Lake and Company - National Issue 1

Welcome to Lake and Company, a socially conscious magazine and shop, carefully curated with a give-back mission that supports adventure, innovation, conservation and community. We are inspired by the stories of people doing exceptional things — for the people, from the people.

Our women-owned company is on a mission. Lake and Company is far more than just lakes. Derived from the land of lakes, we celebrate the unknown and support collaboration, community, the importance of nature and the stories behind it all. Our mission is simple: We build communities of impact. No matter your location, you’ll find us as your home base for adventure. A place where you can connect and flourish with like-minded people and brands, on a mission to make the world better.

The majority of our articles are submitted by the public — stories of journeys big and small, life lessons, outdoor adventures, travel tips, inspiring brands, environmental issues and scenic destinations — with the intent to help inspire and connect the masses. We collaborate with local artists, photographers, business owners, destinations and adventure seekers to help share what makes lake culture so special. We are committed to the journey, to the unknown, to what drives us and brings us together.

For us, 2022 has been a year filled with hope, expansion and true dedication to what our company was founded on. We hope the stories will inspire you to adventure more. There is purpose and passion behind every page in our independent publication, and we’re grateful to have you along for the journey.

Go explore!

Maria Hileman

Share your story

ISLE ROYALE

FINDING THE FOURTH DIMENSION Surf to Ski with Lynsey Dyer

JOY

Lake Superior’s Largest Island

OWNER + FOUNDER CO-FOUNDER

EDITOR IN CHIEF GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS

RETAIL BUYER + MARKETING MANAGER RETAIL MANAGERS

COPY EDITOR + PROOFREADER COVER IMAGE CONTRIBUTORS

Megan Kellin Kelly Kabotoff

Maria Hileman

Kalie Christian, Mark Dillon

Ashley Kirkman

Maddie Young Kendall Messer, Tyla Ames

Anne Kelley Conklin

Robert Torti @robtorti

Jamie Cooper, Lindsey Lowe, Connor Langfield, John Scarr, Drew Mason, Brandon Rieck, Micah Carroll, John Keefover, Casey Cooper, Jon Kreye, Parker McMullen Bushman, Jennifer Gorman, Jon Coen, Lacey Doboszenski, E. Nolan, Teddy Grant, Ron "Woody" Woodruff, Gabe Welker, Madeline Marquardt, Lynsey Dyer

EDITORIAL + BUSINESS OFFICE

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10 NW 3rd St., Grand Rapids, MN 55744

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©2022 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 publicatio; 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

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

CELEBRATING THE UNKNOWN

…and those bold enough to explore it.

Sometimes you have to blaze trails to find your next adventure. You have to take risks. Move with confidence. Act with courage. Explore the unknown. Pave your own path. Be bold.

At Lake and Company it’s always been about the stories. And we’ve always enjoyed the mystery of where the stories - and the adventures - can take us. The path isn’t always straight. It has ups and downs, sharp turns, rocky obstacles. Sometimes you can’t even see what’s coming next. But it’s always worth the climb. And it always makes for a good story. Because in the end…we are all trailblazers in our own way.

As a team, we work hard to keep our fingers on the pulse of the industry. We search for bold brands that inspire us — and the adventure seekers in our community — with their innovative solutions, sustainable practices, and socially conscious missions. We strive to dig deep to find the why behind these brands and to bring their products and stories into our stores and onto the pages of our magazines. We hope it will inspire you.

We are a community. We are a movement. We are Lake and Company. Join us! Stop into one of our storefronts, subscribe to our magazine, or, better yet, share your story with us.

We can’t wait to meet you.

Megan Kellin Owner + Founder

Kelly Kabotoff Co-founder

"WE DO FUN WELL!"

At Lake and Company we’re always doing our best to live our brand every day. A big part of that is the people we surround ourselves with...the company we keep. Welltraveled risk takers. Adventure Seekers. Out-of-the-box thinkers. Innovators. Entrepreneurs. People who make the most of every moment. And, man, do we have fun while we do it! Here are some highlights from our recent adventures where we once again found ourselves in good company.

Want us at your event? We'd love to join the party! Email us at hello@thelakeandcompany.com

OUTINGS

RETAILER

BIRKEBEINER

the Adventure

ofthe

By JOHN SCARR Photography by JOHN SCARR

Ihave this funny theory that humans are afraid of the dark. One question for ya — when was the last time you walked through dark woods alone, in the middle of nowhere, during a new moon without a headlamp?

Most people would say they never have and never will — and there’s a reason for that. It’s extremely uncomfortable. Fight-or-flight mode kicks in, and one of our most utilized senses, our vision, is no longer as effective. Adrenaline is released and suddenly our other senses start running full blast. Every noise in the woods is magnified, and our mind will attempt to fill in the blank as to what is in that dark void. Oh yeah, and it can be a legitimately dangerous activity in general.

This all probably sounds like hell because it is, but the things I’ve learned in the dark have brought me to places I never knew I wanted to be. Here’s why I’ve spent the past seven years of my life actively pursuing discomfort.

Before I had a decent camera and a potentially unhealthy obsession with getting lost in the dark, I had adventure. In a series of escalating endeavors and increasingly questionable decisions, I found the kind of adventure I used to daydream about in my parents’ backyard. Wild open spaces. Near-death experiences. Throwing knives and climbing trees. I made myself laugh every day and went to bed aching and exhausted — but the smile on my face never left.

Here’s a list of what I consider my life’s greatest accomplishments that are a result of extreme discomfort and a tiny bit of emotional duress: swam with sharks and manta rays in Fiji; was extorted by Indonesian police in the middle of nowhere (I was on a scooter with a giant Hello Kitty decal on the front); bicycled 1,000 km through New Zealand; watched the northern lights overhead in Iceland on a 20-day camping trip/photo shoot; transported two cats across the western U.S. in a 125-degree heatwave — and the car’s AC went out; and drove around Lake Superior in mostly silence with my best friend and a pug named Miguel.

That list goes on and on, and it keeps getting weirder and weirder the older I get.

The truth is that my most profound and powerful experiences were almost always preceded by tears in airport bathrooms, exhaustion, hunger, physical pain, depression, poverty and heartbreaking goodbyes. In fact, there is probably a little more of that than there is success.

That 1,000-kilometer bicycle trip through New Zealand is what I consider my first great adventure. I left alone

“

ALL OF THESE THOUGHTS THAT DRIVE MY ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION WERE TEMPORARILY WIPED OUT BY THE FACT THAT I USED MY OWN TWO LEGS TO GET ACROSS MIDDLE EARTH WITHOUT DYING.”

but met characters who are stranger than the ones I read about in books. I slept through the cold, I stunk to high heaven, I almost got trapped on a glacier — it all ended in Queenstown. I was sick and emaciated, living in the back of my friend’s minivan behind a hostel, broke as the day I was born, thousands and thousands of miles from the privileges and comfort that came with living in my hometown.

All of this stress and discomfort would have probably shut me down a year prior, but that trip changed something about how I looked at the world. Instead of worrying about what I was going to do for a career, or how I was going to be able to afford ... well, anything at all, or if I was going to get married and have kids — none of it mattered anymore. All of these thoughts that drive my anxiety and depression were temporarily wiped out by the fact that I used my own two legs to get across Middle Earth without dying. All I could think about is how I was going to do it again.

I do not remember a time in my life when I felt more free, more focused and more motivated. I felt a sense of peace that I couldn’t have found anywhere else. I knew that I didn’t want to live the rest of my life without that feeling. Here I am years later, happy (it feels weird), and it is all a result of pursuing and embracing discomfort.

So I’m going to ask you another question: Are you afraid of the discomfort? You should go find out. Nature is a great place to start.

John Scarr

John Scarr is a visual artist and storyteller who lives in a motor home called Mothership Honeybear in Chippewa National Forest.

YOUR Wellness Retreat

On the road, in the wild, at home, or out in the backyardyour authentic sauna journey begins with Voyageur.

Aimee Jobe, @aimeejobephoto

REIMAGINE REMOTE

Digital Nomads Embrace Van Life

By LINDSEY LOWE AND CONNOR LANGFIELD

Photography by LINDSEY LOWE

In the summer of 2020, the pandemic shifted a colossal amount of how Connor and I operated in our everyday lives; who knew it would soon shape our future? It all started when I watched Canadian adventure influencer Hayden Korte-Moore take a week’s vacation with a few friends in a van, which inspired me to do the same. Both being Minnesota natives, we wanted to harness the ability to become “digital nomads”, and we set off to do what we love most—explore!

Due to COVID-19 and the flexibility Connor and I were given to work from home, we started to reimagine how we could potentially work our full-time jobs on the go, I as an account executive at a software company and Connor as a credit analyst for a financial institution. With approval from work and some quick research on the best Verizon and T-Mobile hotspots to fuel our Wi-Fi needs, we had ourselves less than a week later a 2002 Diesel Ford Econoline passenger van with 130,000 miles that went by the name of Li’l Debbie.

THE WORLD IS YOUR LIVING SPACE.”

Renovation

With no prior building experience, but a little help from YouTube, we spent the next two months fully remodeling the inside of the van. This included adding floors, walls, a ceiling, cabinets, solar panels and electrical to energize our charging phones/laptops, a fridge and a fan. Our goal was to have a comfortable sleeping situation, maximize storage capacity and have enough solar power to support our remote-working needs.

On the Road

October arrived, and it was time to hit the road and spend three extraordinary months in a 6x10-foot space with our 75-pound dog, Kai. Focusing so much of our time on ensuring all our electrical work was done correctly and securing all cabinets so they don’t fly open when we drive (even our fridge), there wasn’t a ton of time to plan our entire trip. Connor and I made a list of national parks we wanted to visit, as well as all our friends who had moved away (big shout-out to everyone who let us crash in your homes, take a shower and do some laundry) and formed a loose plan that could change on the fly. Van life isn’t as glamorous as photos always make it seem. Everything gets messy, smelly and unorganized VERY QUICKLY, so you need to have a place for every item and a routine that works for you. A few things that made our trip that much smoother were utilizing apps like FreeRoam, iOverlander and Dyrt; joining a nationwide gym for workouts and showering; and socializing with other van dwellers along the way.

Our Faves

Our first destination was Utah, a geological wonder, where we got to explore Zion National Park with iconic scenery of The Narrows and Angels Landing. We spent three days in the greater Zion area, visiting Bryce Canyon, watching a sunrise at Horseshoe Bend, taking a breathtaking kayak ride on Lake Powell to Antelope Canyon, and visiting the famous Grand Canyon. Another stop we highly recommend is White Sands National Park in New Mexico. You’ll want to rent a sled and let your inner child loose by flying down the sand dunes! Next, head down to Big Bend National Park, Texas, for jaw-dropping views. One of the park’s most spectacular hikes is Santa Elena Canyon Trail. If you’re a craft beer connoisseur, you’ll want to head to Asheville, North Carolina, microbrewery capital of the world. The Blue Ridge Mountains are home to waterfalls, lush forests and breathtaking vistas. And when you’ve had enough mountain and desert landscape, head for the ocean! Driving the 113-mile Overseas Highway to Key West was a perfect end to our voyage.

Goodbye, Van Life. Hello, Micro-Resort Restoration! After 19 states, 8,000 miles and six national parks, our trusty van made it home safe with no issues. Traveling in Li’l Debbie has been one of the best experiences one could imagine. You stop seeing a home as a space but instead as a sentiment. You spend so much time outdoors, exploring and staying active, that you don’t feel confined to anything. The world is your living space. Once we were back in Minnesota, we started to brainstorm what was next for us, knowing that a home renovation was something we were willing to take on. Although Li’l Debbie was small (but mighty), the van gave us the confidence to dream bigger. In July 2021, we purchased Bay Pines Cottages, a micro-resort on the world’s largest freshwater chain of lakes in Three Lakes, Wisconsin. Connor and I are ecstatic to put our working gloves back on to flip three small cottages entirely. The goal is to bring an unparalleled boutique cottage experience with all the modernday amenities situated in the remote woods. Who knew an idea sparked by an adventure influencer would lead us to our own adventure with Li’l Debbie and eventually to this more significant moment with Bay Pines Cottages — a moment we look forward to sharing with all our guests.

“YOU STOP SEEING A HOME AS A SPACE BUT INSTEAD AS A SENTIMENT. YOU SPEND SO MUCH TIME OUTDOORS, EXPLORING AND STAYING ACTIVE, THAT YOU DON’T FEEL CONFINED TO ANYTHING.

Rumpl is on a mission to introduce the world to better blankets. We apply performance materials typically found in premium outdoor gear and activewear to modernize a dated and boring blanket category. From the campsite to the couch, these puffy blankets are made for every adventure, big and small.

Geo & Dawn Pixel Fade

The GreatMichigan Lakes Challenge

By DREW MASON

Photography by DREW MASON

Four friends and their dogs swim four of the Great Lakes in one day

The Great Lakes are an essential part of Michigan’s identity. Four of the five Great Lakes — Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie — border the state to create more than 3,000 miles of freshwater shoreline. They literally define the shape of the state! A Michigan summer isn’t complete without a visit to one of the many beaches, lighthouses, trails, campsites, cliffs or beach towns along the coast. From the rocky and rugged shores of Lake Superior to the white sandy beaches in the Lower Peninsula, there is plenty to explore.

To celebrate the spirit of summer in Michigan, my friends and I recently attempted to complete a fun challenge: swim in all four of the Great Lakes that touch Michigan in one day. It was the perfect summer road trip adventure.

The trip was inspired by my early-childhood memories on the Great Lakes. Each summer, my family would go camping in northern Michigan. My brothers and I climbed Michigan’s massive sand dunes, swam in the cold Caribbean-blue water, hunted for bugs in the forests and camped in parks along the coast. At night we’d crawl into our sleeping bags smelling like sunscreen and campfire and doze off to the distant rumble of waves crashing on the shore. Those early experiences made a big impression on me, and the feelings we shared during those summer adventures ignited a desire to experience as much of the lake life as I could in one trip. I recruited a few friends to join me and we started to create a plan, which included bringing our dogs on the adventure.

Black Rocks, Marquette, Michigan

With the goal of completing the challenge between sunrise and sunset, we decided to go on the summer solstice. Not only is it the longest day of the year, it’s also the official first day of summer, and we couldn’t think of a better way to welcome the promise of warm weather than to swim in the Great Lakes. It is possible to swim in all five of the Great Lakes within 24 hours, but we omitted Lake Ontario to keep our trip manageable within daylight hours. With several options for swimming locations, it was hard to decide exactly where to go! We chose to start at Lake Erie and drive north — at a safe and legal speed — to Lake Superior, hitting Lake Huron and Lake Michigan on the way. The final route was chosen based on driving distance, petfriendliness, natural beauty, and maybe some personal preference as well.

