Issue26_Issue19_MakingWaves

THE GREAT RIVER ROAD

The path less traveled and places you never knew existed In

UNDISCOVERED ADVENTURE

Your guide to the trails + stops along the way

SOULFUL EATS

with celebrity chef Justin Sutherland

[o] @bert_and_ernie_the_berners

[o] @vallencook

[o] @thermes_dlh

[o] @michaelmetzgerphoto

From Sea to Paper: The Gyotaku Prints of Dwight Hwang

On view through January 7, 2024

GREAT ART INSPIRED BY WATER

Pushing the boundaries of what marine art is since 2006.

Dwight Hwang, Color Gyotaku of Octopus, 2023. Gyotaku acrylic print on Japanese washi paper.

LETTER FROM THE GUEST EDITOR

Doyou have an “up north”? I do, as I’ve always been a wanderer. Minnesota holds some special places for me. When I’m not seeking out the stories of my neighbors, I work as a professional wilderness guide in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Seasonally I take folks on winter camping adventures and summer canoe trips.

This summer has seen me paddling sky-blue waters in the northern reaches of our state as well as hiking prairie trails near our southern communities.

As a result, I’ve been privileged to meet some of my “neighbors,” who’ve shared with me their stories of wandering, exploring, learning and doing remarkable things. Some of those stories are included in these pages. As you read them, I hope they will feel like your neighbors too.

In this issue, we’re highlighting the Great River Road, which covers 565 miles and threads together 43 towns and cities, as well as three tribal communities: the Chippewa, Ojibwe and Dakota peoples. Along the route, you’ll find plenty to explore, including a network of interpretive centers that share stories of the Mississippi River region. On land or at the water’s edge, there’s something for everyone.

Check out all of those trails! Maybe it’s time to go rural and try out gravel riding. Or, hop onto your ATV and head deep into the northern woods. Finally, the fall colors are starting to pop, so head south and rent a boat on the Mississippi River. Be they dirt or paved, long or short, you and your furry friend or your family will have no problem getting in those miles.

“Meet the Makers” covers inspired outdoorsy goods — and the people behind them. Engaging with their communities and beyond, these individuals aim to improve our world with thoughtful, heartfelt design.

We’re also sharing don’t-miss fall experiences such as Great Lakes road trips, colorful night skies, unique vacation stays and soulful eats.

Come along as we encourage you to find your “up north.”

Thank you for telling us your story and being a part of this welcoming community we call Lake and Company.

Pam Wright Guest Editor

PERSPECTIVE

A fly anglers guide to managing life, or not

PUBLISHER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF GUEST EDITOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR OF RETAIL AND MARKETING DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS

MEDIA + PHOTOGRAPHY

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LAKE AND COMPANY COVER IMAGE

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Pam Wright — pam@thelakeandco.com

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Ashley Kirkman — ashley@thelakeandco.com

Justin Graddy, Buffalo Media — hello@thelakeandco.com

Anne Kelley Conklin

lavin Photography

Sarah Heath Photography

Justin Graddy, Pam Wright, Anne Lewis, Judd Sathers, Aaron Hautula, Todd Remely, Marty Larson, Felicia Hokestad, Ashley White, Justin Sutherl and Marcy Ericson

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©2023 Lake and Company. All rights reserved. No portion may be duplicated, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication; however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of information or omissions from the material provided. Lake and Company cannot be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services rendered by the advertisers published in the magazine.

INSPIRED BY THE STORIES OF PEOPLE DOING EXCEPTIONAL THINGS — thelakeandcompany.com

By ASHLEY WHITE

SOME CALL IT AN OBSESSION. OTHERS SAY YOU’VE BEEN BITTEN BY THE BUG. WHATEVER YOU CALL IT, FLY FISHING IS A PASTIME THAT WILL INFLUENCE YOUR PERSONAL LIFE, TRAVEL OPTIONS, BUDGET AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS. IF YOU’RE NOT CAREFUL IT JUST MIGHT RUIN YOUR LIFE.

If you are interested in this sport (yes, it is a sport), follow my surefire three-step program for beginning your journey to failing at everything else, or not. It’s all a matter of perspective.

1. Pursue passions exclusively that make zero income.

2. Choose a hobby you can never perfect.

3. Make sure it costs a small fortune and your spouse doesn’t enjoy it.

There you have it. A foolproof way to ruin your life in three easy steps. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s discuss why fly fishing will ruin your life in ways you had no idea you needed.

Conventional thinking will have you steering clear of those three steps in order to not cause chaos in your life. I’d say conventional thinking would be right except when aligning yourself to a fulfilling existence in a modern world that feeds you philosophy, marriage and finance advice through your handheld devices as fast as you can consume it. Throw that crap out the window before reading the next paragraph about why you should follow the advice of a fellow angler who has achieved minimal success in angling and life while finding a pastime that has improved every element of how I show up in the world. Still here? Good. Let’s dive into my advice for finding a different perspective on ruining your life.

A fly angler’s guide to managing life, or not.

[o] Justin Carfagnini

Step 1:

Pursue passions exclusively that make zero income.

You may be be thinking, “I could guide.” True, but if you like to fish, don’t become a guide; it’s not what you probably think it is.

OK. “Well, I could sell my flies.” Yup, you could, but how much time do you have and are they really that good? Probably not, but keep working on it.

“I’ll open a fly shop.” Best of luck to you, my friend, and your pursuit to love the dirtbag-turned-fly-shop-owner’s dream. Seriously, if these are your dreams, go for them. Ruin your life, just like I did. I’m working on all three. Here’s the thing, at the end of it all, none of this will matter. Not even the fish. Fly fishing is about having or sharing an experience in a place, frequently with those you love. It builds an amazing bond and provides joy that is hard to duplicate, and I believe that is worth its weight in my continued attempts to create income. The blood, sweat and tears have given me the best friendships and more closeness to my family. Who wouldn’t want to ruin their life for that? Sign me up. Fishing itself is all about dreams of adventure. You’re looking for possibilities. Whether it’s the biggest fish, looking for the next river bend or finding solace. It’s all about dreams, and if you want to get closer to fishing full time, go for it.

Step 2:

Choose a hobby you can never perfect.

The “art” of fly fishing always provides a new technique, sometimes long breaks due to weather, and the pursuit of the perfect cast and dragless drift. There will never be a shortage of knots, trees or wind that will cause havoc even on your best days.

This rabbit hole goes deep, my friends. First, it’s your buddy saying, “Why don’t you pause a little longer on that backcast?” and that turns into a mindless journey of understanding any piece of equipment, tying materials, flow rates, hatch chart and YouTube influencer. The best part, or the worst, because beauty is subjective, is that you’ll find friends just like you who tick off their spouses on the regular and throw dollars at the cash register in pursuit of a tiny fish on the smallest stream you’ve ever seen.

Don’t believe them when they say, “You’ll save money because you tie.” It’s never been true for me or anyone else, as we’ve just gotten addicted to buying and tying and tying until our boxes are full. So what do we do? Buy more boxes because our fly fishing junkie bodies can’t help sitting still when our season closes. You want to know what we do with those flies? I’ll tell ya. We lose ’em! On rocks, trees, bushes! Hell, even a bird came and stole one from me while I was waiting for a hatch to start. Don’t worry, the bird was fine.

Casting. Tying. Endless new conditions and rivers ensure you’ll never perfect this hobby. But I will admit, on the off chance you land a dry fly right above a feeding trout, add the perfect mend, drift it perfectly into the feeding land and watch the trout take it, you’ll never forget the moment and suddenly everything will be right as rain. The trick is to just focus on one cast at a time.

Step 3:

Make sure it costs a small fortune and your spouse doesn’t enjoy it.

Pay attention, little boys and girls: Uncle Ash is taking you to school on this one. The easiest way to save your relationship when ruining your life with fly fishing is to encourage your partner to fall in love with it too. That way no one is counting the dollars or time spent away, and you’ll have a fishing buddy who you’ve already negotiated with on who the spoon will be in the tent.

If you are one of the unfortunate souls who may have missed the boat on this one, may the odds be in your favor and may your partner have a hobby of their own that takes them away early, brings them back late and causes them to make special arrangements with the delivery driver so the packages are never seen unless you want them to be. Shout-out to Andy, my driver, who knows to slide my packages under the back bush. He, too, is an avid angler and understands. We need more Andys in the world. Bless that man.

Fishing itself is all about dreams of adventure. You’re looking for possibilities. Whether it’s the biggest fish, looking for the next river bend or finding solace. It’s all about dreams.

Gear can be expensive, but companies do have affordable options. These options, such as combo kits, are wonderful to start with. As your skill grows, you may want to upgrade your setup. This isn’t necessarily needed but most anglers can’t help themselves. It’s like when you were a kid and people told you, “Don’t grow up, it’s a trap.” Once you mature in fly fishing, you’ll want multiple setups, lines, etc., and these things come with a cost. Don’t get me wrong, your rod should last a lifetime, so make a good choice here. Your grandchildren can fish with this rod if you take care of it properly. Let’s just call our rods investments in the bloodline’s future. That’s what I tell my wife.

In all seriousness, if your partner isn’t an angler, you’re bound to get in trouble a few times as you’ll lose track of time in nature. Your buddy will want to stop for a beer after catching his PB brookie and you must oblige. When fishing, we tend to forget about the world around us. It’s her gift and her curse. Time stands still and responsibility melts away. There is a single focus: the next cast, the next river bend and finding the perfect fly. During these moments, you’ll feel free. You’ll breathe deeper, connect to the river, laugh harder and see people truly for who they are before the world told them who they should be. There is nothing — nothing — more special than being a part of rewilding a heart. Especially when it’s yours.

Generally, you’ll get out of trouble, but don’t forget to plan for it. Buy your partner their favorite candy or make time for a date night. Gotta build up the coins to cash in for that next trip. When your travel plans are secretly a fishing trip, make sure there is something for them as

all it takes, it multiplies the most important things. Time in nature with people you love, finding peace of mind and heart, and, most importantly, a lifetime of joy. I wish you the tightest of lines.

@the_gentleman_lumberjack

Aquatic Invasive Species?

Like the latest diet fad or the latest TikTok trend, blink twice and our waterways have changed. At first a river winds this way, then back that way — no, now this way again. Waves are crashing as the tides rise and fall.

We humans have the power to influence these changes; we’ve built dams that have created reservoirs, and we’ve landscaped and manicured our shorelines to be more welcoming to wading feet and less inviting to weeds and fish.

At the same time, changes have been happening for millennia — long before any of us were around; the water levels rise and fall, those in colder climates freeze in the winter before thawing again in the spring, and driftwood and other debris are allowed to float here and there, influencing their surroundings as they travel.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) find themselves at a crossroads of these influences. Historically, there has been some natural movement of seeds and plant fragments: in the stomachs of birds or swept by the wind or the waves. Human-assisted transport in recent decades is unprecedented in rate and impact. This includes plant fragments left hanging from a boat trailer, spiny water fleas entrenched in a reel of fishing line or zebra mussel veligers (free-swimming larvae) surviving in transported water.

Unwanted guests: an ecological challenge within our waters

JOIN THE EFFORT — CLEAN DRAIN DRY

Spiny water fleas can cling to fishing line and other gear

Newly installed educational signage and AIS prevention tools at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge

Human-made barriers, including locks and dams, have minimized natural movement, occasionally intentionally, such as to prevent the upward spread of invasive carp in the Mississippi River basin. But human recreation and travel have exacerbated the issue many times over as humans have become an easy vector for travel.

Invasive species by definition are a species non-native to the ecosystem whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic, environmental or human harm. The very definition necessitates our attention and our actions to minimize their spread and, therefore, their impact.

It’s important to clarify what exactly is being considered when discussing invasive species. A few of you might be familiar with zebra mussels, several species of invasive carp and Eurasian water milfoil (or what I like to call “salad” when I’m casting for fish but reeling in weeds).

Each species is great at what it does. Feeding, reproducing and taking up so many resources that native species no longer have a chance. Our environment is fragile. One species affects another species affects a third species and so on. The disruption of an ecosystem can have lasting consequences far beyond a single lake or pond.

Consider fishing. On its surface, it may be an activity reserved for one week a year, or it might serve as the perfect excuse to crack an evening beverage. But the commercial and recreational fishing industry in the United States is a $370 billion industry supporting 1.7 million jobs. Now consider the consequences of invasive species preying on our nation’s biodiversity. One disrupted ecosystem is one thing, but a history of inaction has led to a web of disruptions that — continually unchecked — could lead to further losses, environmentally and economically.

Fortunately, there is much that can be done. If you’ve purchased a hunting or fishing license, registered your watercraft or visited a public access in the 21st century, you’re likely familiar with the Clean Drain Dry Initiative. Clean Drain Dry has proven to be the most effective action individuals can take to help combat AIS.

CLEAN your boats, trailers and other recreational gear. This means pulling off any weeds, removing any mud and brushing or scraping off any hitchhiking mussels or snails.

DRAIN bait buckets, live wells and ballast tanks. Many invasives can survive for weeks in transported water. If you’re planning to reuse bait, drain the water more than 100 feet from shore, and replace it with bottled water.

DRY your watercraft for at least five days before transporting it to a new water body.

By following these actions, and sharing them with our communities, we can all do our part to minimize the impact of AIS and support healthy waterways and a resilient environment for generations to come.

Speaking of generational, the opportunities and funding available today are unmatched by any other time in history. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law brought an investment of $300 million to combat invasive species. The Inflation Reduction Act saw another $120 million commitment. This funding is being put to use through agency initiatives and grant opportunities to states, counties and NGOs.

Wildlife Forever, a national conservation organization, is leading efforts to educate and empower the public while urging state and federal agencies to provide funding for needed cleaning equipment and signage at local accesses. Working in partnership with lake associations and local governments, AIS prevention measures are being implemented across the country. Multimedia community outreach campaigns are also being used to spread the word. As more jobs and livelihoods become supported by our environment and natural resources, it becomes even more critical that they are cared for so that they may carry on. From all of us in the invasive species community, please consider your effect on our waterways, the health of our environment and the future of our economies.

As beneficiaries of our nation’s fisheries, we have a responsibility to ensure their lasting impact and sustainability. Support candidates who make conservation a priority. Become a member of a local or national conservation organization. Collectively, we can have profound positive impact, so it’s up to us to join our community as we Clean, Drain, Dry together.

Zebra mussels attach to hard objects and may produce more than 1 million eggs per spawning season

Free-to-use, solar-powered, waterless cleaning station in Chelan, WA

Minnesota's Nature and a Whole Lot More THE GREAT RIVER ROAD

By ANNE LEWIS

The natural beauty of northern Minnesota is one of the region’s greatest assets. But it takes more than scenery to meet the criteria to be named a National Scenic Byway. That’s why the Great River Road — the network of highways beside the Mississippi River at the heart of the north woods — unequivocally qualifies.

Apropos the beauty of the region, northern Minnesota hosts five of the state’s eight National Scenic Byways. Beyond natural and scenic beauty, though, these picturesque travel ways must also possess characteristics of regional significance, including archeological, cultural, historic and recreational attributes to make the list. When you’re on it, you’ll see the Great River Road has them all.

The Great River Road, like the Mississippi River itself, starts in Itasca State Park and meanders through our region in its own way. The importance of the river to early community life both in Minnesota and throughout the nation dictated where towns grew. Today’s travel routes — interstate, state and county roads — appear to logically link culture and commerce centers. But the heart of our nation and our region once revolved around the great rivers. This collection of roads following the Mississippi — the Great River Road — links us back, allowing a deeper look at places and people.

The Great River Road lets you explore so much more than lakes and forests. National Scenic Byway signs and the iconic green paddle-wheel signs mark the way to not only scenic highlights but also the history and human interaction that integrated nature with life in days past and still does today. Recently added Mississippi River Trail (MRT) signs offer similar experiences for those who want to bike beside the river. All three signs mark the direction to uncovering the authentic, deeply rooted characteristics of our region.

Start with Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe students from the Bug-ONay-Ge-Shig School near where the Great River Road and Leech Lake Reservation intersect. The school’s students are taught and mentored to perform traditional dances and songs throughout the region, in addition to their regular studies.

If you’re on Hwy. 2 heading west from Cass Lake, you’ll come upon the unique and colorful Big Winnie Store in Bena, where the Great River Road meets the state highway. Listed on the National Register for Historic Places, the store almost startles passersby. The original owner wanted to build a store with an

“Asian and Bavarian” look. As luck would have it, Frank Lloyd Wright used to visit Lake Winnibigoshish at that time, and it should surprise no one that he drew the sketches that formed the basis for the store’s design. The building itself has had a colorful history housing and feeding loggers and trappers, and later Civilian Conservation Corps members and even German prisoners of war. Today descendants of the original owner have painstakingly renovated the store with an adjoining campground and picnic area. They’re happy to share the building’s story if you stop by!

Also at that spot, you can take Minnesota Hwy. 84 south 7 miles to see one of the early significant engineering developments in the history of the Mississippi River, in the town aptly named Federal Dam. While it’s a little off the Great River Road, it’s a wonderful Mississippi River place with yet another story to tell.

Dating back to 1866, the first mission of the newly formed St. Paul office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was to survey the Upper Mississippi River for flood and navigation purposes. The eventual plan — developed from the survey and the experience of a Nicollet Island tunnel collapsing — included building the first American reservoir ever on Lake Winnibigoshish. Eventually, a system of Mississippi River headwaters reservoirs — including Pokegama, Leech, Sandy, Cross and Gull — was built to maintain the 4-foot low-water channel between St. Paul and St. Louis and secure Mississippi River navigation for generations to come. It was an engineering innovation of large proportion in its day, and we have come to take the reservoir system’s form and function for granted — that is, until the spring thaw and occasional flooding occurs.

Returning to the Great River Road, and following it east and south along County Rds. 3 and 74, brings travelers to Schoolcraft State Park. Nestled among towering white pines, this rustic campsite beside the Mississippi River commemorates an individual who embodies America’s exploration era and was a chronicler of topography and culture. Henry Schoolcraft accompanied Michigan’s governor, Lewis Cass (yes, there was an era when state governors didn’t just govern but went out

Corps of Engineers building Pokegama Dam

and claimed new territory too), as he sought to find the source of the Mississippi River. Ten years after that initial exploration, it was Schoolcraft who found the source and gave it the name Itasca, combining two Latin words meaning “true” and “head.” But Schoolcraft was more than an explorer. His first marriage was to a member of an illustrious multicultural family with strong Ojibwe roots. His writings, including a congressionally commissioned study of Native Americans, are thought to have been the basis, in part, for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Song of Hiawatha,” linking Minnesota and all things Hiawatha for many years to come. Think Minnehaha Falls, Lake Hiawatha and the Longfellow neighborhood in Minneapolis.

Continuing on to County Rd. 76, we come to the Forest History Center, one of the Minnesota Historical Society’s 26 sites throughout the state. With its authentic reenactment of a 19th-century logging camp and its displays of current forestry practices and regional impact, the Forest History Center is a unique environmental history and learning center along the Mississippi River. It offers living history experiences, naturalist programs, wildlife encounters, artisan craft workshops, outdoor recreation, concerts and cultural festivals, children’s activities and more. A National Great River Road Interpretive Center too, the Forest History Center offers insights and engagement to people of all ages. Located in Grand Rapids, it’s in the heart of Minnesota’s nature and acts as an interpreter of the region’s and river’s resources and their impact on the area.

As one leaves the Forest History Center and travels along Hwy. 76 to the east, there’s a canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard retailer, Paddlehoppers, just over the river. Offering all forms of Mississippi River transport for rent as well as sale, this shop lets you call ahead to reserve the water conveyance of your choice and then gives you a ride to an upriver destination. Pick from a four-hour or eight-hour return trip for up-close-and-personal encounters with the Mississippi River. Be sure to hit Tioga Recreation Area with your mountain bike while you’re at it!

The Great River Road continues its riverbank concourse through pastures, some dirt roads, and several twists and turns on its way to Aitkin, Minnesota, whose tagline is “Mississippi Riverboat Town.” Explore the region’s history as well as the chronicles of how this Minnesota county experienced the major national shift from river to train transportation as a microcosm of the country’s experience. It’s all located in the Aitkin County Historical Society in the restored Great Northern Depot.

TIP: The north has an incredible bike trail system that is a must, including the Paul Bunyan, Mesabi and Ride the Range trails. Fall is an amazing time to check it all out.

Taking state Hwy. 210 out of Aitkin through more agricultural countryside and woodlands, travelers will find themselves in the towns of Crosby and Ironton, home to one of the state’s most ambitious land reclamation endeavors, resulting in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. Local residents worked with state officials for over 30 years to reclaim an overgrown mining area — renowned for its pristine waters, including the Mississippi River. Its hilly terrain has made for excellent biking and hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities. Arriving just in time for the rise of “adventure tourism,” this Great River Road destination boasts rustic camping (winter as well as summer), biking, scuba diving, paddling and endless promontories from which to view Minnesota’s nature at its best. The recreation area not only boasts scenic beauty but also holds onto its rich history of “boom and bust” and gives visitors a story of resilience and innovation that is standing the test of time.

These are just a few of the stories and authentic adventures to be found on the National Scenic Byway, the Great River Road in northern Minnesota. It’s not a route for rushing through but rather — for those willing to take the time — a network of pathways to intrinsic and intriguing experiences to be savored.

[o] Marcy Erickson

HASTINGS

SOUTH SHORE

By PAM WRIGHT

Not too far from home, I stand in the sand along the St. Croix River and watch the gentle current. My eyes follow the shoreline south along the Minnesota and Wisconsin borders. Twenty miles downstream is the confluence with the Mississippi River. Both are mighty rivers; the former is a National Scenic Riverway and the latter the longest river in North America.

