The Loon Ranger

A little throw back to AK last year, looking forward to another trip this year!

Cruising the creek on a beautiful day!

Today, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I pause to reflect on the land beneath my feet — Mni Sota Makoce, a Dakota phrase meaning “the land where the waters reflect the sky.”

Standing here in the Minnesota River Valley, it’s hard not to feel the depth of that meaning — a place of incredible beauty and deep history. This landscape has held stories, lives, and connections for generations far before ours.

May we honor that history not only in words, but in how we care for the land and for one another. 🌿

I lost a family member today, and seeing this loon felt like it had a deeper meaning. A reminder that he’s still watching over me.

First fish on my kayak