Lake and Company - Minnesota Issue 21 by Lake and Company

ISSUE 21

MINNESOTA

Discover

LAKE SUPERIOR'S WONDERS Artist Debut

WILD HORSES Explore

GOOD LIFE

VOYAGEURS ICE ROADS

The

Dive into inspirational stories, must-see winter events and tips for health and wellness.

CELEBRATE THE UNKNOWN, AND THOSE BOLD ENOUGH TO EXPLORE IT

PRINT + ONLINE

greyduckoutdoor.com

We are different by design.

, n w o n k un e h t e t a r b e l Ce d those bold enough an explore it to 4

LAKE AND COMPANY

Photo by @invisiblepower @thelakeandcompany thelakeandcompany.com

All of us at Lake and Company, both the magazine and the shop, are passionately committed to celebrating the very best of lake culture and inspiring our communities to get out and explore the unknown.

LAKE AND COMPANY

LE T T E R F ROM T HE E DI TOR

EMBRACING WINTER

THE GOOD LIFE

Must-See Winter Events Throughout Duluth

We’re all humans living a shared experience. But where we differ is how we choose to live our life. During this introspective year, we wanted to ask people throughout the community what living a good life means to them. And their stories are real life, not the aspirational life that can sometimes clutter our minds and social feeds. Issue 21 is a tribute to life well lived. Our contributors share their authentic selves and bring unique perspectives about their journey that will hopefully resonate with our audience. Dive into stories about aspiring artists who are giving up everything to follow the music, a family that has reconnected by embracing nature as their playground, or a man who lives each day with a sense of wonder and who calms himself by thinking about his sacred North Shore before getting his blood pressure checked.

14 SAUNA TIMES Untangling the Wires

A SENSE OF WONDER Discovering Lake Superior’s Wonders

Lake and Company is all about telling stories of everyday people as well as celebrating adventure and exposing our readers to amazing products. We know that adventure awaits even in singledigit temps, and we’ve created guides and stories to help solo adventurers and families alike explore the best that a Minnesota winter has to offer. For us, 2021 has been a year filled with hope, expansion and true dedication to what our company was founded on. We hope Issue 21 will inspire you to adventure more, to dig deeper and to spread kindness while you do it. We encourage you all to live your version of the good life and always remember that your story is important and worthy of sharing. Go explore!

Maria Hileman

MOVING MOUNTAINS Lake and Company’s Journey for National Expansion

HIT THE SLOPES

WILD HORSES

Adventure at Spirit Mountain

Musicians Taking the Road Less Traveled

VOYAGEURS ICE ROAD An Unforgettable Way to Explore Minnesota’s Only National Park

For the People From the People

38 LAKE EFFECT

Brewing Up the Perfect Lake Blend

10 FRESH START

A Family Reconnects with Each Other and Nature

Want to see your favorite hot spot or most- traveled trail featured? Send us your photos, stories and ideas to: hello@thelakeandcompany.com

LAKE AND COMPANY

PUBLISHER + OWNER

Megan Kellin

VP OF RETAIL + CO-FOUNDER

Kelly Kabotoff

You live your story, we tell it.

EDITOR + DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS

Maria Hileman

be.Media is a full-service strategic marketing and production company.

COPY EDITOR + PROOFREADER

SERVICES Brand Identity Graphic Design Video + Animation Website Design Strategy Social Media Photography Publishing SEO/SEM

CREATIVE DIRECTOR DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR

Meg Heaton Jon Kreye Anne Kelley Conklin

COVER IMAGE

Nole Stay

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Jon Kreye

PROJECT MANAGER CONTRIBUTORS

EDITORIAL + BUSINESS OFFICE ADVERTISE STOCKIST SUBSCRIPTIONS

Jennifer Gorman Glenn Auerbach, Whitney Bartholmy, Amanda Barta, Jed LaPlant, Ariana LaPlant, Andrew Gough, Bob Thacker, Cheryl Fosdick, Alex Eder 10 NW 3rd St. Grand Rapids, MN 55744 For a media kit, email: hello@thelakeandcompany.com To sell in your retail store, email hello@thelakeandcompany.com thelakeandcompany.com (subscribe) hello@thelakeandcompany.com

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STOC EA ECO M

KIST

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2021 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 — 8

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FRESH

START

With the Help of Nature, A Family Reconnects with Each Other By AMANDA BARTA

LAKE AND COMPANY

never expected that our first few years of marriage and parenting would be so draining. Yet there we were, two ships passing in the night, connecting only during a brief pause to reheat coffee. At that time my husband, Toffer, was working 100 hours a week and I was managing everything inside the walls of what appeared to be our white-picketfence home in the suburbs of Chicago. From the outside, it looked like we had it all. But on the inside, we were longing for more. For more time, space, a chance to pause, to breathe, to reconnect. Amidst the monotony of busy everyday life, we managed to squeeze in our annual trip to the North Shore. During our trip, a serendipitous connection led to my husband finding a job opportunity in Duluth. And after a lot of boxes packed and tears shed, we left Illinois in a desperate attempt to buy back our time. We were trading money for time. If only we knew how well that time would pay off. Moving to a new place was challenging; luckily there’s no shortage of stunning scenery and enchanting wilderness here in Minnesota to contemplate what you want your life to look like. Our new journey needed some direction, though. We grabbed a state park sticker and found help in a few books to get us started: Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail by Andrew Slade and Minnesota State Parks by Anne Arthur. We started adventuring little by little, making it a point to find a new state park or section of a hiking trail each time. Somewhere in between the hikes around the upper falls in Gooseberry and along the beaches of Split Rock we started becoming familiar with this new place, at the same time discovering a new love for the outdoors. Fast-forward four years, after a lot of miles hiked and a whole lot of warm gear purchased, we are now a self-proclaimed wild and free family of six that actually enjoys taking long hikes in the woods. Nature has allowed me to reconnect with this space, my husband, my kids and myself. In our time outdoors I have

