The best place to be is outside. Especially in your home state.
It's been a few years since I've had the privilege of a Minnesota summertime. I've missed the transition from icy tundra, to brown/gray mud season, & into those cool mornings and hazy afternoons.
As the tournament season for James began to whisper about starting up again, figuring out what that would look like in a COVID-19 world, and not knowing what's what James and I spent some time in Minnesota. He was able to participate in both The Majestic tournament in East Bethel, MN in early June, and The Preserve Championship in Clearwater in early July. In between, we took ourselves north to the shores of Lake Superior.
Beach near Two Harbors, Minnesota
Minnehaha Falls State Park, Minnesota
High Falls, Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota
Home to both High Falls & Two-Step Falls, the Baptism River sits inside Minnesota's Tettegouche State Park & flows into Lake Superior northeast of Duluth near Silver Bay. This was the perfect day hike for us, thick wooded forest, beautiful rock formations, & a river to picnic beside.
Two Step Falls & Baptism River, Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota
Park Point Beach, Duluth, Minnesota
You don't need shoes.
Does anyone else besides us go barefoot on hikes?
The weather was perfect. The sun kept us warm, & the water cooled us off. It was lovely to see a few families also trying to squeeze the most out of a beautiful day, though the trails were mostly empty.
The cold & the mosquitoes seem to keep most people from enjoying Minnesota like a true Minnesotan but I've found that a nice pair of socks & a good bug net make all the difference. I can't wait to go back.
Early July, I celebrated my 26th birthday with some of the best humans I've had the honor to call friend, & in my home state of Minnesota. Throughout the week I was able to successfully see almost everyone, even if it was a little different this time due to the current state of our world.
I am immeasurably grateful for these friends, this Earth, these memories, this life.
P. S.
This spring we came across this freshly hatched baby snapper! Please enjoy.