With 650 miles of adventure ahead of us, the four of us and the two dogs greeted the solstice sunrise on the shore of Lake Erie at Sterling State Park. It was a chilly morning, but we had no time to waste. We counted down, “3…2…1…” and ran screaming into the chilly water. Our road trip had officially begun!

After Lake Erie, we drove north to Tawas Point State Park for our swim in Lake Huron, then farther north to Petoskey State Park to swim in Lake Michigan. The dogs swam at Zoll Street Beach in nearby Harbor Springs for their Lake Michigan dip. We then drove north across the Mackinac Bridge to enter the Upper Peninsula, and headed west to Little Presque Isle Park at Lake Superior for our final destination. As we pulled up to the parking lot, with the sun hanging low on the horizon, we all shared a feeling of relief. We made it! There was one thing left to do … together we ran down the beach toward the water and celebrated our final swim in Lake Superior. Our Michigan Great Lakes Challenge was a success!

We all shared a tremendous feeling of accomplishment as we watched the sun dip below the horizon. The challenge took us to some of my favorite lake destinations, but in truth the experience highlighted only a fraction of the region’s beauty. One of the best things about this challenge is the ability to make it your own adventure. With beautiful locations in practically every corner of the Great Lakes, this challenge is easily customizable and welcomes anyone with an appetite for road-tripping fun.

This story was also highlighted by the Pure Michigan campaign. Additional details of this route, as well as sample itineraries of alternative routes, can be found at michigan.org.

WE ALL SHARED A TREMENDOUS FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AS WE WATCHED THE SUN DIP BELOW THE HORIZON.”

South Manitou Island Lighthouse Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Ludington State Park, Ludington, Michigan

Drew Mason @DrewMason

Drew is a Michiganbased photographer and filmmaker. He and his dog, Mason (@themittenmutt), love exploring the Great Lakes and beyond. In the last three years, they have hiked, biked and paddled more than 1,000 miles together on Michigan trails and waterways, sharing photos of their journey along the way.

Life just got 2.2 times better

Fliteboard is easy to learn and carves like a snowboard in fresh powder. Take your love of the lake to the next level with Series 2.2.

See the range at fliteboard.com

WAVES IN

Close your eyes and imagine a room full of your favorite people — people who inspire you, who have adventured the world, and who share stories that make you want to push harder, live fuller and laugh louder. People who inspire you to simply be more. This room is real — this room is the outdoor industry. The industry we are so proud to be a part of.

Within our company we have been lucky enough to build a team of like-minded individuals. Our team is made up of well-traveled risk takers. Adventure seekers. Out-of-the-box thinkers. Together, as a team, we strive to make waves in the region 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.

At Lake and Company it’s always been about the stories. And we will continue to tell the stories behind the people. Behind the photos. Behind the products. We work hard to keep our fingers on the pulse of what’s coming out from the Coasts by partnering with start-up companies whose innovative products have an audience in our region. These brands are a breath of fresh air in an oftentimes oversaturated market of the same old, same old. While sometimes unknown to most, they inspire us — and the adventure seekers in our community — with their innovative solutions, sustainable practices and socially conscious missions.

We feel honored to have the ability to use our multifaceted platform of magazines, digital media, online, and brickand-mortar stores to expose these amazing product stories to our Midwest readers and shoppers. We hope it will inspire you to adventure more, to dig deeper and to spread kindness while you do it.

From our Lake and Company cofounders, Megan Kellin and Kelly Kabotoff.

Want to collaborate with us? Please reach out to hello@thelakeandcompany.com.

OUR TRAVELS AND CHANCE ENCOUNTERS HAVE MADE US NATURAL COLLABORATORS AND CONNECTORS OF THE DOTS. THE SOURCE OF FLOWING CONVERSATIONS AND EPIC PARTNERSHIPS. (AND YES, WE SPEAK IN WATER ANALOGIES WHENEVER WE CAN.)"

Tallac

FRESH

By KELLY KABOTOFF

In a sea of “been there, done that” outdoor gear, finding the next new brand or product that is creating waves in the industry is something that truly makes me smile. These brands are blazing their own trails through innovation and creative solutions and producing goods that provide thoughtful solutions that are not only unique and innovative, but functional and fashionable as well. From new materials to fresh designs, these brands are exploring new territory. So next time you adventure, big or small, take a minute to go off the beaten path and see where fresh tracks, and fresh gear, can take you.

W&P Cocktail Canteen

Because sometimes I just want to take my craft cocktails on the road! The Cocktail Canteen contains all the tools one needs to make great drinks anywhere. The kit includes a combination peeler and zester, a collapsible jigger/shot glass, a telescoping bar spoon, a mini funnel and a TSA-compliant dropper bottle — all packed into an insulated cocktail shaker. Cheers! $40

Flip 36 Power Bank

Because I mix work and play as often as I can, you will often find me in the red with my phone and computer. Goal Zero solves this problem and helps keep me blazing trails day and night. This power bank works in tandem with their portable solar panels, and keeps me charged up when I need it most. $44.99

MATADOR

Freerain22

Waterproof Packable Backpack

Matador has always been a leader in packable adventure gear, and the launch of their Advanced Series products made them stand out even more. This packable backpack has a fully waterproof main compartment, perfect for water activities, as well as alpine-ready features including oversized water bottle pockets, gear loops and shock cord captures for technical tools. $99.99

GOAL ZERO

Monroe ACTV Sunglasses

When style meets performance, I’m all in. These glasses feature a no-slip, no-fog, no-bounce design, which allows for unobtrusive sun protection whatever the activity. Made from Mazzucchelli acetate, which is crafted in Italy from cotton and wood pulp, these sunnies are also environmentally friendly, making it a win-win. $199

The Van Dope Fanny Pack Windbreaker

Is it a fanny pack? Or a jacket? Well, turns out it’s both, and

Rainbow Tech Strapback

Our tech hats have become some of our most popular toppers in the last few years. They are easy wearing with a low crown and constructed of quick drying nylon-poly blend. Test them out on your next river day or any day you need a cool, versatile cover. $35

like to travel light, and I’m often forgetting some of the essentials. Enter the Bindle Bottle Puppy Pack. This all-in-one bundle features their signature water bottle with storage, an over-theshoulder carrying sleeve and a collapsible dog bowl with carabiner. I can hit the trail, the boat or the brewery and be confident that I’ve got my guy covered. $69.99

CALIFORNIA COWBOY High Sierra Flannel

With its beverage pocket, zippered DRYTECH pocket, sunglasses loop and interior thermal lining, this flannel does it all. It’s the perfect layer under your jacket on cold days, and it transitions into the best spring/summer “shacket” for cooler nights by the water or in the woods. $158

Fresh Tracks

HOWLER BROTHERS

SHWOOD

B. FRESH

By BRANDON RIECK Photography by MICAH CARROLL

What exactly is a highline? A slackline (a 1-inch piece of nylon or polyester webbing) that is suspended across a gap, with the goal being to walk one end to the other. A main tensioned line is walked, with a second loose line as backup (redundancy is everything in highlining). The main difference between highlining and tightrope walking is the stretchy webbing, which creates a far more dynamic line to cross, as well as the absence of a balance pole. Now that we know a bit about what the sport is, let’s get to how in the world we ended up doing it in places like Michigan and Minnesota.

Iwas introduced to slacklining in 2014 when I first moved to Marquette, Michigan, to attend Northern Michigan University. I found a few others at NMU who enjoyed slacklining, and we would meet up to share our passion for the slack life. Through a connection with another slackline devotee, we were invited to Moab, Utah, in 2016 to attend a Thanksgiving highline festival known as GGBY (if you want to know what that stands for, you’ll have to watch my GGBY highline film!). Slacklining regularly for the past summer, I felt confident in my ability to walk a highline. As soon as I scooted off the cliff, the ground falling out 400 feet below me, I was completely out of my element and had no chance at standing up. Humbled by the experience, I was determined to stand and cross my next highline.

I spent the next couple of years honing my skills on park lines in Michigan and traveled to Moab each fall to test myself. By my fourth year at GGBY in 2019, my progress in highlining had been quite slow because I was only able to practice a few times, one week out of the year, and I had to drive cross-country to do it. Though our original slack crew split ways, I continued rigging my Michigan

unlike anythingI’ve found before

lines higher on the trees to get that rush I found from highlining in Utah — a hyper-focus of calming my nerves and being in full flow with my mind, body and slackline. This sensation is unlike anything I’ve found before and what keeps drawing me back to the sport.

Back in Michigan, I found myself among a new crowd of slackliners: Micah Carroll, Joehl Pizzo and Will Otte. We started a weekly slackline meetup on campus, inviting anyone within the community to give it a try. This was a perfect way to reach others with our similar passion, and it’s how we met Adrian Wojcik, who had driven by the meetup a couple of times before finally deciding to stop. With Adrian’s and my prior experience highlining, we introduced it to our crew, who showed interest in it. The only problem was that it was the middle of summer, and GGBY was months out. Surely there could be another way we could highline sooner?

As we kept our heads on a swivel for any local gaps with enough height, it soon became impossible to go for a drive or hike without constantly contemplating whether a spot would work or not. Rigging our very first local highline with the rushing waterfall behind us was an experience that burned deep into my soul. I vividly remember thinking how amazing it was that we were able to do this in our backyard, a 45-minute drive from Marquette, compared to my 24hour road trip to Utah. Giving my crew the experience of highlining for their first time in Michigan was truly special. It was also much easier on the nerves, being only 25 feet up over the water, compared to the intimidating 400-foot canyons of Moab.

Very shortly after our first rig, we discussed the crown gem of highline spots in Michigan: Pictured Rocks. With up to 200-foot sandstone cliffs dropping off at Lake Superior with nothing to

see but an endless blue horizon, we couldn’t get out there soon enough! We were unsure of the regulations but knew ice climbing was allowed in the winter, anchoring off trees. After researching online, we found nothing about slacklining being an issue. Arriving at the lakeshore after a 1.5-hour hike with loads of gear, our breath was taken away by the vibrance of the early-morning water. We proceeded to rig two lines this time, side by side. Unfortunately, our day was cut short based on a misunderstanding with the park rangers, who had never seen this done on the lakeshore before.

Thus began our search for and establishment of more lines along the beautiful Pictured Rocks shoreline. As we passed into the new year, we learned the park had implemented slackline regulations taken directly from Yosemite’s rule book. This, unfortunately, eliminated our access to highlining over water in the park, but we learned their intention was not to cut off slacklining entirely. They encouraged us to do it elsewhere in the park, but being over the lakeshore presented certain issues. We are still currently working with the park to regain our access and adapt the rules to something more suitable for our National Lakeshore. This opened up more time to discover other notable Midwestern areas for highlining, such as Palisade Head and Devil’s Lake State Park.

It’s been an amazing opportunity to connect with Minnesota and Wisconsin slackline crews, traveling to see what they’ve established in their own areas. The slackline community includes truly some of the most unique and welcoming people I’ve had the privilege to meet. While we yearn for those pristine highline views along Pictured Rocks, we continue our pursuit of the slack life wherever we can find it. We hope to preserve these incredible places for all future generations and foster a community that will be able to experience these highlines long after we’re gone.

“ THIS SENSATION IS AND WHAT KEEPS DRAWING ME BACK TO THE SPORT.

AN INTERVIEW WITH

By JENNIFER GORMAN

Ifirst stumbled upon Parker on TikTok during quarantine. She was outside adventuring, laughing, dancing and educating all at once. I was hooked immediately. I loved her energy, her glasses, her bright lipstick and her message. A year later I got to meet her! We were both vaccinated and decided to take a walk in a park. I stepped out of the car into sunny, humid-free, 70-degree weather at Eastlake #3 Park & Nature Preserve in Thornton, Colorado. It was a perfect morning for a walk with a KWEEN.

What does KWEEN WERK mean? KWEEN stands for Keep Widening Environmental Engagement Narratives, and WERK means work, like doing the work — it all takes work. I take that as a challenge: how do we spread the message to people that they’re involved in this environmental movement that includes environmental justice and social justice issues, because they’re very much affected by the issues around pollution, climate change and everything else we’re dealing with?

Can you tell me a little bit about how you got started on your outdoor journey?

Well, you know, I think where I’m from is a part of what eventually became my outdoor journey. My mom was from Charleston, South Carolina. She grew up on James Island on a farm surrounded by water and marsh. When she got older, she moved to the Bronx and she met my dad. And the Bronx is just about as far as you can get landscape-wise from where my mom grew up. Two different worlds. But it was really important to my mom that we have experiences outside. We didn’t call it outdoor experiences or outdoor recreation; it was just important to my mom that we experience the outdoors.

I would walk around New York with my father collecting aluminum cans, because back then you could turn them in to get money, like actual money, 5 cents a can. I saw my neighborhood and I saw that there was trash on the ground. I started to ask my mother why. Why are people leaving their cans and trash around on the ground? My parents didn’t necessarily know what to tell me. So my mom was like, “Why don’t you write a letter asking them to clean it up?” Now, I’m 9 and I don’t know how to write a letter to the New York Times, but I did my best. I typed up a letter — several versions, mind you — on my father’s typewriter, imploring people to clean up their litter. It was like, “Dear people, like, you know, you’re killing the planet.” In that time period I began to gain a sense of place and I started to really care about my neighborhood and the city.

I had a love for being outside, and the activities with my family were like a seed that was planted. And as I grew up, it grew, and I’m an environmental educator now.

Have you always wanted a career in environmental education?

I didn’t know this was a career! I was looking for a job after completing my anthropology bachelor’s degree, and I thought I’d go work at camp as a placeholder until I found something better. I eventually started to think, “Oh, is this my career?” And people started to tell me we need representation in these spaces. I was not totally sold or comfortable about it at first because I didn’t see a whole lot of people who looked like me, especially in positions of leadership. When people thought of someone who is an environmentalist, who is an outdoor enthusiast, they didn’t picture someone like me. But I had a mentor who told me to stick with it, that there was a place for me. And here I am, 24 years later, an environmental educator.

I’m very excited about the conversations we’re having as a nation because people are starting to understand what role unconscious bias may have played in the past. Right? Many people have a certain picture of an outdoorsy person or an environmentalist in their head and then you see someone who looks like me — the idea that I am an environmentalist may not click automatically. And so, I think that those conversations we’re having are helping people start to understand and say, “I may not have been intentionally saying this or thinking this,” but sometimes our unintentional thoughts or experiences might play a role in our actions.