walked alongside my kids barefoot on the rough rocks of the lakeshore. I have quietly contemplated life with my husband. I have heard and felt the laughter of my kids as they chased after a wave and soaked their clothes, and it has filled my soul. We have had time to delight in the beauty right in front of us. I’ll be honest, hiking with kids is not always sunshine and butterflies. But on those adventures when it all seems to fall apart is when we learn and grow the most. We learn to be patient and gentle with one another. We learn that sometimes you just have to grin and bear it and that challenges build character. The woods have called us home. It is where we live, learn and play. Now nestled on a plot of land among our neighbor’s cattle farm, we are slowly beginning to cultivate an atmosphere of homesteading. Most days you can find us barefoot in the garden, collecting eggs from our brood of chickens or chasing our herd of goats away from my herbs! We left behind the fastpaced life for slow days and hard work in the garden. With the hopes of keeping the harvest and taking small steps to sustain our family and connect with the earth in a whole new way. Around here, all of my kids are required to tend to the farm chores. Caring for our animals is just another way my kids have learned a greater sense of responsibility. Looking back six years, I was wearing

high heels and working in a salon and now I’m in overalls milking goats at 5 a.m. It’s these little changes that have grounded me and brought new joys. After rediscovering each other and this place, we were fortunate enough to create a group of like-minded homeschool families who want to reconnect kids with nature. Now, with the help of a lot of brave mamas, we have the privilege of getting together weekly to explore nature. Most days we are out for five to six hours. Moms laden with kids on their backs and their fronts, bursting at the seams with water and snacks. Kids hiking, climbing, splashing, fort-building, storytelling and making childhood magic. I have watched my kids climb tall trees and become braver, jump boldly across rocks on a river and build balance. And with each climb and leap, I grow in my willingness to let them take risks. They delight in flowers, bugs, birds and sticks. My kids find beauty in much simpler things than when I was a child. The woods and the water, they drew us in. Whispered to us in the wind, washed us over with their waves and breathed life back into our lungs. We were led to a new path. Week after week we went back and slowly put together the pieces of ourselves we didn’t know were missing and a new part of our story that just keeps getting sweeter.

Wild & Free Infant/Toddler Beanie $24

“I HAVE HEARD AND FELT THE LAUGHTER OF MY KIDS AS THEY CHASED AFTER A WAVE AND SOAKED THEIR CLOTHES, AND IT HAS FILLED MY SOUL. THEL AKEANDCOMPANY.COM

LAKE AND COMPANY

be represented #1 full-service real estate office

#1 Coldwell Banker® office

$84 million

in greater Minnesota in units sold 2

in total volume in 2020

2nd only to Edina in all of Minnesota

in Itasca County year after year 1

top 15%

over 400 transactions

Selling properties for

13.3% higher

in North America and

top 33%

in 2020

than the national average 3

worldwide in production among all Coldwell Banker offices 2

(218) 326-3455 | coldwellbankernorthwoods.com | 812 Pokegama Ave S, Grand Rapids MN 55744 1

140036 _ NORTHWOODS REALTY

Based on sales volume data published by the Itasca County Board of Realtors

Based on 2020 Coldwell Banker statistical data

LAKE AND COMPANY

National Association of REALTORS® 2020 Average Sale Price: $331,600

UNTANGLING the WIRES Finding Clarity Through Sauna By GLENN AUERBACH

ight outside that sauna door, we know there is a lot going on: “I’ve got to do this, that and the other thing, but I just can’t seem to sort it all out.” After a couple more minutes of this, water gets tossed on the sauna rocks. For many, recognition is a huge step. Some avoid what’s bothering them or can’t even isolate it. Not us sauna lovers. We spend 10 minutes or so in the hot room and are not distracted. We can lose the anxiety that often comes with brushing up against what’s making us anxious. What’s better, after a nice long session in the hot room, we reappear in the outside world hot, but not bothered. Once we dive into a cold lake or take an icecold shower, our new lack of distraction turns into euphoric endorphin calmness. Standing outside, after a few minutes of vacation from our problems, there’s no better time to contemplate. What was once a tangled mess of wires now starts to define itself. During contemplation, we understand that we are imperfect, that the things bogging us down are most likely external nonsense. We chuckle at triviality and can bear down on the creative. The pores of our skin are flushed by the cold water. A fresh breeze in the garden, all misty with rain, brings our body core temperature down, slowly. More minutes of wonderful casual thought.

LAKE AND COMPANY

STANDING OUTSIDE, AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF VACATION FROM OUR PROBLEMS: THERE’S NO BETTER TIME TO CONTEMPLATE.”

