Guiding Spirit Journeys

08/16/2025

Day 1 in the Boundary Waters. Little Indian Sioux Entry. Devil’s cascade, steak 🥩 and lobster🦞 🍄‍🟫 August is a fine time in the forest. 🤗🌲🛶🏕️

08/16/2025

Another 5 days in the forest soothes the soul. Rushing waters, steak and lobster, a whole lake to ourselves and for two days, no other people. Heaven 🌲💖✨🛶

08/14/2025

Map Reading Skills Are On The Decline | For every canoe trip I’ve been on, I’ve planned 10 more. Maybe that seems excessive, like I’m wasting time or not tripping enough. Okay, the latter is probably always true. But to me it’s not excessive when I get so much enjoyment out of just looking at maps.

I get laughed at every year when I’m asked what I want for Christmas. Maps of canoe trip areas are always onthe list. In the map drawer of my gear closet there are lots of maps of places I’ve yet to go. Some I have no intent of going anytime soon, maybe never. But that doesn’t stop me from taking the maps out once in a while and planning new routes; for future trips, I think, or maybe just to have something to dream about by the woodstove in February.

According to a recent poll conducted by Ordnance Survey, three-quarters of adults in the United Kingdom can’t read a map. The other quarter must be canoe trippers, like me.

It begs the question, what do maps look like to people who can’t read them?

I’m willing to bet what the poll actually meant was that people can’t use maps anymore, at least not independently. We still use maps in the sense that we have GPS devices showing us the map and telling us how to get there. But how many people can do the navigating themselves? I think wilderness trippers are probably the few remaining folks who can.

Continue reading: https://bit.ly/40wgxzs

✍️: Marissa Evans
📷: David Jackson
📖: Issue 70 of Paddling Magazine

07/31/2025

Just returned from 5 days on trail. Wilderness for the soul.

06/26/2025

06/24/2025

05/24/2025

Preliminary NOTICE: Due to wildfire activity in the BWCAW Horse Lake area, on the Kawishiwi Ranger District, there is a Superior NF closure order in process that will close the area to visitors, currently only affecting the Winter Route (Dog Sled portage) between Jackfish Bay and Lower Basswood Falls. Paddlers in the area are advised to stay away from the area for their own safety. See https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-horse-river-fire for current incident fire details and updates.

05/11/2025

When the morels wear ghillie suits, you know it’s going to be a rough year. 😂

04/23/2025

The Spirit of Preparation
In this whimsical and vibrant artwork, the squirrel is more than a woodland creature—it becomes a symbol of mindfulness, joy, and resilience. Adorned with intricate patterns of flowers and foliage, the squirrel embodies a deep harmony with nature, reflecting how even the smallest beings are woven into the great cycle of life.
Traditionally, squirrels represent preparation and foresight, gathering what is needed before the challenges of winter arrive. But here, the artistic details suggest something more: an invitation to live fully, to collect not only food for survival, but also beauty, kindness, and intention for the spirit. This squirrel reminds us that life’s richness is found not only in what we store—but in how we move through the seasons, carrying color, warmth, and grace with us.

03/09/2025

Happy International Women’s Day! 🤍

03/02/2025

Santa Elena Canyon. Big Bend National Park.