What is being outdoors all about for you? It’s not all about climbing fourteeners and doing these high-adventure things. Just a walk on a city street is being outdoors. I want people to have a connection and a feeling while they are outside; the connection to nature around them is what then makes that bigger connection to the wider world. And then that leads to protecting our natural resources into the future so that people continue to be able to visit beautiful lakes like the one we are on today, and it’s gorgeous. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

Being outdoors is having the ability to say, “This is for me too. This is a part of how I experience the outdoors and the world around me. I am connected to this.” Being outdoors is not just for a certain group of people who look a certain way and make it to the top of Mount Everest and have all the same equipment, right? That isn’t necessary to enjoy the outdoors and I think we need to widen that tent.

I am lucky to have had time on a sweet trail with KWEEN WERK, and I’m thankful for talking with this phenomenal woman who is breaking down barriers, dancing her way through the hard parts and educating our future environmentalists. Follow @kweenwerk to share in her journey.

cparkermcmullenbushman.com ecoinclusive.org inclusivejourneys.com kweenwerk.com

BEING OUTDOORS IS NOT JUST FOR A CERTAIN GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO LOOK A CERTAIN WAY AND MAKE IT TO THE TOP OF MOUNT EVEREST AND HAVE ALL THE SAME EQUIPMENT, RIGHT? THAT ISN’T NECESSARY TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS AND I THINK WE NEED TO WIDEN THAT TENT.”

ROYALE

By JOHN KEEFOVER Photography by JOHN KEEFOVER

Imagine experiencing the wilderness on a remote island archipelago surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise water. You might be dreaming about the Caribbean right now, but I’m talking about Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior. Isle Royale is part of Michigan and is one of the least visited National Parks. That is mostly because it is accessible only via boat or seaplane, and only from April 16 to October 31, when it closes for extreme winter weather. Though not many people know about it or make it out there, the National Park Service claims it has many repeat visitors. After we backpacked across the isle, it was easy to see why so many people return to this special place.

It’s truly a unique site, with 99% of the land mass and surrounding coast being a federally designated wilderness, mostly untouched and protected for all to enjoy. It features 165 miles of scenic hiking trails along glaciated lava flow ridges, as well as 36 campgrounds for backpackers, paddlers and boaters alike. The island has historic lighthouses, shipwrecks, ancient copper mining sites, excellent fishing and one of the most dense populations of moose. There are so many moose on the island that wolves were brought in to help curb the population, as there are no other natural predators, most notably bears. Not only is Isle Royale an outdoors paradise, but it’s also a place of great biological and geological scientific study.

Getting to the island is an adventure in itself. Ferries operate from Grand Portage, Minnesota, as well as from Copper Harbor and Houghton, Michigan, to both of the major harbors on each end of the island: Windigo and Rock Harbor. You can also take the seaplane from either Grand Marais, Minnesota, or Houghton. The seaplane will

get you there much faster, but it’s more expensive and prone to weather delays due to the often heavy fog on the lake. We were delayed by a day and a half because of thick fog. You always have to be flexible with your planning! The ferries are slower but more affordable and reliable, only getting delayed by major storms. If you have a capable boat of your own, you can travel that way as well. The weather changes quickly on Lake Superior, though, so you need to be prepared and experienced for that journey.

Once you’re finally there, it’s time to explore! There are multiple ways to enjoy the island. You can backpack across the whole expanse like we did, do a loop around the major harbors, set up a base camp and day hike, bring a canoe or kayak over on the ferry and paddle around the inland lakes and Lake Superior if it’s calm enough, or go fishing in your own boat. If you don’t feel like camping, there’s even lodging at Rock Harbor and Windigo, as well as restaurants and stores. We were thankful for the store having ice-cold beers after we hiked 80 miles! A few friendly fishermen along the way shared their beers as well. One of them even gave us a ride in their boat to Rock of Ages Lighthouse.

The trails were in good shape when we went in early spring, but I can definitely see them getting overgrown later on. There will be mud and some downed trees

you’ll have to dance around, as well as reroutes where beaver dams have caused completely flooded trails. The weather varies so much that you need to be ready for everything. We luckily didn’t have any rain, but every night the temperatures dropped to freezing — a benefit of which was no bugs. One thing there wasn’t a shortage of was moose. We saw 25 moose, 15 of them in one day! It was incredible seeing them, especially some that came very close to us.

If you plan on going to the island, do lots of research and planning, but also give yourself flexibility for possible weather delays, your transportation and other factors. Hike your own hike, but always Leave No Trace!

John Keefover

John is a Landscape & Nature photographer based out of Duluth, MN. The North Shore will always be his home, and he loves backpacking in the backyard. You can follow along on his website/socials @keefography where he shares photographs & stories from the trails.

“THE

FISHING AND ONE OF THE MOST DENSE POPULATIONS OF MOOSE.

@hockey_sporttest

@jordan.watke

@aimeejobephoto

@jonkreye

Rainy Lake, MN

Banff National Park Alaska

Joshua Tree National Park

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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.

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NORTHERN GLASSES

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LOLL DESIGNS

Pitch Modern Birdhouse

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LARISSA LODEN Brene Necklace in Labradorite

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RUMPL Everywhere Towel

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Amber Apothecary Soy Candle

With notes of silver birch leaves and fresh water, North Shore will be your go-to candle. Our signature amber jar pairs perfectly with the crackling sound of the wooden wick and this fan-favorite scent. Call it our Minnesota roots, but we believe burning with wood is the only way.

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finding dimension the fourth

Surf to Ski with Multisport Athlete Lynsey Dyer

By LYNSEY DYER

Photography by @UNICORNPICNIC

Iam known as a skier who has consistently pushed through years and years of winter in the mountains. But there is an off season. And in the Tetons, summer is a dreamy time for training to take on looser, more playful tactics.

Growing up, I didn’t get as much playtime on the water as I would have liked. I was usually training and working for ski season, riding my bike to work summer ice cream jobs to help pay for the winter race season, but any off time I had meant lake time with my family.

Being on the water has always provided a different fulfillment for me than skiing — that’s my career. Swimming, water-skiing and surfing have always just remained straight-up recreation and joy.

But as a skier, I find it impossible to not look up at lines and wonder what I might learn from one more trip up in the mountains. There’s a line on Mount Moran in Grand Teton National Park that for years has been winking at me while I ski and surf with friends and family on Jackson Lake in my off season. I’d been looking at this line for a decade from the lake. I knew it was time to make it happen.

There’s something about a hard expedition that every skier/mountaineer knows: the difficulty will clean you out physically and mentally, a chance to refocus the lens. It’s a siren for many skiers, but Jackson Lake, the ideal spot from which to plan the descent, is the main challenge in hammering out logistics.

I had heard plenty about the more than 6,000-foot steep line and the treacherous bushwhack from the lake to the snow line with zero trail to guide you. I’d heard about the relentless steep pitches requiring an ice axe and crampons.

I thought about the night or two out in heavy bear country, how to cross the 7 miles of lake to get to the foot of the line — years of staring up at it, wondering how do you construct an itinerary for both water and snow?

That’s what has always had me excited, not just the goal but the journey. On June 1, the weather was looking great and my excursion well timed. My ski buddies had just wrapped a season in Alaska and were in town — perfect recruits for a fun summer expedition.

There was still one element left to plan for: how to get across Jackson Lake — we couldn’t just hitch a ride on another boat. There needed to be a little bit of twist.

I like surfing. I like skiing. I also like flying.

I first discovered the e-foil in 2019. When people ask what it’s like, the most accurate way to describe it is that it’s like “riding the fourth dimension.” It’s unlike any other sport. You’re riding a wing that’s riding a wave beneath the surface of the water while you’re standing on a board above the water. The most subtle movements change everything. The e-foil, unlike a nonmotorized foil, is also easy to pick up with its self-propelled motor.

My clean-energy toy made the trifecta complete: expedition partners, good conditions and a novel way to keep things a little silly — the e-foil— as we went out in search of the fourth dimension.

The fourth dimension — that term again — refers to achieving the flow state with a whole new delivery mechanism in my favorite element: water (snow is just the frozen kind). You know the feeling — losing yourself in the moment; when you find that your abilities are well matched to an activity, right on the edge, effortless, the world around you quietens and you find yourself achieving things you only dreamt to be possible. Beyond medals or titles, that’s what I’m after.

We shuttled out from Jackson midday and met up with “Dave the Wave,” a ski and boating buddy so hardcore that he built his own boat in his off time as a roofer and ski guide. We got some funny looks as we laid out our winter gear on the dock on one of the first hot summer days.

Most of the gear went in the boat, but I did hold onto my skis for the lake voyage — like they were my own figureheads for my e-foil ship, blessing the inaugural waters. In truth, though, it was a careful balancing act. The e-foil is only 4 feet, 2 inches long, and with the way it surfs, you are hovering up to 30 inches above the water depending on your speed and agility.

As we reached the far shore, the base of what would be the start of the climb, the temperature and the air had changed. It was colder with

the snow runoff, and somehow wilder. Not many folks get to see this dark, isolated and deeply wooded side of the Tetons. The lodgepole pine loomed up from the shore, hiding the mountains in a wall of fallen trees and brush. Entering here felt like entering the fire swamp with the ROUSs (rodents of unusual size … you know, from “The Princess Bride”).

Here it was time to change gears, and the gear. We traded out wetsuits for lightweight hiking gear and unloaded the rest of the gear and crew. Then we got ready to start bushwhacking with our 50-pound packs, stuffed with everything we needed: sleeping bags, bivy sacks, ice axes, crampons, ski boots, skis, skins, food for two days, helmet and, most important, bear spray.

There is zero trail to follow, and with all your gear on your back it can take a day just to reach the snow line — two days minimum up and down for the whole thing, and that’s banking on some decent route finding, with the added bonus of an overnight in heavy bear country.

After that, all that faced me and my friends was 50+-degree “no-fall zone” slopes that are steep and icy on the way up and variable on the way back down — with a guaranteed soundtrack of falling rock for the entire trek.

I’m far from a mountaineer. I have never been motivated by summits, speed records or the peakbagging checklist. Hiking far with sharp things attached to my body in no-fall zones for crappy skiing doesn’t usually call to me. This line was worth the exception.

As an artist, I have a thing for aesthetics, and this line is an aesthetic work of art, wholly beautiful and alluring, not just a pretty face. The kind of line that calls to skiers with just the right pitch and angles. Mt. Moran is something different.

Depending on who you ask, Mt. Moran is the home of St. Germain.

The mythologies say that St. Germain is one of 12 Ascended Masters — a spiritual dozen of humans that are considered to have ascended to higher dimensional realms and gather in the Tetons every year entering and exiting our 3D realm through Mt. Moran. Jesus, Quan Yin and the Buddha are other examples.

"YOU KNOW THE FEELING — LOSING YOURSELF IN THE MOMENT;

WHEN YOU FIND THAT YOUR ABILITIES ARE WELL MATCHED TO AN ACTIVITY, RIGHT ON THE EDGE, EFFORTLESS, THE WORLD AROUND YOU QUIETENS AND YOU FIND YOURSELF ACHIEVING THINGS YOU ONLY DREAMT TO BE POSSIBLE.

St. Germain’s presence has been identified in many accounts throughout history, including the Prophet Samuel from the Old Testament; Sir Francis Bacon, and St. Joseph, as a high priest of Atlantis and the keeper of the Sacred Violet Flame of Healing. Yes, I see the world with elements and energies that many call “woo-woo.”

I have studied with masters and teachers and visited with groups who gather to celebrate the powers that are embedded in the Tetons, from the purple colors of huckleberries, lupine and sunsets — I love listening to every account that connects us to the mountains, not just bagging its ski lines.

If I’m being really honest, the final motivation I needed to make this adventure happen was that I needed to talk to the mountain. I was at a crossroads in life, an in-between. I was searching for direction and I was hoping St. Germain might be able to help.

Only my dear friends know I’m a closet spiritualist, consuming all the woo-woo with all the mystics and energy workers and having read my mother’s mystical books as soon as I could pull them off the shelf. (“Many Lives, Many Masters” was the first one.)

That night just below the snowline on the rocks and boulders, I did a meditation asking for direction for the biggest thing on my mind: whether to become a mother. In my profession, there were zero guarantees I could keep my career should I go that route. A year before, I’d lost my biggest sponsor after talking about wanting to become a mother. (Could I prove the two were related? I couldn’t, but my confidence had taken a dive.) Did I really have to continue to choose — a career or kiddos? And if so, which was my higher path this lifetime?

Just before the alarm went off at 3 a.m., I had some sort of out-of-body experience. I was looking down at my crew from above in the moonlight. It was crazy. I didn’t notice any answers to my big question, but the experience was one I’d never had before.

Then boom, back in my body and it was time. Time to get the headlamps out and start hiking in our boots. Then the skis and skins came on, but not for long — too steep, too icy.

Crampon time came faster than I’d expected. For someone not super used to using them (I’ve put on crampons fewer than 20 times in my career), I had to put a whole lot of unnecessary energy into each foothold to make sure I could trust each step. Hiking felt easy at first, just icy. Then it got steep and narrow, weaving up between boulders in the dark.

The focus required to not slip made it all the more rad, and mentally exhausting more so than physically exhausting.

Here there can be zero room to think of anything besides the next perfect foothold; that’s a meditation in itself. Catching a pant leg could mean sliding out of control into rocks, and that is not an option.

Four and half hours later, we hiked through the sunrise and felt the warmth of the sun start to ripen the snow beneath our feet. By 8 a.m., it was hot — hotter than we wanted. Rocks shed off the sides. The snow was getting rotten and steeper with every step.

Just below the summit, I set up my seat. It was hard to get my breath to slow and my heart to stop pounding. My skis were sticking almost vertically out of the snow, and leaning back I was supported essentially standing up — it was that steep. Do not let a ski go here, I thought to myself as I used my ice axe to secure my pack to the snow.

I sat for 10 minutes and released with trust all the things and relationships and family I’d lost over these past few COVID years and beyond. As the rest of the crew went up to the summit and I was alone on the slope, I called in the divine masters — St. Michael the Protector, Quan Yin, The Divine Mother Buddhist bodhisattva from the Chinese belief system. I asked for clarity with ultimate humility. Then I hastily put myself together, shifted from crampons to skis and got the heck out of there. It went from jump turns in hot isothermic mush to ice with the water trickling down the sides of what felt like a funnel to perfect corn as the aspect changed.

