My Dad grew up near Duluth Minnesota, being close to nature was a love of his. One of my favorite memories of him came about while visiting family in Minnesota. It was summertime and we were staying in a cabin by a lake. I was about 7 years old and remember spending happy times by the lake, frolicking in a polka dot bathing suit.

One afternoon a huge thunderstorm rolled in. People scurried around with a hint of fear, battening down belongings and ducking inside their cabins for protection. Except for my father. My Dad took off his shirt and went running through the woods. Rain falling, lightning striking, thunder rolling, he embraced the storm without fear. Giving himself to the storm as he ran through the woods.

When he came back he had this wild and free look in his eyes. As a child, I was so impressed with him at that moment. As I have aged I came to see it as part of our Viking blood. We come from fierce people.