A return to the hot room brings an opportunity for deeper contemplation. A heavy dose of water on the sauna rocks brings forth a massive wave of hot steam (löyly), further opening the pores of the skin and the mind. We smile. Even chuckle. The world outside is indeed a puppet show. Am I going to let someone else pull my strings?

just been neatly rolled up and put aside. And just like untangling a bunch of wires, once a couple of solutions are rolled up, the tangle becomes easier and easier to unravel. By round three, there is no tangle left. We are holding the crossbow, moving the puppet and controlling our own show.

Solutions start to come quickly. “I don’t have the time to ...” is a blessing in disguise. The creative solution becomes “Why don’t I just ...” One tangled wire has

Visit Saunatimes.com for advice, for exciting stories and to connect with other authentic-sauna lovers.

P H O T O BY A I M E E J O B E

Warm KE E P

THE

OLD -FA S HI ON E D WAY

Make your own winter wonderland. Add some warmth and relaxation to your home or backyard with a Voyageur sauna. — H A N D B U I LT I N M I N N E S O T A —

MO B I L E | B AC K YA R D | H OM E

VOYAG E U R S AU N A S . COM

Historic Stillwater Glimmers with Charm.

Plan Your Holiday or Winter Stay Now.

GO SOMEWHERE UNMAPPED. See What's New:

DiscoverStillwater.com/Wintertime

Locally Owned Brewery Glen Lake | Minnetonka, MN

Grandma's Kitchen By WHITNEY BARTHOLMY

round the kitchen table is where all the best moments happen. Where good conversation is had, laughter ensues and bellies are full from not only food but also the comfort of simply being together. Christmastime at my grandparents’ home in International Falls, Minnesota, was like the holidays suggest for many: the most wonderful time of the year. The kitchen island in their home was annually filled with fudge, peanut butter balls and shortbread cookies with inch-thick colored frosting. We grandchildren grazed until our fingers were sticky and our tummies were plump, only to be called up from the basement for when the real Christmas Eve dinner was ready to be served. My eyes (and stomach) were always on the lookout for one recipe — Grandma’s Graham Cracker Goop. A simple pudding-like blob of three ingredients that, for some reason, was all I felt I needed for Christmas nourishment. Every year’s dinner had its snafus — including my Grandma LeaEtta leaving the corn to keep warm in the microwave and not realizing it until the end of the meal one year. Those moments only made each year more memorable, and comical, than the last. When my grandma passed away in 2019 unexpectedly from a stroke, my first thought, being newly engaged to my fiancé, was that she wouldn’t get to see me get married. She wouldn’t get to hold my children — her great-grandchildren — or see them grow up. These thoughts and more stung as I thought of a future my Grandma LeaEtta wouldn’t be a part of. Like my family members, I moved through the grieving process and now know the best parts of my grandma live on in my and my family’s memories — and in her recipes. Oddly, since my grandma’s passing, her recipes are unable to be found. Maybe they were all filed neatly in her mind, or in her heart. When I make this albeit simple recipe, it makes me smile and makes my eyes well up softly with tears and my heart (and stomach) giddy and full of nostalgia — just like all the best recipes do. From my grandma’s kitchen to yours, please enjoy. 18

GRAHAM CRACKER GOOP Makes one big bowl for sharing. INGREDIENTS

+ + +

1 sleeve graham crackers, crushed 3 cups cool whip 2 bananas, sliced

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Set Apart From The Rest

37 1 9 W H w y 6 1 , L u t s e n , M N 5 5 6 1 2 | ( 2 1 8 ) 3 87-1 1 1 2 W W W.C A S C A D E L O D G E M N .C O M

Every day made better.

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HOT TUB A relaxing hot tub is the perfect way to start and end your day. When you lower your tense body into a tub of hot water, the heat raises your body temperature and relaxes your muscles. Daily soaks can also provide more energy and lead to better sleep. Hot water in general helps relax your body, and there’s no better way to enjoy a cold winter day than in a steamy spa where you’re able to connect with your natural surroundings. Sitting in warm water and feeling the benefits can greatly reduce stress. This leads to positive improvements in your mental and physical health and can promote a feeling of general well-being. A quality spa is more than a great home addition — it’s an investment in you.

218.444.3979 HotSpringHotTubMN.com

The Historic Water Street Inn STILLWATER, MN

By ALEX EDER

The Lumber Exchange Building was constructed circa 1890 by Stillwater, Minnesota’s lumber barons during the boom years of logging on the St. Croix River. It was built by the Union Depot & Transfer Company (which also built Union Station: Stillwater's train depot, directly to the north, in 1887) on the first modern business block in the city. It continued to be an important building in Stillwater for more than 100 years. Upon its debut in 1890, it was equipped with modern heating, plumbing and electricity and even had an elevator, one of the first in the state. Its early occupants included the famous and wealthy lumber merchants from the Stillwater area. The site features 10 large walk-in vaults, which were used to house the wealth of the rich lumber families. The first floor contained storefronts, a post office, a barbershop and an upscale saloon.

1887

2021 In 2019 we merged the Lumber Exchange building, the location of the current Water Street Inn, with a newly developed design model of Union Station. This brought our hotel from 41 rooms to 61. We were also able to add our rooftop bar and conference rooms overlooking the beautiful St. Croix River.

WATERSTREETINN.US | (651) 439.6000

ARE YOU THE to explore ? MOST Itasca youth believe their community provides opportunities that will help them grow.

