Welcome to Northern Soul. I’m Laurel. I document adventures that delight me in the Great Lakes region. I hope they delight you too. Happy exploring.
All in Winter
Wax your skis and don your wool base layer— Nordic winter wonderlands await across the north.
As you’re making your holiday plans, wish lists, and gift lists, I thought I’d share my favorite cozy items that keep me merry and bright during these dark days.
Here’s a recipe for a bright and bubbly day near Traverse City—regardless of weather.
You’ll enjoy a visit to Mackinac in the winter if you enjoy peace and quiet, an away-from-it-all feeling, cozying up at a neighborhood pub, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, or fat tire biking.
Cross-country skiing is all about the substance of the expedition. An equilibrium between exertion and surrender. There is a plane that— once pierced — brings you to a sustained level of meditative relaxation and peace not found in other winter sports.
As I sit here writing this in south Florida—gazing up at peaceful palm trees dancing in the breeze—I ask myself again, why make camp in the arctic tundra? Why return to the subzero-forecast awaiting me when I could stay here dog-paddling in an 85-degree swimming pool surrounded by tropical trees?
I am still collecting a wardrobe of total-package items. But six Northern Michigan winters in, I’ve dialed in a solid list of winter activewear essentials. During the winter months, I do not leave home for a beer or a grocery run, much less a hike, ski, or snowshoe, without these items.
