Dear canoe, as you make the long journey from Grand Forks, ND to Canada, I hope you take in all the scenery and meet many friends along the way. I hope your journey is peaceful but exciting, slow but enjoyable, and everything in between. My favorite time of the year is upon us and I am jealous that you will be traveling the Red River of the North as we go from summer to fall. Seeing the trees change colors into beautiful shades of red, yellow, and orange is one of my favorite parts about fall. Also, feeling the cool, crisp air and smelling the maple/musky/campfire scents in the air brings a smile to my face. I hope you enjoy the changing of the seasons as much as I do. As you travel North, make sure you look out for corn stalks, wheat, and hopefully even a few pumpkin patches. You should also run into some friends such as deer running through the woods, squirrels climbing tree, fish swimming below you, and geese flying overhead. If youՉre lucky enough, you might even run into human friends that are fishing or going for a stroll along the river! I hope whatever friend(s) you run into, they greet you with kindness and help you continue your journey to Canada. Enjoy everything fall brings as before you know it, it will be gone in a blink of an eye and, winter will have arrived. Surviving winter is going to be the toughest part of your journey as you will face some very cold temperatures, strong winds, major snowfalls, and the river freezing. Although this is a scary part of your journey, it can be beautiful one too with large snowflakes slowly falling to the ground and lining the trees, creating a little winter wonderland. I hope whatever obstacles and adversities you face in the winter, you overcome, and that the freezing of the river doesnՉt stop your journey. Winter will seem to last a lifetime as you travel, but if you make it through, spring will arrive and youՉll be well on your way to Canada. This is a journey not many get to take so, take it all in and enjoy everything it has to offer. I will be keeping track of you throughout your journey and hope to see youՉve reached your final destination, Hudson Bay!