AVA I L A B L E AT

The goal of Next Career Pathways is to allow all students to explore career options that inspire hope and curiosity! This program helps students imagine a future vision of themselves through relevant experiences, hands-on learning, and unique partnerships with local industries and colleges. Pathways courses unleash endless possibilities for students to explore and experience local career paths while still in high school so that they can excel in their futures.

BIGFORK HIGH SCHOOL DEER RIVER HIGH SCHOOL FLOODWOOD HIGH SCHOOL GREENWAY HIGH SCHOOL GRAND RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL HILL CITY HIGH SCHOOL ITASCA COMMUNITY COLLEGE MESABI RANGE COLLEGE NASHWAUK-KEEWATIN HIGH SCHOOL NORTHLAND REMER HIGH SCHOOL

N E X T PAT H WAYS .O R G 64

LAKE AND COMPANY

IASCNEXT

Explore

Voyageurs Ice Roads

An Unforgettable Way to Explore Minnesota’s Only National Park

By MARIA HILEMAN

riving the ice roads at Voyageurs National Park is a one-of-a-kind experience. Unlike many other national parks, Voyageurs has no entrance fee and the ice roads can be accessed 24/7 from mid-January through mid-March. Since Voyageurs is a certified Dark Sky Park, make your trip extra memorable by exploring the frozen roads at night to see the spectacular Milky Way and, if you’re lucky, the Northern Lights. Start your trip at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center, just a short 15-minute drive from Ranier and International Falls, Minnesota. Winter enthusiasts can borrow snowshoes and cross-country skis for the entire family for free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday through Sunday. The 8-mile ice road can be accessed from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center boat launch. If you travel 1 mile north along the ice road, you’ll reach the Black Bay Ski Trail parking lot, from where you can hit up 7 miles of groomed ski trails, exploring through evergreens, pines, tamaracks, birches and spruce trees. Snowshoeing will take you places in the snow that you can’t get to otherwise. From the parking lot, you can snowshoe .75 mile out to a beaver pond.

When venturing back out on the ice road, make sure to look for the old gold mine shaft on Bushyhead Island. Watch for wildlife such as moose, wolves, deer, owls and foxes while driving around Dryweed Island. More than 110 miles of staked and groomed snowmobile trails are available for cruising throughout the park, and lots of fishing enthusiasts head to this region for great ice fishing. Once you’ve finished the 8-mile loop, you can go explore the second ice road from the boat launch at Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center, about a 35-minute drive away. This 9.3-mile stretch of ice road travels between Kabetogama and the Ash River Visitor Center. You’ll see a skating rink right on Kabetogama Lake, and at Sphunge Island a groomed sledding hill, with a small hill for younger children and a larger hill for older children and adults, awaits. Visitors can also enjoy a fire ring at Sphunge Island. And don’t worry — the ice must be a minimum of 12 inches thick before the park will allow travel across the temporary roadways. To check on ice conditions in preparation for your travels, call the Voyageurs National Park Headquarters at 218-283-6600.

THE BEAUTY OF THE NATIONAL PARK UNFOLDS AS YOU DRIVE OVER FROZEN WATERS ONLY ACCESSIBLE IN THE WINTER MONTHS.”

Ice Fishing

Abundant Wildlife

Northern Lights

Sphunge Island Sledding Hill

Black Bay Ski Trails

SHOP, STAY, EXPLORE

By MARIA HILEMAN

Along the Canadian Border

SHOP

STAY

EXPLORE

Visit our International Falls, Minnesota, Lake and Company store and experience how whiskey and water come together to capture the spirit of adventure. In collaboration with Cantilever Distillery, this shop brings together all your favorite Lake and Company gear with Cantilever’s tees, hats, accessories and whiskey-inspired gifts. Located in downtown International Falls, right next to Coffee Landing.

The gorgeous Cantilever Hotel is conveniently located just five minutes from our shop, and 15 minutes from Voyageurs National Park. This luxury hotel offers a truly unique experience. Start your day in a claw-foot tub in one of the 31 hotel rooms, then explore the beauty of Voyageurs National Park or venture to Canada. Cap off the day with dinner and drinks in the cocktail room and enjoy some R&R in the rooftop hot tub and sauna.

The Rainy Lake Visitor Center is your gateway to explore Minnesota’s only national park. The approximately 8-mile ice road is typically open from mid-January through mid-March. The Visitor Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Friday through Sunday, and they offer free snowshoes and cross-country skis for the entire family. There’s no better way to get out and explore this winter.

Lake and Company 438 3rd Street International Falls, MN 56649

Cantilever Hotel 2078 Spruce Street Ranier, MN 56668

d na

ian

Voyageurs National Park 1797 Township Road 342 International Falls, MN 56649

RANIER

8-mil

road e ice

INTERNATIONAL FALLS black bay ski trail

LAKE AND COMPANY

RAINY LAKE VISITOR CENTER

e iv F S e t c a n r e i S r e e r p vice x E

AS YOU EXPLORE VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK Distillery - Hotel - Cocktail Room

CANTILEVERDISTILLERY.COM

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LAKE AND COMPANY

MOVING

Lake and Company’s Journey for National Expansion From our Lake and Company co-founders, MEGAN KELLIN and KELLY KABOTOFF

ow. It’s been a year, hasn’t it? We know — it feels like we are all telling the same story. But come on, it’s a story worth repeating — 2021 has been the encore of 2020 that we never wanted. But at the same time, it’s been an amazing adventure filled with hope and joy and, well, hopefully for most of us, adventure. At Lake and Company, it’s been a year that reminded us of whitewater rafting in Colorado. Exciting, beautiful, invigorating and altogether terrifying. An adventure that was filled with moments of pure

joy, followed by moments of pure terror and doubt. But at the end of the day — or the year, in this instance — it was a moment of pure accomplishment. Because, through it all, we climbed mountains. Together. Yes, we strayed from lake analogies to mountain analogies, but the core idea is strong all the same. Make Waves. Move Mountains. Never Give Up. Because at the end of the hardest climb is the best view. In May, we opened our Stillwater, Minnesota, store. In June, we opened our store in International

M O U N TA I N S

KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS! TODAY IS YOUR DAY! YOUR MOUNTAIN IS WAITING, SO GET ON YOUR WAY!” DR. SEUSS, “OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!”

