one spring we visited pigeon falls, which separates minnesota from ontario. it’s the place where voyageurs had to get out and portage 9 miles, usually with 100-180 pounds hanging from tump lines on their foreheads, after paddling all the way across lake superior in birch bark canoes, which, even 300 years later, seems more foolish than brave. there were new green tips on all of the balsam trees, and we grabbed a handful, and made tea out of them when we were back in our comfortable hotel room, telling ourselves how like voyageurs we had been that day, walking from our car to the overlook and back. i believe we ended the evening, like voyageurs, on down pillows after a good bottle of oregon pinot noir.

balsam fir tips in spring

saint paul, minnesota