At their junction is the Great River Road. Starting in northcentral Minnesota, it briefly heads east before turning south, wandering through the central portions of the state, angling southeast to the border, and then eventually making its way out of state and down to the Gulf of Mexico.

“The Mississippi, known in Ojibwe as ‘Misiziibi’ or great river, flows alongside the snake-like highway before settling deep into the river bluffs and valley, currently awash in summer blues and greens.” — University of Minnesota

The region, known as the Mississippi River Bluffs, spans over 140 miles southward to the border of Iowa. The wide ribbon of blue connects five major communities, each full of history, recreation, arts and culture. Part of the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, the area is a leading migration route for many birds.

For migratory humans, the way is marked a little more clearly; distinctive green and white signs displaying a steamboat pilot wheel dot the route.

HASTINGS

Hastings was a shipping and milling hub for many years. It sits at the convergence of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers. Folks can experience the river by biking or walking along the riverfront trails, and boaters can spend the morning dropping a line into tannin-stained waters. Right in the center of town is Vermillion Falls, a 35-foot waterfall that empties into the Mississippi River. Farther in, anglers will want to cast a fly for trout in the cool Vermillion River.

When early settlers arrived, the town was laid out and soon given the middle name of Henry Hastings Sibley, one of its founders and later the first governor of Minnesota. Remnants of a 19th-century gristmill sit nearby. This is the ancestral land of the nearby Prairie Island Indian Community Tinta Wita.

RED WING

A half-hour south, the road curves back toward the river, and the hump of iconic Barn Bluff welcomes visitors into Red Wing. As you head through the fifth stoplight in town, you’ll notice many factories, mills and workshops still standing from when emigrants from Germany, Ireland, Norway and Sweden filled them. Many of these structures are now lodgings, shopping destinations and restaurants, where mere steps will take you to a coffee shop, a brewery and a burger joint, all without leaving the main drag.

Many know Red Wing for the classic leather work boot. Did you know there is a booming pottery business as well? The land around Red Wing is rich in clay. Early German settlers made coveted stoneware, and that craft continues today as crocks and kitchen goods are still handmade at Red Wing Pottery.

Nearby is the Cannon Valley Trail. This 20-mile trail is a great way to explore the countryside by foot or bike, with stops along the way for a picnic or ice cream.

If you’re interested in a unique foodie experience, head out of town and enjoy wood-fired pizza at Vineyard Bistro. When you need to work off those pizzas, grab your climbing ropes and head to He Mni Can-Barn Bluff, which has routes ranging from 5.4 to 5.14. There is also a beautiful and informative interactive display about the Mdewakanton and Wahpekute people. Or grab your mountain bike and ride some of the rolling trails at Memorial Park.

LAKE CITY

The river continues, following railroad tracks, reminding people of the goods that pass through on their way to the city of St. Paul every day. There are sloughs lined with grass for canoes to explore. The road skirts massive bluffs blanketed with the verdant green of hardwood forest. Occasionally, a turkey vulture will pop out over ridges of exposed sandstone. A short while later, the road meanders into Lake City. This lakeside town might possibly boast more sailing, fishing and pleasure boats than residents.

Here travelers will notice that the river has changed character, widening to form Lake Pepin, the largest such body along the Mississippi. A completely natural waterway, its 22 miles accommodate commercial barges and pontoons alike. No surprise that this is in fact the birthplace of waterskiing. The walkway along the shore takes visitors to a beloved beach and park in the middle of town. Keep an eye out for the town’s weekly farmers’ market and food trucks. Three scenic golf courses are just outside of town, where golfers can make the rounds over the windswept and hilly terrain of bluff country.

After a day on the fairway or on the water, you can find some of the best evening views at Frontenac State Park, where hiking trails climb to dramatic overlooks of Lake Pepin. Keep an eye out for lightning bugs at twilight in the prairie grass.

“THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER WILL ALWAYS HAVE ITS OWN WAY; NO ENGINEERING SKILL CAN PERSUADE IT TO DO OTHERWISE.”

— MARK TWAIN

WABASHA

Head to Wabasha in the spring, where dozens to hundreds of eagles can be seen perched in trees or feeding along the edges of the river as they journey north. At the National Eagle Center, families will enjoy viewing and learning about these raptors up close. Or take a river cruise and spy waterfowl nesting and feeding along the banks.

Wabasha also was a hub of commerce at the turn of the 20th century, when steamboats moved up and down the Mississippi carrying supplies. Another water-based industry popped up here when clammers in search of pearls discarded the shells en masse. At one point, there were as many as 600 clammers harvesting 2,400 tons of clams. Yet in the wake of all this waste, others saw a different opportunity: manufacturing buttons. Wabasha and Lake City soon saw factories turning out the lustrous mother-of-pearl product. Look closely and you’ll still find some available today.

Outdoor opportunities abound in this small community. Rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard and enjoy the river when you’ll have the most solitude — in the early morning. Stop for a picnic at the riverfront park. Wabasha comes from the name of Wa-pa-shaw, the Mdewakanton Dakota chief whose band grew to be over twice as large as any other Mdewakanton band. They made a village along Lake Pepin, traveling and hunting both of its shorelines.

WINONA

Two state parks anchor the town of Winona. North of town is John A. Latsch State Park. This small park has one hiking trail, but it’s memorable! Hike up 562 stairs to the top of Mount Charity, where you can take in views of sky-blue water in both directions. Looking to the south, see if you can spot Lock and Dam No.5. This day-use area is perfect for birders and picnickers.

The town of Winona is a sprawling and scenic college community, with Winona State University at the heart of town. As you head through Unity Park, stop to play some disc golf or rent a kayak from the Lake Lodge Recreation Center and paddle quiet Lake Winona. Check out one of the city’s eight museums, ranging in subjects from marine art to vintage autos and early manufacturing. When you get hungry, there are also great outdoor dining options.

Once in town, take a walking tour to explore the riverfront’s rich history of commerce. Many of the commercial and residential buildings are of an opulent style not seen in many other areas of the state. Keep an eye out for stained-glass windows made by Tiffany.

The most noticeable feature of the area is Sugar Loaf Bluff, a tall sandstone spire that overlooks the west side of town. Take the 1.2mile hike to the top for interesting views of both the town and the surrounding valley. Head 20 miles south of town to the other state park, Great Bluffs. Later in the summer, hikers will be treated to a rainbow of hues, with hilltops blooming with prairie flowers and grass. For those looking for a unique stay, there are four rustic car-in campsites and five bike-in sites (the bicycle campground is located on Highway 61 at mile marker 12). Those looking for more accessibility and comfort can head over to one of the 31 drive-in sites.

Vermillion Falls

Red Wing Shoes

RED WING

SOME OF MY FAVORITE STOPS:

HASTINGS

Waterfront strolls and outdoor dining along the city’s oldest street, including the historic walking tour of buildings from the late-1800s.

RED WING

Canoeing the quiet bays and backwaters of Espen Island State Wildlife Management Area.

LAKE CITY

Checking out the food trucks and local vendors at Market by the Lake.

WABASHA

Visiting the National Eagle Center and observing these incredible creatures up close. The riverway is a primary migration route.

WINONA

Hiking up Charity Bluff for a bird’s-eye view of the river valley, which includes Lock and Dam No. 5. Watching for cargo barges slowly making their way to St. Paul. Plus, seeking those fall colors.

A PLACE FOR EVERYONE

The Great River Road is a region pocketed with quaint, hospitable towns whose livelihoods still remain deeply connected to these waters. The scenic road is enveloped by the Mississippi River valley, which is all part of the greater ecosystem of the Driftless Area of southeast Minnesota. The landscape is characterized by steep hills, forested ridges and deeply carved river valleys with clear spring-fed waterfalls and cold trout streams. It’s a place for adventurers, wanderers, water seekers and other curious visitors, and no matter where you roam, it will feel like a road less traveled.

If you listen closely, the stories of the people will echo from the cliffs of the vast river valley. Wander a little, stop the car and take the time to enjoy Minnesota’s South Shore.

WABASHA WINONA

LAKE CITY

Suger Loaf Blu

Do the Soo

Minnesota has proven to be a wonderful place to ride, and the Soo Line Trail is no exception. A great destination to catch some scenic views and wildlife, this relaxed style of all-terrain vehicle trail riding that is ideal for the whole family.

The Soo Line Trail is an abandoned railroad line that has essentially been converted to a gravel road intended for snowmobile and ATV / UTV use as well as hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. There are two parts of the Soo Line Trail, the Soo Line South ATV Trail and the Soo Line North ATV Trail also known as the North Woods ATV Trail. The Soo Line South ATV trail is 126 miles long, starting in Superior, Wisconsin, and runs southwest ending in Royalton, Minnesota.

The scenic route features a mix of dense forest, swampy marshes, farmland, and trestle crossings as well as a variety of side loops including the Northern Pine Riders ATV Trail. It connects with the Soo Line North ATV Trail just southwest of Moose Lake near the trailhead we entered each day. The Soo Line North ATV Trail is 148 miles long, starting at Moose Lake and continues northwest through Aitkin County and serves as the backbone for the Northwoods ATV Trail System.

Since the Soo Line runs through several small towns, it’s common for riders to make frequent pit stops for fuel, food, and beverages at each town’s local bar/restaurant. Locals and regular riders to the area often “bar hop”. Go hit the Soo and find the adventure this Fall.

Stay on the Soo! - Boy River, MN

Little Lazy Lodge is where luxury meets the outdoors. Operating year-round on the edge of stunning Chippewa Forest, our direct access to trails and wildlife means your adventure of a lifetime is just minutes away.

Located smack dab in the middle of thousands of acres of public land where you can hunt deer, bear, or grouse. If you prefer to just watch wildlife, you are likely to see a bobcat, a coyote, or a wolf or two. At the very least you’ll hear them howl as you sit around the campfire.

Fishing, boating, and any water-related sport are just a hop, skip, and a jump to Leech Lake, Boy River, Winnibigoshish, and Pokegama Lake. Guide services and rentals are available.

If it’s waterfowl hunting you’re into, we have some of the best in the state just two miles away on the Boy River flyway between Boy Lake and Leech Lake. Hunt ducks in the morning and pheasants in the afternoon at the premier game farm, Bader’s Pheasant Run.

High-end features in the lodge and venue are ready to host your every need. Sauna, hot tub, steam shower, cozy beds, a cooks kitchen, and plenty of room to roam.

[o] Buffalo Media - Justin Graddy

FOLLOWING AN ABANDONED RAILROAD LINE, SOO LINE NORTH TRAIL IS MINNESOTA’S ULTIMATE ATV CONNECTOR.

UNIQUE

STAYS

Building a truly unique Airbnb cabin that incorporated the elements of the North Shore and the area’s Scandinavian heritage seemed simple enough to the owners of this rustic modern cabin nestled in the Lutsen Mountain area and located on the Superior National Golf Course. What the owners didn’t realize was that the project would take six years to build. The result has proven to be worth their time and effort.

The couple who built the cabin envisioned not only a home away from home for their own family, but also a home away from home for other families renting the cabin. Getting everything right and creating an exceptional experience for guests became their passion. Devoting attention to every detail became their obsession.

Hours were spent envisioning the cabin’s exterior design with architect David Remely (the couple’s father and father-in-law). Because creating a cabin unique to the area was something the owners envisioned from day one, David recommended building the cabin using a monitor barn style of architecture that features a raised center section with right and left lean-tos.

The interior architecture is spacious and welcoming. There is a cozy reading nook in the staircase for kids; a private third-floor loft accessible by a built-in ladder for teens; a work area with USB outlets for adults; a breezy screen porch; bathrooms with a separate water closet, sink and shower/tub area; and an incredible great-room area with a 30-foot ceiling. Black was chosen for the exterior’s color to make the building blend in with its natural surroundings for most of the year but also provide a stunning contrast to the snow during the winter. The landscape is strictly natural and uses hundreds of boulders and ledge rock material that was extracted from the cabin’s foundation.

Originally the couple planned to hire a design expert to create the cabin’s interior. However, they quickly realized the challenge of communicating their vision to someone else and decided to execute it themselves. They wanted to create a cabin appearance so beautiful that guests would decide to come back before they even put their bags down. The interior is filled with countless Scandinavian rustic interior elements and furnishings. The couple drew inspiration from the work of designers such as David Remely, David Salmela and Edwin Lundie. They also borrowed ideas from various places they traveled during the construction period. The advantage of a long construction period is that you have a lot of time to draw inspiration from places you visit, people you meet and things you see. The greatest inspiration, however, came from the North Shore itself.

The various interior ceiling heights provided by the monitor barn architecture are reminiscent of the area’s terrain. The soaring height of the 30-foot ceiling in the great room and dining room area were inspired by the elevation of the nearby Lutsen Mountain ski area. The colors used throughout the cabin were drawn from colors that make up the North Shore. The white walls pull from the color of snow, and the dark accent walls match the color of the area’s hardscape. The blue colors featured in the bathrooms were inspired by Lake Superior. Even the mostly wood wall material used in the cabin was inspired by the natural raw textures of the North Shore. The interior’s most stunning feature is the ceiling of the great room and dining area. It is carefully crafted from reclaimed wood from a barn in the region. The barn was carefully deconstructed and transported to the construction site, where it took weeks to install. The result is pure eye candy. It’s difficult to look away and impossible to forget. The outside-in concept envisioned by the couple is further enhanced by the large windows that make up the back wall of the cabin. These windows draw the natural outside surroundings inside, where they seamlessly become part of the interior design, all while displaying a view of Lake Superior and the golf course. The powder room even features a wall made from real tree bark. The wall is accented by a beautiful sink and vanity made from reclaimed petrified wood.

The next task was to name the cabin. With so much emphasis being put on the notion of transforming the normal North Shore experience to something above and beyond, the owners realized that the concept of transformation was a good place to start. There is no name that represents transformation better than “Alchemy.” Their hope is that when they visit the cabin and when other families visit, their experience be one of transformation from the hectic hustle and bustle of the fray to a mindset of peace and relaxation.

The result of the six-year design and construction period is better than imagined. The cabin is a beautiful blend of traditional barn architecture wrapped around an inventive, spacious and welcoming Scandinavian modern-rustic interior. The owners have had a lot of fun enjoying what they worked hard to build, and now they are having fun watching other families enjoy it. After its initial posting on Airbnb, the cabin has been booked back-to-back. The reviews have been amazing. One guest recently commented that after checking in they rearranged their plans to spend more time indoors at the cabin. They were transformed. That was the goal. That is Alchemy!

CROSBY LOFTS

Crosby, MN

crosbylofts.com

@crosbylofts

The sixteen ensuite private guest rooms at Crosby Lofts are forged on Main Street on the top floors of two beautifully restored 120 year-old brick buildings, and are surrounded by wood-fired pizza, a farmto-fork kitchen, artisan ice cream, a brewery and a cocktail lounge. Located ride-in, ride-out to Cuyuna’s epic mountain bike trails. Guests who stay in the rooms at Crosby Lofts can park their cars and never get in their vehicles again until they check out to depart. We’re that conveniently placed.

The rooms at Crosby Lofts are a fully-restored destination of the storied Cuyuna Iron Range. A remarkable inn that’s perfect for small groups, and a favorite of cyclists, paddlers, and visitors looking for a modest, yet elegant, Main Street Crosby lodging adventure.

THE LAKE HOUSE

Ely, MN

jaspercompany.com/the-lake-house

@resortonjasperlake

The Lake House is a beautifully hand-crafted 3,250 square foot home situated a stone’s throw from Jasper Lake with private lake access. The Lake House sleeps up to 14 guests in four large bedrooms, each with their own custom bath. The lower level features a large, open gourmet kitchen that overlooks the expansive Great Room with a walk-around hand-laid stone fireplace and spectacular views of Jasper Lake. The Lake House is the perfect setting for your next family get together, special event, or company retreat!

LAKE LOFT

Grand Rapids, MN

visitgrandrapids.com/places-to-stay/ listing/lake-co-loft/

This bright and open unique loft is in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. The Lake Loft has a very functional layout coupled with unique architecture. The combination of the historic exposed brick with modern finishes gives you the feel as if you are in downtown Manhattan. The loft has a full kitchen with all of the high-quality amenities. Additional amenities include a conference room, pool table, photo studio, and full kitchen.

We love unique stays. Tell us about yours be featured in the next issue of Lake and Company. Hello@thelakeandco.com

GETAWAY MINNESOTA’S ULTIMATE

THE GETAWAY ADVENTURE RESORT

An exceptional property managed by Woods to Water Vacation Homes

By COLTON MAHER, WOODS TO WATER VACATION HOMES

by JON KREYE

Quite possibly the most unique vacation rental in all of Midwest, The GetAway sits just West of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota on 520 acres of awe-striking wooded privacy. Equipped with an in-ground pool & hot tub, a private golf course, archery simulator, military grade high ropes course, miles of trails, and 2 amphibous “sherps” for guests to explore the property. For years, this property sat with little use and left those driving by questioning what it was or who owned it. With new owners at the helm and with the help of Woods to Water Vacation Homes, the property has become a highly sought after vacation rental property in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Photography

NATURE MEETS LUXURY

Luxury meets northwoods rustic charm on this private estate. This stunning property features a main lodge, guest cottage and barn loft – equipped to sleep up to 23 guests. The GetAway is open year-round for groups, events or simply a reason to escape it all and get in tune with nature. Cater a coursed dinner in from one of the local restaurants after a round of golf. Experience the most adventurous ride out there - Sherps! Take a cruise on one of these on-site amphibious vehicles - plowing through trees, snow and even water year round. Explore the 20+ miles of groomed trails via snowmobile, snowshoes, fat-tire e-bikes or by foot.

Unique on-site amenities + activities

- Private 5-hole golf course

- 20 miles of groomed trails

- In-ground salt water pool/hot tub

- Paintball course

- Ropes/obstacle course

- Indoor/outdoor archery range

- Sherps (amphibious all-terrain vehicles)

- Axe throwing

- Outdoor archery course + indoor simulator

- Fat-tire e-bike rentals

- Sauna

- Wood-burning replace

IDYLLIC GATHERING SPACE

Whether it’s a bachelor/bachelorette party, a family reunion, corporate gathering, a

“ A SEAMLESS BLEND OF ADVENTURE + LUXURY, THIS UP NORTH RETREAT HAS IT ALL.

Celebrity chef Justin Sutherland is nationally recognized for competing on Top Chef and winning on Iron Chef America, co-hosting Fast Foodies and hosting Taste of Culture, among many other things. A successful entrepreneur, he operates a number of restaurants in the Twin Cities area, including Handsome Hog and Noyes & Cutler in St. Paul and Northern Soul in Minneapolis. He also has two Big E Sandwiches shops, one in St. Paul and one in Portland, Oregon. In addition, he has a line of spices as well as a signature whiskey blend with Tattersall Distilling.

Now he’s “bringing it rural.”

Sutherland just opened a restaurant at The Preserve at Grand View Lodge Spa and Golf Resort in Nisswa, Minnesota: Northern Soul Smokehouse, which features northerninfluenced Southern cooking as well as a highend bourbon list.

But there’s more to this story than just his talents. Outside of his restaurants, Sutherland is active in local philanthropy and is committed to the social justice community. He and his brother started Hybrid Nation, a socially conscious streetwear and lifestyle brand that promotes the importance of diversity and social equality.

Life took a turn for Sutherland on July 3, 2022, when he was involved in a serious boating accident that left him hospitalized and having to undergo several surgeries. He’s lucky to be alive. And alive he is, making waves in one northern rural community, with plans to do so much more.

With a newly rejuvenated outlook on life, Sutherland has awakened to a new dawn, one flooding with more opportunity than ever before. Nowhere is this more evident than in his ability to expand and grow his products and businesses all while staying focused on recovering. Sutherland brings something very special to the communities he serves and

FIND JUSTIN SUTHERLAND’S COOKBOOK, NORTHERN SOUL AND HYBRID NATION AT LAKE AND COMPANY STORES

represents and has merited huge respect from his peers and patrons for being a strong, dedicated and consummate professional who honestly cares for those around him.

What makes Justin and his food creations so special is that he is giving you a piece of his own soul. You can see it in his shy smile and you can taste it in your heart. You are his friend, his dinner guest and his company, and anytime you step into one of his restaurants you are sure to have the warm sensation of being welcomed. For Sutherland, the vision is simple: amazing food, great company, fine bourbon, and maybe a cigar.

There’s a lot more going on in the northwoods culinary scene than meets the eye; it directly touches all your senses in the form of tender smoked meats, fried-chicken sandwiches, friedcatfish platters and smoked brisket, to name a few. Take a soulful journey and try the deepfried oysters or — wait for it — chicken-fried ribs with hot honey sauce. Forget about it!

Northern Soul Smokehouse should be your very first trip into town … period.

CHECK OUT

Grand View is truly a year-round resort. There is something always going on regardless of the season.

SUMMER

• Northern Soul is one of the eight culinary adventures you can enjoy during a summer stay at GVL.

• Summer Concert Series on the driving range of the Pines golf course

• Located on the Gull Chain of Lakes in the Brainerd Lakes Area

• Close to downtown Nisswa and easy access to nearby amenities

FALL

• Spa season comes alive at the worldrenowned Glacial Waters Spa § Spa celebrations and unique services change with the season

• Family-package weekends like Fall Break, Spooktacular and Thanksgiving are great times to visit

• Brewfest is an amazing weekend catered to the adults with a whole weekend of fun

• Fall golf is superb with constant changing colors and leaves

WINTER

• Jaycee’s Fishing Extravaganza is a huge draw and GVL guests get to use our guests-only heated tent on center ice that comes with free chili, hot dogs, coffee and beer during the event

• Our heated and lighted igloos are the perfect spot for romantic snacks and beverages or the perfect girls’ trip hangout

• Twenty-three kilometers of groomed cross-country trails on site and we have the equipment you can use

• Dining options in the winter are Cru Wine Bar, Char Steakhouse and Northwoods Pub

SPRING

• Home to our Spring Break family package in March

• De’Vine Wine & Culinary weekend is in April, and Wellness Week follows that

• Golf courses begin to open again

ADVENTURE FOOD GUIDE

The Adventure Food Guide has been inspired by the dedication, tenacity, and creativity of the restaurant owners and staff in the face of adversity and seemingly endless challenges endured over the past few years.

