we spent the weekend in northern minnesota on the north shore of lake superior. the town of grand marais sits up against our remarkable inland sea on one side, and backs up against the superior national forest and boundary waters canoe area on the other. it’s as close to boreal wilderness as you can find in the lower 48 states, with the possible exception of northern maine. we spent every morning and afternoon walking trails. it’s what we do there. we walk ourselves and our grateful dog to exhaustion and then return to town for dinner and a warm fire. i love it. this simple starburst pattern of gathered colors and shapes practically arranged itself after our first day’s hike.

rose hip, alder cones, fall leaves, yellow primrose petals, fox tail stems, alder seeds

superior national forest, gunflint trail, minnesota