“You decide what places have magic or not.”
This quote from Jedidiah Jenkins’ book “Like Streams to the Ocean” is another one of those times when someone gives voice to the thoughts you yourself couldn’t put into words. He’s really good at doing that.
I got to meet Jedidiah in 2016. His bike trip from Oregon to Patagonia really inspired me, and I’ve followed his work since I heard about it. He has two books written, and they’re both insanely good. Highly recommend.
Isn’t it such a beautiful, validating statement, though? We spend our lives longing to travel to magical lands with exotic islands and breathtaking views. We envy every friend who’s posting from the beach or sharing their selfie from atop another mountain.
Don’t get me wrong, I still dream of Paris and Fiji and Patagonia (I just spent 30 minutes scrolling through links about “the most beautiful places on earth”), but I know I have magical spots right here at home.
For the past few years, my magic place in Minneapolis has been Lake Harriet. It was only one mile from the house I lived in with my best friends. It was my space of respite during difficult times and a constant spot when I needed a reset. Compared to the other 10,000 lakes in Minnesota, it’s not much. But it was mine. And it definitely has magic.
In my grandparents’ town of Burlington, Iowa, there was a little runoff creek in the woods by their house. It’s probably been eighteen years since we found it on a hike with my grandpa and twelve years since I’ve been back to it.
But to my cousin Garrett and I, it was ours, and it was magic. Out of all the spots we conquered in Burlington growing up, that small runoff spot is the one I remember most.
I don’t have photos of the little creek so my grandparents’ house will have to do. There’s more than enough magic here anyways ❤️
I could go on and on about my other places. Tettegouche State Park on the North Shore is up there on the list. Lory State Park in Colorado. New York City. They all have a place in my heart.
Tettegouche State Park, Lory State Park, and New York City
I’ll never be able to stop my wanderlust for far away lands, but I don’t want to forget the magic I have here at home. Later today I’m going to Lake Harriet for a run with my friend, and I can’t wait.