This is our way of saying thank you to all the restaurant owners and staff who have been witness to uncertainty and loss but have found new hope, all the while bringing amazing flare and flavor to our communities. This new hope is fueling a sort of food renaissance in rural Minnesota.

NORTHERN SOUL SMOKEHOUSE Nisswa, MN

From the shores of Gull Lake in central Minnesota to the northern shores of Lake Superior, we proudly bring you the Food Adventure Guide.

At the Preserve, renowned celebrity chef Justin Sutherland and Executive Chef Bill Coyle have teamed up to bring southern smokehouse favorites prepared with northern charm. Northern Soul at The Preserve will offer a variety of flavorful smoked meats, a bucket-list bourbon selection to pair, and fine cigars.

It’s weekday in the north woods and the courses are bustling. Your in town for a conference, some well-needed vacation, or a family event, make sure to take a side step with some friends and family and head over to The Preserve to experience Northern Soul Smokehouse.

Truly ground-breaking cuisine to hit the north woods, this is not to be missed. The menu reads like Chicken-Fried Ribs with hot honey… Yes! Then onto deep-fried oysters, smoked wings and pimento cheese

dip…only getting started. Catfish, chicken, and rib platters or fried chicken and brisket sandwiches, all will no doubt leave your taste buds buzzing and wanting more!

Justin has made television appearances as a champion of Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” and a contestant on Bravo’s “Top Chef,” he also owns and operates numerous highly acclaimed restaurants, including the Handsome Hog; Big E, an egg sandwich shop; Noyes and Cutler, a modern American steakhouse; and Northern Soul the Restaurant. Born and raised in Minnesota, Sutherland has always felt connected to Grand View Lodge.

Photography by JUSTIN GRADDY

HOTEL RAPIDS

Grand Rapids, MN

HR Bar and Bistro offering the best quality crepes, prepared in front of you with a wide variety of sweet + savory crepes, soups + salads, amd Charcuterie boards all with signature selections, using premium cut meats, freshly cut veggies, fruits, and toppings. The drink menu is also unique and has a great selection of, MN craft beers and spirits, wine, kombucha, fresh mocktails and Fika Coffee.

With our deep passion and love for the art of crepes, and perfection, you will have a great crepe experience. If you have never tried crepes, visit Crepe Bistro and you will fall in love with with this place.

*This is a great place for business meetings or parties in the event yurt!

LARSMONT COTTAGES

Two Harbors, MN

Larsmont guests and locals alike flock to Ledge Rock Grille for its chefinspired creations and impressive selection of fine wines and cocktails. Everyone in your group is bound to find a favorite dish, and you can always share!

Experience cooking and dining as high art. Embark on a culinary journey at the North Shore’s only Chef’s Table. Seven inventive courses prepared before your eyes with culinary precision, with add on beverage pairings designed perfectly to compliment each course.

DRUNKEN NOODLE

Crosby, MN

At Drunken Noodle, they offer a delightful array of dishes bursting with fresh, authentic flavors.

In addition to the new Crosby location, Thamrong “Keng” Dechawuth is the proud owner of two additional Thai restaurants—Drunken Noodle in Fargo, ND, and Tara Thai in Bemidji, MN. He also owns a mushroom farm north of Bemidji, which supplies his restaurants with fresh fungi.

Now Keng and the entire team are excited to be living and working in Crosby where they can enjoy all the amazing red dirt trails and the clear blue waters of Cuyuna lakes.

At Drunken Noodle, kick off your meal with mouthwatering appetizers such as Fried Gyoza, Edamame, Egg Rolls and Salad Rolls, Chicken Satay, Cream Cheese Wontons, and Fried Tofu. Indulge in their signature rice bowls, like Spicy Basil with your choice of crispy pork belly, minced chicken, or sliced beef, or savor the Twin Pork with savory Thai brown sauce.For the bold and adventurous, they proudly serve the Boat Noodle with bold, earthy flavors, and heat. Beware, it’s not for the faint-hearted!

At Drunken Noodle, they take pride in sharing the authentic taste of Thailand and Asian cuisine. Come and experience a fusion of flavors that will leave you craving more!

SHERWOOD NORTH

Nisswa, MN

Modern American gastropub cuisine, plus wine & cocktails, served in a rustic, storied lodge.

Imagine being seated in a historic lodge type setting, the smell of fresh herbs coming in through the window, the sweet smell of lavender and basil. Grab a seat at the bar, demand a Tito’s Basil Crush and the smoked seafood tray for an appetizer, soak up the local vibe, and savor the moment.

The dinner menu is a gorgeously rounded from the house Pork Chop to Duck Ragu, and of course your Minnesota walleye dinner. Of course what would a supper club be without some top-notch steak and seafood options along with all the sides.

Sherwood North has a rich history in nearly 100 years of operation. Sherwood was built in the 1930’s when a log shipment meant for Duluth was abandoned at a lakes area warehouse. Those logs found a new destiny as the Sherwood Forest Lodge and the surrounding cabins. Today, the building and surrounding grounds retain their sense of wonder and opportunity. Large logs surround the interior, complemented by some modern updates to the bar, dining room, patio, tables, and decor.

Mesabi Trail

The Untapped Cycling Heaven of Minnesota’s Iconic North

EVELETH — To fully experience the Minnesota fall season, a trek on the Mesabi Trail fits the bill. The Mesabi Trail stretches 162 miles from the Mississippi River in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to the gateway of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) in Ely, Minnesota. To date, 150 miles are paved, with another six or so slated to be complete this spring — it’s a not-so-little piece of paved heaven for those who enjoy unique outdoor adventures, breathtaking scenery and areas of challenging terrain.

The trail consists of four newly defined segments — Mississippi (Grand Rapids to Nashwauk), Mesabi (Nashwauk to Gilbert), Laurentian (Biwabik to Tower) and Vermilion (Tower to Ely). Each segment offers opportunities to experience vastly different natural and manmade landscapes — from glacial lakes to

active mines, hardwood forests to tall pines, and lush wetlands to dramatic rock cuts. The diverse flora and fauna change throughout the seasons, offering a different experience even while riding the same segment. Cyclists could see wild raspberries, a multitude of wildflowers or even Minnesota’s state flower, the showy lady’s slipper. There’s also a high probability of spotting wildlife such as whitetail deer, black bears, moose, wolves, bobcats and waterfowl throughout the backcountry wilderness along the way.

A PAVED CYCLING HEAVEN

The Mesabi Trail is not a typical “rail to trail”. It is not straight and it is definitely not flat. There are curves and switchbacks, approximately 3,300 feet of elevation change over the full distance, and multiple hills of up to 8% grade that make for sustained climbs and seriously fun downhills.

Though it does follow all ADA guidelines, there is nothing simple or easy about trying to complete the entire trail in one day — that’s part of what makes it so desirable.

“Cycling groups travel from all over the country to ride the Mesabi Trail — even coming in from Winnipeg, Canada — because there is nothing else like it,” said Sarah Ciochetto, St. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority deputy director. “There is

so much to do and see on this trail, it is hard to take it all in. With such a diverse landscape, and 28 communities connected by one trail, taking it one segment at a time and diving into the history, culture and recreational adventures breaks down the experience into multiple vacations to bring visitors back again and again. It’s the same trail but can be a completely different ride each time.”

For those who want to take on a Mesabi Trail Challenge and cycle it all, go for it! Just be sure to warn other trail users with, “On your left!” when cruising by. For those more casual cyclists, beginners and families, planned out-and-back tours range from 3 to 25 miles, or ride as far as you desire and return the way you came. You’ll still see something you missed going in the other direction.

OFF-TRAIL ADVENTURES

The trail passes through 28 unique Iron Range towns, each with it’s own history and recreational adventures, as well as locally sourced eats and craft brews waiting to be enjoyed.

“If there’s something you want to do, especially if it’s outdoor recreation, you can do it here,” explained Ciochetto. “Each community offers unique experiences, from museums and county fairs to mine lakes and scuba diving. Golfing, camping, kayaking, fishing — you name it. There’s something for everybody along the trail.”

Try these off-trail must-sees along each segment:

• Mississippi: Ride from Grand Rapids to the Township of Arbo and take a dip in the Prairie River.

• Mesabi: In Chisholm, visit “The Emergence of Man Through Steel” sculpture (or as the locals call it, Iron Man).

• Laurentian: From Biwabik, climb and descend the Laurentian Divide, the oldest mountain range in America.

• Vermilion: Take a tour of the Soudan Underground Mine and experience life the way early miners did when the mine was running.

For the natural-surface trail enthusiasts, the Mesabi Trail joins three world-class mountain biking systems — Tioga Recreation Area (Cohasset), Redhead Mountain Bike Park (Chisholm) and Giants Ridge Bike Park (Biwabik) — adding up to 75 miles of purposebuilt, IMBA-approved natural-surface singletrack. A variety of other smaller mountain biking areas are scattered across the Iron Range, including Maple Hill (Hibbing), Lookout Mountain (Virginia), and Hidden Valley (Ely), with more in planning stages.

HISTORY AND FUNDING

Nearly 40 years ago, residents of the Mesabi region started discussing a way to connect their towns with a trail — a trail that could not only bring together Iron Range communities but could also showcase the region’s majestic forests and breathtaking iron ore formations. During this time, the Regional Railroad Authority had been acquiring abandoned railroad grades to preserve former railroads for future transportation use, which helped launch the rails-to-trails program and the Mesabi Trail.

To make the trail a reality, St. Louis and Itasca counties’ railroad authorities joined together to start securing funding from a number of sources: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and federal grants, state bond dollars, Railroad Authority dollars, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR), the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) by way of the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) and the Minnesota Legacy Fund — many of these sources also provide ongoing funding for trail maintenance.

The first section of trail was built between Virginia and Parkville in 1996. Over the course of 27 years of planning, acquiring easements, and leases, purchasing land, and talking to private land owners, the trail has grown to the 150 paved miles it is today. By 2024, the full trail is expected to be complete, offering a grand total of 162 glorious and challenging miles.

PLAN A FALL CYCLING TRIP

Fall cycling season is here. Reserve a hotel, campground or vacation rental to serve as a home base for out-and-back cycling, or arrange for a return trip from a one-way pedal using the Mesabi Trail Shuttle Service. Bike packing from town to town, or using the Mesabi Trail Lodge to Lodge service to transport gear and luggage to each stop are other options for those who prefer longer cycling routes.

Trail users ages 18 and older on wheels (i.e., inline skates, bicycles and skateboards) are required to purchase a Wheel Pass from local vendors, at the Mesabi Station in Eveleth or online. A pass costs $5 and is valid for three days. Annual passes are also available for $15. All proceeds go toward trail maintenance and support of the trail. Also of note, electric assist bicycles are allowed on the trail, though motor vehicles, ATVs, UTVs and motorized scooters are not. Wheel Passes are not required for joggers, walkers, hikers or those who use wheelchairs.

The Mesabi Trail offers cyclists a chance to explore the vast wilderness, pedal quiet town roads and traverse Minnesota’s historic Iron Range. It’s a oneof-a-kind trail in a one-of-a-kind place. Find lodging, maps and shuttle services to plan a one-of-a-kind Mesabi Trail trip today at www.mesabitrail.com.

• 3 hours north of Minneapolis

• 1 hour northwest of Duluth

• 3 hours east of Fargo

• 5 hours south of Winnipeg

The Mesabi Trail is located in Northern Minnesota and runs from Grand Rapids to Ely.

John DuRand worked at a Catholic school in St. Paul for kids with disabilities in the 1960s. He did not like how the school’s jobs consisted mostly of busywork with low pay. So he started running it like a business, which led to the founding of Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI) in 1964.

DuRand’s principles were simple yet groundbreaking for the time. He believed that the best way to help a person with disabilities was to give them a meaningful job that paid well. By working dignified jobs, each person then had the opportunity to meet their full potential, to fail, to improve — to live with purpose.

John DuRand’s founding principles are still front and center at the social enterprise, with approximately half of its employees people with disabilities who are treated with respect and dignity. The MDI hiring mindset is simple, yet extraordinary: It focuses on a candidate’s abilities and strengths instead of their limitations. This philosophy has helped them become an inclusive business where people with and without disabilities work side by side each day to meet customer needs. The concept of “ability” is part of the fabric of MDI; in fact, their annual fundraising event is called the Ability Bash.

DuRand did not view his model as charitable. He viewed it as a business creating jobs for capable employees.

What he didn’t know at the time was that this model — now called a social enterprise — would be emulated worldwide for decades to come. Guided by social objectives, a social enterprise does not exist to maximize profit as its primary goal like a regular business does; instead, all generated revenue funds the enterprise’s stated social cause. This is what sets it apart from similar organizations, like nonprofits. MDI’s revenue helps fund its social cause of empowering people with disabilities.

Today MDI has four manufacturing facilities across Minnesota. The company creates plastic containers and offers product assembly and packaging services for businesses of all sizes across the country.

MDI believes that people reach their full potential — and that communities are at their strongest — when everyone can earn their own income. Despite these clear benefits, more than 100,000 Minnesotans with disabilities who are ready to work have not been given a fair shot, while 50%–80% of people with disabilities are unemployed worldwide. MDI is working to change that by training other businesses in best practices for employing people with disabilities.

As MDI prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2024, the organization is reflecting on John DuRand’s founding purpose. There is much work to be done in providing meaningful jobs for this valuable yet overlooked sector of our workforce. To learn how your organization can be part of the solution, visit MDI.org and start a conversation with them today.

“BY WORKING DIGNIFIED JOBS, EACH PERSON THEN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, TO FAIL, TO IMPROVE — TO LIVE WITH PURPOSE.”

ADVOCACY

for People Living with Disabilities

To Jeanne Eglinton, committing her professional life to empowering people with disabilities is not a “nice-to-have” addition to her job description — it is a personal requirement. For more than 35 years, this purpose has driven and defined the shape of Jeanne’s career, which is based on her unwavering mission to help people with disabilities thrive in employment settings.

“To build genuinely welcoming, inclusive workplace environments, people of all abilities must first be given the resources and accommodations needed so that they can truly be successful,” explains Eglinton. “Fostering opportunity to create these much-needed spaces in professional settings has been an extremely fulfilling part of my career — and in my role here at MDI, this exciting work continues.”

As a nonprofit social enterprise manufacturer, MDI has dedicated its almost 60 years of operation to building inclusive workplaces that put people first. When MDI hires a new employee at one of its four Minnesota facilities in Grand Rapids, Cohasset, Hibbing or Minneapolis, it focuses on the person’s abilities and strengths, rather than their limitations.

MDI’s person-centered focus and respectful, inclusive environment is what drew Jeanne to her current role as director of employment services, where she’s spent nine years leading employment services with passion and innovation. With nearly half of MDI’s employees being people with disabilities, Jeanne’s deep knowledge of and advocacy for employee support services, both in and outside of the workplace, is critical. One of these special support services available at MDI is the Unified Work program, which offers

valuable career skills programming that has flourished under Jeanne’s leadership. Participants learn essential career-building tips, like how to deliver their personal elevator pitch and communicate with confidence while strengthening the skills and interpersonal attributes needed to succeed in the workplace, such as punctuality, communication, leadership, initiative, work ethic, teamwork, critical thinking and more.

Since its inception, nearly 500 participants have graduated from Unified Work classes with valuable, newly built soft skills and documented successes, including outside organizations and members of the community who may have other barriers to employment. “MDI’s cutting-edge innovative Unified Work program has grown significantly in both its service offerings and popularity over the years — and Jeanne has been an indispensable leader in its growth,” says Eric Black, president and CEO of MDI. “As a lifelong advocate for the disability community, her passion for and expertise in disability services have been critical to ensuring the comfort and success of MDI employees. We’re extremely fortunate to have Jeanne on the MDI team.”

As the state’s economy evolves, Jeanne sees nothing but potential for Minnesota employers looking to cultivate more inclusive and accommodating workplace environments. “As businesses look for solutions to address their workforce shortages, I urge them to consider engaging and employing people with disabilities,” Jeanne recommends. “People with disabilities are an untapped sector of our workforce that is skilled, enthusiastic and ready to work. Companies that are serious about investing in this valuable talent pool will benefit in many ways.”

MEET JEANNE EGLINTON, A LIFELONG ADVOCATE FOR MINNESOTANS WITH DISABILITIES

THE Trail Provides

By FELICIA HOKENSTAD

I remember walking through the woods as a child, finding peace among the trees. Lying in the grass, watching the clouds float away, imagining they were my troubles. When I think back, I realize that sometime between middle school and my mid-20s, I forgot about that magic. Like a typical adolescent, I spent too much time trying to fit a mold that wasn’t meant for me. It took decades to find my way back to the forest, but once I did, there was no looking back. I understood it differently as an adult, though. That is when I found the Trail.

FINDING THE TRAIL

In my late 20s, I moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I’d finally worked up the courage to leave the small rural Wisconsin town that defined me for over 20 years. My first year in the UP was filled with wanderlust as I explored various wild spaces along Lake Superior with the love of my life. The trouble came when I wanted to keep hiking and he had other plans. It takes courage to hike alone as a woman, and I hadn’t found it yet. I knew that I needed to make other hiking friends.

I logged on to Facebook and searched for local hiking groups. I stumbled on an organization called Women Who Hike (WWH), a community for women to connect on and off the Trail. After joining

the WWH group for Michigan, I started making connections to others with the same dilemma. I became immersed in topics like the “10 essentials” “leave no trace” and … backpacking! Not too long after that, I was rounding up a group of strangers to hike overnight with me at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

On that trip, I discovered the joy in sharing wild spaces with other people. WWH asked me to continue leading day hikes and backpacking trips throughout the UP as an ambassador, and I happily accepted. These experiences helped me build confidence, skills and friendships. I knew from that point forward, I could always lean on hiking to find community.

GIVING BACK TO THE TRAIL

Soon enough, the weekend warrior routine wasn’t cutting it. During my search for shorter, local day hikes, I stumbled on the blue blazes of the North Country Trail (NCT). I found these blue trail markers all over the city of Marquette. It only took one Google search to find out that it was the longest in the National Trails System at roughly 4,800 miles, spanning from North Dakota to Vermont. I was intrigued, to say the least.

Sometime around 2019 I joined the local volunteer group Marquette Area Chapter, responsible for maintaining 120 miles of the NCT through the Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. My volunteer journey started here, helping with social media, drafting email newsletters and leading group hikes. I recognized quickly that I was often the youngest person in the room, and my inexperience was something found at most volunteer chapters along the NCT.

Right around that time, the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) announced a program called the Next Generation Coalition, an opportunity for young volunteers to connect along the Trail and learn more about the inner workings of the organization. Developing skills related to trail management, outreach and advocacy gave me confidence. I felt able to contribute more to the Marquette Area Chapter and decided to join their Board of Directors. I used my first experience on a board to generate the positive change they needed to recruit more “young” volunteers.

ADVOCATING FOR THE TRAIL

The deeper I got into the Trail community, the more appreciation I held for that ribbon of dirt I’d find myself walking on most weekends. By 2020, I’d completed the Hike100 Challenge a second time, exploring as much as I could in weekend-long backpacking trips. Between the NCT and WWH communities, I almost always had someone to walk with, both in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and below the Mackinac Bridge. In addition to connecting me with many new friends, the trail helped me to connect within. Miles and miles of walking had its benefits — a lot of time to think.

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably already heard about the mental health benefits of spending time in nature. The ability to melt into the sounds of birdsong, the flow of a river and the rustling of leaves are among my favorite reasons to saunter in the woods. Hiking has a way of healing a broken heart, and it’s what helped me survive the isolation of the pandemic. It’s why I feel so passionately about equity in the outdoors. Hypothetically, we all have the same access to nature, but in reality many people lack the resources needed to feel safe on hiking trails.

Advocacy is a piece that really clicked for me, so later in 2020 I joined the NCTA’s Advocacy Committee. Through the Next Generation Coalition and Advocacy Committee, I was able to attend virtual events like the National Trails Workshop and Hike the Hill to learn from and connect with changemakers across the country. All of these experiences paved my way to an internship with the NCTA in early 2021, leading their Next Generation Coalition program.

LEADING FOR THE TRAIL

I knew this internship had the potential to change my life, so I accepted the challenge of managing it on top of my other full-time job. My goal was to increase engagement of youngadult volunteers across the trail, and I was given creative freedom with the program. I invited professionals from across the outdoor recreation community to lead discussions and help the group learn more about the National Trails System, leave-no-trace principles, accessibility on trails, careers with the National Park Service and more. I brought coalition members from across the Midwest to complete a trail-building project in northern Minnesota. And I was finally able to attend Hike the Hill, in person, in Washington, D.C.

Many of these things were happening at the same time my family moved to southeast Minnesota. Instead of living moments away from Lake Superior, we found a home in the Mississippi River Valley. Since my husband found an excellent job, I was able to slow down for a while. And because the Trail community is how I make connections, I started searching for volunteer opportunities in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. This is how I became connected with the Border Route Trail Association (BRTA) in 2022, which quickly accepted me as their board secretary. The Border Route is a 65-mile trail in northern Minnesota that follows the border of Minnesota and Canada. It connects to the Superior Hiking Trail in the east and the Kekekabic Trail in the west, all still part of the larger North Country Trail.

