Live Wandering

Wednesday

The drive north stretched into evening, the sky dimming as I passed construction zones and wedding traffic winding its way toward Tofte. The tunnels glistened from fresh spray, the kind they lay down right before winter takes hold. By the time I reached Surfside, night had already claimed the shore. Lake Superior shimmered faintly beneath an illuminated moon in a deep blue sky, restless, vast, and alive. It felt like arriving at the edge of the world, where everything slows and exhales.

My check-in at Bluefin Bay’s office was smooth and easy. Once I finally made it to the room I would be staying in, I parked and quietly carried in my many bags, already anticipating the calm of the weekend ahead. Inside the Surfside Master Suite, warmth greeted me instantly. Robes hung neatly in the closet, the guest journal rested on the fireplace mantle, and the lake pressed softly against the glass. I opened the windows to let in fresh air before switching on the fireplace. Watching the flames curl to life, the excitement finally hit me. I was traveling again. Not far from home, but far enough that solitude settled in just right.

Next, I filled the whirlpool and let the sound of rushing water blend with the waves outside. The glow of the flames danced across the walls, soft and steady. For once, there was a bathtub deep enough to cradle my tall frame, so I could not resist giving it a try immediately. What better way to begin than a bath before bed, ignoring all the unpacking I still had not done. I was on vacation. Regular chores didn’t apply.

The bath salts provided by the resort were the final touch as I made a mocktail at the wet bar and sipped it while soaking. If anything was going to calm my excited-to-be-traveling-again nerves, it would be my favorite Apothékary Wine Down tincture; my go-to for the past year whenever I need help unwinding before sleep. Between the water, the waves, and the firelight, my body finally found something it had been searching for in the chaos of life: a true exhale. The kind you feel in your chest. Challenges from the previous few months were something I had tried to ignore but the constant pressure in my chest made it seem near impossible. However, this trip already felt like the pause my heart had been craving. If was off to delightful start.

After my bath, I wrapped myself in one of the robes and sank into the chair with the remainder of my mocktail, opening the guest journal as the fire flickered beside me. Its pages were filled with stories from past travelers, honeymooners, families, couples leaving pieces of their memories behind in ink. I lingered there for a while, letting their words mingle with the glow of the room. It reminded me of my own brand as I read. Everyone who had stayed in this room had something in common. They all came seeking Lake Superior, beauty, and a rejuvenating escape. As I strive to create magical Reiki experiences through Live Wandering, that one common thread felt quietly affirming that nature really does tie us all together. I placed the book back on the mantle with a promise to leave my own note before checking out. Eventually, the steady rhythm of the waves carried me into sleep.

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Thursday

The next morning, the sky painted itself like sugar woven into cotton candy. Soft blues and pinks floated above the lake, the golden sun rising far to the left of the patio. I watched Superior wake, its surface shifting with color and light. I slipped into the Jacuzzi again, steam rising into the cool morning air as the horizon glowed. The lake shifted through pastels to warmer tones while the world slowly woke around me. Eventually, I wrapped myself in a fluffy robe and poured my first cup of coffee. When I went outside with the mug warming my hands, the air smelled like autumn and that impossible-to-name scent of Lake Superior: cold, clean, and invigorating.

Not long after, my stomach made its protest known. I had a big day ahead and a firm breakfast meet-up to keep with my mum before our Lutsen hike. So I ordered breakfast online from Waves Café. Shortly after placing our order, I had my first interaction with Michelle, the Guest Experience Supervisor at Surfside. She kindly called to inform me that one of the items I ordered was not available. Her tone was bright and personable, quick to offer alternatives with genuine warmth. When I picked up our food, I finally put a face to the voice. She greeted me with an easy smile and apologized once more, which I waved off trusting our order would be the perfect sustenance for our morning adventure. Before I left, she mentioned the s’mores kits available by the front door. I mentally noted it, fully intending to make one later. It was a promise that the serenity of my room would later quietly undo.

My mum timed her arrival perfectly, me holding our breakfast and her holding a little ball of fur wagging with joy. Zsu Zsu was joining us for her first gondola ride and I was excited to see how the day would unfold. After taking a moment for necessary reunion cuddles and offering my Aussie-doodle a chicken tidbit peace offering, we set off toward Lutsen. The road wound along the lake, sunlight dappling through the trees, and by the time we reached the base of the gondola, the air smelled unmistakably like fall.

