Rocky spine

Today was a wonderful day. Spent canoing the passage between two of the myriad and huge lakes that pockmark the Great Lakes peninsulas carving up by glaciers long ago. A day trip out with Scott and Matty, the ethnobotany teachers here. Both young guys full of wisdom and good cheer. They are both superb naturalist. Traversing this land's rocky spine, just like the song by one of my favorite local singers here. A mosaic of land and water, forests and shorelines.

Paddling out beneath silver grey clouds and choppy waves. Through open water and marshes, quiet canals ringing with the shrieks of kingfishers and the honking of geese. Amongst cat tails and bullrushes, deer tracks in the sands and a mink I spotted hunting the driftwood flotsam of the shoreline. Chill gusty winds, huge clouds to the horizon, the melding of land and waters, and the spirit of the lakes...

An excellent day. I am grateful to be here...