On Location Series #45–Bear Head Lake State Park

My trip to Minnesota was remarkable in many ways. For one, it was my first journey back to the Midwest since 2019. I missed the relaxed emotions of the people, the lack of hurriedness among the general populace, and the upfront conversation. Living in Maryland does not exhibit such features, but it is a little different in the middle part of the country.

The Midwest definitely has its own causal flow into normalcy.

I was invited by close friends, the Acostas, who recently relocated from their living on the East Coast. I visited a few famous local sites such as “The Mall of America,” Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, Minnehaha Regional Park, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, and the most crucial visit—George Floyd Memorial.

It was a quietness at the site where Mr. Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police, unmercifully murdered. While my friend Chris and I were there, quite a few people came and paid their respects just like us. The pictures below give you a glimpse of what I saw. Writings, quotes, images, artwork, and much more. It was overwhelming that we barely spoke, marveled, and reflected back on the uprising that occurred in 2020. Police brutality was placed front and center, and many, like myself, had enough…

That takes us to the main event of the trip, well, besides seeing great friends camping at Bear Head Lake State Park, located in St. Louis County, Minnesota. This park is one of the nationwide Dark Sky Sanctuary. A Dark Sky Sanctuary is public or private land that has an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is protected for its scientific, natural, or educational value, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment. Bear Head Lake State Park’s past is not well known as Native American archaeological sites have been found around the park’s outskirts and have existed for hundreds of years. Old gold mines are still within their borders as corporations expanded their reach into the logging industry until it ended around the early 1900s.

The lake itself was the epitome of beauty as it covered the middle lands of the park, etching out its splendor for everyone to view. There are plenty of trails and welcoming log houses for campers, hikers, and passersby to rest and eat. We saw wildlife running around; chipmunks and looms inhabited the park along with black bears.

We only saw the tiny creatures, with the exception of deer. We, myself and the Acostas, camped overnight, warming beef and chicken soup over the open fire. It was a welcoming conversation and enjoying the entertainment of nature without the annoyance of technology (well, besides taking pictures and videos with my cell phone).

The night sky was incredible.

The sky was cloudy, but even with that, I saw plenty of stars, a shooting star, and manufactured satellites. Chris pointed out the plant Juipeter, and the night went uninterrupted besides the looms. Those damn looms carried on an in-depth conversation that made sleep a little problematic.  

But that was okay; we were guest at their home anyway.

(Videos below)