{pictured rocks}

First night back in the forest is over and I slept very fragmented, but still dreamt and feel well rested now. Last night I took some really awesome astro shots and some great sunset pics. A good drive up with some cool fog after Milwaukee, and a nice chill intro hike of 2.7 miles to get the legs acclimated. No real profound insights yet, but feels nice to already have the stress and impulse of screens/internet washed away. Just like the lapping waves of lake superior washing away the stones of the cliffs. The cliffs here are beautiful and we haven't truly seen them yet. I'm taking some pretty timelapses now. I miss Mo already and I'm beyond excited to share camping with her next weekend. Back to back nature weekends to help heal the soul. I love that I'm okay at photography, but mornings like this I wish I could draw or paint because wow this would be a magical spot to set up an easel and paint. In a way, I'm doing that with my camera though. Feels good to be back in the UP, it's quickly becoming my restorative happy + relaxing place (backpacking 19 miles is relaxing? ha)

from my journal, written while sipping coffee on a boulder watching the sun rise over lake superior.