At 1,500 feet below the summit, I met back up with the guys and shredded perfect corn, hooting and hollering the whole way before the snow turned to dirty sun cups.

At 11 a.m., we got back to the gear and the celebratory beers and snacks we had stashed. The smell of summer was ripe in the air as we loaded our packs back up and pushed off back to the lake. The bushwhacking was gnarlier on the down. Skis would become lodged easily in trees — it was so easy to get stuck. There were so many signs of wildlife, scat at every step. I was glad I hadn’t noticed that on the way up.

A few hours later we were at the beach, and then like clockwork, our support crew arrived. My fiancé had thought of every one of my favorite snacks — chicken salad, croissant, a smoothie. We devoured them right there before some unwinding beach naps and playtime on the Fliteboard. Then off back across the lake, back to other boaters, flush toilets, and paved ground.

Lynsey Dyer

is a professional athlete, artist, and wellness and wildlife advocate committed to encouraging us all to reach our highest potential through the magic of the outdoors. She co-founded SheJumps.org to help increase women’s participation in the outdoors, and she designed the iconic “girafficorn" (the charity’s main fundraising and branding icon) to welcome more playfulness in the outdoors. She also produced and directed the first all-female action sports film for women and girls, “Pretty Faces”, which shifted the industry to be more inclusive. She hosts the popular outdoor podcast “ShowingUP with Lynsey Dyer.”

You can find her artwork, gear and trip offerings at UnicornPicnic.com.

It’s one year later as I write this. I am breastfeeding my newborn daughter with new sponsorship partners who see the value. She’s entirely different terrain, beautiful and new and the best decision I ever made. There’s no better ascent to be heading up.

Contributors:

Boat captain: Dave "The Wave" Muccino

Ski buddies: Paul Krekow and Erin Dayhill

SHE’S ENTIRELY DIFFERENT TERRAIN, BEAUTIFUL AND NEW AND THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE. THERE’S NO BETTER ASCENT TO BE HEADING UP.

Untouched Exploration

By JON KREYE Photography by JON KREYE

Remote Alaska Through the Lens of an Adventure Photographer

Fox Island, Alaska

My wife and I had stable jobs that we loved in Minnesota, close to many family and friends, but after years of imagining an epic new adventure for our lives, we decided to take a leap. A big one. We leapt — actually, drove — 3,300 miles across the U.S. and Canada to live in the untamed “last frontier” we had been dreaming about for years. In August 2020, we packed everything we could fit into our Subaru and started a journey that would change our lives and perspectives forever.

My passion for outdoor exploration began at a young age. From camping trips to the north woods of Wisconsin, to learning about backpacking and wilderness preparedness in the Boy Scouts, to growing up in a river town, to now living in a world-renowned location for outdoor adventure. Living in Alaska has only brought my love and desire for outdoor exploration to the next level.

Since living in the True North, I have been able to see what few will ever experience in a lifetime. There is no shortage of adventure to be found: glacial exploration by helicopter, hiking under the midnight sun, standing on mountain peaks where few have ever stood, spelunking inside ice caves in the depths of a glacier.

Alaska in the summer is unparalleled. My wife and I find ourselves staying up far later than we typically would due to the excessive amount of daylight. We were not used to that. Twenty-plus hours of daylight to paddle, hike, fish, paraglide, fly or even ski. It is not uncommon for locals to be out until 2 a.m. fishing the world-famous king salmon.

Alaska also boasts some incredible offthe-beaten-path accommodations. My photography has taken me to some of the most unique stays the state has to offer. One memorable stay took me off the grid to a remote yurt situated in a private oceanside cove. Shearwater Cove sits about 10 miles south of Seward and is so remote it requires a water taxi to get there. We watched humpback whales breach on the boat ride out to the property. I was also able to experience some world-class ocean kayaking in nearby Humpy and Thumb Coves. The thoughtfully planned resort has hiking trails into the mountains that offer unbelievable views of Resurrection Bay that cannot be accessed from anywhere else. The yurt even includes a rainwater shower with biodegradable soap, leaving a low impact on the environment.

Living and exploring the last frontier changes one’s perspective of what the United States has to offer for remote adventure and changes a person’s perspective of life. Time in the wilderness leaves me feeling refreshed, alive and connected to the earth. Our time here is limited, and taking a leap is not always easy, especially if it is a big leap, but it’s, oh, so worth it. My many memorable experiences spent in nature have led me to a deep appreciation for the wild and pure earth. May you and I never lose this excitement, passion and love for this planet we call home.

Jon Kreye

SINCE LIVING IN THE TRUE NORTH, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE WHAT FEW WILL EVER EXPERIENCE IN A LIFETIME.”

Inspired by exploring and connecting with the natural world, Jon Kreye is a professional landscape photographer capturing content for outdoor-based businesses.

Valdez, Alaska

Travel Tips for the Last Frontier

.01

Ferries and water taxis Explore Seldovia or many public parks and lands accessible from the water.

.02

Public-use cabins

Book an off-grid cabin that can be reserved online for as little as $25 a night.

.03

Railroads Book a trip on the Alaska railroad to Seward, Spencer Glacier or Denali, and relax while enjoying the views.

.04

Airplanes

By far the best way to view the vast wilderness of Alaska is from the air. I recommend taking a flight-seeing tour.

.05

Save your money

Expect to pay about 15-20% more for just about anything compared to in the Lower 48.

.06

Extreme daylight

In Anchorage, expect about five hours of daylight in the depths of winter and 20-plus hours of light in the summer.

.07

Plan meals and stays

One can easily drive hours without seeing a town, gas station or restaurant.

.08

Off-season travel Consider traveling in the winter, spring or fall when fewer tourists visit.

Spencer Glacier

Beluga Point, Alaska

Humpy Cove, Alaska

Granite Point Mountain Lodge

Prince William Sound

From

Paddling 2,350 Miles Down the Mississippi

By CASEY COOPER

Photography by JAMIE COOPER

Iwas fortunate to be born and raised in La Crosse, part of the driftless region in southwest Wisconsin. Deep river valleys and rolling bluffs contrast the flat prairies of the surrounding Midwest. My parents fostered a love of the outdoors and a deep appreciation for this small region of the county.

We spent summers boating on the Mississippi River, paddling its tributaries, fishing its backwaters, hiking and biking its bluffs. I remember being on our boat as a young boy and asking my dad where the river goes. I was blown away to learn it went all the way to the ocean. That planted the seed for my brother Jamie and me: Build a canoe and paddle the entire Mississippi River. But life gets in the way. Back surgeries, college graduations and “the real world” prevented our timelines from matching up.

In the summer of 2018 Jamie began building a cedar-strip canoe, and I took off to paddle the entire Mississippi River. We did not get to do the entire trip together, but I kept a piece of Jamie with me. His handcrafted paddle powered me 2,350 miles down the mighty Mississippi. The river changes drastically as it winds its way through the heart of America. But I can categorize it into three major sections.

To Sea

Casey Cooper

Casey purpose is to serve grieving families as a funeral director, but his passion is the outdoors. If not working, you can find Casey outside; paddling, fishing, backpacking, hiking or biking the beautiful landscape of the Midwest.

The river starts as a small stream, flowing north from Lake Itasca. Some spots are so narrow, I didn’t paddle but instead grasped the cattails and pulled my way through. The stream grows steadily as it meanders its way through the wetlands of northwest Minnesota. Occasionally the river gets lost in open marshes. The weeds beneath me became my compass, pointing me in the direction of the main channel. A handful of small dams and a few rapids required portaging. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources maintains campsites along the way. Elevated high above the river's mucky banks, they provide great views of marshy wetlands. Almost a third of my trip was spent in the state of Minnesota.

A series of 29 locks and dams carve a 9-foot channel, deep enough for barges carrying corn, soy, wheat and salt from Minneapolis to St. Louis. The Army Corps of Engineers allows paddlers to lock through the dams. Though it is better than portaging, it can be very intimidating. The dams create large reservoirs called pools, some of them up to 3 miles wide. The wind, recreational boat traffic and choppy water made for some difficult paddling. But the exposed limestone cliffs and lush, rolling bluffs offered some of the most beautiful scenery. Protected by the Upper Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Refuge, sandbars provide campsites in sight of the main channel.

The Ohio River merges with the Mississippi at the southernmost point of Illinois — almost doubling its volume. There are no more locks and dams, and the river is free to twist and turn at will. Each bend produces a large, barren island, rising just inches above the waterline. The vast width of the river allows sunrises and sunsets to dominate the landscape; and at night, heat lightning fills the sun's void. Other than the occasional barge, the river is quiet, calm, peaceful — until Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dwarfing the barges, oil tankers now rule the river. Oil refineries line the banks as shipping traffic picks up.

Luckily, Jamie flew down to paddle this final stretch with me. Sandy banks gave way to cottonwood trees, and we could start to smell the salt in the air. When we finally made it to the Gulf of Mexico, our parents were there waiting. After a celebratory beer and swim in the Gulf, we accepted a ride from a charter fisherman back up the Delta to the nearest town.

THE VAST WIDTH OF THE RIVER ALLOWS SUNRISES AND SUNSETS TO DOMINATE THE LANDSCAPE; AND AT NIGHT, HEAT LIGHTNING FILLS THE SUN'S VOID."

LAKE SUPERIOR BARN

Maple, WI lakesuperiorbarn.com

The Lake Superior Barn is a 4,250-square-foot home with 4 bathrooms and accommodations to easily sleep 20 people in the 6 bedrooms and 15 beds. It is designed to accommodate multiple families, with open bathrooms and individual toilets and showers. The home sits on the south shore of Lake Superior, staring across the lake to the North Shore cities of Duluth and Two Harbors. Enjoy the 1,600-square-foot reclaimed deck just outside the beautiful kitchen, and a pantry with all the extra ingredients and spices you may have forgotten. Build a fire with wood provided in the stone fireplace or have a fire on the bluff watching the sun set, or lie in a beanbag chair and enjoy a book from the stocked shelves in the loft.

Photography by TROY THIES PHOTOGRAPHY

STAYS

HECETA LIGHTHOUSE

Yachats, OR hecetalighthouse.com

Nestle into one of six rooms at one of the last remaining lightkeeper’s cottages on the Pacific Coast. A handcrafted wooden staircase leads to our well-appointed rooms with cozy down duvets and unique antique furnishings.

Dream about a lightkeeper’s life on your nighttime walk to the lighthouse. Away from the cares of the modern world, you will experience the vast starscape while gazing at the beams from the sparkling first-order Fresnel lens!

Wake to a decadent seven-course breakfast and taste the riches of Oregon and the Northwest. The Heceta Head Lightstation offers a year-round bed-and-breakfast for the romantic and adventurous traveler.

CAMP WANDAWEGA

Elkhorn, WI wandawega.com

Camp Wandawega is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. We’re not a “proper” resort by a long shot.We’re just carrying on the timeless tradition of connecting people to the simple pleasures of simpler times, since 1925. Camp Wandawega is a no-frills, back-to-basics establishment, with no modern conveniences; that’s part of our charm. But it’s not for everyone. Overnight accommodations include a combination of vintage cabins, cottages, a dorm-style hotel/bunkhouse and camping.

AWOL KENNEBUNKPORT

Kennebunkport, ME tinyurl.com/5n7e3d9s

Our private retreat is nestled in the village among centuries-old pine, elm, balsam fir and birch trees and wild Maine blueberry bushes. The native landscape provides a respite from the activity of Kennebunkport’s Dock Square, just a few minutes’ walk away. You can enjoy the serenity of your private space or gather with new friends; the choice is yours.

CLIFF HOUSE

Mesa Verde, CO tinyurl.com/y2fe96nr

Stay on the flank of Sleeping Ute Mountain in historic McElmo Canyon just 40 minutes from Mesa Verde and 20 minutes from the town of Cortez. Featured in Better Homes & Gardens in 2012, the Cliff House is built right into the red-rock cliff wall of a private canyon alcove with comfortable amenities, internet, nearby petroglyphs and sweeping views down-canyon. A perfect place to base yourself for your next creative endeavor or for rejuvenating and exploring in the wilds of the Four Corners.

SOUTH CAROLINA TREEHOUSE

Walhalla, SC tinyurl.com/yc3dp8jw

Why do people travel thousands of miles from around the world to stay in our treehouse? Come and see for yourself! Transport your spirit and feel a thrill that can only be discovered in the treetops!

Experience the one-of-a-kind blend of youthful bliss and grown-up luxury for yourself. The faster you get here, the sooner you change your pace and unwind in our wooden paradise. This luxury treehouse was designed by Seth Bolt (from the band NEEDTOBREATHE), who grew up on Bolt Farm. Larry Bolt (Seth’s dad), proprietor, Eagle Scout and licensed custom home builder, has been constructing and remodeling homes for over 40 years in upstate South Carolina.

SPRUCE MOUNTAIN FIRE LOOKOUT TOWER

Laramie, WY tinyurl.com/mtnt8ydn

Perched atop a forested mountain, the Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout Tower offers visitors a unique lodging experience in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest in south-central Wyoming. Historically occupied as a fire lookout, the 55-foot-tall structure was renovated and opened to the public for overnight rental in 1977. The lookout is typically open from June through September. Guests can drive directly to the lookout. Several amenities are provided, but guests should be prepared to pack some of their own supplies and gear for a comfortable stay.

STRAND ISLAND LODGE

Orr, MN strandisland.com

Strand Island is a 45-acre private island located on 11,000-acre Pelican Lake in Orr, Minnesota. The 108-year-old main cabin has 6 bedrooms, 2 baths, a stone fireplace and a huge porch with swinging beds suspended from the ceiling. There is also a wood-burning sauna and a log cabin that sleeps 4. The island is largely undeveloped and wild — explore the woods or cast off from one of the fishing docks. Pelican Lake is excellent for crappie and bass fishing, boating and other water sports. The cabin underwent a major update and remodel in early 2015.

LAKE HAVASU POOL/ WATERFALL/LAKE HOME

Lake Havasu City, AZ tinyurl.com/4se4k6sv

Spectacular panoramic lake viewfrom the kitchen/dining room family room/primary bedroom — more than 1 acre of property. Forever lake views from our one-of-a-kind infinity-edge pool with three waterfalls running down our “boulder mountain.” A stunning panoramic lake view over our second “private” lake-facing vacant lot. We even have amazing mountain views. The perfect family compound. This is one property you have to see to believe.

Acting Un-shellfish-ly

Growing outdoor-apparel brand

Jetty sees recycling oyster shells as a benefit in and out of the water.