Falls, Minnesota. In July, we moved our flagship store in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to a larger location that features our corporate headquarters as well as an exclusive Airbnb loft experience. In November, we launched our national expansion when we opened our first store outside of Minnesota, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. So, yes, we are making moves. Big moves. But we are doing it with intention. And heart. And a true dedication to what our company was founded on: Good stories. Unique products. Adventure. Family. And so much more.

Within our company we have been lucky enough to build a team of like-minded individuals. Our team is made up of welltraveled risk takers. Adventure seekers. Out-of-the-box thinkers. Together, as a team, we strive to make waves by becoming early adopters of unique products and brands that enhance and celebrate the outdoor lifestyle. We strive to dig deep to find the why behind these brands and to bring their products and stories to the lake region. We feel honored to have the ability to use our multifaceted platform of

magazines, digital media, online and brick-and-mortar stores to expose these amazing product stories to our readers and shoppers. We hope it will inspire you to adventure more, to dig deeper and to spread kindness while you do it. So, thank you! Thank you for following along on the journey. For supporting us during this crazy adventure. And most importantly, thank you for sharing your stories with us. We are a community. We are a movement. We are Lake and Company.

The

d e f i oo G L

The recipe for living the good life inside and outside By KELLY KABOTOFF

There is such nostalgia every year as the first snowflakes fall. We suddenly remember the power of nature and the true warmth that can come during even the coldest winter nights. While it took me too many years to realize and accept that the secret to warmth was the right gear, and the right company, I have now made it my mission to source products for the Lake and Company shops that keep us warm, head to toe to heart. Because when we are armed with the right products, and good company, we can truly take on whatever Mother Nature decides to throw our way. This issue I’m featuring the products that help support the good life as I see it — both inside and out. A good cup of coffee, a healthy sweat, the softest sweatsuit, some ambiance and a good nightcap to end the day. So, adventure on, my friends. And do it while spreading the warmest wishes to those around you. In good company,

Kelly

5. 4.

A Good Cup of Coffee

12.

8 | Maker + Scope Top $38 / Purist 7 | City Girl Organic Guatemala Ground Coffee $14.99 / City Girl Coffee

11.

The Perfect Companion 11 | The Llama Mama Reversible Teddy Vest $45 / Lucy & Co. A Healthy Sweat 12 | Voyageur Mobile Sauna / Inquire at voyageursaunas.com Warm Head, Warm Heart, Warm Feet

10 | Devil’s Valley Cuff Beanie $26 / Deso Supply 5 | Rose Quartz Gemstone Earrings $32 / Jax Kelly

3 | Striped Soft Hemp Socks $16 / United by Blue A Good Nightcap 6 | Highball Shaker $79 / High Camp Flask

1 | Navel Gazer Alcohol Infusion Kit $29 / Aged and Infused Home Ambiance 2 | Let’s get lost banner $49.95 / Comet Banners 4 | Snow Day Rocks Candle $30 / Moore Collection

10.

The Softest Sweatsuit 9 | Women's Legend Sweater Hoodie $148 and Jogger $128 / Faherty

LAKE AND COMPANY

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1114 NW 4TH STREET, GRAND RAPIDS, MN 55744 • (218) 327-2929 • WWW.FIREPLACELIFESTYLES.COM

Brewing Up the Perfect Lake Blend By ANDREW GOUGH

hirty-one years ago, I visited Minnesota for the first time. I was 10 years old, jampacked into my dad’s navy 1986 Suburban full of fishing tackle, foul-weather gear and just about every type of clothing I owned. We had no idea what to expect on our first adventure to the Northwoods. I just knew it was going to be special. A 12-hour drive is no big deal once you’ve done it 55 times. I’ve made 28 visits to Bluewater Lake over the years, missing only three vacations due to work matters, sickness and the death of my mother in 2012. This lake means the world to my family. We wouldn’t miss the trip unless it was absolutely necessary. Fast-forward several decades: I’m the owner of Reverie, a coffee roastery and café in Wichita. As I visited the lake each year, I started to think

of my connection to the region we have spent more than 30 years visiting. I feel as though we are part of this community, even though I stay for only a few weeks at a time. I became familiar with coffee roasters in the region by visiting Brewed Awakenings, the local coffee shop in Grand Rapids. I started thinking about ways I could connect with area roasters. Reverie’s purpose is to precipitate positive changes in the communities we serve, so collaborating with the locals at the lake made sense to me. And it made sense to my new friend, Aliza James, the owner and CEO of Alakef Coffee Roasters in Duluth. We connected earlier this year and right away conjured up the idea to collaborate on a special coffee offering. There’s this idea of being drawn to water. It’s a feeling I get when I think about Bluewater

e k a L ffect E THEL AKEANDCOMPANY.COM

LAKE AND COMPANY

Lake and our cabin or when I see photos of past vacations. This happy feeling is a reminder of how privileged I am to get to make lake life a regular part of my being. But the feeling also consists of the sadness we experience as we drive up the gravel road away from our oasis in the woods at the end of each stay.

