GNRT DAY 29 FROM HIAWATHA TO THE CEDARS

Today we traveled from Bayfield, Wisconsin to Bark River, Michigan We are staying at a beautiful cabin by the lake…. The 200 mile drive went smoothly…except for one slight navigational mistake. We planned to stop at this 52 foot. statue of Hiawatha In Iron River…where…since 1964 he has stood. In my defense…not knowing Michigan it’s easy to mix up Iron River…with the similar sounding Ironwood. So…when we reached Iron River and Deborah read about the statue I was half right …Hiawatha is his name but he stands in the town of Ironwood…100 miles back the way we came. So much for Hiawatha…and my map reading expertise… but we forgot all about him when we reached our cabin… nestled among white cedar trees. We learned from Walt, the owner of our cabin, as we felt a cool Lake Michigan breeze… how, to the Native Americans, white cedars are considered sacred trees. In his front yard we listened…surrounded by a wide array of flowers while Walt told us how they believe the white cedars are imbued with healing powers. How passed down from their ancestors…were legends such as these… that there are protective spirits hidden in these trees. He encouraged us to hug these trees… so we could feel their power too which of course the two of us were more than willing and happy to do. The white cedars are also called the tree of life… because…lasting through the summer heat and the winter cold…. some white cedars standing today…are well over 1000 years old. If we had to miss a 52 foot Hiawatha…by taking the wrong route landing in thicket of 50 foot tall white cedar was a wonderful substitute Stories such as these…like the one you have just heard… prove once again how life is…and always will be…such a beautiful word.