As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, fall invites us to slow down and reconnect with nature. It’s a season that encourages reflection, grounding, and finding peace amid the shifts around us. For me, fall is a time to be more present, to step outside and experience the beauty and stillness that nature offers.
Last year, I lived in Alexandria, MN, surrounded by the quiet solitude of a small lake cabin, just minutes from Carlos State Park. The woods, the water, the trails, the eagles, owls and hawks, the land I had the privilege of living on—they were a lifeline for me amidst a dark, confusing, and paradigm shifting time, helping me reconnect with myself in a way that felt both grounding and empowering.
So, when I decided to move back to the Twin Cities, I knew I had to be intentional about staying close to nature. That’s why I chose Hastings, a place where I can still find that same peace through the beauty of the river, the bluffs, and the city trails that weave through my neighborhood. These places remind me that even in busier spaces, nature is always there to soothe and restore.
One of my favorite parts of fall is hiking with my Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Ayla. She loves the cooler weather—it’s perfect for a dog that overheats easily! There’s something about watching her run freely, with pure joy, that fills me with a happy calm. I am reminded to let go of stress and enjoy the moment. It’s in these simple walks along the river or through the trails that I find my stability.
Lately, I've been reflecting on a quote from one of my favorite books, Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés:
“When a woman returns to the instinctual life, she finds it is always there, waiting to love her, to embrace her, to heal her.”
These words perfectly capture how I feel about nature—whether it’s hiking the trails or pausing with a morning coffee, there’s a healing power in returning to the simple, instinctual parts of life that remind us who we are.
As we move through October, I invite you to find your own ways to reconnect—whether that’s through spending more time outside, using an herbal remedy, or creating small moments of intention in your day. Nature is always there, offering us the peace we seek. We just have to be open to receiving it.
Wishing you a peaceful and restorative October,
Kate (and “Ayla Baby Punkin Dog”)
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