Postcards to Samuel

It's 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, and I'm trying something a little different with this post. Instead of my usual blog format, I compiled a series of postcards that I wrote to my 10-month-old son, Samuel, during a two-week road trip I recently took to the Great Lakes. I plan to give him these postcards, along with others from future trips, when he's older in hopes that they will inspire him to chase his own dreams, whatever those might be.

(7-15-24) Hi Samuel,

I visited the tallgrass prairie at a wildlife refuge in Minnesota today. The grasses were swaying back and forth in the wind, and I couldn’t help but feel like this was their way of saying hello. The area was a mix of shallow lakes and prairie potholes with songbirds flying overhead, but it was the beautiful flowers and plants and their sweet-smelling fragrances that captured my attention. Of all the wild places I’ve been, I think the prairie might be my favorite. The connection I felt was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. It's hard to imagine this small piece of land was once a part of the largest ecosystems in the U.S. Nowadays, what’s left of it is rare and endangered. I hope there is still some left for you to see one day. Maybe, you’ll even discover your “passion plant,” just like Tallie does in Daddy’s book. I love you, son.

(7-16-24) Hi Samuel,

Today, I drove all the way to Voyageurs National Park near the border of Canada! The park was named after the French-Canadian fur traders who traveled by canoe across vast distances to deliver their pelts. They were gone for months at a time, paddling 14-hours each day to the rhythm of songs like “À la Claire Fontaine (At the Clear Fountain),” which is now a popular French nursery rhyme that your mama listened to as a little girl and now sings to you. I took a boat ride on the largest lake in the park—Rainy Lake—and learned about the geology of the area. The park is located on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, and the rocks that form its granite cliffs are some of the oldest on earth. I even spotted several bald eagles during my tour and picked up a little souvenir for you at the gift shop. I hope you grow up to have the same spirit, grit, and determination as the voyageurs who travelled these waters long ago.

(7-17-24) Hi Samuel

What if I told you I walked across the Mighty Mississippi? The only place this can be done is at the river’s headwaters located at Lake Itasca in Minnesota. From there, I drove northeast through the Boundary Waters Wilderness until I arrived at the trailhead of Eagle Mountain, the highest point in the state. This area is home to more than 1,000 glacial lakes and is located within the larger Superior National Forest. Where there is water, there are mosquitos, and I was swarmed for most of my hike. It was not pleasant, but at least the views were nice. Afterward, I drove along the north shore of Lake Superior and stopped at the cliffsides of Tettegouche State Park, hoping to snap a picture of one of the resident peregrine falcons. I later found a secluded beach and cooled off in the frigid 65-degree waters before hopping back into the van to Facetime you and mama. You were really tired and went to bed early. I love you and miss you.

(7-18-24) Hi Samuel,

I started the day by taking some pictures of the city of Duluth from the bluffs of Enger Park. Duluth is home to a famous musician named Bob Dylan, who once wrote a song called “Blowin’ in the Wind.” From there, I drove east along the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin until I reached the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, or UP, for short. I wish I had more time to explore the “Porkies,” but I did manage a short hike up to Summit Peak and also visited the overlook at the Lake of the Clouds. It’s so pretty up here. I can’t help but think you, mama, and I will spend some of our summers here when you’re older. You’ll love it. After a long day of driving, I reached the scenic town of Copper Harbor as I listened to Mr. Dylan sing, “And how many years can some people exist before they’re allowed to be free? […] The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind […].”

(7-19-24) Hi Samuel

Honcho and I had quite the adventure today! It started with a visit to historic Fort Wilkins in Copper Harbor. I learned that the fort was built in 1844 to help keep the peace between the copper miners and local Native Americans. Two years later, these same soldiers were sent south to Texas to help during the Mexican-American war of 1846. Back at Copper Harbor, I checked out the views from the top of Brockway Mountain and later collected a handful of colorful rocks at Agate Beach. From there, I drove south to the highest point in Michigan—Mt. Arvon—at 1,979 feet. The old logging roads were some of the bumpiest I’ve ever driven on. I spent the rest of the day soaking up some sun at the L’anse Waterfront Park. The word L’anse means “bay” or “cove.” It’s one of the many French names common in these parts due to the heavy French influence dating back to the 1500s.

(7-20-24) Hi Samuel,

I drove back to Wisconsin today and to a little county park named Timm’s Hill, where the highest point of the state is located. There was even a lookout tower at the top of the hill, which I climbed for a better view of the lush Wisconsin Northwoods. After, I drove east to the city of Green Bay and took a tour of iconic Lambeau Field. The field was named after legendary Earl “Curly” Lambeau, who won six NFL championships as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers. I sat in a luxury suite and even walked down to the field! The tour operator said the stadium was built in 1957 and that it is one of the oldest in the entire NFL. Of course, she smirked when she learned I was a Cowboys fan. Probably because the Packers have gotten the better of us lately. I'm looking forward to taking you to your first game one day.

(7-21-24) Hi Samuel,

I took another boat ride today, but this time it was on a jet boat that went really fast! The captain drove us around Grand Island on the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The name comes from the colorful streaks in the sandstone cliffs, some of which rise 200 feet into the air. The water was a mix of deep blues and emerald greens, and we saw natural arches, caves, and waterfalls. From there, I drove across “Mighty Mac,” the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere, which connects Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas. Some of the charming waterfront towns I visited, like Harbor Springs and Charlevoix, looked like something you would find in New England, not Michigan. Tomorrow, I'll visit Sleeping Bear Dunes and Inspiration Point before starting the long journey home. I love you, and I can't wait to see you.

Follow me on Instagram at @Joshua_Maven or @HonchotheVan, on Twitter @MaventheRaven or Facebook at Facebook/TheLastImperial.