I Prefer to Call Them The Periwinkles.

This is my favorite time of the year - Autumn. Yet, it brings a significant case of the blues.

Being less than a month departed from the annual "family" reunion I so cherish, I find myself yearning for my friends and the unique closeness we cultivate over the course of 3, 4, 5 days or so. This year's installment of the reunion brought new friends and new opportunities for awesomeness to come. I also learned how to properly winterize a wood burning sauna, good to know. Good to know.

This past weekend saw my bad self traveling to Duluth to hang out with one of those new friends, meet a host of new and interesting souls, take in some awesome live music, party and lodge in a mansion, and witness my first arrest made to a harmonica accompinament (which was comical, to say the least). I also had my first taste of Northern Waters Smokehaus food - I die. Shared a Cajun Finn and Sitka Sushi sandwich with a friend, both phenomenal. Go to Duluth, eat there, take some home - just beware the touristas who know not the ways of proper road laws.

My little northern excursion filled my post-reunion void, for the time being, but I see myself making many more trips up to the Port City for friends, fun, and some biking. There may even be photos. Maybe.