Smell is a memory trigger

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As I was unpacking some items in the garage today, I noticed that my folding camping chair STILL smells like the last bonfire I was at, and what great memories I have of that time. Then I realized I never went into detail telling you here at MyLot of my little adventure. This past October I went up to Bemidji, MN. For those who have been through MN this is a popular tourist attraction in Northern MN due to the giant sculptures of Babe the Blue Ox and Paul Bunyan. It is rumored that giant Paul Bunyan's footsteps made Minnesota's many lakes. Though I didn't see much of Paul and Babe since it was REALLY COLD and windy when I stopped by the park where they are situated. Even though I've lived in MN my entire life, this is the farthest North I've ever been, and it is still about 2 hours from the Canada border. It all came about when I saw an ad for a music and arts festival happening near the Mississippi headwaters, something I'd never seen but always wanted to. So I planned a weekend, of it. A day for the music fest, and a day for headwaters and Bemidji and a day to get home. Well, this being NORTHERN MN - the music festival didn't go as the planners had hoped because it was misting and windy and only slightly above freezing. There weren't many people there. But I connected with local musician named David - and we hit it off just like we'd always known each other. I got to listen to some great music around a bonfire (the bonfire that my chair still smells like lol!) and I made a new friend, a lovely artistic soul who was vending there. He gave me a snack and gifted me some socks because he was worried my feet were cold. They were. We're still in touch. I'm so happy I went to the poorly attended festival. The next day I went on over to the headwaters of the Mississippi River. This is an important landmark in the US. because it divides east and west in the US. It runs from Lake Itasca in Northern MN to the Gulf of Mexico. And it's headwaters were nothing short of amazing. There are photos online of it but it does nothing to compare to the feeling of being there. It was almost Spiritual. Then I did the hour long "Wilderness drive" which was so amazing and beautiful. The next day before heading home - I did some thrifting and ate at the cutest restaurant that served mostly hotdogs with different toppings. Both the restaurant owner and couple of men who came in talked to me just like they'd known me forever. I really had fun and I went by myself. I urge everyone to give that a try sometime. It can be a lot of fun to have a private adventure like that. Photo : Mine - Me, Paul and Babe