I booked a private car for the three of us. I did it mostly for Zsu Zsu’s high anxiety. I was not sure how she would react to the heights, swinging car, and new destination, so I erred on the side of caution. With her little eyes watching every movement around us, she sat anxiously in her carrier as strangers fawned over her in the ticket line. I started questioning if it was a good idea to bring her with but once we boarded our gondola and lifted into the air, she slowly settled. As did my nerves. As we rose higher into the mountain, the three of us took in the sight above the treetops. The ride felt like floating through color. Below us stretched the lake, the trails, and a sea crimson and amber trees that looked too vivid to be real.

At the top, we disembarked the gondola and hit the trails. Letting Zsu Zsu out from the carrier, she perked up ready to explore as soon as her nose caught new scents. Her tail relaxed, paws were eager, and we let her nose lead the way. We trekked behind her obediently and only stopped at the scenic overlooks. I found myself silently grateful for every pause near the end of our hiking. My mother dressed practically with hiking boots guarding her feet from stones and roots. Meanwhile, I chose wedge boots, because apparently the hike alone wasn’t enough of a challenge for me. It must be the Minnesota in me. The mountain took note and made sure I earned every photo.

After wandering the mountain, we headed back down for lunch, skipping our complimentary gondola vouchers in favor of something familiar and beloved. Fifteen minutes later, we were at Coho Café & Bakery. On the deck, the scent of pizza drifted through the air and made Zsu Zsu wildly impatient for her chicken. When our food arrived–pizza, soup, salads, pasta, and that very important plain chicken–it felt like one of those vacation meals that somehow tasted better simply because you are unhurried. The lake sat close behind us and we ate leisurely enjoying the sun dancing through the trees.

Later that afternoon, I returned to Surfside with the intention of using the Jacuzzi. While Surfside guests normally are not allowed to use the neighboring amenities, the resort made a thoughtful exception due to temporary maintenance. I spent the afternoon soaking in Bluefin Bay’s outdoor hot tub overlooking the water, chatting softly with another traveler while waves rolled steadily against the rocks below. Eventually, I slipped into the sauna, heat and cedar folding around me in quiet layers. It was the kind of slow, grounding wellness that leaves you feeling held rather than hurried.

Afterward, back in my suite and freshly showered, I reached for the leftover desserts I had saved from Coho. Because what better way to enjoy your afternoon on vacation than with a dessert charcuterie moment? No schedule to follow. Just sunshine, sugar, a sweeping view of the lake, and complete privacy. Robe on, desserts arranged on the patio table, Lake Superior stretching endlessly below me, this was my honest version of luxury. The kind that doesn’t need a dress code or reservation. Just time.

I had planned to head over to Bluefin Bay for dinner that evening, but the afternoon made its case early. The fireplace was glowing. The waves were speaking. Everything felt unhurried. As the light softened, I felt that familiar pull to grab my adventure gear and wander back down toward the rocks along the shoreline. The sun was beginning its slow retreat behind the coast, and I wanted to catch the lake in that in-between moment when the light thins and everything feels suspended. I tucked myself into a relatively flat spot among the stones, set up my camera, and recorded a short Reiki session as the water held onto the last stretch of daylight.

@livewandering

The Earth knows it’s easy to get my attention. Just show me a sunset and I’m off chasing another Reiki session to film. 😂 #Reiki #nature #behindthescenes

♬ original sound – LiveWandering

For a while, I was completely alone. Just me, the waves, the gathering chill in the air, and the steady rhythm of Superior breathing in and out. Eventually, I heard the crunch of footsteps on the trail to the left of me. A family of four approached, parents following behind two running boys who were charging ahead with fearless enthusiasm. I turned off my cameras so they could pass comfortably, always mindful of the space I hold while recording and the people who may not wish to be part of the frame.

As they ran past, one of the boys yelled, “Onward! How far can we explore the lakeshore!” It made me smile instantly. There was something so perfect and unfiltered about it. I took that as my sign to close the session. I stayed a little longer after they disappeared down the rocks, enjoying the last thin ribbon of light, the steady crash of water, and the cold beginning to bite into my fingertips.