The BRTA has such a unique problem: Most of their volunteers travel six-plus hours just to get to the Trail, and much of it exists inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), where mechanized tools like mowers and chainsaws aren’t allowed. It requires a great deal of time and sweat equity to volunteer on the Border Route Trail. Some folks use their paid vacation from work to attend trailclearing events, but many of our volunteers are retirees. And if you’ve noticed a pattern throughout my story, I saw an opportunity to help and jumped right in.

About seven months ago I was nominated as board president of the BRTA. Being a woman in leadership, in a field historically dominated by men, has its challenges. My skills and experience aren’t always taken seriously, I’m often met with surprise when I introduce myself, and I’ve experienced my fair share of toxic masculinity. On the flipside, I’ve met some wonderful people and established connections with trail organizations across the country. I have the feeling that no matter where I find myself, I’ll always have the Trail, and it’ll be the place I find community.

THE DEEPER I GOT INTO THE TRAIL COMMUNITY, THE MORE APPRECIATION I HELD FOR THAT RIBBON OF DIRT I’D FIND MYSELF WALKING ON.”

Boundary Waters withKids

Written by PAM WRIGHT

Photography by JESSIE STEIGAUF

We paddled down the curvy Nina Moose River, canoes filled with kids and adults. There, just around a bend, stood a cow moose and her calf, stunned by the surprise encounter. Both groups were wide-eyed at the meeting among quiet waters. The canoes paused, allowing the moose a wide opening to depart, and after some brief gazing she lumbered off into the woods.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) Wilderness in northern Minnesota can be a wonderful place to take kids. Filled with opportunities for wonder, exploration, observation and natural play, the BWCA offers many ways to have a successful adventure together on a canoe trip.

However, it can feel intimidating. At what age should your kids join you? What will you see or do? How far should you go? How are you going to keep everyone alive? Some of these questions are easy to answer, while others will depend on the needs of your family. We’ll provide some suggestions and tips for a trip that will bring good stories for years to come.

We started taking our kids to the BWCA as toddlers. Over 15 years later, we’re still enjoying time in the wilderness together as they mature into young adults.

While we had taken a number of trips to the BWCA before kids, this was a new challenge. Our initial trips with the kids were not perfect, but we figured things out and our journeys became smoother. As the kids grew, they participated more and more in the trip preparations. In their teens, they started to carry either a pack or a canoe and set up their own tents. They also helped out with cooking and camp chores. We tried to make the trips kid-friendly and consider everyone’s abilities and interests.

What are some easy ways to make your canoe trip kid-friendly?

Keep the itinerary flexible. This is probably our biggest tip for setting yourself up for success. Plan really low mileage with younger kids and babies. Teens can handle more distance, but consider their level of experience and interests. Campsites are first come, first served, so you can be flexible and camp at any open site. Ask everyone what they’d like to do, be it swim, fish or read a summer novel.

Choose to basecamp.

The easiest way to start is to stay on one lake and set up camp. Some entry points are right on the water. No portaging of gear is required. Just put the boat in the water and find a campsite.

Involve the kids in planning.

This is a great way to get kids on board with the idea of a remote trip. Younger kids may want to choose their own stuffed animal or book to bring. Teens can help figure out games, snacks and food.

Allow for creativity!

Most everyone will enjoy using their own small journal with mini colored pencils or gel pens. On one of our trips, we provided a writing or drawing prompt at the end of the day that the kids could work on inside their tent. It was a nice way for everyone to wind down and reflect.

Indulge in great snacks or food.

We carry a bit more food on trips with kids and teens. Cooking over the fire provides a fun experience for everyone. On one trip, we made monkey bread; another time we made cinnamon twists on a stick. We also bring a variety of savory and salty snacks — some healthy and some, well, not so much.

Make up silly contests.

Have a rock-bowling contest. Set up a pile of rocks and “bowl” using a single rock. Bring small flotation toys and make up water races. The winner gets a handful of jelly beans, some stickers or a foot rub.

Let kids navigate.

Let them learn to read a map and help find campsites and portages and assist with route direction. Let them test out the compass and get used to identifying the four cardinal directions. If they’re wrong, ask good questions to help them discover the right answer. Teens are pretty capable of learning to read a map and may enjoy having their own set of maps to help navigate with.

Let everyone paddle.

We always carry a spare light paddle. This is primarily for safety but also provides our kids an opportunity to paddle, even if it’s brief. Our teens started paddling their own canoe around the age of 13. If you can, practice near your home first so that everyone can learn a few strokes and build confidence before the trip.

Bring hammocks.

This is one of the best pieces of gear we bring on trips with kids. We usually carry two or three and the kids enjoy time reading in them, relaxing or hanging with a friend. The youngest kids turn them into swings.

Bring comfortable clothing and shoes. Everyone should have a rain jacket and rain pants. Even in the summer, nighttime temps can be cool, and rain gear doubles as added warmth. Test paddling and camping shoes before your trip so that kids don’t end up with blisters. Closedtoe sandals like Keens or hiking shoes are great for paddling. They will get wet but will be grippy enough on slippery rocks along portages. Lightweight Crocs or athletic shoes are a nice, dry option for around camp.

Dino stuffy!

Encourage Teamwork

Kids can help paddle the canoe and carry a small pack.

Pack the Right Gear

Look for discounted gear or borrow it. Outfitting kids and teens for a canoe trip can add up quickly. We searched for discounted gear online or at sales posted on social media camping groups. When the kids were young, we had them use their school backpacks to carry stuff like rain gear, extra clothing and a special toy or book.

Invite a buddy.

Some of our trips included the kids’ friends. They took turns inviting a pal along on our adventures. Less complaining and more cooperation. Need we say more?

Host a skills day.

Before we go on a trip, we have a skills day in our backyard. We practice activities such as setting up tents, lighting a fire (and fire safety!), filtering water and carrying packs or canoes. We also head out to a local lake to show some canoeing basics. We make it fun and hands-on. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to test our gear and make sure everything is in working order (which you’d do anyway before a trip, right?!).

What about babies and toddlers?

We started bringing our kids to the BWCA as toddlers, after we had done some successful car camping. This helped us work out some kinks and take the next steps toward camping in the wilderness. For our first family BWCA trip, we still had one in diapers, so we packed all the diapers in big zip-top bags and placed those in a dry bag — then added a little baking soda to dispel odor. We’ve seen others successfully use cloth diapers. We kept our mileage low and some of our at-home routines the same. Naps sometimes happened in the canoe, in the tent or in the child carrier. We found that our kids slept pretty well snuggled between us after full days of exploring. Again, we recommend being flexible and if something changes in your plans, that’s OK. Just try to go again another time.

Taking kids to the Boundary Waters can provide some amazing memories that will last a lifetime. It will take planning and flexibility, but in the end it can be a great bonding experience, being unplugged in one of the most beautiful places in Minnesota.

WE’RE HERE FOR THE GRAVEL

By MARTY LARSON

For many, it seems like gravel has suddenly exploded in the cycling world and is quickly taking over. The cycling industry appears to have designed everything to be tailored to gravel riding lately, or at least that’s what the marketing would have you believe. In a way, this is true. “Gravel bikes” are generally more versatile and comfortable bikes to ride, and frankly are the style of bike that most of us should be riding. This is a discussion for another time, though! We’re here to find out just what this gravel thing is.

This is about me, about my journey through the cycling world. This might all come off as a bit “I was doing it before it was cool …,” but it’s not meant to come off that way. This is a story of how I’ve ridden my bikes over the years, and how it’s changed, yet oddly stayed the same.

I started working my first job, at what is now Nicollet Bike & Ski Shop in Mankato, Minnesota, when I was 15. I bought my first good bike with my first paycheck. I was so excited! It was a yellow and blue Bauer Chequamegon mountain bike. I rode that thing everywhere around town — to school, to work, to adventures, finding random trails snaking through undoubtedly private land. I didn’t know any better at that point. It was a great tool for exploring my environment. I bumbled along railroad tracks and scampered through limestone pits. I followed the gravel roads branching away from my little neighborhood. I tried racing with it (and did OK) and tried road-riding it with the local hot shots, getting blown off the back by being on the wrong tool. I wasn’t going to give up my cool mountain bike to go fast on what I considered a lame road bike, though. I liked my ability to explore so much better (the concept of multiple bikes hadn’t hit my young brain yet …).

Fast-forward a few years — I’m married now and living in a small river town south of the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area, surrounded by farms and small access roads scattered like autumn leaves through the valley. All of these roads happen to be gravel or dirt. My proclivity for finding adventure hasn’t changed, and I’m in heaven with these fun options. Thankfully, I am also old enough to realize that multiple bikes is an OK thing to have. My chosen bike for these adventures was what many consider the first actual gravel bike, the venerable Surly Cross-Check, with room for big tires and a comfortable riding position. I rode that bike all over the county, finding county parks that got fewer visitors per year than shallow fishing holes, and crawled up seemingly abandoned dirt roads that topped out in rows of soybeans or passed by past idyllic horse pastures. I rode roads then that would become legend in the coming years on the course of the Day Across Minnesota gravel race (twice ridden!).

I had it pretty special at that point. I rarely saw trucks; traffic mostly consisted of tractors off in a field. Seeing another person on a bike just didn’t happen out there. I thought I was the only one riding a bike like this, on roads seemingly untouched, undiscovered.

Soon enough, I’m moving again to yet another river town, on a bigger river, near even more expansive gravel and backroads in the Driftless Region of southern Wisconsin and eastern Iowa. The roads are twistier, steeper, and take me to places that are just spectacular. I recall riding along an Iowa minimummaintenance road (the “minis” are where the fun is!) that skirts the backwaters of the Mississippi, while eagles circle and swoop over the bay, teaching their young to hunt. This went on for miles. The Yellow River State Forest offered up two-lane roads that slithered up narrow ravines and slippery stream crossings. These roads can be steep, testing your skills of balance and right gear choice as you crawl up the road, dancing with the shade in the heat of the summer. Once you make it up, chances are very good that you will have a ridge to run for what seems like miles, effortlessly cruising a gentle downhill with views pouring off of either side, tempting you with distractions! The best, though, was in late summer and early autumn when you’d get temperature inversions, and the cold foggy air you just rode up through was trapped by a layer of warm, still air on that ridge. It was chilly riding all the way along the climb up through the fog, only to sometimes burst through the cloud layer at the top of the ridge to blazingly bright, clear sunny skies. I honestly miss riding in the Driftless Region. It certainly is a treasure.

I started seeing a few races being promoted in the area, so evidently I wasn’t the only one foolish enough to be out on these roads. Others were starting to get it! The Ragnarok, the Almanzo, the Dirty Benjamin, the Filthy 50. The names are legend, spoken often. There is a grassroots feel, an authenticity, to all of the rides, like the promoters are doing this for the very same reason you do.

The racing continues. I try to do at least four a year. Calling it racing is a bit of a misnomer, though. I’m 6 foot 5 and north of 225 pounds. I’m not small, which also means I’m not necessarily fast. I have my gravityassisted moments, but those are returned in favor on the way back up! There’s always an up to a down. My abilities put me in a position in the field where folks are generally having more fun/not suffering. Beer stops are frequent. So are snack stops. We’re all here not for the competition, but for the camaraderie of riding bikes through spectacular terrain.

It’s time to move again, and this time it’s back to the motherland — Minnesota. Northfield, to be precise. We move for the kids; the schools are great and the town seems to suit us as a family. It’s close to the metro but also close to nature, yoga and a food co-op, with bakeries close at hand. Although we moved for the family, I knew the cycling community here was strong. But I didn’t know how strong. This town has welcomed us with open arms, and we’ve taken their suggestions (natural surface trails) and run with them. In the decade we’ve lived here, the cycling community has gotten stronger each year. The roads are generally low traffic and the mountain bike trails are slowly growing and getting better. That’s all good, but we’re here for the gravel! This is rural Minnesota. We all know this means lots of farms and farm roads. Hundreds of miles of gravel are out our doorstep in every direction — except Dakota County. Y’all are disappointing us with your paving antics.

Our regional terrain puts Northfield on the very western edge of the Mississippi River bluffs to the east. To the north, the glaciers hit hard, leveling everything off for a pretty flat terrain. To our west and south, the terminal moraines from those glaciers left rolling hills to play in. Each of these will have you passing through idyllic pastures with horses and cows providing ample audience sections for your rides. Or you could find yourself riding through a canyon of 10-foot cornstalks, with nothing to see but the intense greens of the crop and striking blues and whites of the skies above. Or if you’re lucky enough, passing through prairie remnants that provide incredible scenes for sunrises and sunsets. A ride to the east takes you to the Sogn Valley and Cannon Falls area. Rolling terrain that is perfect for riding. The thrill of the downhill coast, and accomplishment of the grueling climb. A small band of friends and I thought so much of this riding terrain that we decided to start an event that would allow other riders to experience it. We wanted something a bit different, though. Remember those races I participated in? And how I was having more fun just toodling along with a bunch of like-minded fools? So did the other two. We had more fun at Party Pace than at Race Pace. Well, that’s the direction we went.

YOU COULD FIND YOURSELF RIDING THROUGH A CANYON OF 10-FOOT CORNSTALKS, WITH NOTHING TO SEE BUT THE INTENSE GREENS OF THE CROP AND STRIKING BLUES AND WHITES OF THE SKIES ABOVE.”

The Heywood Ride is an event that is simply a bike ride, one that is focused on the participant having a good time on pretty roads with a bunch of new best friends. We don’t have categories. We don’t dictate what type of bike you can ride. Our goal is to create a social event that you want to come back to year and again. We have distances from 30 to 390 miles. From beginning rider to experienced. The 30 is fully signed for easy navigation and toe dipping into the gravel world. The rest of the routes up the challenge with each distance (55, 110, 162 and 390 miles). The routes all share the first 33 miles, where they take in some of our most iconic sections. Rolling along the Cannon River, coasting through the tree-lined Old Mill Road, and climbing the indomitable Shady Lane. The Cannon River and Old Mill Road routes are flat to small rolls and simply enjoyable. Shady Lane starts that way, lulling one into a sense of complacency with its beauty. That suddenly ends when you take that right corner and you see a wall of gravel that you’ve got no option to do but ride up. It’s gloriously hard.

The rest of the routes dive deeper into the river bluffs and Driftless Regions, presenting riders with more rolling terrain through deep coulees and stringing along ridges that present incredible views of the Mississippi River valley.

So, yes, gravel riding is a thing. It won’t be going anywhere soon. I’ve made it sound hard, and sometimes it is. More often, though, it isn’t hard. It’s strikingly beautiful as you pop around a corner to a vista filled with the most amazing skies you’ve seen.

If you’re curious, look us up down here. The Cannon Valley Velo Club actively holds rides a few days a week with varying abilities accommodated. We’re more than happy to share our joy with you!

Located in the harbor town of Grand Marais, Minnesota, Java Moose has been a family–owned and operated business for more than two decades. While you may be seeking coffee and a caffeine fix when you walk through our doors, we hope you leave with so much more: community and connection.

We see our clients as partners and work to help turn your business into a success story.

FIND OUR COFFEE ONILNE AT javamoosegrandmarais.com javamoosegrandmarais javamoose

GRAND MARAIS, MINNESOTA

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universal hello

by Explore Minnesota

As the name suggests, the northern lights become more pronounced the further north you go, and Minnesota’s location makes it one of the best states in the lower 48 to view them.

There’s a perfectly scientific explanation for the aurora borealis phenomenon (more commonly known as the northern lights), and we’ll get to that in a minute. But when you see it in person— weaving, flickering, and pulsing across the night sky, lighting up the stars with its impossible river of greens, purples, and reds—it just feels like magic. Like the universe is reaching out to you, personally, and waving hello.

One slightly less obvious reason why Minnesota is an incredible place to view the northern lights? Our abundance of inland lakes. Prolific northern lights photographer Travis Novitsky explains, “My favorite spot is on the south shore of any inland lake in northeast Minnesota. Being on the south shore means you get a great view of the lights looking north over the lake (as their name implies, northern lights are often most visible in the northern part of the sky).”

Unlike other states that might have one or two ideal spots to view the northern lights, Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes offer borealis chasers a practically unlimited supply of unique spots to view and frame them.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no one season for northern lights, but that doesn’t mean weather has no effect on light activity. In fact, northern lights can be predicted quite accurately by following weather conditions—just not the weather conditions here on Earth. What you want to follow is space weather, primarily the solar wind stream and solar flares of the sun.

Dickerson's Lake Florida Dock

Aury G Photography

Gooseberry Falls State Park Explore Minnesota

According to the popular science website howstuffworks.com, aurora borealis occurs, “when highly charged electrons from the solar wind interact with elements in the Earth’s atmosphere. As the electrons enter the Earth’s upper atmosphere, they will encounter atoms of oxygen and nitrogen at altitudes of 20 to 200 miles above the Earth’s surface. The color of the aurora depends on which atom is struck, and the altitude of the meeting.”

Novitsky uses spaceweather.com as his primary resource for “keeping watch” on northern lights activity. “If there’s a chance of activity, [the site] will tell you about it—sometimes as many as three or four days in advance. I check that website almost every day.”

WHERE TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN MINNESOTA

The vast, open skies of northern Minnesota are ideal for viewing the northern lights. Undisturbed by the light pollution of Minnesota’s urban areas, natural darkness reigns as you venture into the northernmost reaches of the state.

Here are a few of the best spots in northern Minnesota for catching the aurora borealis: Cook County visitors can frequently see the northern lights and Milky Way shining over Lake Superior and along the Gunflint Trail. Voyageurs National Park offers expansive views of unpolluted skies from its waterways, where visitors can see impressive meteor showers and northern lights shows.

m m m m m

Lake of the Woods and the Northwest Angle, where there is a panoramic view of the waters and forests by day and, sometimes, the Milky Way and northern lights by night. Separated from the rest of Minnesota by Lake of the Woods, the Northwest Angle is the northernmost point in the continental U.S.

Outside of northern Minnesota, other destinations across the state, remote and urban alike, provide ideal stargazing conditions: In the mid- and southern parts of the state— including Park Rapids, St. Cloud, Stillwater, Lake City, Mankato, and Rochester—locals can see constellations on any clear night, and these cities have been known to host an occasional northern lights display.

Just miles from downtown Minneapolis, Silverwood Park hosts after-dark events for visitors to explore and learn about the fascinating things that occur outside after the sun sets.

Travis Novitsky

Luverne Blue Mounds State Park Tipi Camping Jim Henderson

Split Rock Creek State Park in Jasper Dave Bellis

BLUEBIRD SKIES AND ENDLESS FALL COLOR

While fall is fleeting, the memories can last a lifetime. Come for a quintessential autumn event like Oktoberfest in a quaint village or just to experience the bluebird skies and amazing fall colors. Whatever the reason, now’s the time to enter your Dream State with a magical fall getaway you won’t soon forget.

megan@mpowherfit.com

JEFFERS PETROGLYPHS

Comfrey, MN

Jeffers Petroglyphs is home to about 5,000 sacred rock carvings, also called petroglyphs, made by the ancestors of today’s Native Americans. Jeffers tells the story of this continent like no other place — connecting visitors to those who lived and traveled in ancient times across what is now known as North America. www.mnhs.org/jefferspetroglyphs

Experience the story of farming, food and agriculture — past and present! Explore the original 1860s working farm, and get an up-close view of the animals and gardens. mnhs.org/kelleyfarm

Explore the story of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe through museum exhibits, objects, demonstrations, and tours, and shop for locally made Native American arts and crafts in the restored 1930s trading post.

mnhs.org/millelacs

OLIVER KELLEY FARM Elk River, MN

MILLE LACS INDIAN MUSEUM AND TRADING POST Onamia, MN

A Road Trip Experience of the Season Starts in Grand Rapids, MN

by VISIT GRAND RAPIDS

This fall you are encouraged to drive the Great River Road in Minnesota. Each of the Great River Road communities showcases the natural beauty of the Mississippi River and an incredible assortment of art, historic sites and live performances. So start planning a Minnesota road trip where you will find cozy lodging, quaint boutique-style shops, downtowns and amazing artwork that includes oneof-a-kind murals and sculptures. Also take in live music or theater performances and enjoy fun places to eat and drink.

INTERPRETIVE SITES ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI

Along the Great River Road are interpretive centers that welcome visitors to the area. In Grand Rapids are the Itasca County Historical Society and the Forest History Center. At the Itasca County Historical Society a freewill museum showcases several historic artifacts exhibits to explore, including the latest exhibit of artifacts found along the Mississippi River and from local Native American tribes. The Forest History Center environmental learning center offers a one-of-a-kind interpretive center that includes all things logging and forestry, a 1900s logging camp, and over 5 miles of trails that lead to the Mississippi River. You can also take a guided kayak paddle or horse-drawn carriage ride for an additional fee.

BE INSPIRED ALONG THE GREAT RIVER ROAD

Grand Rapids offers amazing artwork, historic sites and live performances. Downtown Grand Rapids features buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Old Central School is a Romanesque-style building from 1895. Along with historic buildings downtown, you will find boutique-style shops, a brewery, a coffeehouse and several restaurants.

MacRostie Art Center is an art gallery that features Minnesota artists’ work through monthly exhibits and art classes and an Art Shop for purchases. You can take in a live performance and view monthly art exhibits at the Reif Performing Arts Center or listen to live music at Rapids Brewing Company and Unwined Up North, and on occasion at the KAXE Rotary amphitheater along the Mississippi River. The Grand Rapids Riverfest takes place along the river on Saturday, September 9, and features Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.

