As the calendar months get closer to turning from summer to fall, I’ve been thinking about the epitome of a Minnesota summer. Although it’s many things to many people, to me it’s characterized by sun, water, and pines. If you live in the urban Twin Cities, a summer highlight is a trip “up north” whether for a weekend or a week. As the car noses northward the landscape changes, the sky gets bluer, the lakes become more numerous, and the smell of pines is evident. It’s here that I relax and breathe deeply – the smells of summer. When the cell phone is out of range and the days are marked by the sunrise and sunset, life becomes simpler and I am more concentrated. Sure, I still try to rush to cram all the “things” I want to do into each day, but it’s a slower sense of urgency. A sense that the day will be delightful no matter what activities take place (or what leisure and quiet is enjoyed). A walk down the path to the lake, some quiet time sitting on the dock watching the sun reflect off the water, and listening to the sounds of the wind in the trees, the fish surfacing, and the loons calling — this, to me, is the epitome of summer in Minnesota.
landscapes
A weekend up north
As the temperature soared into the 90’s in the Twin Cities last Friday, we did what many Minnesotans do and headed “up north” for the weekend. A small cabin at Whitewood Resort overlooking Spirit Lake was the perfect relief. We spent the time keeping cool either by swimming in the lake or fishing. The first night we were treated to a beautiful glowing sunset with the reflection slicing through the wild rice that is in this lake. As I lay in bed that night I was lulled to sleep by the loons calling back and forth. We caught our share of sunfish and crappies the next day, watched an eagle swoop down and get his fish from the lake, and our second night was highlighted by a view of the Northern Lights as we sat on the dock with our feet in the lake. A few hours later, a storm rolled through with lightning and thunder and dropped the temperatures considerably. This morning we wandered amongst the many lakes in Aitkin County then shared lunch with good friends we haven’t seen in a long time. As we headed back to the cities we found ourselves refreshed and relaxed and thankful for a quick escape up north.
Fishing at the edge of the storm
Yesterday started with a gray cloud cover and comfortable temps. As the day wore on, the sun broke through and the heat started to build. Planning to take advantage of near-perfect fishing weather, we drove north about 50 miles to East Rush Lake. We enjoyed a dinner in the boat between pulling in sunfish and crappies, and I was looking forward to the sunset. Slowly, to the west, we could see storm clouds moving in, leaving a clear demarcation in the sky — blue sky white clouds and sunshine being taken over by dark gray and purple with white clouds developing within. Our timing was perfect; we made our way across the lake to the boat landing, trailered the boat, and then watched the far shore as the lightning and rain moved across the lake.
10 years and a blue moon
Ten years ago on July 31st, I invited a man from Saint Paul, Minnesota to a tour of the Tacoma, Washington area where I was living. We spent the day talking and sharing while walking along Commencement Bay and exploring Wright Park and Point Defiance Park. It was a beautiful summer’s day and we became good friends and learned much about each other. As the day was coming to an end, I suggested we go to Gig Harbor and enjoy the full moon-rise over Mount Rainier. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful day. Fast forward ten years, and I invite him to dinner to celebrate that first date in 2005. It’s another beautiful summer’s evening, with dinner on a patio in Saint Paul accompanied by yet another full moonrise only this one is more rare being a blue moon. Between dinner and dessert, this same man from ten years ago asked how the evening could be more memorable, and then got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. In these ten years we’ve shared joys and sorrows, births and deaths, and life’s share of ups and downs. We both appreciate all we’ve been through and the love we share. It was easy to answer his question with a “yes.”
Sunset conversation
Our weather has been warm and humid, leaving two options for coping. First is to find some air conditioning and sequester yourself inside. Second is to hunt out a nearby lake and take in the cool breeze that blows across the surface. I sought out the second option one night this past week, as did others. The wind blew across this urban lake, rustling through the trees and dropping the temps considerably. A beautiful sunset was all that was needed to tell me that I’d chosen the better option. This couple seemed to be thinking the same thing, and relishing the end of another midsummer’s day.
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