OffBeat Pathfinder Basecamp

Harris Gin might be the best thing I’ve ever tasted. Did the distillery tour and left with a bottle—and a weird urge to check out every haunted site on the island. Stayed at a B&B where the host swore a knight haunts St. Clement’s. Didn’t see him, but I did hear some very old pipes one night…

Fun fact: Minneapolis has over 13 lakes inside city limits. You can walk from the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to the University of Minnesota campus almost entirely by trail. Bring bug spray and snacks. Don’t try to ice fish before December.

I brought binoculars, 2 cameras, and a notepad—saw nothing but bugs and a real dramatic sunset. Is it a government test site? Is it just heat haze? Is Marfa even real? Jury’s still out.

Slept out under the stars last May, woke up to a coyote nosing through my backpack. Lost my granola bar but gained a story I tell at every party.
Did you see the crazy clouds at sunset? Looked like UFOs.

took the Amtrak in and never needed my car once. Pro move: bring stretchy pants.

Lost a sandal hiking Siskiyou. Found a geocache, two lizards, and a sock that definitely wasn’t mine.