By JON COEN Photography by JETTY

When the New Jersey coastal-lifestyle apparel company Jetty launched its line of fall apparel in 2020, it featured stretchy surf trunks, warm quilted flannels, button-down shirts for nights at a favorite raw bar and nifty all-weather shells for cool mornings at the dock. But a few key pieces had an extraordinary story: The fabric was made from crushed oyster shells.

Plastic water bottles that have been turned into pellets and then textiles and eventually clothing are not new. But throwing shellfish in the mix is certainly different. And yet each Oystex piece feels soft and supple with anti-odor properties and great durability. Plus, the manufacturing process diverts another material from the waste stream. And while this seems like progress, not to mention an ecologically sound move by a

company that always steered its ship by an ethical compass, there is another important layer to the story for Jetty.

The brand, launched in 2003 by a group of lifelong surf buddies, has grown to become one of the premier independently owned apparel companies in the outdoor world, still printing all of their gear in house with notoriety on both coasts and a growing presence in the lakes and mountains of the northern tier states. Jetty now has a separate screen printing business, a microbrewery, a year-round calendar of events and their own nonprofit organization. And, as of 2017, they are a certified B Corp, accredited leaders of socially and ecologically sound business practices. Through their early charitable projects and the Jetty Rock Foundation, they have donated over $1.5 million to community members in need and to environmental sustainability.

One project that makes Oystex even more relevant is the Oyster Recycling Program, in their local Barnegat Bay, which separates the regional barrier islands of the New Jersey coast from the mainland. It’s a partnership between the Jetty Rock Foundation, local restaurants, Long Beach Township, Richard Stockton University, the fourth-generation oyster cultivators of Parsons Mariculture and the Barnegat Bay Partnership that is returning oyster reefs to this once bountiful ecosystem.

Oysters have enjoyed a renewed culinary adoration in recent years. The Barnegat Bay used to be teeming with them. Not only did they provide food and jobs, but also they are well-known filter feeders, filtering up to 50 gallons of water per day. They

remove healthy microorganisms from the water before they become too plentiful and starve other organisms of oxygen.

Simply put, more oysters equals a healthier bay. But oyster larvae, known as “spat,” need hard structure to attach themselves and grow. The loss of 90% of the oyster reefs in Barnegat Bay, coupled with overharvesting and disease, all but wiped out the natural oyster population. But now, five years into this program, this sexy shellfish is making a huge comeback in the same local waters that have always inspired the Jetty brand.

When oysters are served in restaurants, the staff separate the oyster shells from the other waste. The Oyster Recycling truck makes the rounds, collecting the shells and depositing them onto a massive shell pile. Each spring, the shells are placed in tanks, and thousands of tiny oyster seeds are added, attaching themselves to the upcycled shells. Then the new shells are added to the growing oyster reef. It’s a true community effort that involves everyone from table bussers to scientists. Jetty not only donates financially but also uses its marketing expertise to make the public aware of the importance of oysters and the project itself.

Over the last decade, a new generation of oyster cultivators has sprung forth to meet the growing demand. As a result of their efforts and the Oyster Recycling Program, wild oysters are growing on their own, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has pledged to support the project.

2021 was a huge year not only for the local oyster industry but also for plenty of fresh Jetty gear made from recycled oysters.

BUT NOW, FIVE YEARS INTO THIS PROGRAM, THIS SEXY SHELLFISH IS MAKING A HUGE COMEBACK IN THE SAME LOCAL WATERS THAT HAVE ALWAYS INSPIRED THE JETTY BRAND."

A (BUFFALO) CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

By TEDDY GRANT

STANDING AROUND A BONFIRE TELLING STORIES AND DRINKING BEER … WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT IN LIFE?

– Ron “Woody” Woodruff

Isuppose it’s more than a little ironic that I am sitting down to speak with the man who practically invented the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as we know it today. Ironic because my motorcycle’s fresh tires, with less than a handful of miles on them, have not hit the pavement for some time. Since 2013, according to the antiquated tabs that anchor “Black Betty.”

A flat-black 1978 Honda CB750-K was the vehicle for my rite of passage in my mid-20s. The odometer must have stopped running well before my relationship with Black Betty ever began. She had been a great companion to enjoy Minnesota summers with in my yesteryear. Now, after nearly a decade, dust is the only thing that sits atop her cold black leather seat. But motorcycles are not just for the young and dumb.

A man who needs only one name to be recognized, Woody, sits down with me

for a conversation about the Buffalo Chip motorcycle rally.

Ron “Woody” Woodruff, like me, is a simple man, but perhaps he figured that out a few years earlier than I did when he embarked on what would become a lifelong hosting of the country’s largest motorcycle rally.

If you ask anyone who has created anything worth creating, they will all likely agree: It’s not about creating something to brag about; it's about drowning in the process of creating something you love and believe in. You can focus on your craft only to wake up one day and realize what you have created is in your wake. Woody has a big wake, but he won’t be the person to tell you because he hasn’t looked back since he created the Buffalo Chip motorcycle rally nearly 40 years ago.

MOTORCYCLES

Before getting too deep into the beginning of the Buffalo Chip rally, let’s talk about the very things that rally on the western edge of South Dakota: motorcycles. The first bike Woody ever owned was a little toy motorcycle that was all of 4 inches long and 2.5 inches tall. It was made of all gold, including the tires.

Woody still has this bike and the wheels still turn.

Over the years, Woody has had his pick of bikes, but his favorite motorcycle is a 1999 (carbureted) Harley-Davidson Low Rider — a bike that has taken all the abuse Woody has given it. But Woody tells me about another bike with a story:

WOODY: “In 2003, I had a real biker that was working for me. He was going to quit, because he really didn’t like being around all the people at the rally. So I told him, work for me for a while and I’ll give you a motorcycle as incentive, in addition to your pay. The guy’s eyes lit right up. Well, later that very same day, he came riding in on a brand-new 2004 Harley Fat Boy. This is a fella who did not have any financial

means at all.”

“How did you get that?” I asked him.

“Well, I charged it to you,” the man replied. “What?!” “Yeah, I just charged it to you at the Harley dealership.”

Woody called Jim, the owner of the local Harley dealership, and explained the situation. Jim’s sarcasm was not lost over the phone: “What?! I’ll have to find out who the salesman was on this …”

THE START

This is a good example of just one of the many personalities Woody has had the opportunity to meet over the years since he started hosting music and bonfires just outside of Sturgis. “It kind of just naturally grew from having bonfires and kegs at home,” Woody replied when asked how the Buffalo Chip started. That keg party now hosts roughly 700,000 people each year.

Rewind nearly 40 years — the city of Sturgis started to push back against motorcyclists visiting every summer, for likely little reason other than the stigma of bikers resulting

from movies like Dennis Hopper’s “Easy Rider” or hard words from Hunter S. Thompson about his time with the Hell’s Angels.

WOODY: “The city started discouraging the rally and closing the city park where most of the people at the rally had been camping. So we wanted to find a place to have a party and let people know they are welcome to come. It ain’t right kicking people out of town, so let’s do something.”

A solution to this conflict grew some 3 miles away in a small pasture with only a “handful of cows surrounded by three strands of barbed wire.” This small pasture would eventually grow

to be a large pasture with a natural amphitheater that anchors what would become the Buffalo Chip. The first destination vacation for motorcycles in the country. A 10day lollapalooza of music, bikes and people from all over the country. A place where everyone is welcome, no matter their color or creed.

WOODY: “It wasn’t an idea for a business, as much as it was just something that ought to be done.

After that, people wanted to come back, so we tried to have more for them to do, and improved the pasture. Then it became a competitive environment between the Chip and the city. We were just trying to have a party and trying to have a good time, and it grew from that.”

That simple bonfire in 1982 has now grown to an event whose reputation precedes itself when someone is asked about the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. A modest set on a small stage played by Johnny Paycheck and Willie Nelson’s daughter, Susan, in its first year of existence has become a festival that dominates the South Dakota skyline and influences fans of motorcycles, music and politics.

It didn’t take long for the very same city that pushed away bikers to watch significant revenue cycle through that small pasture instead of through their municipality coffers. This clash between Woody and politicians would become common over the years — interesting, considering Woody was a criminal defense attorney before he switched career paths to what he is today.

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE WORST AND BEST THINGS ABOUT THE BUFFALO CHIP?

Ironically, to Woody the best and worst things about the Buffalo Chip are the same: people.

WOODY: “The worst part of the

rally is having to deal with politicians, somebody using politicians to gain a competitive advantage to put me out of business. We had a number of those incidents. Having to deal with politicians and having to outlive them.”

Conversely, the former defense attorney turned entertainer thoroughly enjoys the company of visiting bikers each year.

WOODY: “Generally speaking, people on motorcycles are really nice people. I didn’t have many friends as a criminal defense attorney. I was kind of a loner, and all of a sudden, we’re

throwing a party that people appreciated. It’s like that Elvis Presley song: ‘Well, I’ve got neighbors, I’ve got friends. Just about anywhere the rainbow ends.’

“Come the first day of each rally, all these people show up. You start seeing friends you have met over the years — some you haven’t seen for years, some of them you stay in touch with, some you visit, some you see other places. The best part is when all these people show up and you get to reminisce, have a toast and spend a few days together enjoying the same environment.”

Woody and his team pride themselves on having as few rules as possible for visitors, as long as everyone is having fun. With such a relaxed environment come characters who may not feel as welcome in other places. The Nude Bikers of America are not an exception during the few years they hosted their annual get-together in a corner of the Buffalo Chip grounds.

WHAT CULTURAL IMPACTS HAS THE BUFFALO CHIP HAD? What started with a bonfire is now an industry. The first rally “for motorcyclists, by motorcyclists.”

That same small pasture is now an entire self-sufficient village that exists to produce a rally every summer. The barbed wire has been removed and it is now far from a pasture, resembling more of a small city, with its own fire department, gas station, water and sewer, power, housing, rec center,

and offices for the Buffalo Chip.

Sure enough, as the Buffalo Chip’s infrastructure has grown each year, so has the political context. 2020 was no exception, when Woody decided to host the annual rally despite COVID-19 precautions defined by politicians and the CDC strongly recommending such gatherings not take place.

“The only way we were not going to host the rally that year was if the National Guard showed up and kept folks from entering the Chip,”

Woody recalls. The National Guard didn’t show. COVID-19 didn’t show. But 30,000 people did.

“Other little rallies would start up here and there; some would call me and ask for advice, others thought they could do it better than me.

We had a lot of people coming here that would try to do what we did. Some with the city as an ally, others leaving town owing a million dollars around town.”

The Buffalo Chip has not just stayed relevant and influenced an industry, it has thrived.

Woody didn’t set out to host hundreds of thousands of people. He didn’t set out to challenge politicians and lobbyists hired by both the Native Americans and the city of Sturgis. He didn’t set out to support military families in need at a time when “military” was a dirty word as a result of the Vietnam War. He didn’t try to create a self-sustaining city. He didn’t

plan on recognizing an outstanding military person each year, starting with a World War II vet and including John McCain. Woody merely set out to share stories and beer over a bonfire while welcoming others who had been asked to leave town in the very same motorcycle they rode in on. Cultural significance, good music and timeless friendships were simply a by-product of trying something and doing something.

I’ll leave you all with some words from Mr. Presley. The same song that Woody quoted when talking about friendships. I can’t help but think of Woody on his ’99 Harley Low Rider or 2004 Fat Boy at the foot of the Black Hills when I hear these words from Elvis:

“It’s a wonderful road, this road I’m travelin’. It’s a wonderful road headin’ beyond the hills. Oh, it may go straight or it may detour, but one thing that I know for sure, it’s a wonderful life, life’s good to me.”

WOODY AND HIS TEAM PRIDE THEMSELVES ON HAVING AS FEW RULES AS POSSIBLE FOR VISITORS, AS LONG AS EVERYONE IS HAVING FUN.

Grand Teton National Park

3-Day Trip Itinerary with Kids in Tow

By LACEY DOBOSZENSKI

Photography by LACEY DOBOSZENSKI

My husband and I took a two-week family road trip with our two young children. We saw 10 national parks and monuments along the way, and one of our favorite stops was Grand Teton National Park. We arrived at the park in the late afternoon and decided to camp at Colter Bay Village. We chose this campground because it was on the north end of the park, near Yellowstone. Our plan was to stay for three nights in Grand Teton and then head to Yellowstone for three more nights. We thought we’d camp on the north end of Teton in case we wanted to keep the same site throughout the Yellowstone portion of the trip. We did, however, end up changing camp when it came time. Nonetheless, the camping in Colter Bay Village was fantastic. Accommodations included a visitor center, laundry facility, clean showers and a nice store that provided us with everything we needed during our stay.

Since Grand Teton is in bear country, you need to be extremely careful storing your food when you are not at camp, so all of the sites come with “bear boxes” (a big metal box that latches so bears can’t get inside) to help with this. During our stay, one of our campsite neighbors wasn’t great at following these rules. We were happy to see that the park officials quickly dealt with this situation by giving them a verbal warning and going over with them exactly how to store their food. It is really important to take food storage safety seriously.

After setting up camp and having dinner, we decided to go for a sunset drive to look for some wildlife. Much to our delight, we saw a grizzly bear and her two cubs! We were able to pull our car over on the side of the road where a crowd of people had gathered to watch the bears out in the woods. There were rangers present to protect the bears and keep the people on the road, away from the animals. The way people gathered in crowds to see the wildlife reminded me of being in a zoo (or perhaps a red carpet — so many big cameras), but for someone like me, who is uncomfortable with up-close encounters, this was perfect! The kids loved getting out of the car to watch the bears, and my daughter still talks about seeing the cubs climbing the trees. We were so glad we had a camera with a nice zoom lens because the animals did stay quite far from the people. After our drive, we returned to camp for a cozy fire and rest.

Trip Details

Location: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA

Campground: Colter Bay Village

Dates/Length of Stay: First week of June – 3-night stay

Children’s Ages: 1.5-year-old boy and 4-year-old girl

Animal Sightings: Moose, grizzly bear and cubs, deer, pronghorns

Trip Highlights: Taggart Lake hike, fish hatchery, Junior Ranger program, wildlife sightings, enjoying the beach

On our second day, we woke up early to go for a sunrise animal drive. There were far fewer crowds of people and more animals. Again we saw the bear and her cubs, and we also had our first moose sighting, which was very cool. The moose walked right out of the woods in front of our car. After our drive, we had breakfast and then packed up for the day and drove toward the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. We took our time along the way and stopped at a lot of the pull-offs to take in the amazing views of the mountains.