LOCATIONS FOR VIEWING THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN GRAND RAPIDS:

1. Pokegama Dam Campground (located on Hwy. 2 W) offers a unique opportunity to walk across a U.S. Corps of Engineers river dam to view the mighty Mississippi. When you continue across the dam, you gain access to the Cohasset Parks & Rec hiking trail system, where you can hike 2.5-mile loop along the Mississippi. The Pokegama Dam offers a full-site hookup campground, covered pavilion, shower facilities, a boat launch and fish-from-shore opportunities.

2. The Grand Rapids Area Library offers a fishing pier along the downtown river trail where people can easily throw in a line to catch fish out of the Mississippi. The library even checks out fishing poles and reel combos to those with a driver’s license or library card. On the downtown river trail, the library features a child’s storybook along the walk. In addition, a music playground allows young and old to create music along the river.

3. The Mississippi walking bridge (located at KAXE Northern Community Radio) is a recently installed bridge that showcases a couple of art pieces, a great hiking or biking surface to cross the river, and a couple of bench areas to just sit and enjoy the Mississippi and occasional wildlife visits.

4. Veterans Park (located off Airport Road, aka 8th St.) offers several playgrounds, a couple of covered pavilions and a dog park. At the east end of the park is another walking bridge — Powers Bridge, which gives you a great perspective of the river. In the winter, this bridge and park are closed to snowmobiling. The park showcases 100+-year-old pine trees and mixed hardwoods. It’s a wonderful place to spend time in Minnesota’s nature along the Mississippi.

Enter for a chance to win the Drive the Great River Road Fall Sweepstakes. Visit Grand Rapids is hosting a fall sweepstakes with several business partners from the greater Grand Rapids area. You can enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win a two-night getaway to Grand Rapids that includes dining gift cards, a gas card, and a welcome basket, all valued at over $600. The fall sweepstakes will run September 1–30. Details about the Drive the Great River Road Fall Sweepstakes can be found on the visit Grand Rapids website.

For more information, go to Minnesota Great River Road at mnmississippiriver.com and visitgrandrapids.com for things to do, places to stay, outdoor recreation, and fun places to eat and drink in Grand Rapids.

FOREST HISTORY CENTER

Grand Rapids, MN

Experience the stories of the north woods and learn about the lumberjacks who called these forests home. Explore Minnesota’s forests of yesterday and today through exhibits and nature trails. Forest History Center also provides seasonal opportunities for visitors, including guided kayaking tours and draft horse wagon rides.

mnhs.org/foresthistory

SPLIT ROCK LIGHTHOUSE

Two Harbors, MN

Nestled in a Minnesota State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse is one of the most photographed and visited spots in the state, with a drama-filled history and breathtaking Lake Superior views. If you haven’t visited lately, now is the time to pay homage to a true North Shore icon. mnhs.org/splitrock

North Shore OF THE

Do you want to experience as much as possible on the North Shore in just a few days? Start in Silver Bay where everything is both close by and gorgeous.

Plan a North Shore vacation around a visit to the Adventure Park! We’re in the middle of the best the North Shore has to offer. There are so many things to do nearby that will get you outside in nature to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery of Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior.

CLIMB AND ZIP THROUGH THE TREES!

Challenge yourself and have fun on the series of 6 high ropes courses and 10 ziplines for ages 7 - Adult. It’s just as much fun to watch from the ground and cheer on your friends and family!

Stay on the ground and test your axe throwing skills in a friendly competition. Got little ones? Check out the Li’l Rascals course for ages 3-6. Want to give tickets away? The park has gift cards too.

Book online at NorthShoreAdventurePark.com.

After you’ve worked up an appetite, grab coffee and lunch in downtown Silver Bay and then visit any of these beautiful destinations. They are all just minutes away. That’s why we call the area the “Best of the North Shore.” Here are some of our close-by suggestions.

JUST MINUTES FROM THE ADVENTURE PARK:

• Ride bikes on the paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail

• Relax at Black Beach on Lake Superior

• Visit three nearby waterfalls

• Hike the Superior Hiking Trail

• Camp across the street at Black Beach Campground

[o] Andy Berndt

[o] Dennis Quiggle

START PLANNING YOUR VISIT WITH THE NORTH SHORE EXPLORER GUIDE

The guide is your go-to resource and the official guide of the North Shore Scenic Drive!

Find all the best things to do on Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior, from Duluth to the Canadian Border! The easy-to-follow mile-by-mile guide will help you discover hidden treasures as well as the state parks, waterfalls, Lake Superior beaches, fall color tours, hikes, and more. Available for free at visitor centers and anywhere on the North Shore. See a digital copy, or order one for home delivery at NorthShoreExplorerMN.com/guide.

For more North Shore travel tips and inspiration, follow our adventures on Instagram and Facebook @NorthShoreExplorerMN and on the blog at NorthShoreExplorerMN.com!

See you there! @NorthShoreExplorerMN

[o] Dennis Quiggle

Dennis Quiggle

lovin’ lake county

Your Next Adventure Awaits

By MARIA HILEMAN

Plan a trip to Lake County, Minnesota, and be wowed by its scenic drives, jagged cliffs, hidden beaches and stunning vistas. It’s home to iconic parks, quaint towns and expansive wilderness. It’s where people go to slow down and immerse themselves in nature. Explore all its wonders by foot, bike or boat — from the Boundary Waters to the big lake.

Lake County

20+ Campgrounds

4 State Parks

12 Waterfalls

3 Lighthouses

13 Beaches

WATCH THE SUNRISE

Start your morning with a spectacular show over Lake Superior. Catching a sunrise, no matter where you are, is such a simple joy that makes you stop and appreciate life’s marvels.

CAFFEINE BOOST

Nestled in the woods, Cedar Coffee Company is a special place to gather while in Two Harbors. This laid-back coffee shop features espresso, café eats, a dog-friendly patio and a setting amid the forest.

HIT THE TRAILS

This hiker’s paradise offers trails with amazing viewpoints, unspoiled beauty and pristine nature. It’s always a thrill to see rushing rapids and waterfalls along the North Shore, and Tettegouche and Gooseberry Falls are two state parks you won’t want to miss.

With so much to see and do, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite stops to help you plan your perfect trip.

CATCH AIR

Lake County also has activities to get the heart pounding. Ride the rugged backcountry system with rocky technical trails on two new single-track trail systems. Add some excitement at the North Shore Adventure Park’s high ropes course and ziplines in Silver Bay. And some of you daredevils might want to try your hand at cliff diving; that frigid water will definitely be refreshing.

REFUEL

After working up an appetite, be sure to enjoy a variety of foods along the North Shore. Like fresh Lake Superior fish and handcrafted soups and salads — and make sure to leave room for some insanely good pie.

BEACH IT UP

Did you know Lake County is home to black-sand and pink-sand beaches? The sight of the black sand alongside the red cliffs and blue water and sky is unlike anything else in Minnesota. Iona’s Beach, which has pink sand, is also known as Singing Beach — when waves crash onto this section of beach, the rocks sing a song.

SCENIC DRIVES

The North Shore Scenic Drive, also known as Scenic Byway 61, is one of the most scenic drives in America. Discover the unspoiled surroundings of the Lake Superior shoreline and explore the rivers, streams and jagged cliffs along the way.

NIGHTCAP

Complete your trip with a campfire right on the beach. Enjoy some ooey-gooey s’mores and the refreshing breeze off Lake Superior. And if you’re really lucky, maybe the Northern Lights will make an appearance.

Upcoming Events:

RADIO WAVES MUSIC FEST

Sept. 10 2023

LAKE SUPERIOR 20/20 STUDIO & ART TOUR

Sept. 22 2023

ANDY HAUSWORTH LIVE AT LARSMONT COTTAGES

Sept. 29 2023

TED FEYDER LIVE AT LARSMONT COTTAGES

Oct. 14 2023

TWO HARBORS FARMERS MARKET

Every Saturday through October 7th

SCHÖN

Wood Earrings

MARKETPLACE

As the seasons change, so does our gear. Living in the Midwest means that all four seasons are welcomedand it’s necessary to have the right products to experience the shift. Here at Lake and Company we’ve picked some of the best: local goods, carry-all packs and must-have accessories fit for your fall adventures.

NOSASOTA & CO

FROST RIVER

Red Plaid Urban Field Bag

The Red Plaid Urban Field Bag is the perfect look for fall and built to function every day of the year. Interior and exterior pockets help keep you organized and the Frost River lifetime guarantee will keep you covered for all of the adventures ahead.

@frostriver1910

Weekend Getaway Scented Candle

NosaSota & Co’s initiative behind making candles is to spread light and quite literally that is what candles do. The name comes from Pinus resinosa (red, or Norway pine) — Minnesota’s state tree. The maker, Alec, wants to continue spreading light beyond just the light of candles and since giving back has been an integral part of his life, a portion of sales are gifted back to Mother Nature and the community.

@nosasota.co

SCHÖN. A bold line of jewelry equally suited for your active days on the trails, lazy days in the yard, and even those special events! Holding comfort and quality paramount, these timeless and lightweight designs make the perfect gift.

www.schonworks.com

BIRDIEBLUE

The BirdieBlue Carry All

Have you been looking for a “do it all” bag…a bag that fits ski and snowboard gear, organizes your lake/beach day MUST HAVEs and helps you carry all of your farmers market goodies home? Well look no further! Birdie’s newest large shoulder bag has your back for wherever your #birdieblueadventures take you. The repurposed pockets cut directly from old ski pants hold your snacks and the recycled plastic hook makes sure you never lose your keys.

@shopbirdieblue

MATADOR BetaLock

Matador Travel Equipment, the award-winning producer of highperformance travel equipment, has launched its latest cutting-edge product – BetaLock™. A TSA-compliant, carabiner-style lock, the BetaLock is meticulously crafted from forged aircraft-grade aluminum, combining lightweight design with exceptional durability. Whether users are hiking, exploring urban landscapes, or embarking on an overseas adventure, the BetaLock is the perfect companion to keep on-hand for easy attachments, quick bag identification, and to deter grab-and-go theft.

@matadorequipment

ALOHA COLLECTION

Bynder Bag

This do-anything, go-anywhere tote bag will keep your stuff protected against splashes, spills, and weather while you go from point A to point B. Carry it on a flight, take it to the beach, or use it as your diaper bag. Features an expandable zipper top to maximize space on-the-go. For those looking for the best beach bag around, the Day Tripper can’t be beat.

@alohacollection

WOOLLY BEAR KNITS

Wool Knit Hat

Woolly Bear Knits creates cozy, modern knit accessories with ethically-sourced merino and Peruvian wool. Hand knit in Minnesota, our knitwear is both functional and stylish and will inspire you to get out and enjoy nature, no matter how cold the temperature. We believe there’s no bad weather, only bad clothing, and we want to help keep you warm on any adventures that come your way. New this year, we are offering a line of hats knit with merino wool hand-dyed locally in Minneapolis.

@woollybear_knits

SILIPINT

32 oz Straw Tumbler

Introducing the ECO-FRIENDLY 32 oz Silicone Tumbler from Silipint! Perfect for large drinks on the go! Whether it’s a cold smoothie or a piping hot coffee, this unbreakable, super-usable 100% food-grade silicone tumbler will help you stay hydrated wherever you are. Plus, it’s dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe!

@silipint

NORTHMADE CO

Northmade Purple & Gold Collection

Since 2012, Northmade Co. has been designing products inspired by all things Minnesotan. From Up North themes like loons, pontoons and saunas to team-centric designs geared for longsuffering sports fans, Northmade has something for everyone who ever called Minnesota home.

@northmadeco

GREAT LAKES

ecoBREEZE HenleyHeather Charcoal

Our new, impossibly soft fabric makes for the perfect blend of casual style and subtle performance. Designed to effortlessly take you from the city to the lake and everywhere in between. With features like 4-way stretch, quick drying properties and UPF 30+ sun protection, you’re covered for whatever adventure you find yourself on. Plus, they’re made using recycled plastic water bottles so you can feel good about the clothes you’re wearing.

@greatlakesco

Always Bring a Towel®

Nomadix makes multi-purpose gear designed to hang with you through any adventure. Our towels are designed with the highest quality materials to replace your separate towels for boating, camping, yoga, beach, travel and more making it The Only Towel You Need®.

BECKER SUPPLY

FOUNDERS: Jake and Leena Middaugh

MISSION: Quality goods to inspire adventure.

We are the Becker co-founders, Jake and Leena Middaugh, husband/ wife duo, Hoosiers at heart, constant creators and visionaries. We have always been on a mission to find adventure within life. As a couple and family we’ve positioned travel and adventure at the forefront of our relationship. From the day we met, trips were planned nearby in the Midwest and far off in the mountains of Colorado. While our careers as artists, screen printers and shop operators within the decorated apparel industry grew, our desire to melt the worlds of adventure and career did as well. Our ultimate dream adventure in life to be entrepreneurs and full-time adventurers has continued to evolve since we launched Becker in 2019. Through Becker’s mission to create quality goods and inspire adventure, our family is able to live out our adventure-driven dreams while traveling alongside our brand across the country.

In crossing paths with our family, you’d experience our relaxed Midwest attitude and entrepreneurial mentality; we’d swap favorite travel tips and entrepreneurial-spirited life lessons and share our reasons why we love to travel with our family. You’d meet our 2-yearold identical twin girls and get a tour of our overlanding rig.

Campside quick takes with the Middaughs

Our favorite way to enjoy the outdoors:

We love the combination that overlanding allows: we get to drive to different destinations, camp and find hiking trails all while being immersed in the outdoors.

Our most memorable moment with Becker Supply:

Back in the summer of 2019, we set up a booth at the Indiana State Fair, while still working our full-time jobs. We gained a lot of traction. We met the leasing agent at the local fashion mall, who asked us to hold a pop-up for the holiday season. Two months later we built out and ran a full retail store in the mall (as we still worked our full-time jobs) through the 2019 holiday season. This was a pivotal moment for us because it was then that we realized we really could do this thing as full-time jobs.

The most rewarding part of Becker Supply:

The ability to create a business that is truly built for our lives. Within our first two years working full-time in our business, we opened a retail store. But we soon learned that our ability to travel was very limited and that the retail store was not going to be a long-term option for us and our business. We closed the retail store at the end of 2022, and since then we have made precise decisions about the growth and direction of Becker to ensure it fits our lifestyle and long-term goals.

Our roles within Becker Supply:

Just as we’ve been crafting the business to be what we need out of life, we’ve been crafting the roles we play in the business. The basis of our experience was spent in the decorated apparel industry; Jake and I both studied design and are very creatively motivated. At the core of Becker, Jake is the visionary behind the brand and I integrate the ideas and bring them to life.

Advice for someone looking to start a business like Becker Supply:

Just start. You don’t need to make big sweeping life-changing decisions right away. It’s really the little things that bring a vision to life. Figure out what you want to create/sell and then start testing it; building out the system and the marketing can come in time as you get a grasp on selling the product. Plus, once you’ve made smaller moves to bring your vision to life and you’ve seen cash come in, those bigger life-changing decisions are much easier to make.

What’s the biggest inspiration behind Becker Supply?

We may have started this business before we had any children out of a love and desire to travel and be outdoors. However, the kids are a source of constant inspiration and a reason to truly create something that we can be proud of, learn through and travel alongside, allowing us to live a life truly for and controlled by us.

True North Map Company & Boreal

FOUNDER: Jerod Arlich

MISSION (TRUE NORTH MAP): More Than a Map

MISSION (BOREAL): Woodcraft creations inspired by the wilderness

I’m Jerod Arlich, and I started True North Map Company and Boreal Outdoor Supply. I’m a computer nerd by trade, but I am hopelessly obsessed with the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

The BWCA is a protected wilderness. Located in a section of the Superior National Forest, it has been maintained as a pristine, untouched wilderness area. Stretching about a million acres along the Minnesota–Canada border, it holds thousands of lakes and thousands of campsites. Because it is a remote oasis, you travel in, out and through it by canoe or on foot. On these portages between lakes, you carry what you have decided on as essential camping gear. Each portage and trail bring you a different experience. Some of them are very easy, while others make it feel like you’re climbing a mountain — with all of your gear on your back.

When a friend and I got together about five years ago over a shared passion for the Boundary Waters, we decided that there was a better way to make maps. Our adventures in the BWCA had taught us that the gear you bring needs to be rugged, durable and, if possible, multi-use. The only maps available at the time were paper; some had a waterproof coating, but during a rigorous canoe trip, portaging, and loading and unloading heavy packs into the canoe, we found that paper maps were just too fragile and required too much care. On backcountry trips into the BWCA, a map is about the most important piece of gear you bring. There are no directional signs in the park, nothing to tell you where you are or where you need to go, so if your map gets destroyed, you can find yourself in a bad situation.

Having no formal GIS (geographic information system) training, I taught myself how to make maps. I found time in the middle of the night to do this, while rocking my youngest daughter back to sleep.

After hundreds of hours invested, my friend and I finally had our base map of the BWCA and launched True North Map Company. We produce high-quality digitally printed durable cloth maps of the BWCA, Quetico Provincial Park and Voyageurs National Park, and plan to continue to expand to other areas. We work closely with rangers

and outfitters who are experts on each of the areas to ensure they are as accurate and up to date as possible. Our maps can now be found in REI and most of the outfitters up near the BWCA.

But I still wasn’t done. The signs that you see when you enter the wilderness are unique. They’re very meaningful to people who have been up there. I had always wanted to try to make one, but with such a busy life, I never had time to sit down and start it. I had no background in woodworking. Fast-forward to the 2020 pandemic — I bought a wood router, and with nothing else but time, I started to play around with different ideas. Eventually the perfectionist in me won out and I made a replica sign.

It took a long time, much longer than it should. I matched the colors, the shape and the fonts. I made a sign and I posted it to a couple of different BWCA groups, and people seemed to be very excited. They loved it. It took three months, but I made 50 of these signs by hand and I launched a shop called Boreal Outdoor Supply — they sold out within a week and a half.

I used the proceeds to purchase a CNC (computer numerical control) router and I fell in love. It combines my passions of computer nerdery and the Boundary Waters. You have to program the different designs using the bits, the feeds and the speeds. It was this whole new world, this whole new challenge, both technical and creative. I’ve never considered myself a creative person, but this is a form of art, and I poured myself into it.

The mapping background has allowed me to expand my offerings through Boreal, including custom trip signs. Customers will tell me the details of their trip including lakes, rivers and anything else they want to include. I use that to create custom signs they can hang on their wall to remind them of their BWCA trips. This is one of the best parts about Boreal — I get to experience people’s trips with them. If they’ve done a route that I’ve been on, I get to relive not only my trip but also everyone else’s trips, and I get to share in that with them. It is an honor that they bring me in and I get to be part of it with them.

SIT DIFFERENT

Anne Waddell Jewelry

FOUNDER: Anne Waddell

MISSION: Anne is a local jeweler that transforms imperfect, sustainable materials into meaningful and timeless designs to last a lifetime.

Anne Waddell Toohey has always been an artist. From her high school days beading and wire wrapping friendship bracelets to discovering her joy while painting, she’s continued to foster her creativity. She was even voted “Most Likely to Become an Artist,” in school.

Waddell found her calling in jewelry design during her first casting class freshman year at the University of Kansas. When she realized jewelry design meant playing with torches and fire, her whole design world expanded and she was ready to experiment.

In 2018, Waddell was ready to transform her life launching her brand, “Anne Waddell Jewelry.” She wanted her business to amplify the art and connect with customers through jewelry. She constantly draws inspiration from the world around her whether it’s from the highs and the lows of her own life experiences, from her cherished family and friends or from the perfectly imperfect patterns in nature. The collection includes pieces made of sterling silver, gold, precious and semi-precious gemstones, intention and love. Creating jewelry that tells your story and represents your style and aesthetic is Anne’s favorite part of the design process.

After 3 years of working out of her basement bedroom studio, she moved to her first studio/store location in Deephaven, Minnesota. The new location is a perfect blend of jewelry store and studio space, with her workshop in the back and her jewelry on display in the front. Customers get the opportunity to see where all their custom creations are made. Her studio is open by appointment as she’s currently a one-woman operation. She hopes to grow her team in the upcoming year. When Anne is not making jewelry, she is spending time with her husband Tim and two daughters, Caitlin and Charlotte and Dog Bailey.

FIGHT AGAINST BORING

Apparel for MisAdventurists

IT’S TIME TO RELAX

The greatest lake – a great piece of our heritage. Soak up Duluth’s history while watching ships navigate the harbor.

Book Your Fall Getaway at PierBResort.com

STYLE TRENDS

[o] Zach&Grace

DRESS DESIGNERS

TOP: Ines Di Santo

BOTTOM: Julie Vino

RIGHT: Halfpenny London

BY: THE WEDDING GUYS

Twice a year, designers, bridal salons, and influencers from around the world gather for the most anticipated wedding event of the season to preview the latest collections from the best ateliers in the world. Each April and October, New York Fashion Week becomes the epicenter of all things bridal fashion and sets the tone in trends for the coming year. Engaged couples and wedding enthusiasts eagerly await as couture designers like Galia Lahav, Monique Lhuillier, and Ines Di Santo show off their newest creations. These fashion houses bring their A-game and flaunt the most exquisite dresses through fabulous high-energy runway shows and private showings. Designers have thrown all the rules out of the window by blurring the line between bridal and street style more than ever. Brides want to feel like an elevated version of themselves as they transform into a vision on their wedding day.

Last year, we saw an influx of over-the-top fashion with statement sleeves, corset bodices, and cutouts. These trends are amplified this year with even more glitz and glam. Pinterest and TikTok have allowed brides globally to have couture bridal fashion at their fingertips, and nothing is off-limits. Designers are shifting away from their signature looks and showcasing an array of radiant options for every bride. Discerning couples are more prepared than ever to surprise guests with these personalized and astonishing fashion choices. For current trends, expect a range of ideas from sophisticated mock necklines to feminine floral embellishments and a rainbow of fabric colors that go far beyond the conventional white gown.