@livewandering

Think of this as a vacation for your energy. Lake Superior’s calm meets Reiki flow — a moment to reset, release, and return to stillness. #LiveWandering #Reikisode #reiki #energyhealing #softliving

♬ Ambient-style emotional piano – MoppySound

Eventually, I made my way back to the suite and noticed the marshmallow sticks tucked into the corner of my wet bar. I told myself I would wait for full darkness before heading back out to the firepit to enjoy a proper s’mores. However, the room had clearly made other plans for me. The low firelight, the dark lake beyond the glass, and the complete absence of noise or obligation gently pulled me into stillness. I fell asleep long before I ever made it back outside. I did, after all, need my beauty sleep.

Friday

On the morning of departure, I woke before dawn out of habit. I rolled over, half hoping for rain so I could justify staying wrapped in the covers a little longer. But the room was already glowing. Golden light pooled across the floor and crept up the walls, soft and undeniable. I sighed. I knew what that meant. The lake was calling again.

Half grumpy, half excited, I flicked on the coffee maker, poured myself a generous cup, slipped into my sandals, and grabbed my tripod. Outside, the air was still cool. The sky was beginning its slow shift through color again, and the bushes along the path were damp with dew, leaving little water spots across my pajamas as I passed. Balancing my mug and my phone in one hand, I used the tripod to gently brush branches aside while making my way toward the shoreline. After all, a wet and frozen Reiki Master does not offer her best work.

The sun crested the horizon in deep red-gold as I began setting up. Light caught the edges of the waves, scattering fire across the water. I set my intention for the session and then called forth Reiki. My sleepiness faded quickly. The coffee fought the cold biting at my fingers between takes. The steady movement of Superior matched my breath. It was one of those mornings that feels impossibly aligned, as if nature itself is already in ceremony and I’ve simply arrived to join in.

If I could, I would live this way every morning. As much as I love sleeping in, once I am awake and moving, very little compares to the quiet opulence of sunrise or sunset when the earth feels in sync with itself. The world around us and inside us can grow loud and tangled so easily. Stillness reminds us what matters. It reminds us how to soften. How to listen. I finished recording my Reikisode without a single person passing by. That quiet felt intentional. Like a small, private blessing. A gentle nod that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

@livewandering

This sunrise Reiki sessin was filmed with the energy of new beginnings, emotional clarity, and quiet hope. If your world feels loud, heavy, or uncertain right now, let this be a soft place to land. A moment to breathe. A moment to reset. Many people turn to Reiki for stress relief, intention setting, and emotional grounding—especially in the moments of quiet. 📍 Save this Reikisode for whenever you need clarity for tomorrow, next week, or the chapter you’re slowly becoming your future self. #reikihealing #sunrisemeditation #livewandering #nervoussystemreset #energyhealing

♬ original sound – LiveWandering

Later, breakfast at Waves Café became the perfect closing to the trip. French toast, bright morning light, and the endless shimmer of Superior just down the hill from the deck. After my meal outside, I asked Michelle if she might show me the Waves Spa. I had been curious about its setup since my arrival. She happily agreed and, before we even walked down, gave me a peek at the reception space being prepared for a wedding that evening. The room had been transformed into something truly intimate and elegant, every detail placed with such care. I could see why couple’s would choose Surfside for an intimate reception space.

Next, we toured the spa itself. Luminous, calm, Eminence Organics lining the shelves, and filled with that quiet serenity that only thoughtful design and genuine intention can create. Michelle’s energy, warm, hospitable, and completely present, brought the entire experience to life. The rooms exuded calming energy and the next time I visit, I will be booking a massage and facial as part of the experience.

I lugged my bags to the car feeling unready to let the trip end. So I stopped at Coho Café one last time, grabbed a coffee, and wandered down to the boardwalk. The lake glittered beneath the sun. I sat on the rocks, barefoot, and let the breeze tangle my hair while the world stretched wide and quiet around me. I stayed there for at least an hour, reading while the waves splashed just inches below my feet. For a while, it was just me and a loon sharing the rocks together. However, as the afternoon approached, the boardwalk grew noisier and I knew it was getting late and time to go before the wedding traffic picked up its pace.

With a new sense of calm settled in my chest, I turned back toward reality, sunlight still warm on my face, already knowing this wouldn’t be a one-time stay. Some places work their way into your rhythm. Bluefin Bay Resorts has become one of mine. One I plan to return to, season after season.