautiful place!One last visit to Blackrocks Brewing Co. before we say “see you next time” because we know there will be a next time. Blackrocks, in our opinion, has the best beer in Marquette and they are only $5!