When we enjoy these medium-roast coffees, notes of cherry, grapefruit, coconut, raisin and cacao swirl across our palates. It’s sweet like honey. The coffee has a pleasant, fully rounded body with medium acidity. It’s a great coffee to drink daily, but it’s also here to impress anyone you serve it to.

I take the time each morning to make coffee for everyone in the cabin the way we do back home. This extra bit of attention is worth it because making great coffee on vacation enhances the experience. I wanted to create a coffee that reminded me of the lake and the memories we made each year, one that would allow me for a brief moment each morning at home to be sent back to this place.

As you consider your time spent at the lake, what is it that draws you to water? How do you keep those memories in the front of your mind? A great cup of coffee can precipitate feelings of comfort and joy, the same ones you feel when you visit your special oasis. Make sure you take the time to savor each moment by starting each day just as you would at the lake: with a perfect cup of coffee.

Reverie and Alakef teamed up to source and roast two wonderful coffees from small producers in Peru and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Purchase Lake and Company’s exclusive Lake Effect blend online or at our shops starting January 2022.

I WANTED TO CREATE A COFFEE THAT REMINDED ME OF THE LAKE AND THE MEMORIES WE MADE EACH YEAR, ONE THAT WOULD ALLOW ME FOR A BRIEF MOMENT EACH MORNING AT HOME TO BE SENT BACK TO THIS PLACE.”

Everything we do at Lake and Company is inspired by the stories of people doing exceptional things. We celebrate that in the pages of this magazine, as well as in our stores. This marketplace brings you our top picks from these inspiring brands that support adventure, innovation, conservation and community. Read more about these brands online at thelakeandcompany.com.

MARKET

Place CALIFORNIA COWBOY

Men’s El Garibaldi Robe California Cowboy

The El Garibaldi Robe is California Cowboy’s take on the lost art of vintage poolside – or lakeside – luxury. This revelrous, feature-forward and functional robe’s native habitat is in the cabana, craft cocktail in hand. Available in multiple patterns and all featuring a beer bottle pocket and a dry pocket to safely store your electronics from the elements. @cacowboyapparel

LAKE AND COMPANY

KARI TRAA

AMPAL CREATIVE

Big on warmth. Big on comfort. The Rothe Midlayer is a super-insulated, fullzip women’s fleece pullover with modern design details.With a cozy, teddy fleece, high collar, and ribbed cuffs, it will keep out the cold winter weather.

Sometimes a little love from your pup is the boost you need to re-engage the bullshit shield. Dogs rule, people drool ... adopt a pet, and wear this hat. 100% Cotton Herringbone Twill Upper – Wax Canvas Under Brim – Direct Embroidery – Unstructured Crushable Upper – Custom Ampal Premium Chino Twill Sweatband w/ Sweat Barrier.

Rothe Midlayer

@karitraa

People Suck Strap Back

@ampalcreative

TOPO DESIGNS

Mountain Shirt Jacket

Built in a familiar western silhouette with an overshirt fit, the Mountain Shirt Jacket has that rugged cool-weather look, yet is constructed with thick 100% organic cotton yarn, feeling warm, soft, and broken-in from the moment you put it on. @topodesigns

SHWOOD EYEWEAR

Ainsworth Acetate Sunglasses

A mix of premium acetate, metal fixtures and wood accents come together beautifully in our take on this iconic, vintage silhouette. The rounded lenses and mix of materials are perfect for those seeking a more bold look, while maintaining classic cool. The Ainsworth looks good on rectangular, oval, heart and diamond face shapes.

RUMPL

Sherpa Puffy Blanket

Business in the front, slumber party in the back. A perfect pairing of Rumpl’s tried-and-true Original Puffy Blanket with an impossibly soft sherpa fleece material to create the ultimate blanket that keeps you cozy anywhere. @gorumpl

@shwoodshop

MOORE COLLECTION

Kids Wintertime Long-Sleeve Tee

An incredibly soft kids' tee with an adorable design celebrating all of the magic in winter adventures. Designed and screen printed with love in Denver, Colorado. @moorecollection

TRANGO

Mountain Vault

The Mountain Vault is designed with the needs of the explorer in mind. When traveling to remote destinations, protecting your gear becomes even more important. A lockable zipper combines with a waterproof/sealed body to protect your gear on anything from small trips to the remotest mountain destinations. The exterior features multiple tie-down points for secure loading on anything with legs or wheels, and customizable carry strap options make transport a breeze.

NORTHERN GLASSES

Heather Moss North Premium Hoodie

Might become the softest sweatshirt you own. Fight For Something is the parent company of Northern Glasses, a Minneapolis-based retail company committed to building brands to fight for things that matter. @northernglasses @fightingforsomething

@trangoclimbing LAKE AND COMPANY

ittle

azy

odge

WEDDINGS | RETREATS | GETAWAYS | EVENTS

720.849.9131 | LittleLazyLodge.com | Northern MN

Taking the Road Less Traveled By JED AND ARIANA LAPLANT

LAKE AND COMPANY

Now the words of this song will soon come to an end like my life on this Earth far away I will send He said to me: Son, someday you will see And we’ll sing and we’ll dance for eternity Jed: If you’re a LaPlant, you build things.

