Duluth

On Sunday, Aaron and I celebrated our 1-year anniversary. One year!

After at week at a family reunion at Gull Lake, near Brainerd, we headed east and spent the weekend in Duluth.

We walked through Canal Park and watched the lift bridge. Completely by accident, we made our reservations in Duluth during the Tall Ship Festival.

We waded into Lake Superior. It's apparent just from dipping your toes in that the lake is experiencing record high temperatures (15 degrees above normal) - the water felt no colder than Gull Lake.

On Sunday, we decided to hike a short distance on the Superior Hiking Trail along the hills overlooking the lake. We crossed Coffee Creek.

We hiked past an abandoned park, an old apple tree, and views of the harbor. It was muggy and hot, but also wonderful.

Happy anniversary, honey.

Gull Lake

What I want to remember:

The wind that filled my mouth during boat rides.

Sitting with Aaron and his brothers at the end of the dock - talking, sharing a cigar, and watching the moon pass over the lake.

The burnt-orange moon, and how quickly it came up over the horizon.

A little girl with blond pigtails straddling a skateboard and propelling herself along with her feet.

The loon that surfaced near the shore, and flapped its wings to smooth them. Their calls, which I think are one of the most beautiful sounds on earth.

Laughing as we used bed sheets to toss a water balloon back and forth over the tennis nets.

Aaron and I sitting at the end of the dock, dipping our feet in the water while I read aloud from The Commitment.

Turning off the lights in the cabin and sipping a whiskey ginger while we watched a thunderstorm.