Bridal fashion has frequently taken cues from the royals, and this first trend is no different. Mock necks are making a comeback as several designers work their individual magic on this regal neckline. The neckline is like a turtleneck but is often looser fitting and sits slightly lower than a high-neck dress. For a modest look, this silhouette can be paired with layers of tulle and applique or take on a contemporary feel with illusion lace for a collar-like effect.

This style is fashion-forward and beautiful for a formal soirée with an A-line skirt and hand-sewn beading. A mock neck is so charming in an Audrey Hepburn-inspired midi gown perfect for a courthouse wedding. If you are looking to dazzle, consider a sequin floor-length fitted gown with detachable gloves sure to catch the eye for a bold look. Mock necks are timelessly romantic.

Another hot design this year is straight out of our garden wedding dreams. Floral-adorned frocks have been rising in popularity and this whimsical look is having a movement. The internet exploded after Sophia Bush’s wedding photos were released in the summer of 2022. We couldn’t take our eyes off her custom botanical Monique Lhuillier gown, and neither could the bridal community. Suddenly, everyone was craving more blooms in fashion.

Flowers are enchanting in many forms and extend beyond classic embellishments. Think alluring prints and dimensional multicolored layers of floral. This trend makes its way down the aisle with airy chiffon textures and printed spring wildflowers. A luscious ball gown becomes a vision with a corset bodice and a rainbow of dyed 3D flowers. While there are plenty of ways to incorporate this trend, you can also opt for understated floral hints by accessorizing with tulle opera gloves.

As the latest collections were introduced by bridal designers from around the world, we couldn’t help but notice pops of blush, pastel blue, onyx, and even shimmering gold. This is perfect for the creative bride that wants to embrace the unconventional and go beyond a classic white gown. Colored bridal gowns have always been incorporated into collections but go above and beyond this year seamlessly blending evening wear with bridal.

One of the most exciting things about this trend is that these colors come in all forms. For a spring celebration, consider a billowing blue ball gown with oversized white flowers printed throughout the skirt. For a full dramatic effect, a sultry black bodysuit and overskirt will have everyone’s jaws on the floor. Go for a flirty pretty-in-pink A-line with layers of mauve and blush for a sense of playfulness at an outdoor ceremony.

These ideas are just a few of the endless ways that you can create a bridal ensemble. Regardless of the trends, we suggest letting your individual style and personality shine through. Infuse elements that speak to you and you’re sure to feel and look extraordinary.

For more inspiration, visit TheWeddingGuys.com

WEDDING TIMELINE

12+ MONTHS 8-10 MONTHS 6-8 MONTHS 4-6 MONTHS 3 MONTHS 2 MONTHS

□ Create a budget and establish your priorities – where do you want to splurge/save?

□ Create an inspiration board and identify your style and color palette

□ Start planning a guest list – you’ll need that head count!

□ Choose a wedding date (keep a few options in mind and check with family and closest friends and your venue)

□ Select your ceremony and reception sites

□ Optional: Have an engagement party

□ Feeling overwhelmed? Consider hiring a wedding planner.

□ Ask friends and relatives to be in your wedding party

□ Select and order your wedding gown (if applicable)

□ Research your vendors: officiant, caterer, entertainment, photographer, videographer, florist, stationer (invitations, place cards, etc.), rental companies (chairs, tables, tent – if needed). Get details and contracts in writing!

□ Arrange accommodations and transportation for out-of-town guests, if needed

□ Make final selections and book your preferred vendors

□ Have engagement photos taken

□ Register for gifts

□ Select and order attendant dresses (if applicable)

□ Send save-the-date announcements

□ Research and book honeymoon (don’t forget to renew your passport!)

□ Finalize guest list, compile current addresses

□ Schedule tasting with caterer and finalize menu

□ Order invitations

□ Order wedding rings

□ Order guest favors

□ Attend prewedding counseling, if required

□ Book a rehearsal dinner location

□ Book rehearsal dinner vendors – entertainment, caterer, groom’s cake

□ Select and order/ rent wedding party's attire

□ Order wedding cake

□ Hire your wedding day transportation

□ Attend your bridal shower (host will determine actual date)

□ Mail your invitations

□ Write your vows

□ Choose ceremony readings and music

□ Begin wedding attire fittings and alterations

□ Touch base with all vendors to confirm dates, details and deposits. If they have special requirements for setup, send these to your venue.

□ Purchase gifts for parents, attendants and each other

□ Purchase guest book, toasting flutes, cake servers, unity candle and any other accessories

□ Book hair and makeup artists and schedule a trial run

Notes

1

MONTH 2-3 WEEKS

□ Apply for marriage license

□ Have final wedding attire fitting

□ Confirm attendants have their attire and alterations are complete

□ Create your ceremony program

□ Send rehearsal dinner invitations

1 WEEK 2-3 DAYS DAY BEFORE

□ Review RSVP list; call any guests who have not responded

□ Send photographer and videographer your must-have shots

□ Send your song list to your DJ or band leader. Include all special dances, schedule of speeches and your song requests/donot-play list.

□ Get your hair cut and colored

□ Attend bachelor/ bachelorette parties

□ Give reception venue/caterer final guest count

□ Plan reception seating chart

□ Print place cards and table number cards

□ Create a vendor list with contact information. Give copies to your ceremony and reception site managers, as well as your person of honor or personal attendant.

□ Male celebrant(s) gets his hair cut

□ Have bridal gown (if applicable) pressed or steamed, if necessary

□ Pick up groom and attendants' attire, if applicable

□ Determine wedding party positions and order of processional and recessional

□ Give place cards, table cards, menus, favors and any other items for table settings to the catering manager

□ Reconfirm arrival times and final details with all vendors – give a copy of the details to your person of honor

□ Write checks for any balances due

□ Enjoy a mani/pedi

□ Rehearse ceremony. Include wedding party, readers, immediate family and officiant.

□ Bring ceremony accessories to the site: unity candle, aisle runner, yarmulkes

□ Bring reception accessories to the site: décor, place cards, table number cards, guest book, cake server, favors

□ Attend and enjoy the rehearsal dinner!

□ Get your beauty sleep

□ Give gifts to parents, wedding party and each other

□ Give wedding bands to person of honor to hold during ceremony

□ Give person of honor the officiant’s fee envelope to be given after ceremony

□ Relax and enjoy!

FROM A SPARK GREW GREAT LOVE

Celebrate your marriage in the timeless elegance of Clyde’s event venues. Spaces created to dazzle and fit your style, catering that features wood-fired flavors, a new on-site brewery with unique flights, and an experienced event staff help to ignite a day to be remembered forever.

TO TOUR OUR VENUES, EMAIL EVENTS@CLYDEIRONWORKS.COM

Let'sSocialGet

Our goal at Lake Bride Magazine is to showcase the beauty and talent in the bridal industry. We want to share the best inspiration, fashion, weddings and planning advice.

Follow along for exclusive contests, trends, behind-the-scenes and more:

@lakebridemagazine

Submit a wedding, engagement or styled shoot to potentially be featured: lakebridemagazine.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS (TOP TO BOTTOM)

Kendra Lauck Photography @kendralauck

Jennifer Maren Photography @jennifermarenphotography

Alexandra Robyn Photo + Design @alexandrarobynphoto

Anna Marum Photography @annamarumphotography

INSPIRATION SHOOT BY LAKE BRIDE MAGAZINE

The Getaway was styled to inspire the joy and excitement that couples feel on their wedding day. This glorious styled shoot was bought to life with an incredible team of creatives at the picturesque location, The GetAway, in Brainerd Lakes Area (B.L.A.).

The models were styled to perfection with an eye-catching suit, stunning wedding gowns, beautifully designed jewelry, with hair and makeup that was natural and whimsical.

Bringing vision to life

Whatever your big ideas are, from the smallest inspiration to the most grandiose of dreams, choose a location and vendors who will help you see it through. Get creative, honor your details and let the professionals lead you.

Tip! Repurpose your altar arrangement from the ceremony for the bar, lounge, and head table! This will ultimately cut down on costs and waste.

Idyllic Gatheing Space

Whether it’s a bachelor/bachelorette party, a family reunion, a corporate gathering, a breathtaking outdoor wedding or simply a private weekend away, guests are sure to be equally impressed and entertained with this stunning rental. An ideal venue for any gathering; unmatched scenery, flawless property features and one-of-a-kind experiences make for unforgettable memories.

BRIDAL GOWN SHOP Emily Kaye Bridal Boutique | DÉCOR AND STYLING Party Time Rental Inc. | VENUE The GetAway/ Book the B.L.A. | FOOD AND BEVERAGE MN Traders Co

PHOTOGRAPHER Sarah Heath Photography | FLORAL Petals and Beans - Handcrafted Floral | HAIR AND MAKE-UP The Glamour Ranch

Sarah Heath Photography

Modern, romantic, authentic, and luxurious. Located in Brainerd, and open for travel for destination weddings, elopements, and couples adventure shoots. Oh and don’t forget boudoir!

@sarahheathphoto

612-834-6901

The Glamour Ranch

Petals and Beans - Handcrafted Floral

From one-of-a kind bridal bouquets, coordinating wedding party blooms, ceremony and receptions flower designs. We offer a full design service including delivery, set up, take down, vase rental, and some décor rentals. Whatever your vision, we will help bring it to life.

petalsbeans@brainerd.net | 218-961-7385

Party Time Rental Inc.

From wedding canopies to tables and chairs for rent, Party Time Rental takes pride in being your total rental resource for all special events in and around the Brainerd Lakes area. We can provide tables and chairs, bounce houses, canopies and endless other party equipment to make your wedding, reunion, birthday party, corporate event or any gathering a truly fun and memorable celebration.

rent@partytimerentalmn.com

218-829-6300

At The Glamour Ranch, we are all about creating memorable luxury beauty experiences for your special day, while also enhancing your natural beauty. Our intimate team of professionally trained artisans are passionate about creating elegant, timeless, true to you transformations that will compliment your bridal vision and also enhance what makes you uniquely you! We offer both makeup + hair artistry, are based in the Central Minnesota Market, and are always up for an adventure. We would love the opportunity to make your day perfect, and pamper you and your bridal crew! Reach out via the contact form on our website today to learn about all that we offer! Can’t wait to help you tie the knot!

TheGlamourRanch@gmail.com | 320-428-4656

MN Traders Co

We believe in the power of coming together – whether it’s over a perfectly crafted latte, a shared bottle of wine, an intimate event or a brainstorming session in our openair co-working spaces. We are focused on local, curated, intentional experiences and high quality offerings in food/beverage and beyond. We are immersed in our local community and are honored by the support of those far and near.

info@mntradersco.com | mntradersco.com | 218-568-1071

The GetAway/ Book the B.L.A.

Full service vacation rentals in the Brainerd Lakes Area + beyond. Exceptional properties. Curated experiences. Lifelong memories.

david@bookthebla.com | 218-760-9176

Located in Nisswa, Minnesota, Emily Kaye Bridal Boutique helps you find your perfect look for your wedding day. From bridal gown shopping, to tuxedo rental and alterations inhouse it will be your one-stop shop to feel beautiful on your big day.

*Dress is by designer Rachel Rose

info.emilykayebridal@gmail.com 218-330-7687

Emily Kaye Bridal Boutique

How to: Make your wedding unique to you

Where did you two first meet?

tip: consider getting married here

Where was your first date?

tip: host your rehearsal dinner at the same restaurant

What did you eat during your first date?

tip: re-create this meal for your wedding menu

You’re at the grocery store and on a whim you decide to get your fiancé/fiancée a surprise treat – what would the treat be?

tip: assemble a welcome box for your out-of-town guests and include this treat inside

What is your favorite cocktail? What is your fiancé's/fiancée's favorite cocktail?

tip: make these your signature craft cocktails for social hour

What is your favorite late-night snack?

tip: have it brought in for a late-night snack at your reception

What is your favorite thing to do together?

tip: consider basing your engagement photo shoot around this activity

What is your favorite band?

tip: choose one of their songs as your first dance! Think outside the box – not all first dances have to be “traditional.”

What is your favorite food?

tip: build your wedding menu around this

Do you have a favorite hot sauce or condiment that you put on everything?

tip: put a bottle at each table for your guests to enjoy

What is one of your favorite vacation memories?

tip: incorporate a taste of that into your reception

Did you and your fiancé/fiancée write love letters to each other?

tip: pull from those letters and write your own vows or have excerpts included in your programs

Do you and your fiancé/fiancée have a catchphrase or funny thing you say to each other all the time?

tip: include it on custom cocktail napkins that you can use during cocktail hour and at your cake table

Do you and your fiancé/fiancée travel together?

tip: instead of using numbers, think about naming the tables after places you’ve traveled to together or that have special meaning to you

What are your favorite sweet treats?

tip: eat dessert first! It’s your wedding – you can do what you want!

Do you and your fiancé/fiancée have a pet?

tip: include your furry friend in your big day, at least in some photos!

Who is a friend or family member who has had a big impact on your relationship?

tip: ask them to officiate your wedding

Adventure Elopements

Why Planning a Two-Day Elopement Is So Awesome

By NARROWLEAF PHOTOGRAPHY

Elopements are intimate, intentional and freakin’ EPIC! They are absolutely NOT about running away from family and eloping in a shameful or selfish way. Quite the opposite, actually.

Often elopements have guests too! They are just smaller, more intimate celebrations that bring a wedding day back to simply you and your partner celebrating a commitment to each other in a way that 100% reflects YOUR relationship. It is a celebration of two people, versus two people hosting a ballroom full of guests.

We love when couples plan an epic two-day elopement experience, and we’re here to tell you why you should too!

You can fully immerse yourself in the experience. When you choose to plan a two-day elopement, you have a much better chance of fully experiencing the place you are eloping in. If you have a long list of things you want to do and places you want to see on your wedding day, traveling from place to place takes time, whether you are on foot or in a vehicle. Not to mention that if you want really epic photographic images to go with your truly badass day, you are going to want to plan all your “important stuff” (i.e., ceremony, portraits of the couple, favorite activities) for either sunrise or sunset, to take advantage of the best light. While I can easily photograph at any time of the day and produce high-quality images, there really is no comparison to good-quality lighting — it sets the mood of an image. If it’s a super-clear sunrise with huge rays backlighting you, the images will feel warm, romantic and bright. So having two days to plan around can make doing all the things in the best lighting much more plausible without having to literally get up before the sun rises and end your coverage after the sun sets.

You get to have a totally chill experience, with ample time to slow down, soak it all in and truly enjoy your day. Plus do all the cool stuff you wanna do! Trust me, you are going to want to give yourselves time to process and feel every moment instead of cramming all the things into one huge itinerary — I mean, a major benefit of eloping is that you don’t have to stress or follow a specific timeline, right? Breaking it all up over two days is the perfect solution.

You have an easy badweather backup plan.

Anyone who plans an outdoor event knows one of the biggest questions is “What will we do if it rains or storms and we can’t safely be outdoors?” If the original plan was holding the ceremony on day one and the climbing adventure on day two, and there is a safety warning for day one, we can flipflop them and do the ceremony on day two, with day one being the adventure, and then switch gears to either indoor climbing instead or something completely different, like a stormy sightseeing adventure.

You

don’t have

to compromise on adventure.

Say you want to have some family and friends support you while you say your vows to each other. Maybe you need something easily accessible for your grandparents, but you also really want to hike somewhere secluded with a 360-degree view of mountains. Oh, and you really want to kayak in your wedding clothes on an alpine lake. This is all absolutely possible! You can do day one with your family in a beautiful setting that’s accessible to everyone. Then day two is all about the two of you on your first big adventure as a married couple! There’s no need to give up the adventure when you have two days.

You get to choose your adventure.

What if you are having no guests? What do you do then? Now the true adventure planning begins. You could do a full two-day glacier trek/climbing adventure with a guide, camping out on the ice. Or a two-day backpacking adventure somewhere deep in the wilderness to a spot that feels completely yours. Or even day one is your wedding celebration and day two is your honeymoon adventure! The possibilities are truly endless.

Inspiration for planning your next elopement adventure

Wisconsin

Hiking

Backpacking

Kayaking

Canoeing

Paddle boarding

Pack rafting

Whitewater rafting

Climbing

Ice climbing

Glacier trekking

Snowshoeing

Skiing

Snowboarding

Hot-air ballooning

Heli hike + tour

Jeep, ATV, UTV tour

Biking

Check Colorado

Camping

Bonfire

Hot springs

Sightseeing

Cliff jumping

Swimming

Fishing

Train

Chair lift

Boat excursion

Hammock hang

Stargazing

Horseback riding

Picnicking

When you’re planning engagement photos, deciding what kind of images you want can feel overwhelming. I encourage you to find a photographer who is genuine about wanting to capture you. The real you, not just the posed version.

Meet my clients Connor and Sydney. I’ve known Sydney for a long time, and she exudes fun. She’s always up for an adventure, goes along with crazy ideas and laughs the whole time she does it.

Every three months, I offer a limited number of adventure sessions, and Sydney and Connor got this one. They chose it because they felt it exhibited part of their relationship and who they are. I love capturing the kinds of images that make you stop and stare, that make you want to go do the thing you’re seeing in the picture. I especially love shooting in and around water. There’s something so whimsical, fun and timeless about it.

XO, Anna Marum Photography

A shared Love of Nature

One of our favorite parts of our wedding day was the five minutes our photographer left us alone in the middle of the woods to enjoy a moment with each other in nature. This is because exploring nature together has been the heartbeat of our relationship from the beginning. Robb and I met less than a month before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We spent the first year of our relationship checking out state parks in Minnesota and bonding over our shared love of nature — mostly because we love that kind of thing, but partially because there was nothing else we could do!

Our first date was a winter hike at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, so it only felt right that Robb proposed on a crisp fall day at another state park — Savanna Portage. This is what inspired our table assignment paintings. Each painting/table was based on a state park we had explored together during our relationship. It was important to us that our closest family and friends could

enjoy those personal touches on our wedding day. We wanted to provide our guests with a unique wedding favor, so Robb compiled a list of our all-time favorite hikes, along with short descriptions. I can’t wait to hear what our family and friends think of these beautiful places we have recommended!

Our dog, Diggity, has happily joined us on all of our outdoor adventures, so it only felt right that she would be our flower girl. She was on her best behavior during our ceremony and even joined us during our grand entrance into our reception! She was also featured on top of the charming coconut wedding cake my mom lovingly baked from scratch. Robb’s favorite toys as a child were Playmobils, so my mom and I surprised him with doppelganger cake toppers! I painted some distinctive details on the figurines so that they mirrored us on our big day.

My engagement and wedding ring is a gold band cast from a dainty twig. To me, it symbolizes the simplicity and inherent beauty of

VENUE the

nature — which was the foundation of our love for each other. Robb and I chose to have our reception at Camp Fire Minnesota, a place where he had many fond memories as a child. This sweet camp is tucked into the woods on a beautiful lake, and it embodies the vibe we dreamed of — warm and welcoming. Our loved ones walked the winding paths and enjoyed exploring the woods around the main lodge in the afternoon sunlight. Tall stone fireplaces, cheerful hanging lights and cozy little cabins surrounded our guests on the gorgeous autumn evening.

Our hand-painted invitations and wedding program: I have always loved watercolor painting, so when Robb and I visited our venue for the first time, the adorable little camper cabins sparked an idea! I thought it would be fun to paint one

on our wedding invitations so that our guests could get a feel for the rustic and earthy atmosphere they would experience on our wedding day. It took several attempts, but the final product is something I am really proud of and enjoyed creating. I want other brides to follow their creative compass and put their own spin on wedding day details, whether it be their signage, invitations, program or favors. Your guests will appreciate the personal touches and your wedding will be one to remember!

The process of painting and handwriting our wedding program was one of my favorite aspects of planning our wedding. I chose to paint a picture of our fuzzy four-legged flower girl, Diggity, on the bottom of the program. It was so much fun making it exactly how I had envisioned it!

PHOTOGRAPHY Devin Hill (Super Cooper Media) | VENUE Camp Fire Minnesota |

CAMPER PHOTO BOOTH Northerly Photo Booth | DRESS Flutter Bridal Co. HAIR Joy Beauty Company | MAKEUP Bree Weller (Pre’mo Salon, St. Paul) & Miranda Jo Simmons | FLORIST A Gift to Gab | COUPLE Maria & Robb Papas

a love story

PIPER BEN &

Ben and Piper are the modern love story. They meet on Hinge in 2019 and through a series of intense family events on both sides ended up quarantining together. The more time they spent together, the more in love they fell. It was a whirlwind of adventure and chaos from the jump — graduate school for Ben, launched two businesses as a team and continue to expand them, moved across the country to start making wine in Oregon. Through all the trials and tribulations that come with big life changes, they grew more and more in love, finding balance and strength through their relationship. They saw that adversity only made them more committed and more in love.

What was the moment you knew you loved him/her?

Piper: I fell in love with him over and over. But the day I knew he was the one was on our first bike ride a few months into us hanging out. We ended up riding farther and longer than I had ever ridden because we were enjoying each other’s company. The time flew by!

Ben: It was literally the first time I saw her at a bar in Park City, Utah. I will remember every detail of that night for the rest of my life.

How did you know he/she was the one for you?

Piper: When he decided to fully quarantine away from his friends and family at the beginning of the pandemic to be with my family when my family was going through some health issues. He was willing to do whatever it took to be there for me and support me.

Ben: I knew right away, but it was solidified when she cared for me after I broke my leg in a gnarly mountain-biking accident early in our relationship. She dropped everything to care for me!