Carpentry has always been in the roots. Why buy something new when you can make it better yourself? I was taught from a young age to build things that last rather than buy things that don’t. In the working class, sometimes you build things because you can’t afford to buy them. This is how my grandpa started building guitars years back. If you’re willing to work hard, there’s usually a way to do it yourself. Ariana: Jed and I both come from broken homes,

which taught us that you have to fight to build something good. The hurt and confusion growing up around divorce was definitely hard but turned out to be the fuel we needed to start writing music. We both began playing and writing as a way to cope with hardship, betrayal and loss; we realized music was the device that can allow something painful to become beautiful. Jed: Before he passed away, my dad told me that

the night we packed up and moved into town was the night he’d gotten on his knees and prayed to win his family back; he then spent the next eight years chasing us. My dad proposed to my mom for the second time in the same spot he’d proposed 33 years earlier up on a cliff in Ely, Minnesota. Years later, working only from an old photograph of them and the name of the lake, I found the same rock they had gotten engaged on and proposed to Ariana. I would have loved to see how he’d smile to know that, but he got cancer less than a year after he and my mom were remarried and died before Ariana and I started running together. He had gotten everything back that he worked so hard on rebuilding, and just like that, it was gone. I guess I learned the hard way it’s not up to us. It’s true they say you never know what you have until it’s gone. One thing I can say now is that I know what truly matters and what’s worth fighting for to keep.

I went out just a broken man with a dream But underneath Hope was waiting past the lines I’d drawn in my mind They made me blind

So wash away your sorrows and despair And feel the wind blowing through your hair ’Cause I have gone many long miles Just to see you now 46

LAKE AND COMPANY

Ariana: Jed and I decided we wanted to build something

together that would last. We’ve seen in both of our lives that what we want doesn’t come easy, but we are willing to do what it takes to pursue it. Family, music and the open road — that’s the good life to us. Before we started chasing music, we were set up to buy the family home, but we decided the long hours, a big mortgage and being strapped to one place for the rest of our lives isn’t what we wanted just yet. In December 2020 we decided to take a leap of faith. Jed had broken his back and was laid up for a few months. That sort of hold made us really think through what we wanted. We boarded a flight to Vegas, and bought an ’89 Chevy G-van with a high top, which we now call home. It felt like the start of something right driving that thing back through the desert and over the mountains back home. Jed: And so here we are now, living in a van and trying to

figure it all out. All I know now is that this is what we’re supposed to be doing. Music brings all kinds of people into the same space for one reason. It’s just something that everyone can understand, whether you’re a gospel preacher or a burnout searching for salvation in the bottom of a glass. I feel like we have something to offer all those people. I’ve been a preacher of the gospel just as much as I’ve been out lost on some highway hoping the next mile will be my last. I’ve been in that same hole a lot of these people are in, and we get to say that maybe it doesn’t have to end there. Jed and Ariana: Our music is always autobiographical; we’ve lived enough life to tell the stories, the good, bad and ugly. Music has this redemptive quality to it: it’s pretty cool that we get to celebrate what can come out of these times spent in the gutter. Fighting for each other in our marriage allows us to love the people in the same way. That’s why we do what we do. We’re giving up a lot to follow the music, and giving it all we got. We’re running this one together no matter how long it is. We’re building something that will last. Here’s to the open road, the music that takes us there and the people that keep us there.

Follow their journey at wildhorsesmn.com

LAKE AND COMPANY

Live @ The Reif Visit theReif.org for a complete list of shows.

Wild Horses with the

LaPlant Family

From deep local roots in music, to life on the open road as a touring band, Wild Horses has officially arrived! Features special guests The LaPlant Family.

Jan 18

VIP After Party

Jan 21

At Rapids Brewing ROARSOME FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY!

RhoVnidncaent

&& Th Thee RRaaggee

queen of

bluegRass

Feb 18

Feb 24

218 327 5780

Visit TheReif.org and join our email list to get Reif news, information and special ticket offers delivered to your inbox!

Tickets

Jan 29

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Duluth

Embraces Winter

Rather than viewing winter as a time when we are limited by the lack of daylight, Duluth, Minnesota, adopts a positive winter mindset that fully embraces getting outside in the cold months. Discover the magic Duluth has to offer with these amazing experiences, all free to attend!

Glensheen Spirit of the Lights November 26–January 1 Spirit of the Lights is Glensheen Mansion’s enchanting outdoor light display, which is celebrated for its intimate and natural feel. Many of the motifs and displays are dedications to the memory of individuals or in recognition of meaningful moments. To say this is a uniquely special display is an understatement.