At the Discovery and Visitor Center, we enjoyed the fun art and exhibits and had a quick lunch. We also made sure to pick up my daughter’s Junior Ranger book. Then it was off to the Taggart Lake hike, which was incredible. The views were epic, and we saw everything from waterfalls, to wildlife, to forests, and a beautiful mountain lake. It was a great hike to do with kids, as it was relatively flat and not too rocky. The four of us loved it, and one of our favorite parts was relaxing by the lake and throwing rocks. We even saw a family of deer that stayed extremely close to the path as we walked by.

After Taggart Lake, we drove back toward camp, and on the way, drove up to the summit of Signal Mountain.

We hiked around up there for a while and enjoyed the gorgeous scenery. This was also the only place in the park we found phone service. I’m sure that’s not why it’s named Signal Mountain, but the name sure fits. This is a can’t-miss spot for a drive or hike. We then headed back to camp for dinner, fire and fun.

On our third and last day, we woke up to rainy skies. We did our routine morning wildlife drive, said goodbye to mama bear and her cubs, and visited with the rangers on duty. Since the weather wasn’t the best, we decided to head to Jackson Hole for the day. This time we drove the long loop, and we were glad we did. We saw a ton of pronghorns, and the mountain views were spectacular.

We had so much fun in Jackson. We went to a variety of shops and were able to get some souvenir shopping done. We also bought a couple of blankets to help make our tent a bit warmer (even in June the nights were cold!). The kids loved the candy store. On the way back from Jackson, we stopped at the fish hatchery. This was super interesting. We were basically the only people there, so we got a private tour from one of the insightful rangers. Because we live on a lake, we do a lot of fishing, so my husband and kids really loved this stop.

Parker Precht , @parker.precht

Next, it was off to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve to listen to a ranger presentation on the animals of the park, which was part of our daughter’s Junior Ranger program. I recommend this to anyone visiting the park. We learned a lot about the animals and got tips on the best spots and times to see them. After the rangers finished their presentation, my daughter was able to turn in her Junior Ranger booklet and was sworn in as a Junior Ranger. This was such a special moment for all of us; she was so proud.

We finished our day with a lakeside picnic on the shores of Jackson Lake. The kids absolutely loved playing on the rocky beach and throwing rocks into the lake. It was a beautiful spot, and I wish I could picnic there every day. We stayed until the sun began to set and then headed back to camp for the night. The next morning, we packed up our gear and said goodbye to the Grand Tetons.

Lacey Doboszenski @minnesotayogini

Visit minnesotayogini.com for more inspiring active adventures for the whole family.

Get your child a kids phone you can feel good about

Discover why parents all over the U.S. are choosing Gabb to stay connected with their kids.

By MADELINE MARQUARDT

MAINLAND SEA CAVES

The best sea caves in the region can be accessed from Meyers Beach. The sea caves, including Keyhole Arch and “The Crack,” begin about a mile from the launch spot and continue for 2.5 miles along the cliffs. Because of cold water, paddling distance from the launch spot and unpredictable weather along this stretch of shore, this paddle is safest with an experienced guide and a sea kayak. With a guide, this is a great paddle for a strong beginner.

Check out Lost Creek Adventures or Trek & Trail and book early! This is the most popular tour in the area, for good reason, and thus likely to be the most crowded. An unguided trip can become an advanced coastal kayaking trip very quickly. Be sure to bring a full coastal kayaking safety kit.

Tucked away at the tip of Wisconsin before the land bleeds into Lake Superior, you can find a paddler’s paradise. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is home to countless sandstone caves, pristine beaches, a rich history and 21 islands to explore. Whether you’re a beginner or expert paddler, there is a route here that is perfect for you.

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is on Anishinaabe/Ojibwe traditional land.

SAND ISLAND

A Sand Island day trip is 8 miles round trip, including one of the most notoriously risky open-water crossings in the region. The reward for the difficult paddle is access to the Swallow Point Sea Caves, Justice Bay Beach and Sand Island Lighthouse. This is a challenging, less crowded paddle than the Mainland Sea Caves.

Book with Lost Creek Adventures to reach these island caves.

OVERNIGHT IN THE ISLANDS

The best way to experience what islands have to offer is to spend a few days paddling them. An overnight sea kayaking trip will usually start by paddling to Sand Island, visiting the Swallow Point Sea Caves and camping on the island.

From here, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure.

Lost Creek Adventures offers anywhere from two-day to five-day trips in the islands. Three to four days will take you out to the beautiful U-shaped beach on York Island and the Raspberry Island Lighthouse. In five days you can reach the outer ring of islands, including Stockton, Rocky and Devil’s Islands.

@maddymarq

A HIDDEN CAVE

Experienced sea kayakers looking for a challenge should try a 23-mile Oak Island circumnavigation. Start at the Red Cliff Casino ($4 launch fee) and paddle northeast along the shore. At the Red Cliff point buoy, cross to the Oak Island sandspit. Once you reach the northeast edge of Oak Island, hug the shore for dramatic cliffs and pop-up waterfalls. Hidden along this stretch of cliffs is one of the least visited but most impressive sea caves in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Follow the hole in the back of the cave to reach a forest skylight.

This trip is best attempted in summer months by experienced sea kayakers prepared to deep-water self-rescue in Level 3 ACA (American Canoe Association) conditions, and can easily be turned into an overnight trip by camping on Oak Island.

LAKE SUPERIOR WEATHER

Lake Superior is the largest lake in the world by surface area, known for its cold water temperatures and creating its own weather patterns. July and August are the best months to paddle, but always consult the marine forecast before launching. In the summer months, storms can pop up in the region with little warning — carry a VHF marine radio and know your exit plan.

WHAT TO WEAR

For guided trips in the summer, wear shorts or activewear pants and a long-sleeve wool or synthetic top for sun protection and extra warmth. Your outfitter will provide a wetsuit if needed. Bring a raincoat and extra layers in case you capsize and need dry clothes. Dry bags and personal flotation devices (PFDs) are provided by your outfitter.

For an unguided trip, wear a wetsuit or drysuit, wool or synthetic base layers, a raincoat or splash jacket, and several spare layers. You need a PFD, full paddling kit and three methods of emergency communication. There is no reliable cell service on the Bayfield Peninsula, and a Coast Guard Rescue may be several hours away.

WHERE TO STAY

There are several campgrounds in the area, but all are likely to be fully booked several weeks in advance during summer months. Consider Little Sand Bay Campground within the National Lakeshore or Big Bay State Park Campground on Madeline Island, or staying at the Bayfield Inn in downtown Bayfield.

For more hiking trails, paddles and adventures in Lake Superior and the northern Great Lakes region, see the book Hidden Gems of the Northern Great Lakes: A Trail and Paddling Guide.

Madeline Marquardt

Madeline Marquardt is a writer, photographer and paddler currently paddling from Washington to Alaska. She has worked as a sea kayaking guide in the Apostle Islands and English teacher in Armenia, and has paddled and hiked extensively throughout the Lake Superior Region and state of Michigan. You can find her at madelinemarquardt.com, where she writes about the outdoors and adventure travel.

Romantic getaways otherwordly destinations at your fingertips

By E. NOLAN

These five romantic North American regions are packed with epic pleasure points—20 premier resorts, covering all budgets, purposefully placed in some of the most breathtaking locations on earth, and so rich in pampering amenities you’ll immediately be making the spontaneous down payment on a second one.

Cannon Beach

Vancouver Island (British Columbia) – Accessible by ferry, the “Island of the Spas” is home to many “must visit” places. One of those in Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia, is the Hotel Grand Pacific, adjacent the Legislature and Parliament Buildings and overlooking the Inner Harbour. Stunning views from the upper floors are as appreciated as the lovely walks at ground level along the harbour’s sea wall. The hotel’s Pacific Restaurant and Lounge are superb but, if you’re out exploring, the casual greatness of the Flying Otter Grill and Red Fish Blue Fish (in an up-cycled cargo container) are only a 5-minute walk away. A bit further away, 90 miles to be exact, Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort is another Vancouver Island must stay (and play) paradise featuring ocean view rooms, Canada’s #1 ranked Grotto Spa, the Endless Tapas Experience at The Treetop, 22 acres of forest, two miles of sandy beach, and the warmest ocean swimming waters in Canada. Seriously.

Anchorage (Alaska) – Glamorous Camping is known as “glamping” around the world. In Canada many refer to it as “Orca Island Cabining.” That’s how dramatic and defining the experience is in Seward, at Dennis and Susan Swiderski’s Orca Island Cabins. Their stylish yurts complement some of the most naturally intimate views and settings, with comfortable beds, fully-equipped kitchens, running water, and private decks. Kayak, fish, hike, whale watch, or just sit back and relax. It’s safe to say you’ve never experienced anything like this before, and probably will want to again.

Cannon Beach (Oregon) – There’s “beachfront” and then there’s “on the beach” like the New England-style Stephanie Inn, a boutique hotel in northern Oregon with subtle luxuries, carefully crafted ambience, and ocean or mountain-view rooms and suites near the famous Haystack Rock. With a focus on romance and superior service, every room has a fireplace and Jacuzzi tub. They even give you lanterns for nighttime beach walks. The explosion of colors at sunset complement the explosion of flavors in Chef Bedard’s restaurant, but great as your dinner might be, the breakfasts here are even more legendary. (Example: Lemon curd-stuffed French toast with Grande Marnier strawberries and bacon.)

Hawaii – The popular Kona Coast is as stunning as seaside strips get, and while loaded with great hotels, few pack the diverse aquatic amenities of the Hilton Waikoloa Village. The resort features a private lagoon with sea turtles, a water park, and so many pools and hot tubs there’s no need for a beach. But, don’t worry, they’ve got that too, connecting the fine dining at Kamuela Provision Company to the fabulous and friendly Lava Lava Beach Club a casual, sandy stroll away. Make reservations at the Legends of Hawaii Luau, take a Blue Hawaiian helicopter tour around the island, and/or set sail on a sunset catamaran cruise where you might catch a whale but will have a whale of a good time.

Lanai – If you believe you get what you pay for, and that the more you have to work for something the more rewarding the realization of it is, you’ll be greatly compensated upon arrival at The Four Seasons Lanai. It takes a bit of aerial island hop ping to get there, or a boat from Maui, but the entire experi ence is literally everything you would ever dream or want a Hawaiian vacation to be. Beachfront with waterfall pools and a spa, a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, sandy expanses as far as the eye can see, crystal-clear water, waves, palm trees, and food at Nobu Lanai that…well…transcends the word “food.” Book an ocean-view suite and prepare yourself for this reality.

Maui – Hotel Wailea, Relais & Chateaux is consistently considered the island’s most romantic hotel—an all-suite, adults-only resort with incredible ocean views throughout the entire 15-acre property. The intimate 5-star enclave has only 72 rooms, making crowds a non-factor and guaranteeing serenity with tropical gardens, waterfalls, and perfect panoramic views. Go the extra romantic mile with a 7-course private dinner at The Treehouse, under a canopy of mangos and avocados, for an extra-unforgettable night. Many who hope to elope consider the Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort 1.5 miles up the beach with a private chapel down by the water, bridges, pools, and waterfalls all over, and infinite ocean-view rooms on a more modest budget. Whatever brings you to the Grand Wailea, do not leave there without at least one sunset dinner at Humuhumunukunukuapua’a—a fine-dining hot spot with Polynesian thatched roofs and killer desserts. And if you venture off property, there’s always a great vibe and menu at Nalu’s South Shore Grill.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST: Soothing spas and sounds of rain, waterfalls, beach walks, and breathtaking views of the mountains and ocean.

HAWAII: Warm welcomes and weather with wafting palm trees and sunset buffets set to serenades of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.

Courtesy of Hilton Waikoloa Village

The Bahamas – The Abaco Club on Winding Bay is a plush, private resort with an assortment of lodges perched on cliffs around a crystalclear cove, allowing non-member guests to visit just once (knowing full well you’ll pay most anything to come back). With an award-winning golf course, spa, and restaurant, a couldn’t-be-friendlier staff, a spectacular beach and so many surrounding islands to hop around on, there are few places on earth you’ll feel more pampered and at peace.

Puerto Rico – El Conquistador is a Waldorf Astoria Resort overlooking Las Croabas and the British Virgin Islands an hour east of San Juan. With a variety of dining options, infinite infinity pools, a water park, spa, Arthur Hills golf course, a unique funicular down to the marina, and even its own private island where part of “Pirates of the Caribbean” was filmed, it’s worth splurging on an ocean view room and taking a nighttime kayak excursion to the Bioluminescent Bay in Fajardo.

Cancun – The all-inclusive Hard Rock Riviera Maya is a unique property for Mexico, as private and secure as a public resort gets, with a lovely waterfront chapel for destination weddings, clean beach coves, tons of pools, an adults-only side, and a separate family section with an incredible new water park. The food variety and quality are major highlights here, and lucky couples score with a limited, swanky, oceanview, Jacuzzi-rooftop suite. (Note: This is Stays + Plays Travel Agency’s most booked global resort for both couples and families.)

CARIBBEAN & MEXICO: Easy international escapes to tropical paradises with all-inclusive, adults-only, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

Fairmont Banff Springs

CANADIAN ROCKIES: North American heaven with unbelievable beauty, opulent castle lodging, majestic mountains, and crystal-clear glacial lakes, all in Alberta, acces sible through Calgary.

Banff – The Fairmont Banff Springs—Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies”—is a year-round luxury resort towering over the lovely alpine town of Banff, with 27-holes of Stanley Thompson golf, an award-winning Willow Stream Spa, panoramic room views, a great pool deck, and several signature restaurants not far from the famous Gondola and Upper Hot Springs. Catering to masses of skilovers in winter and messes of golf-lovers in summer, with tons more courses in nearby Canmore and Kananaskis, expect Banff to blow you away…Every. Single. Day.

Lake Louise – Only 39 miles north of the Fairmont Banff Springs, straight up the stunning Trans-Canada Highway 1, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is otherworldly in its own right, surrounded by mountains, the Victoria Glacier, and an almost indescribable emerald lake. Another paradise for the outdoor enthusiast, boaters motor about fishing, rafting, and kayaking, while hikers climb and photographers of all skill levels wear out their fingers. The kind of place even superlatives can’t scratch the surface of.

