Part of me just wants to write, "Aahhh..." and be done with this post.
Because really, that about sums it up.
While I deeply love this Driftless that we call home, the love I feel for the North Shore of Lake Superior might rival even that.
There is such a deep presence, soul-filling gratitude and sense of place I experience when I stand upon this shore.
The kids and I loaded up the Beetle and headed north last Friday morning. There was a wedding celebration in the woods, hikes along the shore, and tall ships to see. There was cold autumn-like rain and hot summer sun. There were fires to kindle in the wood stove, kitchen gardens to explore, mugs of coffee to drink, and old friends to reconnect with.
Each night we called a different spot home, from a house in town to an off-grid farm cabin, to a campsite alongside Superior, to a cabin bursting with kids and adults back in Wisconsin.
It was a very full and very lovely few days.
As we drove up the lake Sage announced that the North Shore would be his home when he grew up. And I secretly hope he sticks with this dream so that I have a reason to head north more often.
As thought I need an excuse.
And now we're back in the hills and my knitting basket is heavy with Lake Superior stones.
I can't stop turning them over in my palm and feeling that connection to the shore - feeling smitten by her magic - even here, five hours south of the lake.
I think perhaps a project like this is in order. Yes. That seems just right.
Oh, Gitchigumee. I adore you.
And I wonder... Is it possible to have a crush on a lake?
I wager yes.