What is your best marriage advice that you’ve learned or received so far?

Piper: “Always celebrate each other and never forget the feeling on the day of your wedding.”

Ben: “Say I love you every day!”

Please describe any special traditions incorporated into the wedding.

Piper arrived at the wedding in a 1925 Goodhew Hawkins 33-foot laker wooden boat that was built on the shores of, and lived in the Walgreen family camp on, Lake Winnipesaukee. When it joined the Underbrink family, it was renamed Genevieve after my late grandmother. It was a tribute to Grandma Pauline for the bride to ride in her namesake boat with her father to the wedding. And the dock was the aisle!

Please describe any other special touches, details or decor of interest?

The reception/dinner was held in the family boathouse surrounded by antique restored boats from various decades. The band that played was originally founded by Piper’s mother in 1984 in Minneapolis and she sang the bride and groom’s first dance song, as well as the song for the father/daughter dance.

What was your favorite wedding day memory?

Piper: I think the best part for me was twofold: 1. The vows and, honestly, the entire ceremony. The boat ride, the dress, seeing my husband and hearing the vows all finished with a horn band playing songs from the hilltop by the lake. It was surreal to have my favorite people in my favorite place! Also, having my mother sing my father/daughter dance song was a memory I will cherish forever.

Ben: For me it was seeing Piper come up on the boat and hearing everyone cheer for her.

What did you learn from planning your wedding?

Piper: That everyone will have fun no matter what. I also learned after the wedding that taking special care with the seating chart really makes a difference. People were so thankful for sitting next to new people that they had things in common with. It was so fun to see new friendships grow!

Ben: That you can really pack a lot into a short weekend; we are capable of more than we thought.

What is your best advice for other brides and grooms who are planning their weddings?

Get a killer wedding planner. It is worth everything to have someone who is the point person. They are the best for organizing and communicating with all the vendors, as well as managing people on the day. This is critical so that the bride and groom can enjoy and focus on each other. Kendra Johnson was instrumental in creating the best experience and transforming a garage into a wedding fairytale land. Plus, they are experts in not only management but also the ins and outs of things you tend to forget. For example, tipping (how much, when, etc.), flow of the event, timing and the small tasks (gifting, outfit changes, etc.). They also know everyone in their area. If you choose to get married somewhere you don’t live, they can meet with all the vendors and make sure they understand the assignment and have access to the venue. ♡

BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNER Dana Harel | BRIDAL GOWN SHOP LOHO Bride | DÉCOR AND STYLING Collected & Co. Rentals | VENUE Private Residence | INVITATIONS Selkie Stationery

PHOTOGRAPHER Sarah Heath Photography | FLORAL Sadie’s Couture Floral | HAIR Haley at The North Salon | MENSWEAR Hall Madden tux | BAND Bobby Vandell’s TC Jammers CEREMONY MUSICIAN The Jazz Authority | CAKE/DESSERT U.G.L.Y. Cheesecake Co. | RENTALS Après Event and Tent

: Chuck Duddingston

Love woods in the

Victor is truly my perfect complement because he’s very grounded — very practical and caring, whereas I’m totally a head-in-the-clouds-dreamer sort of person. I lift him up and he keeps my feet on the ground. Even our “how we met” story rings true to our personalities.

I had just quit my engineering job and moved up to Birchwood Wilderness Camp, which my family had owned since 1968, to figure out my next move in life. Summer camp was in session, and I was just about to go to bed one night, when I noticed a giant wolf spider on the wall of my cabin. Now, I’m not the sort of person to kill a spider, but I also was a little nervous about ushering the furry creature outside.

What’s a girl to do? I marched down to the staff lounge to see if anyone would help me. And what do you know, Victor Pilon jumped to his feet and came back to my cabin with that grounded and confident energy I love so much! He grabbed a stick and asked if I had a book or piece of paper he could use. I said, “What the heck are you gonna do with a stick and paper? Don’t you need a jar?”

He taught me that wolf spiders freeze up if you can tip them on their back. He used the stick to flip the spider on the paper and, wouldn’t you know it, that spider was frozen on his back! No chance of an escape into my laundry basket. All Victor had to do was escort him outside and set him on his feet.

With a smile, I thanked him for his bravery and educational spider lesson as he tripped down my stairs, then walked back up them to apologize for falling down my stairs. What a cutie. We fell head over heels for each other that fall in the Boundary Waters.

Now, three years later, we’re married and we own Birchwood Wilderness Camp with my father, Dan. Victor and I live there year-round in our tiny cabin. He still removes the wolf spiders for me.

From very early on in our relationship, Victor and I had planned on running off to the woods to get married, just us two and the necessary people to perform the ceremony. Place is very important to me and I couldn’t imagine any place where I’d want to have a ceremony, beyond an elopement situation. That’s how I felt up until we built the yoga deck here at Birchwood. We knew from the moment we started building that it would be a very special place, and shortly after we finished construction it snapped into focus — this was THE place! And so we started making plans for a very small ceremony in our favorite boreal forest where we met, on the structure we had built together, beside the river we both knew was home. And that’s how the rest of the wedding planning went — we just allowed it to fall into place in its own time. No force, just finesse.

The dress I ordered, never having tried it on or seeing it in person, but knowing that it was the one. The menu was a creation by my beautiful and talented friend Jaclyn on a hike with our dogs. The decor was lovingly gathered in thrift shops by my mother-in-law, Pam. Our beautiful photographer, Emily Theisen, had elected herself as soon as Victor and I got engaged. Invitations were

crafted in the form of one-on-one conversations. Both my wedding band and Victor’s were made using the gold and diamonds from the bands my father gave my mother many years ago. She passed away in 2013 and was deeply missed on this particular day that we used to dream about together when I was a girl. This was my way to honor her not just on that day but every day after. And then when the day came, our favorite people gathered in the remote wilderness to help us prepare the space with the most loving intentions, support us as we exchanged vows, and celebrate with us into the night and through brunch the next morning.

Our officiant, Sebastian (we know him by his camp nickname, Nemo), is a really special friend who has known us since the beginning. Sebastian has been traveling from Colombia to be a counselor at Birchwood for many summers. He has known us individually and together, but most importantly he shares our love for Birchwood, making him perfect for the job. He even threw our camp nicknames, Stryde and Penny, into his speech once or twice. Now that Nemo is ordained, he insists we change his nickname to “Padre Nemo.”

PHOTOGRAPHY Emily Theisen of Lite Creatives | CINEMATOGRAPHY Colin Gregory of Sinclair Collective | VENUE Birchwood Wilderness Camp BRIDAL GOWN SHOP Bridal Accents Couture | BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNER Justin Alexander BRIDAL ACCESSORIES Veil by Noon on the Moon, Pearl bracelet by Coach, Shoes by Blundstone | RINGS Britta Kauppila FOOD Poplar Haus — Custom menu by head chef Jaclyn Rae Von | CAKE/DESSERT Jaclyn Rae Von | BRUNCH Gunflint Lodge DECOR Pam Pilon, mother of the groom | ACCOMMODATIONS Birchwood Wilderness Camp, Voyageur Canoe Outfitters, Gunflint Lodge

something old, something new something borrowed, something

blue

Personally, one of the most special details of the day was one that wasn’t on my radar at all. It was the 10 minutes right before the ceremony as my girlfriends helped me button up my dress and clasp my bracelet. They asked me if I had something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. As if rehearsed, I pulled the old white handkerchief dotted with blue embroidery out of the pocket in my gown — something old and something blue, check and check! The bracelet that Elle had just clasped around my wrist was my something new, check … oh no, I had forgotten something borrowed. As if on cue, Heather handed me her necklace. I held it in my hand, running my finger over the letters spelling out her daughter’s name, Piper, in bold letters. She said to put it in my other pocket and use it as my something borrowed. I’m sure she doesn’t realize how sentimental I found that to be, but it felt like 15 years of friendship had wrapped itself in one moment, supporting me on a very big day.

vows the

I take you as you are, loving who you are.

I promise from this day forward to be grateful for our love and our life;

To be generous with my time, my energy and my affection;

To be patient with you and with myself;

To fill our life with adventure and our home with laughter;

To inspire you to grow as an individual;

To love you completely.

These things I pledge to you.

memories the

The memory I’ll hold onto forever is a feeling as much as it is a visual memory. It’s the feeling of being surrounded by people I love, both those there in person and those in spirit, in the place I love most, hand in hand with Victor as he vowed to always bring adventure into our lives and laughter into our home. I have never been so overwhelmed and humbled by the quality of love engulfing our lives together.

honeymoon the

Victor and I went on a two-week Italian honeymoon with a little time spent in Paris as well. We visited Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Portofino, Genoa and Milan. Of all the places we visited, it comes as no surprise that we most loved the rugged little villages of Cinque Terre. These quiet seaside towns swept us off our feet with their pistachio gelato, renowned white wine, delicious seafood pasta and breathtaking views of the Ligurian Sea. We spent our evenings slow-dancing in the moonlight on our seaside balcony, mornings sipping cappuccinos in the town square, and days soaking in the sun and sea. ♡

TAMMY AARON & a

love story

Tammy: “Aaron and I met in math class at North Dakota State University our freshman year in 2008. We started dating shortly after New Year’s in 2009. We cheered for the Bison at football games, ran a couple of half marathons together and helped each other navigate undergrad. Just prior to our senior year of college, we went our separate ways when I moved to Minneapolis for an internship and Aaron stayed in Fargo, pursuing pharmacy school.

“About three years laters, we met up again in spring 2014 after I finished physician assistant school and moved back to Minnesota. When we got back together, I knew he was the one. We spent two years in a long-distance relationship between Duluth and Stillwater prior to moving across the country to Portland, Maine, in 2016. Our love grew over cooking at ‘Aaron’s Place’ (the nickname of our unofficial in-home underground restaurant), hiking in the Appalachian Mountains and sailing in Casco Bay of Maine. It was fitting for our wedding to be set on a hiking trail on the shore of Lake Superior when we spent so much time chasing sunsets on the beaches in Maine.”

Tammy and Aaron had always wanted a small outdoor wedding, so the restrictions set in place due to COVID-19 weren’t really issues to them at all.

PHOTOGRAPHY Kellie Rae Studio | CINEMATOGRAPHY Jasper Meddock Productions | VENUE The Mayhew Inn | FLOWERS Afloral | BRIDAL GOWN SHOP BHLDN BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNER Jenny by Jenny Yoo | BRIDE’S EARRINGS JR Designs LLC | GROOM’S ATTIRE Suitsupply | RINGS Continental Diamond

FOOD James and Christy Marshall of Double D’s Catering | LIQUOR Cold River vodka (wild blueberry vodka from Portland, Maine); wine (Total Wine); local MN beer

RENTALS Trailer from McDowall Company, St. Cloud, MN | INVITATIONS Botanical Paperworks | BAND/DJ Bump, local Grand Marais musician | ACCOMMODATIONS The Mayhew Inn

Tammy: “Lake Superior and the beauty of northern Minnesota is always so enchanting and beautiful. We have traveled there to ski and camp many times, and we scoped out a part of Lake Superior on the Superior Hiking Trail that was perfect for our ceremony and family time on the beach.

“Part of my vows included just some of the reasons I love, and will continue to love, Aaron:

You bring me joy and put a smile on my face when I wake up in the morning.

You make me laugh with your witty jokes. You almost never say no to my many, many ideas. You aren’t afraid to set out on an adventure with me. You support me on my never-ending, always-changing journey to achieve my goals.

You sit with me and listen when I’m having a bad day. You show me kindness, compassion and respect. I am home when I’m with you.

“I truly am at home when I’m with Aaron, and the comfort he brings me is calming.”

When planning their wedding at a relatively remote location, they knew they were going to have to think outside the box to get it done. Luckily for them, that’s something Tammy and Aaron have been doing for their entire relationship.

Aaron: “One of the things that make our relationship and wedding so special for me is Tammy’s relentless pursuit

of doing things our way. I included a line in my vows that said, ‘We have never been a fan of manufactured happiness, or manufactured love, and we get to do things our way, sampling little intricacies of life along the way.’ The concept here is that we don’t need other people to tell us how to feel or how we’re supposed to express our love together. We don’t need a Disney fairy tale, rom-com, Instagram version of love. We do things on our own terms.”

Tammy: “There were many elements of our day that we did ourselves, or had family contribute. We had homemade beer and cider, family musicians, trivia, homemade açaí bowls, repurposed windows for signs, handmade benches and arbor. We had dried flower arrangements that I created and that now decorate our home.”

Keeping things simple allowed them to focus on spending time with the people who mattered most to them, in a place that held special meaning to them.

Aaron: “We have our own way of trying things that fit for us, and that is why so many details of our wedding were DIY. Obviously, we had to accommodate our unique setting that forced us to think outside the box. But it was also an opportunity to focus on what was really important to our day. Sometimes it is easy to be lost in meaningless details that ultimately can be a source of stress. We eliminated much of those ‘that’s just what you do’ tasks, thereby removing stress, mistakes and frustrations. For me, this is one resounding feature of our relationship, our wedding, and something that makes our day so special.” ♡

WHITNEY HEIDI & a

love story

Heidi: “I grew up in a small town in westcentral Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities for college. I had been accepted as a walk-on on the Gopher softball team, and after a few years of playing, I had the pleasure of meeting Whitney when she joined our team before my senior year. We met late summer of 2009 when I was hanging at my teammate’s apartment. We were waiting for the arrival of the ‘new transfer’ who would be living with them for the year. I will never forget the first day we met; I knew there was something special about her, even before we met, because her name on the ‘new players’ list always stuck out to me. It was definitely a sign.”

Whitney: “We immediately clicked — on and off the field — and I found myself always wanting to be around her. The more time we spent together, the more I started to realize my feelings were more than just friends. By the end of that first semester, I knew I wanted to date her. She was kind, compassionate, funny and athletic, and shared similar interests as me — and I could tell

that our values and morals aligned, which was important to me. We spent a lot of time together that semester — and I vividly remember her driving me to the airport to go home to California for Christmas break. I was hoping she’d FINALLY make a move and just kiss me already … she didn’t. I told her she was a chicken — she told me I could have made the first move. But we went on to spend all Christmas break talking to each other, and by the end of the next semester, we were officially dating. Heidi hates this, but I practically forced her to properly ask me out. She was so cute and actually planned a date for us and ‘officially’ asked me out on May 16, 2010.

“I’d like to say the rest is history, but life changes when you get out of college. After I finished graduate school in May 2011, I accepted a job with PepsiCo and had to move to Southern California. By this time, I was already in love with her, so it was excruciating to move across the country and be apart. We tried long distance for 10 months and it really took a toll on me. I knew I couldn’t leave California at that time if I wanted to continue building my career, but it was also creating a lot of tension in our relationship. I knew something had to change. I didn’t want

to make Heidi choose between me and her life in Minnesota, so as much as I didn’t want to, I told her we should break up.”

Heidi: “This is the moment I knew I absolutely loved her and I was going to do whatever it took to keep us going. I quit my job, got another job set up in California, packed my tiny car and drove 30 hours across the country to be with her and save what we had created. She was my person and I could not let distance destroy what we had.”

Whitney: “For the next four or so years, she took different jobs in Southern California and Chicago to support me in building my career. I was in a rotational program where I had to move based on where the opportunities were for the first four to five years, so we had agreed that once I finished that program, I’d do what I could to move us back to Minnesota so she could pursue her lifelong dream of going to nursing school. Thankfully, in 2015, that happened: I secured a job in Minnesota that allowed me to move us back and support her.

“Throughout the years, Heidi and I have been able to experience so many incredible things together:

We’ve traveled the world together (and can’t wait to continue doing so, hopefully soon!). We’ve purchased our first and second homes together We’ve navigated cross-country moves, new degrees and several job changes. We’ve celebrated big moments — and we’ve been there for each other in times of sorrow. We’ve grown our family by adding our two dogs, Fozzie and Fletcher. We’ve made new friends and experienced the loss of old friends

“But through all of these life events, one thing has remained consistent — and that’s that Heidi and I remain a team. We don’t always agree — we fight just like the next couple — but we love each other deeply and we genuinely want to support each other’s dreams. To this day, seeing Heidi graduate with her nursing degree is one of my happiest moments — because it was a moment where she achieved a dream, and I got to support her in that endeavor and be a part of her journey.”

whitney + heidi

PHOTOGRAPHY Emily Theisen of Lite Creatives | MINI RECEPTION VENUE Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery

FLORIST MinneSola Designs | WHITNEY’S DRESS BHLDN | HEIDI’S SUIT Indochino | RINGS Brilliant Earth | CAKE/DESSERT Dorothy Ann Bakery HAIR SM Hair & Makeup (Megan) | MAKEUP SM Hair & Makeup (Sarah) | BUS Renee’s Limousines

After nearly 10 years together, Heidi asked Whitney to marry her and their wedding planning commenced.

Whitney: “I’ll never forget our wedding this past year — it was not what we planned, but it ended up being exactly what we needed.”

Heidi: “We originally had planned for a wedding at a local venue in Minnesota, but when the pandemic hit and we realized a lot of our family, including Whitney’s parents, would not be able to travel in, we opted to postpone our full wedding and reception to 2021. Because we had already planned to get married on 10/10/20, we pivoted to plan a small wedding with a few of our close friends and some of our bridal party who were local. 2020 was our 10th year together, so we loved the concept of getting married on 10/10 during our 10th year together!”

They hosted their small wedding in the beautiful scenic backyard of their new home, hand-making their wedding arch and many other décor elements.

Heidi: “It was a beautiful ceremony led by our good friend Justin. The weather was absolutely perfect (I mean, who doesn’t want 70s and sunny with no wind on their wedding day?). After our ceremony, we had a light lunch and then took our small group to a local winery/ brewery. We had dinner and drinks there, and just hung out outside for the rest of the evening. At the end of the night, we all took the transportation back to our house (rocked out to music the whole way back), and hung out at our house for the rest of the night.

“Considering we finalized the entire day just two weeks before our wedding, we are still amazed with how perfectly it turned out. It was intimate and special — and we were elated to share in the moment at that time. Especially after all the stress of replanning and adjusting, it felt great to just relax and enjoy each other in the company of some of our closest friends.” ♡

whitney + heidi

CRAFTED cocktail

BY TATTERSALL DISTILLING

Beer and wine are fine, but if you want to take your reception to the next level, it’s all about the signature craft cocktail. At Tattersall, we’ve developed a wide range of wedding cocktails with flavor and flair your guests won’t forget. And with a little planning, they won’t break the bank. Here are a few tips to get you started.

THE PERFECT PAIR

Choose two drinks, one for you and one for your groom or bride. That way, you can showcase your unique styles and give your guests options.

IT'S ALL IN A NAME

Get creative with the drink names or stick with the originals. Pro tip: either way, make a sign that lists the ingredients so your guests know what to expect.

SHOWCASE THE SEASON

Have at least one option that reflects the temp — think refreshing in summer, warmer in winter. And adding a seasonal ingredient or garnish always goes a long way.

THE FUN PART: TASTE TESTING

Here are two of our go-to wedding drinks that work well together or on their own. They can also be batched ahead of time to make it easier on the bartenders at your reception.

OLD FASHIONED

2 oz. Tattersall Rye

1/4 oz. Tattersall Sour Cherry

1/4 oz. Tattersall Orange Crema

1/4 oz. Simple Syrup (or Maple Syrup)

4 dashes Angostura Bitters

Stir all ingredients with ice until well chilled. Strain into a lowball over fresh ice. Garnish with an expressed orange peel.

FRENCH QUARTER

2 oz. Tattersall Gin

1/2 oz. Tattersall Crème de Fleur

1/2 oz. Lemon Juice - Strained

1/2 oz. Simple Syrup

2 oz. Chilled Sparkling Wine

Shake all ingredients, except sparkling wine, with ice. Strain into a coupe glass. Top with sparkling wine right before it’s served. Garnish with a lemon twist.

CHEERS!

Here’s to making your best day even better with all-natural cocktails you and your guests will love.

Note: To make a larger batch ahead of time, add ¼ oz. of water to the list of ingredients above (to account for dilution from shaking or stirring) and then convert ounces to cups or gallons. Chill the larger batch ahead of time and pour directly over ice.

A STYLED SHOOT WITH LAKE BRIDE MAGAZINE + ODESSEY RESORTS

Crashing waves, black sand and ziplines were the scene of the day. The inspiration of this styled shoot was drawn from the adventure you’re about to embark on as a couple, and keeping the fun on your big day. The simple styling, mixed with accessories that make this couple unique, paired perfectly to experience the North Shore on a sunny day.

[o] Judd Sather

Grand Superior Lodge, Two Harbors MN. Grand Superior Lodge is the perfect all-season vacation destination on the North Shore.

Larsmont Cottages

Where Water and Land Meet the Horizon. If you’re looking for peace and tranquility or a launch pad for North Shore adventures but not your typical hotel — our cottages on Lake Superior are a place to celebrate the immense beauty and scale of our planet’s greatest lake. odysseyresorts.com/larsmont-cottages | (866) 687-5634

Grand Superior Lodge

Refresh, relax, restore, reconnect: at our classic Lake Superior lodge hotel. This prime lakefront resort offering log homes, lodge rooms, and lakeside suites is the perfect all-season getaway destination for couples to large groups. And with its grand, authentic log structure hugging the North Shore, this is where “Classic Northern Minnesota” meets modern conveniences. odysseyresorts.com/grand-superior

(800) 627-9565

Judd Sather Photography

Judd Sather Photography has twenty years of creative photography experience! Judd’s professional and laid back nature provides the perfect balance you need to feel comfortable and confident in your memory capturing journey.