Jasper – Speaking of superlatives, another 150 miles north of Lake Louise, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is less “castle” and more “cabin,” but Luxurious Signature Cabins at that. The 700-acre, year-round resort is tucked into Jasper National Park and encircled by magnificent mountain peaks, hugging the pristine shoreline of Lac Beauvert. With another epic Stanley Thompson golf course, the Fairmont Spa, and outdoor activities galore, you’d be hard pressed to find a more perfectly serene and remote getaway location. As an added bonus, the Fairmont JPL is only 28 miles from the knock-your-socks-off beauty of Maligne Lake, home to Reader’s Digest’s “Best Boat Cruise in Canada.” Fairmont is so dominant in Canada’s luxury resort department it’s almost…well…unfair.

MAINLAND USA: Fly or drive to the coast with the most allure to you, seeking treelined cliffs, skyline views, wining, fine dining, and/or lighthouse overnighting.

Big Sur (California) – If you’ve ever wanted to own a 39-room house on a cliff that’s great. Same here. You can’t own The Post Ranch Inn but you can pretend you do for a few days, and what memorable days those will be. Every reservation includes a daily gourmet breakfast at Sierra Mar and the resort features two heated infinity spas, a heated swimming pool, and Pacific views so pretty you just might cry (especially at sunset). For a completely different but equally memorable, and more budget-friendly, cliff-side experience, Treebones is a premier glamping resort 35 miles south of the Post Ranch Inn, with plush yurts providing full and partial Pacific vistas, Adirondack patios, a Sushi Bar, and the stellar “redefined campfire cuisine” of Wild Coast Restaurant.

Boothbay Harbor (Maine) – Honeymoon with the stars, across the map, in the far northeast, where loving lobster is essentially law, at The Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse. Exactly as it sounds, a historic, renovated lighthouse you can sleep in, this award-winning, luxury bed and breakfast is on a small Atlantic island, accessible only by boat, with just two rooms—essentially your own private island for your stay. Imagine the brilliance of the stars from out there, wrapped up together by the fire, with no one around to bother you. How much more “oncein-a-lifetime” can it get? #notmuch Don’t want to stay on an island? Okay. That isn’t really considered “your loss” at The Topside Inn, only six miles away. Truly one of the more remarkable and awarded lodging experiences in all of America, “The Inn on the Hill” is a seasonal stay (May – October) perched on four beautiful acres high over the Atlantic, with stunning views in every direction from sunrise to sunset of islands, lighthouses, and even the line out the door at Red’s Eats in Wiscasset (almost).

The Post Ranch Inn

Photo by Kodiak Greenwood

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

E. Nolan

E. Nolan, a nomadic romantic, has written over 1,200 travel articles for a plethora of national publications.

Owner of Stays + Plays Travel Agency in Minneapolis, Minnesota—Travel Leaders-backed certified experts in Family and Romantic Vacations in North America, Europe and Africa—E. knows the above locations well, and would LOVE to help you make the vacation of your dreams a reality.

Email at: info@StaysAndPlays.com

New York City (New York) – The 300-square mile city area is home to 8.5 million people and, as a result, is the most densely populated metropolis in America. With so much to do you can’t do it all, attend a Broadway show, walk around Central Park, visits to the Statue of Liberty, and One World Observatory - The 9/11 Memorial, and—as the pinnacle experience—a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge to share a Grimaldi’s pizza in the park near the famous Jane’s Carousel, while watching the sun set behind the Manhattan skyline. That experience can best be set up with a stay at the luxurious 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge at Pier 1, overlooking the East River, a few hundred yards from the bridge, with a bar and plunge pool at Harriet’s Rooftop & Lounge and the sensational Bamford Haybarn Spa to boot.

Branson (Missouri) – The Midwest is perhaps a bit underrepresented on this list. Mackinac Island and Kohler certainly merit consideration for their incredible romantic values. But Branson has something neither of those great places has, something none of the places on this list can claim—THE most picturesque non-coastal chapel in America. Situated at Top of the Rock, a peak 10 miles south of Branson, and amenity of Johnny Morris’ fabulous Big Cedar Lodge Resort, the three-story Chapel of the Ozarks features jawto-floor views out its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Table Rock Lake. Other highlights include five world-class golf courses, waterfalls, wooden bridges, award-winning restaurants, the Cedar Creek Spa, Fun Mountain, and the “must tour” 10,000-acre Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.

Big Cedar Lodge Resort

Big Cedar Lodge Resort

58 hours in Steamboat Springs

By TEDDY GRANT

The consensus by Steamboat Springs residents, whether 2 or 20 years old, is that the biggest winters with the biggest snow falls always start slowly. If this notion has a shred of truth, the 2021–22 winter will be a big one. It is December 1, 2021, and the usually snow-covered field at Steamboat’s mountainside bar and grill, “T-Bar,” looks more like that of a North Dakota wheat field than a world-class ski slope. Just beyond a disheveled makeshift fence is the base of Mount Werner. There is only one specific ski run that stretches up the otherwise brown mountain. This white, surely slick runway has been fueled by snow machines each night in hopes of assembling a run for skiers and snowboarders alike to enjoy. The same snow machines rocked me to bed last night, just loud enough to drown out the crackle of my bedside electric fireplace. No matter the tardy snow, there is much to explore in Steamboat, Colorado, without having to bend over in my snow gear and awkwardly lace up tight ski boots.

The drive from Denver International Airport (DIA) to Steamboat is a beautiful journey through the wilderness and worth every minute of the nearly three-hour trip. Slowly we inch deeper into the mountains via Highway 40. It has been nearly 10 years since I last visited this western Colorado cowboy town, and I am excited to return. Though there are signs of progression along the busy freeway, it very much resembles itself from a decade prior. Six lanes of traffic were seemingly cut out of the mountain to sprinkle visitors at one of a handful of ski towns planted along this now busy roadway 100 years old. It is a different type of visitor that prefers the three-hour drive from DIA to Steamboat rather than to Vail or Breckenridge, whose drives are much shorter.

It is dark by the time we reach the outskirts of Steamboat. Facing west, you can almost catch a glimpse of the mountain range’s rigid silhouette, which is perhaps just slightly backlit from the sunset that is likely just starting to kiss the much warmer beaches of northern California nearly 1,000 miles and two time zones to the west.

Unlike some of the more accessible ski towns, Steamboat introduces itself from many miles away, starting with its quaint downtown rooftops lined with white lights. Then the mid-century highway sign for Rabbit Ears Motel greets you from the south side of Highway 40, just after the speed limit decreases to a modest 30 miles an hour — a much more fitting speed for this old cowboy town, founded in 1900, when perhaps life didn’t move much faster than that. A time when horses, rather than electric cars, lined each side of the very same street, and “cowboy hats” were called just “hats.”

F. M. Light & Sons has sold “hats” to cowboys since 1905, only five years after Steamboat Springs was founded. Its modest storefront anchors the west end of Steamboat’s main street, which is fitting for us Yankees coming in from the east in need of a hat or boots. Here at F. M. Light & Sons, you can select from an assortment of wide-brimmed, big bucket cowboy hats that come in a range of colors resembling nature’s palette. Black, brown, white, off-white and a handful of modest pastels make up the color wheel at this outfitter’s shop. To the west, an entire wall of cowboy boots proudly stand and wait to be chosen. Unlike the warm, wide snow boots found in Minnesota, these boots, like an old cowboy, are tall and slender. Their soles are slick leather rather than rigid rubber. The flawless, shiny bottoms are sure to scuff in a matter of blocks. Just like the boots, an entire wall of hats greets each passing customer. With little debate, this cowboy found his hat — a Stallion Black wool Stetson — and perhaps started to find himself in this west. I wasn’t “in vogue”; I was now “on ranch.”

Walking down Main Street in Steamboat wearing a fresh Stetson is a walk everyone should try once in their life. Your pace is a little longer, hands a little heavier, and shoulders a little taller. Unlike more contemporary ski towns, Steamboat’s downtown is perhaps a square mile of antique storefronts and newly built low-rise buildings that greet passing guests with retail stores and restaurants. The main street is just a little wider than any of its intersecting streets, which slowly climb the mountain in the background.

At Primrose, we find welcoming shelter, delicious food and, best of all, warm company. A midwest transplant, Lacy, stands behind the bar and greets us with an ice-cold martini and a blazing warm smile. The list of cowboy creature comforts on this menu is lengthy, a great way to round off Steamboat’s warm welcome on this cold December day.

WALKING DOWN MAIN STREET IN STEAMBOAT WEARING A FRESH STETSON IS A WALK EVERYONE SHOULD TRY ONCE IN THEIR LIFE.

Larry Pierce, courtesy of Steamboat Springs Chamber

Rabbit Ears Motel, courtesy of Steamboat Springs Chamber

Waking up next to the mountain is a wonderful way to start any day. Standing on the balcony, I look out over Yampa Valley, the eastern sky lit up with many pastels. The crisp mountain air is a welcome treat despite its soft stranglehold on my now seemingly weak lungs more used to that of Minnesota’s flat prairies.

Yesterday was spent in downtown Steamboat; today would be spent on the mountain. There is no shortage of places to stop and explore at the mountain base in Steamboat Springs. A number of places offer a hot cup of coffee or, better yet, a cowboy breakfast, in which every bite is covered with a warm, runny over-easy egg anchoring the plate. This

particular day we enjoy a light brunch at The Paramount, which faces both the skies and the mountains.

Past all the shops and restaurants is a brand-new gondola that, despite there being little snow on the mountain, is open for visitors to climb to the tallest peak and enjoy the view. Just like the ride into town from Devner, the journey up the mountain in the comfort of a gondola is worth the investment. Slowly we creep up the rigid mountainside, approaching what I presume is the summit, only to find out it is merely the halfway point. Under us stands a neighborhood of beautiful mountain homes surely owned by the likes of a CEO in Seattle or a well-to-do business owner out east. How interesting to peer into a fortress that is likely designed specifically to keep outsiders out. As we approach the gondola landing, I can feel the wind jostling the gondola cabin ever so slightly.

The bar area inside this summit chalet is more grand than any space at the base of the mountain. Its rough-cut timbers come to a point some 30 feet overhead. From this eagle’s nest, we can see well past the mountain-base village and all the way some 5 miles to downtown Steamboat. I go to open

WE MAKE A FEW MORE FRIENDLY STOPS AS WE CRAWL ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN BASE, THEN SIT AND WATCH EACH HAPPY SKIER AND SNOWBOARDER FLY DOWN THE HILL AND RETURN TO THE SHORT LINE TO START THE PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN.

Ben Duke, courtesy of Steamboat Ski Resort

the door out to the deck for a more uninhibited view. The fierce wind fights my flexed arm pushing the door open. I wrestle with the wind until I am overtaken by the same breeze that teased our gondola from side to side. I am speechless for two reasons: first, the breathtaking view of Yampa Valley that meets the blue December sky to the west, and second, the crisp, thin air that spits at my now windkissed face, seemingly as fast as if I were on skis making my way down the same mountain (mind you, likely on the beginner-level run). This sharp breeze reminds me of that which can be found in the bow of a sailboat making its way through breaking waves on the unforgiving Lake Superior or cold mid-Atlantic, none of the three so quick to forgive an unassuming visit.

The gondola ride down the mountain is as enjoyable as the ride up, and I pay close attention to the same grand westernstyle houses. Carefully picking out that one that would suit us if we were lucky enough to win the lottery or perhaps “marry up” … way up.

Despite no skiing, we find plenty to do at the base of the mountain. We take this opportunity to participate in two of my personal favorite pastimes: day drinking and people watching. Outside one of the watering holes is a line of Adirondack chairs that are heated by a nearby fire that fills the large chimney. The sun beats down on wind-burnt Midwest skin. I have shed my outer jacket, thanks to the mountain that shields the strong winter from the North. We make a few more friendly stops as we crawl across the mountain base, then sit and watch each happy skier and snowboarder fly down the hill and return to the short line to start the process all over again.

Each skier proudly displays a slightly wind- and sun-burnt grin from ear to ear. The warm weather and bright sun allow not only me to shed a layer but also many of the downhill skiers, who barely cover their skin to begin with. Even an occasional lone T-shirt is found in the crowd, more fitting for a late-spring ski weekend that closes down the mountain than the start of what is likely a long, cold winter.

At each stop along our walk, there does not seem to be a shortage of others who enjoy the same weather, the same cold beer and the same friendly banter. Locals and visitors alike all seem to let their guard down to strangers at the base of the mountain. Whether it’s the beer or the warm sun or the friendly cowboy brim that covers my brow, men, women and children all welcome this newcomer to a nearby barstool. East and West Coasters, Midwesterners and mountain towners alike have all checked their attitudes so as to embrace one another no matter what we look like or where we are from. Here at 6,900 feet in the sky, folks sit and smile and appreciate the great outdoors.

As the shadows grow longer from the sun slowly setting behind the westward range, music begins to fill the void.

“Après-ski” is a favorite pastime on Friday afternoon as the mountain begins to shut down for the night. Après-ski is a kind of “welcome to Steamboat” celebration of the start of

Courtesy of Steamboat Ski Resort

the weekend. Today’s Après-ski is perhaps the first of several this ski season. A small band shelter nearby houses a handful of musicians. Just beyond the music is the great mountain, whose silhouette is sharply pronounced against the growingever-more-pastel sky. The very last run of the day is by the last of the ski patrol. The tall man draped from head to toe in Red Cross red stands next to me and begins to unstrap his gear — a sure signal that another day has come and gone on Mount Werner.

On my third day in Steamboat, my flatland lungs still try to keep up with this high altitude’s paper-thin air. Each pass up

have come from. Despite this struggle, I shall press my luck and go for a short hike near the mountain.

Although the short hike is a great break from Steamboat’s quaint tourism buzz, I look forward to a soak in the natural springs. Well, sort of. There are two options to enjoy a hot soak in Steamboat. The most popular option is at “Strawberry Springs” about 7 miles outside of town.

This natural spring has hosted cowboys and cowgirls (over 18 years of age) for hundreds of years, thanks to Mother Nature’s whirlpool carved out of the mountain. The second option is the Old Town Hot Springs spa at the edge of downtown that features an assortment of outdoor pools, hot and cold, for soaking in the brisk mountain air. I practically sprint atop the wet pool deck to reach the warm welcoming arms of the nearest hot tub. Thick steam rises from the tub — so thick that I can barely see the others sharing the tub’s sedating grasp just a few feet from me.

I have a newfound sense of energy after nearly two hours at the spa. Hot to cold to hot water again. This process reminds me of a similar experience I enjoyed while in Budapest at a traditional Turkish bath. With the extreme change in temperatures, each new tub seems to break down physical and emotional stress until your body and soul surrender to Mother Nature. Now I again walk down Steamboat’s main street, this time my hands hanging even more heavy, cowboy hat still sitting snugly atop my head.