Bentleyville Tour of Lights November 20–December 27

Dennis O'Hara

Bayfront Festival Park comes alive during Bentleyville, America’s largest free walk-through lighting display! This quintessential holiday event has something for everyone. Visitors will be amazed by the 4 million+ lights, the 128-foot Christmas tree and all the free treats! This festive event is fun for the entire family. Bring the kids to meet Santa while you enjoy some hot cocoa and take in this spectacular light show. $10 for parking. Food and toy donations are encouraged. 50

Andrea Dobbs

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon January 30–February 2 If you’re looking for a unique experience, come and witness the Beargrease. This sled dog race is the longest in the lower 48 states, as hundreds of mushers from across the nation come to compete in this nearly 300-mile event. The race starts in Duluth on January 30. Spectators are encouraged to park at the University of Minnesota–Duluth between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and hop on the free shuttle that takes you to Billy’s Bar, where you can talk to mushers, pet the dogs, enjoy a Bloody Mary bar and catch the start of the race. The majority of the race is run through three counties and the Superior National Forest, and the first finishers typically arrive around 5 p.m. on February 1 in Grand Portage with the final finishers arriving on February 2.

Root River Photography

Spirit Mountain Frosted Fatty February 12 The Frosted Fatty is a celebration of fat-tire biking. Racers can ride down two stages starting around 9 a.m. for one hour, and their fastest time will be recorded. Winners of the race will be selected from the combination of the fastest times from the two stages. Stages will include a mix of open alpine trail, GS (giant slalom) turns and the mountain bike trails nearby. You will have a blast whether racing or watching. Fat Bike Sundays start in January, during which you can purchase a ticket, take your bike up the lift and then ride down.

Root River Photography

LAKE AND COMPANY

I FEEL INTOXICATED BY THE FRAGRANCE OF WILD ROSES OR BY HEARING THE ROLL OF THUNDER AND THE CRASH OF STORMY WAVES POUNDING ON THE SHORES OF OUR OWN INLAND SEA, LAKE SUPERIOR.”

A sense of

By BOB THACKER

WONDER

’ve lived a wonderful life. That is to say, I’ve lived a life that’s been filled with wonder. It’s not hard to find, and I don’t work at it: Wonders come to me. They come in autumn light streaming through a crimson maple, or a vibrant carpet of lupines spread out along the highway, or torrents of summer rain cascading into waterfalls. I revel in the silent majesty of the Milky Way, seen from my balcony, or the flurries of hummingbirds dashing in and out of our feeder. I feel intoxicated by the fragrance of wild roses or by hearing the roll of thunder and the crash of stormy waves pounding on the shores of our own inland sea, Lake Superior. I’ll never forget the first time I encountered The Lake. I was a 10-year-old kid from Nebraska. We didn’t have lakes where I lived; we had ponds. I’d never been on the edge of a body of water so large that you couldn’t see the opposite shore. Lake Superior astonished and terrified me. It made me feel tiny and insignificant and filled me with wonder. I say the North Shore is where “my soul lives.” It’s sacred to me. It’s the “happy place” I think of when I get my blood pressure checked or when I can’t easily drift off to sleep. And every time I feel a sense of anxiety or am troubled, if I step on the shore and gaze into seeming infinity, all my problems seem tiny. It’s where, in the far distant future, I wish to have my ashes scattered. For more than 60 years, I’ve returned to Lake Superior again and again. I brought my family. My

children clambered over the rocks on the shore. They trekked through endless forests. They’ve seen the double rainbows that often appear over the lake after storms. They know the Caribou, Sawbill, Gunflint and Gitchi-Gami trails as if they were streets in our own neighborhood. Two of them even got engaged on the cliff outside our home on the shore. Now my children’s children are discovering Superior’s wonders. They canoe, kayak, hike, ski (downhill and cross-country) and snowboard, and skip a million rocks on the frigid waters. They know where to find the best pancakes and taste real maple syrup made from the sap of trees in the deep woods surrounding the sugar shack. They know where to find the best pies and would say that locally made wild-rice blueberry sausage is a delicacy, as is the deeply smoked trout. The older ones know where to sip the best local craft beer, wines and coffee. The North Shore is Bohemian. Artists, writers and poets call it home and co-exist with the outdoorsy rustic types. In Grand Marais, fine art can be found right next to the camping gear and tackle shops. A sign on a local general store sums it all up: “Live bait. Cappuccino.” Juxtaposition at its best. Frankly, I can’t imagine what my life would be without the North Shore. Because of it, I’m living not just a “good life” but a wonder-full life.

Slopes HIT THE

Spirit Mountain is a winter playground for any adventure enthusiast, boasting the second-largest vertical drop in the Midwest. Come build your own snowy adventure with endless experiences — like skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and fat-tire biking — all while enjoying breathtaking views of Lake Superior.

TERRAIN PARK

LAKE AND COMPANY

This top-to-bottom park is known far and wide for having the best jump line and some of the most creative and well-set jibs to make it one of the best parks in the Midwest. Enjoy fourplus separate freestyle terrain areas located throughout the ski area. This park has received national accolades and comparisons with many of the premier terrain parks in the industry!

NORDIC CENTER

Enjoy two unique locations for Nordic skiing. The Upper Spirit Mountain Nordic Center offers beautifully wooded crosscountry ski trails, double-tracked, and a skate lane, plus the new Grand Avenue Nordic Center trails are complete with snowmaking and world-class grooming.

SNOW TUBING

Experience the thrill of sliding down a snowy run and then effortlessly riding back to the top of the hill on a tubing lift. This perfect family activity is for anyone ages 3 and above. Glow Tubing is also offered on Friday and Saturday nights.

spiritmt.com LAKE AND COMPANY

Explore all the snowy adventures Duluth has to offer, then come back to Pier B to refuel, refresh, and reset. Book your Duluth winter getaway at pierbresort.com