651.342.1476 | studiojphoto.com

Just Cuz Beauty Boutique

Our mission at Just Cuz is to provide you, our guest, an unforgettable experience. From the moment you arrive our passion and dedication to every detail will be undeniable. We are committed to providing you excellent service by always enhancing techniques through continuing education as well as valuing our client’s feedback as a tool to better serve our salon community. We provide beauty services to enhance your natural beauty both inside and out, both on and off location. With the stressors of everyday life, family, and work we will be your place of relaxation, friendship, and beauty. Book your appointment today with Baily Sorenson, who styled our bride at the North Shore photoshoot!

justcuzbeauty.com

651-342-0537

North Shore Adventure Park

Activities for all ages on Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior. Bond with family, friends, or co-workers at the North Shore Adventure Park! Explore the high ropes courses and ziplines, or test your skills at axe throwing!

northshoreadventurepark.com

| 218-220-5330

RESOURCE GUIDE VOL

VENUE

Pier B Resort Duluth, MN 218.481.8888 pierbresort.com

Little Lazy Lodge Boy River, MN 218.355.0083 | 720.849-9131 Hello@LittleLazyLodge.com www.littlelazylodge.com

The GetAway/Book the BLA Brainerd Lakes, MN david@bookthebla.com +1 218.760.9176 www.bookthebla.com

Spirit Mountain Duluth, MN 800.642.6377 spiritmt.com

Camp Fire Minnesota Excelsior, MN 612.235.7284 info@campfiremn.org

Clyde Ironworks Duluth, MN 218.727.1150 clydeironworks.com events@clydeironworks.com

Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes Baxter, MN 218.963.5184 arrowwoodbrainerdlodge.com

Blackwoods Event Center Duluth, MN 218.724.0000 banquets@blackwoods.com blackwoodseventcenter.com

Clyde Iron Works Duluth, MN 218.727.1150 events@clydeironworks.com clydeironworks.com

Gardenwood Resort & Motel

Duluth, MN 218.525.5064 info@gardenwoodresort.com gardenwoodresort.com

Giants Ridge Biwabik, MN 218.865.3012 specialevents@giantsridge.com giantsridge.com

Glensheen Mansion Duluth, MN glensheen.org glensheen.org/venue-rentals/weddings-receptions/ Greysolon Ballroom Duluth, MN 218.722.7466 ballroom@blackwoods.com greysolonballroom.com

Gunflint Lodge Grand Marais, MN 800.328.3325 info@gunflint.com gunflint.com

Hotel Rapids Grand Rapids, MN 218.326.3458 hotelrapids.com

JX Venue Stillwater, MN 651.342.0176 one23events.com/jx-venue.html

Machine Shop Minneapolis, MN 612.940.9647 info@machineshopmpls.com machineshopmpls.com

Mayowood Stone Barn Rochester, MN 507.281.2276 info@mayowoodstonebarn.com mayowoodstonebarn.com

Quarterdeck Resort Nisswa, MN 218.963.2482 quarterdeckresort.com

Solar Arts by Chowgirls Minneapolis, MN 612.203.0786 bethany@chowgirls.net http://solararts.chowgirls.net

Tanadoona - Campfire MN 952.474.8085 info@campfiremn.org campfiremn.org/host/weddings

The Loft at 132 Sun Prairie, WI 608.235.9506 hello@theloftat132.com theloftat132.com

The Loft at Studio J Stillwater, MN 651.342.2416 one23events.com/the-loft.html

The Hotel Landing Wayzata, MN 952.777.7900 thehotellanding.com

The Hutton House Medicine Lake, MN 952.470.0788 hello@thehuttonhousemn.com thehuttonhousemn.com

The Wilderness Wedding Barn Bigfork, MN 218.743.3458

wildernessweddingbarn@gmail.com wildernessweddingbarn.com

Thumper Pond Ottertail, MN 218.367.2000 thumperpond.com

Walker Art Center Minneapolis, MN 612.253.3408 events@walkerart.org walkerart.org

CATERING

MN Traders Co Pequot Lakes, MN 218.568.1071

info@mntradersco.com Mntradersco.com

Chowgirls Killer Catering Minneapolis, MN 612-203-0786

info@chowgirls.net www.chowgirls.net

Green Scene Walker, MN 218.547.2880

walkergreenscene.com

The Piggy BBQ Walker, MN 218.547.6465 www.thepiggybbqofwalker.com

Black Woods Catering Duluth, MN 218.724.0000 blackwoodscatering.com

Deco Catering Minneapolis, MN 612.623.4477 info@decocatering.com decocatering.com

Duluth Grill Duluth, MN 218.726.1150 info@duluthgrill.com duluthgrill.com

Log Home Wood Fired Pizza McGregor, MN 218.591.1881 wedding@northwoodspizza.com northwoodspizza.com

Midcoast Catering Co. Duluth, MN 218.464.1856 kelsey@midcoastcatering.com midcoastcatering.com

OMC Smokehouse Duluth, MN 218.606.1611 info@omcsmokehouse.com

Surdyk’s Catering Minneapolis, MN 612.331.3938 catering@surdyks.com surdykscatering.com

The Copper Hen Minneapolis, MN 612.872.2221 info@copperhenkitchen.com copperhenkitchen.com

LIQUOR

FreePour WI Twin Cities, MN + Western, WI 715.781.9145 jinman@freepourwi.com

Haskell’s 800.486.2434 info@haskells.com www.haskells.com

SWEETS

Amy's Cupcake Shoppe Hopkins, MN 952.479.7516 amy@amyscupcakeshoppe.com amyscupcakeshoppe.com

Farina Baking Company Excelsior, MN 651.253.7126 info@farinabakingcompany.com farinabakingcompany.com

Glam Doll Donuts Minneapolis, MN 612.223.8071 info@glamdolldonuts.com glamdolldonuts.com

Mojo Monkey St. Paul, MN 651.224.0142 lisa@mojomonkey.biz mojomonkey.biz

SIFT Gluten Free Minneapolis, MN 612.503.5300 siftglutenfree.com

Snazzy Cakes Duluth, MN 218.343.3385 snazzycakesedibleart.com

PLANNERS + DESIGNERS

Stellaluna Events Michigan 269.501.8266 hello@stellalunaevents.com stellalunaevents.com

Events by Melody Savage, MN 952.388.3622 info@eventsbymelodymn.com eventsbymelodymn.com

Lace & Brass Events Bayfield, WI 715.600.1822 hello@laceandbrassevents.com laceandbrassevents.com

Lasting Impressions Weddings Minneapolis, MN 612.245.4791 lastingimpressionsweddings.com

Northland Special Events Duluth, MN 218.499.9449 info@northlandspecialevents.com northlandspecialevents.com

Pink Peony Events Minneapolis, MN 612.314.5027 hello@pinkpeonyeventsmn.com pinkpeonyeventsmn.com

The White Brick Company Grand Rapids, MN 218.244.1868 thewhitebrickcompany@gmail.com thewhitebrickcompany.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Narrowleaf Adventure Photography Wisconsin - & everywhere! narrowleafphotography.com 651.300.2463

Sarah Heath Photography Brainerd Lakes, MN & worldwide! 612.834.6901 www.sarahheathphotography.com

Amber Nicole Photography Minneapolis, MN ambernicolephotography.com

Jessica Holleque St. Paul, MN

jessicaholleque@lightandlovestories.com jessicaholleque.com

Kelly Sweet Photography Grand Rapids, MI 616.822.1754

kelly@kellysweet.com kellysweet.com

Rachel Traxler Photography racheltraxlerphotography@gmail.com racheltraxler.com

Ali Hormann Photography Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN ali@alihormann.com alihormann.com

Alyssa Pearl Photography Minneapolis, MN 612.978.2427 alyssapearlphotography@gmail.com alyssapearlphotography.com

Alyssa Smolen Photography Twin Cities, MN hello@alyssasmolen.com alyssasmolen.com

America Roe Phoography Minneapolis, MN 201.949.0710 americaroephotography@gmail.com americaroephotography.com

Bailey Aro Photography Duluth, MN 218.206.8332 info@baileyaro.com baileyaro.com

Comfort and Cashmere Images Duluth, MN 218.491.3424 info@comfortandcashmere.com comfortandcashmere.com

Duluth Boudoir Photography Duluth, MN 218.499.8226 jessica@madchickenstudios.com duluthboudoirphotography.com

Ester Knowlen Photography Maplewood, MN 651.235.9468 esterknowlen@gmail.com esterknowlen.com

Gina Zeidler St. Paul, MN 612.424.1515 gina@ginazeidler.com ginazeidler.com

Joe and Jen Photo Minneapolis, MN 414.690.9188 joeandjenphoto@gmail.com joeandjenphoto.com

Kellie Rae Studio Duluth, MN hello@kellieraestudio.com kellieraestudio.com

RESOURCE GUIDE VOL 6

PHOTOGRAPHY

Krista Reynolds Photography Elko, MN 612.840.3941 krista@kristareynolds.com kristareynolds.com

Kimberly Williams Photography Albertville, MN 763.458.9808 kim@kimberlywilliamsphotography.com kimberlywilliamsphotography.com

LaCoursiere & Co. Duluth, MN 218.461.0229 info@lacoursierephoto.com lacoursierephoto.com

Lauren Baker Photography Minneapolis, MN 952.412.6465 info@laurenbakerphoto.com laurenbakerphoto.com

Less Traveled Photography - Dan Pugleasa Duluth, MN 515.290.6786 Dpugle@gmail.com lesstraveledphotography.com

Meagan Elling Photography Duluth, MN hello@meaganelling.com meaganelling.com

North Shore Photo Company - Hosanna Termat Northern MN northshorephotoco.com

Photogen Inc. Minneapolis, MN 651.494.2257 eliesa@photogen-inc.com photogen-inc.com

Poly Mendes Photography Minneapolis, MN poly@polymendesphotography.com polymendes.com

Xsperience Photography Little Falls, MN 320.493.1738 trisha@xsperiencephotography.com thexsperience.com

CINEMATOGRAPHY

One Fine Day Productions Middleton, WI 608.358.1815 amy@onefinedayproductions.com onefinedayproductions.com

Caroline Hunt St. Paul, MN 651.261.2273 caroline@carolinehuntfilms.com carolinehuntfilms.com

Mere Cinema Duluth, MN 218.260.4196 merecinema.com

Story of Us Films Minneapolis, MN 612.567.8679 contact@storyofusfilms.com storyofusfilms.com

STATIONERY

Meredith Jane Designs Minneapolis, MN 218.259.0765 hello@meredithjanedesigns.com meredithjanedesigns.com

Champagne Press Stillwater, MN julie@champagnepress.com champagnepress.com

Epitome Papers Excelsior, MN 952.777.3620 epitomepapers.com

Printerette Press Minneapolis, MN 612.568.6841 printerettepress.com

Rosann Konieczny Golden Valley, MN 763.221.4584

rosann@rosannkcalligrapher.com rosannkcalligrapher.com

FASHION

Emily Kaye Bridal Boutique Nisswa, MN 218-330-7687 info.emilykayebridal@gmail.com

a&bé bridal shop Minneapolis, MN 612.238.1300 aandbebridalshop.com Che Bella

Minneapolis, MN 612.486.5720 chebella.com

Men’s Wearhouse menswearhouse.com

Annika Bridal Edina, MN 952.303.6801 info@annikabridal.com annikabridal.com

Arthur’s Formal Wear Duluth, MN 218.727.5233 arthursformalwear.com

Atmosfere Minneapolis, MN 612.333.1843 atmosfereweddings@gmail.com facebook.com/Atmosfere

Bella Bridesmaids Minneapolis, MN 952.474.5086 minneapolis@bellabridesmaids.com bellabridesmaids.com

Bella Rose Bridal Duluth, MN 218.464.5282 bell@bellarosebridalmn.com bellarosebridalmn.com

Bridal Aisle Osseo, MN 763.220.2319 info@bridalaislemn.com bridalaislemn.com

Christian Lane Bridal Hermantown, MN 218.727.8990

christianlanebridal@gmail.com christianlanebridal.com

Effie's Bridal Trunk Burnsville, MN 952.892.7699 info@effiesbridaltrunk.com efffiesbridaltrunk.com

Heimie's Haberdashery St. Paul, MN 651.224.2354 heimiesadmin@heimies.com heimies.com

Mainstream Fashion Duluth, MN 218.723.1970 mainstreamduluth.com

Martin Patrick 3 Minneapolis, MN 612.746.5329 info@martinpatrick3.com martinpatrick3.com

Our Shop Bridal Woodbury, MN 651.351.1087 ourshopmn@gmail.com ourshopbridal.com

Sew by Design Lori Leslie St. Michael, MN 763.497.0874

The White Room Minneapolis, MN 612.361.7175 hello@thewhiteroommpls.com thewhiteroommpls.com

BEAUTY

The Glamour Ranch Alexandria Lakes Area www.TheGlamourRanch.com 320.428.4656 TheGlamourRanch@gmail.com

Salon Brad Grand Rapids, MN salonbrad.com

Adae Salon Fargo, MN adaesalon.com

Center Spa Grand Rapids, MN 218.259.8955 centerspa-mn.com

Glam Beauty Bar Plainview, MN facebook.com/pg/glamplainview

Hair Cult Salon St. Louis Park, MN 952.417.6697 info@haircultinc.com www.haircultinc.com

Insparation Salon Albertville, MN 763.497.5054 Aarica@insparationsalon.com insparationsalon.com

Language of Hair Duluth, MN 218.728.5111 languageofhair@mac.com languageofhair.net

LHN Beauty Minnesota info@lhnbeauty.com lhnbeauty.com

Moxy Hair Studio Nisswa, MN 218.961.1015 moxyhairstudio@outlook.com moxyhairstudionisswa.com

Nu Luxe Salon Cloquet, MN 218.878.1941 nuluxesalon@gmail.com nuluxesalon.com

One Fine Day Hair Savage, MN onefinedayhairstudio.com Pearl Nails and Spa Duluth, MN 218.464.5217

Pixie Salon Minneapolis, MN 612.259.7331 info@pixiesalonmpls.com pixiesalonmpls.com

Primped MN Minneapolis, MN 612.470.7767 information@primpedmn.com primpedmn.com

Sola Salons Twin Cities and Rochester, MN solasalonstudios.com

Warpaint International Beauty Minneapolis, MN team@warpaintinternational.com warpaintinternational.com

JEWELRY

Alexis Russell 716.445.6618 info@alexisrussell.com alexisrussell.com

Britta Lynn Kauppila Metalsmith Duluth, MN brittalynndesign.com

Continental Diamond Minneapolis, MN 952.593.5602 continentaldiamond.com

CRAVE by Carli Rae Vergamini Duluth, MN hello@cravebycrv.com cravebycrv.com

EverGreene Jewelers Minnetonka, MN 952.473.7655 info@evergreenejewelers.com evergreenejewelers.com Riddles Jewelry Multiple Locations 800.741.7609 riddlesjewelry.com

Security Jewelers Duluth Duluth, MN 218.722.6633 info@securityjewelers.com securityjewelers.com

Sweet Juniper Designs by Alison Minnetonka, MN etsy.com/shop/SweetJuniperDesigns

Wedding Day Diamonds 866-740-RING weddingdaydiamonds.com

White Bear Jewelers White Bear Lake, MN 651.429.6822 whitebearjewelers.com

FLORAL

Petals and Beans – Handcrafted Floral Nisswa, MN 218.961.7385 www.petalsbeans.com petalsbeans@brainerd.net

Apple Blossom Flowers St. Paul, MN 651.699.4532 dawn@appleblossom-flowers.com appleblossom-flowers.com

Ashley Fox Designs Minneapolis, MN 952.393.4080 info@ashleyfoxdesigns.com ashleyfoxdesigns.com

Blue Iris Grand Rapids, MN 218.325.1300 blueirisetc.com

Fox & Fern Floral Rochester, MN 507.405.0901 bloom@foxandfernfloral.com foxandfernfloral.com

Hadley Road St. Louis Park, MN 612.518.1080 hadley.road@yahoo.com hadleyroad.com

KD Floral Bemidji, MN 218.444.7673 kdfloral@paulbunyan.net kdfloral.com

Lake Harriet Florist Minneapolis, MN 612.259.8211 lakeharrietflorist.com

Saffron & Grey Duluth, MN 218.728.1455 designteam@saffronandgrey.com saffronandgrey.com

Sister Honey Floral Co. Minneapolis, MN sisterhoneyfloralco.gmail.com sisterhoneyfloralco.com

Superior Blooms Duluth, MN 218.499.9449 info@northlandspecialevents.com northlandspecialevents.com/fleurtation-by-nse

RESOURCE GUIDE VOL 6

DÉCOR + RENTALS

Party Time Rental Inc. Brainerd, MN 218.829.6300 rent@partytimerentalmn.com www.partytimerentalmn.com

A La Crate Rentals Monona, WI 608.669.2541 alacraterentals.com

307 Events Traverse City, MI 231.486.5307 sales@307events.com 307events.com

Apres Party & Tent Rental Minneapolis, MN 952.942.3399 info@apresparty.com apresparty.com

Collected Rentals Minneapolis, MN 847.732.1997 hello@collectedandcompany.com collectedandcompany.com

Corner Balloon Shoppe Minneapolis, MN 612.377.4011 kristin@cornerballoonshoppe.com cornerballoonshoppe.com

Dos Goats Plans Minneapolis, MN 763.639.8366 hello@dosgoatsplans.com dosgoatsplans.com

Duluth Balloon Company Duluth, MN 218.720.4476 order@duluthballooncompany.com duluthballooncompany.com

Duluth Event Lighting Duluth, MN 218.343.1754 info@dulutheventlighting.com dulutheventlighting.com

Essen Events Minneapolis, MN 612.564.8175 hello@essen-events.com essen-events.com

Festivities Minnetonka, MN 763.682.4846 events@festivitiesmn.com festivitiesmn.com

Holo-Walls Ships Worldwide 818.735.3565 info@holowalls.com holowalls.com

Lefty’s Tent and Party Rental Bovey, MN 218.245.1387 rentatentandparty.com

London Road Rental Duluth, MN 218.728.2940 londonroadrental.com

Majestic Tents Rochester, MN 507.876.1127

Northland Special Events Duluth, MN 218.499.9449 info@northlandspecialevents.com northlandspecialevents.com

Party Time Rental Brainerd, MN 218.829.6300 rent@partytimerentalmn.com partytimerentalmn.com

Phos Events Minneapolis, MN 763.972.6113 info@phosevents.com phosevents.com

GOODS + GIFTS

Faribault Woolen Mills Faribault, MN 507.412.5534 info@faribaultmill.com faribaultmill.com

The Lake and Company Grand Rapids Stillwater & Crosby, MN Steamboat Springs, CO 218.999.9609 shop@thelakeandco.com thelakeandcompany.com

The Velvet Raptor St. Paul, MN sales@velvetraptor.com velvetraptor.com

TRAVEL + TRANSPORTATION

The Joyride Bus Northern MN 720.849.9131 megan@bemediahouse.com

Stays & Plays Travel Agency Minneapolis, MN 507.206.8821 staysandplays.com

Renee's Limousines Minneapolis, MN 763.551.1919 reneeslimousines.com

Rochester Trolley & Tour Co Rochester, MN 507.421.0573 rochestermntours.com

The Hitching Company Minneapolis, MN 612.338.7777 info@thehitchingcompany.com thehitchingcompany.com

ENTERTAINMENT

Pro Sound and Light Show Duluth, MN 218.722.1355 info@pro-1.com pro-1.com

Instant Request Bloomington, MN 952.934.6110 events@www.instantrequest.com instantrequest.com

Time Into Pixels Minneapolis, MN 612.564.8468 info@timeintopixels.com timeintopixels.com

Wedding Day DJs Rochester, MN 507.273.5542 weddingdaydjs@live.com weddingdaydjs.com

Wicklund Productions Grand Rapids, MN 218.301.0243 sandra@wicklundproductions.com wicklundproductions.com

ACCOMODATIONS

Chase on the Lake Walker, MN 218.547.7777 chaseonthelake.com

The Hewing Hotel Minneapolis, MN 651.468.0400 hewinghotel.com

• Creating a timeline to send to your wedding party?

• Ensuring you have meals for your weddingday vendors?

• Making sure someone gets your gifts to your room at the end of the night?

• Getting a pretty hanger to use for your dress for photos (if applicable)?

• Getting your bus or limo driver’s direct phone number and not just the dispatch number?

• Getting babysitters for your friends with kids?

• Pre-portioning your tips and final payments out into labeled envelopes for easy distribution on your wedding day?

• Sending your DJ or band a 'Do Not Play' list for those songs you just can’t stand?

• Putting together a small amenities kit for the bathrooms?

• Bringing your engagement ring in to your jeweler to be cleaned before your wedding so it is at its sparkly best for photos (if applicable)?

• Leaving your itinerary with the hotel’s frontdesk staff so they can be prepared to answer guests’ questions?

• Rubbing the soles of your new shoes with sand paper to make sure they aren’t slippery on the dance floor?

• Getting a case of bottled water and some snacks for your attendants between photos and the ceremony?

• Having a portable steamer to steam out any wrinkles in your dress or your wedding party's dresses (if applicable)?

• Packing up an emergency kit full of things to solve those last-minute mini-emergencies?

• Making sure one of your attendants knows how to bustle your dress so they aren’t scrambling to figure it out the day of?

Have youthought of?

• Giving your phone to someone to take photos and videos for you?

• Packing a pair of backup shoes in case your killer high heels become too unbearable?

• Asking your hair and makeup artists for a touch-up kit before they leave?

• Appointing someone to be in charge of making sure things are wrapped up at the end of the night?

FIGHT AGAINST BORING

Apparel for MisAdventurists