After asking around town where the locals like to go for an evening cocktail, we find ourselves at Sunpies. This particular early evening the bartenders offer a kind of jungle juice, whose contents are probably best not known. This “juice” is so potent that the bartender limits each patron to only two servings. This is patrolled with a simple mark on your left wrist from the bartender’s black Sharpie. It is not long into the first glass that two facts become clear: one, that these drinks are in fact very potent, and two, that the locals do like their liquor. By now, the small, modest ski bar has become filled wall to wall with locals, in particular, young adults who spend their days on the mountain and their nights at the few watering holes for locals, Sunpies apparently being the epicenter. It’s not hard to make friends at Sunpies while wearing a giant cowboy hat. Strangers young and old are quick to compliment my accessory or ask where they can perhaps find one for themselves.

or down the stairwell to the condo reminds me of where I

THIS NATURAL SPRING HAS HOSTED COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, THANKS TO MOTHER NATURE’S WHIRLPOOL CARVED OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN.

Noah Wetzel, courtesy of Steamboat Springs Chamber

By the time my second glass of jungle juice is half gone, it is obvious I don’t need to indulge further. The bartender’s nudge to the door tells me it is time for bed, but not until one more walk up the steep stairs to the condo that waits for me. Between the hike, spa, jungle juice and still ever-so-crisp mountain air, I would sleep well my last night in Steamboat. My last morning waking up at the side of Mount Werner isn’t so different from the previous. A gas fire warms the room, the morning sun slowly creeps up over the western range, and the thin air still reminds me of my aging flatlander lungs. I find my cowboy hat in the corner of the room. Instead of reaching for my normal coat, I instead indulge myself by wearing my bright-yellow ski jacket that had made the long trek from Minnesota alongside me. I felt a sense of duty to let it breathe the same mountain air that I have taken in, even if there would be no skiing on this day nor trip to John Denver’s Rocky Mountains.

Walking through the mountainside village in search of some cowboy creature comfort fare, I feel at home. Perhaps the ski jacket was the last ingredient to this Steamboat-inspired recipe. Never mind the pair of crusty ski tickets hanging from the zipper from a Minnesota ski several years ago, my weathered ski jacket and fresh cowboy hat combination represent everything Steamboat.

Despite traveling some 976 miles from my home in Minnesota to visit a world-class ski town, I failed to complete the one

task that inspired this entire journey: skiing. I am reminded of Hunter S. Thompson writing, or better yet, failing to write, after being paid by Rolling Stone magazine to travel deep into the jungles of Congo, about the world-famous bout between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali, aka the “Rumble in the Jungle.” He did not watch nor write about a single punch. Instead, like me, he was enamored with the setting for the Rumble, rather than the Rumble, or skiing, itself.

Like Thompson, I failed to accomplish the very reason for my trip; however, I find this time in Steamboat anything but failure. A new love affair with this small mountainside village has blossomed, surely not the first, nor the last time, Yampa Valley will claim a heart.

A NEW LOVE AFFAIR WITH THIS SMALL MOUNTAINSIDE VILLAGE HAS BLOSSOMED, SURELY NOT THE FIRST, NOR THE LAST TIME, YAMPA VALLEY WILL CLAIM A HEART.

Courtesy of Steamboat Springs Chamber

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO STILLWATER, MN GRAND RAPIDS, MN

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FINDING WATER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Natural Gems Near Steamboat Springs, CO

By MEGAN KELLIN

Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is a feast for the senses, an adventurous destination filled with fervor 365 days of the year. Named for its famous hot springs, the town features 3,000 skiable acres surrounded by pristine nature. But there’s so much more! Like water. It’s home to four state parks with numerous lakes open throughout the year, gorgeous rivers and hot springs that we thought were only in our dreams.

So whether it’s through fishing, camping, bird-watching, boating or soaking, here’s your quick guide to finding the water in the mountains.

AWESOME LAKES TO EXPLORE

JONAH LAKE is impressive and offers anglers the ability to catch cutthroat trout and brook trout. However, getting to this lake requires a pair of sturdy hiking boots.

DUMONT LAKE, up by Rabbit Ears Pass, is popular for pin fishing and fly-fishing. Hiking and biking are a close runner-up on the dirt roads and trails.

LAKE CATAMOUNT: As you make your way down Rabbit Ears, you’ll get your first glimpse of this stunning private lake. But what a gorgeous way to be welcomed into Steamboat Springs.

HAHNS PEAK LAKE: At 8,500 feet, Hahns is great for family activities and camping galore.

Yampa River

FOUR STATE PARKS

Surrounded by soaring mountains and grassy valleys, these four state parks give you the best way to explore Steamboat’s corner of heaven: Pearl Lake, Steamboat Lake, Stagecoach and Yampa River.

Steamboat Lake and Pearl Lake are located just north of town and are said to be a cutthroat trout fisher’s dream.

through canyons and sagebrush-covered hills in Colorado’s unpopulated northwestern quarter. Thirteen points in the state park provide river access for anglers, rafters, kayakers, birders, naturalists and hikers.

NOT TO MISS

STRAWBERRY HOT SPRINGS: Imagine relaxing in 104-degree mineral water while Steamboat’s famous Champagne Powder gently collects in the surrounding forest. Enjoy a massage in one of the beautiful private massage huts or watsu therapy in the private pool.

PEARL LAKE STATE PARK is gorgeous in the summer, with wildflower-covered meadows, and in the autumn when quaking aspens paint a golden tapestry across the mountainsides. The park is also open all winter, when more than 300 inches of fluffy snow blanket the frozen lake and mountains.

STEAMBOAT LAKE STATE PARK: Hahns Peak dominates the northern skyline and its spacious 1,053-acre lake northwest of town. Surrounded by eye-candy scenery, Steamboat Lake has been named the favorite Colorado State Park.

STAGECOACH RESERVOIR, formed by a dam on the upper Yampa River, is a beautiful spot with placid water reflecting mountains and fluffy white clouds. The off-thebeaten-track park offers not only plenty of recreation for water enthusiasts but also trails for hiking and mountain biking, wildlife watching, and some of Colorado’s best fly-fishing on the lake and in the tailwater below the dam.

Keep an eye out for animals, including elk, mule deer, beaver, red fox and jackrabbits in the sagebrush hills. Birders can discover more than 200 species of waterfowl and shorebirds in the wetland habitat at the far western end of the reservoir.

YAMPA RIVER STATE PARK stretches along the undammed Yampa River for 134 miles from west of Steamboat Springs to the eastern border of Dinosaur National Monument. The undammed Yampa, one of the last free-flowing rivers in the United States, twists

OLD TOWN HOT SPRINGS: The town’s namesake hot springs offer a rejuvenating experience year-round. In the heart of downtown, you’ll discover eight hot-springs-fed pools, waterslides, an assortment of fitness classes, and a world-class gym, all in one convenient location. The healing mineral waters provide an unparalleled oasis.

FISH CREEK FALLS: Experience classic mountain wilderness cascading an impressive 280 feet down Fish Creek Canyon. Along with countless photo opportunities, the falls offer something for everyone, including hiking, ice climbing and picnicking with a view. Gain access here to the renowned Routt National Forest and explore uncharted terrain.

Pearl Lake

Strawberry Hot Springs

Fish Creek Falls

By GABE WELKER Photography by GABE WELKER

Seventy-six days. I had just paid my deposit, and in 76 days my family and I would be in Denver picking up our new camper. Like everyone else in America, we took to the outdoors in 2020 and ’21. Our renewed passage back into the outdoors was a result of limited travel options and our children reaching an age where they can keep up. Our camping game was sufficient, but the prep, pack and unpack portion was a burden. We rendezvoused on a few adventures with friends who had campers. The ability to back up to your rig with 90% of the packing ready to go was calling to me. My first and most challenging hurdle was to convince my wife that we needed a camper. With the children backing me, we implemented our full-court press of persuasion. Strategically placed magazine articles of happy families camping. Pointing out every camper we saw and remarking, “Wow, they sure look happy.” Even a compelling PowerPoint presentation, which I would be willing to share if you find yourself in my spot. I want to say it was the presentation, but in all likelihood it was her baby boy, our 6-year-old son, that she simply cannot say no to. Regardless, I was camper shopping.

ROUTE

For our camp style and my driveway space, I narrowed in on a classic teardrop camper with a modern twist. There is a new class of teardrops better suited for off-road travel. Sometimes referred to as a “square drop,” depending on their shape, these rigs are trail ready. Higher ground clearance, independent suspension and articulating hitch connections are what set these campers apart from their traditional cousins. Amid my extensive research, I found several candidates that would suit our needs. One of the leading attributes in my decision to go with Wibtech Outdoors was their 120-day guaranteed build time — a pretty compelling differentiator when you consider the average build time is almost one year among other custom builders in the market. This guaranteed lead time is a key tenet in Wibtech’s business model, says Laura Anaya, cofounder of the company. “We were frustrated with how long the build times were on most of the campers we liked, so we decided to build our own.” Laura’s husband, Waldi, a skilled carpenter, got

to work and crafted a camper. That first camper is lovingly named Grandpa and is still in service as part of Wibtech’s rental fleet. “We rented Grandpa out for something like $25 a night so it would get a ton of use and we could learn how to build the next one better.”

With the learnings from their prototype, Laura and Waldi enlisted a mechanical engineer to streamline their design and manufacturing process, ultimately leading to their current “Alpha” model.

I placed my camper order with Laura in January 2022, and we aligned on a pickup date in late March to accommodate the kids’ spring break. The order process was very smooth, and Laura is great in answering questions and helped source all of the add-ons

I wanted for our custom camper. The base version of Wibtech’s camper is more than capable for any adventure. But if you’re looking to build a one-of-a-kind camper, the Wibtech team has several options and add-ons to suit your needs.

Fast-forward to March and I’m packing up the family truckster, our fifth-generation 4Runner, for the journey across the plains to Denver. I hit the Mile-High City, grab my family from Denver International Airport, and set up camp at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. Bringing a deal like this to fruition requires compromise. The first compromise being that my wife and children would fly into Denver from Minneapolis — the allure of Nebraska at night was not enough to sway this decision — and the second being waterslides. After all, this is the kids’ spring break and I, too, enjoy the chlorinated rush of a good slide. After a day leaving us with prune-like fingers and with an anticipation equal to a kid on Christmas Eve, we hit the rack. One more sleep until new-camper day!

We arrived at Wibtech’s HQ and production facility in the morning. It’s located just north of downtown Denver in a small industrial park. We met the team, and Laura gave us the full run-through of

the camper and its features. We said our goodbyes, hooked up and started our mountain adventure to Estes Park, a surprisingly short drive from Denver. Even so, we broke up the drive with a pit stop in Boulder to visit the gang at RovR Coolers. Give them a look if you’re in the market for one of the most versatile coolers on the market. As we rolled in to the Estes Park area, our first stop was Hermit’s Hollow campground. It’s a great spot, and the sites are first come, first served — which was not a problem in late March. The spots are spread out enough for privacy, and the views are amazing. We spent the afternoon exploring the town and surrounding trails. Hermit Park is conveniently located just outside the city limits. It’s a great balance of wilderness and convenience. Our evening hike found us on the Lumpy Ridge Trail, where we experienced a beautiful Rocky Mountain sunset. The first night with the camper was such an upgraded experience from the tent life we’ve grown accustomed to. I slept like a baby atop 4 inches of memory foam. Our first day in

Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket $129

WITH COLORADO IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND SOUTH DAKOTA ON THE HORIZON, ALL THAT LAY BETWEEN US AND OUR DESTINATION WAS THE OPEN ROLLING EXPANSE OF WYOMING’S GRASSLANDS.”

Estes Park we were tipped off to a new experience: a mountain coaster that had just opened, and we had the morning to find it before making our way up to the Black Hills. A quick search on the pocket computer returned a result of Mustang Mountain Coaster. A mountain coaster is a cross between an alpine slide and a tracked coaster. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it is manageable, as you do have full control of your speed.

With Colorado in the rearview mirror and South Dakota on the horizon, all that lay between us and our destination was the open rolling expanse of Wyoming’s grasslands. The kids asked why they are called the Black Hills. I can only imagine it’s because the conifer-covered ancient mountains appear black against the ocean of golden prairie grasses. Upon entering the Black Hills, we found the Crazy Horse monument. We stopped for a picnic and to explore the park. The Crazy Horse experience doesn’t offer much in the form of hiking trails, etc. We toured the museum and opted for the extra bus ride to get to the base of the monument. The project is privately funded and relies on entry fees and private donations. The Black Hills welcomed us the next morning with a fresh layer of fluffy white snow. It made for a picturesque setting for Mount Rushmore. As the late March sun shone against the faces of the monument, it quickly melted away the snow. This gave the appearance of tears rolling down the presidents’ faces. They were most likely disappointed the hiking trail was closed because of slippery conditions due to the snow. It’s an interesting museum and the short movie is a must to fully understand the immensity of the project.

Our next stop was Jewel Cave. It’s one of several caves in the hills and is considered a national monument. Being spontaneous, we had not reserved a tour. Learn from our mistake if you tour this cave. Even in the slow season, we were left with only the basic cave tour as an option, which is still impressive. However, the park offers some other very interesting experiences, from the basic tour of standing on the platforms and taking in the cave’s beauty, to the “Wild Cave Tour” that has physical and age requirements to participate. Following our cave tour, we set off for the town of Custer to explore the local scene. The town is fairly sleepy in late March, but we found a real gem on the main street in the Custer Wolf Café. It’s a scratch-made kitchen with an impressive craft beer and wine list. After lunch we spent the afternoon in Custer State Park. When you see videos in your social media feed of someone getting leveled by a buffalo, it’s likely here. There are herds of wild buffalo that roam the park. The park also contains ample signage warning you to give them their space, but some folks learn the hard way. The park is huge, and I feel like we only scratched the surface of what is offered here. We drove the Wildlife Loop road and it lived up to its name. There are wild buffalo and antelope right next to your vehicle on this drive. It’s a slow cruise with many opportunities to stop along the way to explore on foot.

Our adventure started out to be a recovery mission to get our new camper from Denver back to Minnesota. We were able to fill in the gaps with some amazing experiences and firsts for everyone in the family. Our camper will be the catalyst for many more adventures to come and is our new memory-making machine.

You can learn more about Wibtech and their camper builds by visiting wibtechoutdoors.com

FROM CAMPING TO BOONDOCKING

the HC1 is ready for any adventure