Where does here end, and there begin?
This question prefaces the book The Driftless Reader, a mosaic of storytellers weaving the narrative of an ancient landscape known as the Driftless Area. Here is an unglaciated, glacial drift-free region of rolling hills, deep river valleys, and steep-sided bluffs. It’s a geological pride of Wisconsin—understandably so, since 85% of its roughly 24,000 square miles are within our southwestern counties. From there, we share its perimeters with northwestern Illinois, northeastern Iowa, and southeastern Minnesota.
My husband and I have been meandering the Driftless since we met more than 45 years ago. We love not only the beauty of its land but also the simplicity of its culture—small towns, artisans, farmers, foodies, musicians and an all-around slower pace of life. Given this, it’s only natural that when we take our annual Octoberfest vacation, we often point our vehicle to the Driftless. This year, we’re loading the kayaks and heading to the Kickapoo River in Wisconsin, the Upper Iowa River in Iowa, and the Root River in Minnesota. The here and there of a Driftless Autumn await!
But back to The Driftless Reader…
What a great book to revisit as I prepare for our trip. Compiled by Curt Meine and Keefe Keeley, it’s an anthology of works by scientists, historians, essayists, poets, preservationists, illustrators, photographers and more. Together they create a well-balanced mix of material. Since I’m ever striving to become more intelligent (as of yet, not happening), I’m prodding myself through the heavier geologic essays. Thankfully, they’re in digestible vignettes. And because I delight in art and history, I’m enamored by the photography, maps, poetry and stories of people. In the same way the editors offer a varied list to which the term driftless is attached— “to the region’s distilleries and fly-fishing shops, community radio stations and folk schools, novels and albums, scientific studies and ecological restoration projects”— the collections in this book offer something for everyone.
“To me it’s all about relationships. If you keep those old stories coming down, then you understand how we are related, not only to each other but to God, to the earth, to all that we know about. You know we have to be related. That’s what’s missing today, everywhere. We’ve forgotten how we’re connected.”
—Pete Fee, enrolled member of Ioway tribe
The editors tell us the Driftless Area is good for people, a great diversity of people all connected by this “veritable Garden of Eden,” to which it’s sometimes referred. It’s a connection I long to be part of, if only for a couple glorious weeks in October. And so, as I do the many whatevers needed to be done before a vacation, I’m also indulging in my annual creative exercise, a travel poster commemorating our adventure.
Drumroll, please…
May I present our 2024 Octoberfest Brewery Tour! We’re now moving into our second decade of tours so I felt it time to update the beverage design—enter the container world of cans. I designed a label to compliment the poster and featured my soulmate in meandering, my dear husband, as the kayaker. And, of course, there’s a map. I do love my maps!
Maybe you need help designing a beer label? Contact me!
Enjoy autumn, dear folks. Get out and find your connections!
