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pooled resource
Key West, meet Midwest. In central Illinois, lifelong friends team up to create an island-inspired backyard retreat.
Take a tour and get the look!
Pro-Rib Steel Panel, color: Ocean Blue. Available at Menards.
Shop Now!
ROOFING
16’ UltraDeck Rustic Low-Maintenance Composite Decking, color: gray. Available at Menards.
DECKING
3’ Corrugated Galvanized Steel. Available at Menards.
CABINET PANELS
12’ Corrugated Galvanized Steel. Available at Menards.
METAL INTERIOR WALLS
Superior 42” WCT Builder Series Circulating Wood Burning Fireplace. Available at eFireplaceStore.
FIREPLACE
16' UltraDeck Rustic Low-Maintenance Composite Decking, color: gray. Menards.
Kenwick 7 Piece Sectional Seating Group with Cushions, cushion color: gray. Available at Wayfair.
SOFA & OTTOMAN
Shiplap Pine Board, color: Barn Wood Gray. The Home Depot.
SIDING
Foremost Cavalier Pedestal. Available at Menards.
SINK
Spectrum Diversified Wire, Vintage Locker Basket Style, Rustic Farmhouse Chic Steel Storage for Closets, Pantry, Kitchen, Garage, Bathroom & More, Medium, Pack of 1, color: Industrial Gray. Available at Amazon.
BASKETS
Grayton 54 in. LED Indoor/Outdoor Galvanized Ceiling Fan with Light Kit and Remote Control by Home Decorators Collection. Available at The Home Depot.
CEILING FAN
Colonial Elegance Artisan Model 37” W x 84” H Knotty Pine Interior Barn Door. Available at Menards.
DOOR
(On door and trim) Minwax Wood Finish Water-Based Stain, Semi-Transparent, color: Classic Gray. Available at Lowe’s.
STAIN COLOR
Cabana Striped Beach Towel – Sun Squad, color: blue. Available at Target.
TOWEL
Square Galvanized Metal Stool. Hobby Lobby.
BAR STOOLS
Old World Pavers, colors: mixed. Belgard.
PAVERS
RIPPLE EFFECT
Afternoon wakeboarding. Family reunions. Rosé around the firepit. It’s lake time all the time at this marine-inspired home in Minnesota—where a summer look is always in season.
6039-STONE Mill Cloth Stone Fabric. Pindler & Pindler. Available at Online Fabric Store.
RATTAN CHAIR FABRIC
Organic White 4600. Caesarstone.
ISLAND TOP
Fiore Chandelier. Iatesta Studio.
CHANDELIER
Spitfire 60” 3 Blade Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan – Remote Control Included. Fanimation. Available at Build.com.
OC-45 Swiss Coffee. Benjamin Moore.
PAINT
Eden Outdoor Sofa Set with Fixed Chairs, color: silver. Yardbird.
SOFA SET
THE ROUTE
Behind the Scenes videos
stream at home
In his part-shade hillside stream garden in Ann Arbor, Michigan, David Baker captures the magic of the Appalachian Trail.
TO THE TOP
LAVENDER & AGASTACHE Sunny-loving purple lavender and pink agastache intermingle in David’s gravel garden.
TURK'S CAP ASIATIC LILY Plant the bulbs in fall in full sun to part shade. (Hardy to Zone 3)
MOUNTAIN HYDRANGEA & HOSTA David appreciates the delicate clusters of mountain hydrangeas with the spikes of hostas’ bell-shaped blooms.
MOUNTAIN HYDRANGEA Most varieties thrive in part sun yet tolerate full sun in Midwestern climates. (Hardy to Zone 6)
LAVENDER MUNSTEAD Native to the Mediterranean coast, lavender thrives in sunny, well-drained locations, like David’s gravel garden. (Hardy to Zone 5)
SOURWOOD Features white fragrant flowers in early summer and rich green leaves that turn yellow, red and purple in the fall. (Hardy to Zone 5)
BLUE CASSEL HYDRANGEA The shrub reaches three to four feet and grows best in filtered to partial sun. (Hardy to Zone 5)
PENNSYLVANIA RHODODENDRON This hardy shrub stands 6 to 8 feet tall and unlike other spring-flowering rhododendrons blooms in July. (Hardy to Zone 5)
CHOCOLATE SHOGUN ASTILBE Pale pink plumes rise above purple-brown foliage on this shade-loving perennial. Plant in moist areas near pools and water features. (Hardy to Zone 4)
BLUE DECKLE MOUNTAIN HYDRANGEA The shrubs prefer part to full shade and acidic soil to achieve blue blooms; otherwise they are pink. (Hardy to Zone 6)
TUFF STUFF MOUNTAIN HYDRANGEA The two- to three-foot shrub blooms early on old wood then again on new wood. (Hardy to Zone 5)
PURPLE HAZE AGASTACHE Agastache is also known as hummingbird mint, since its flowers feed butterflies and bees with plenty of nectar. (Hardy to Zone 5)
Tap each photo to learn more about the flowers he used.
border cruising
A vast liquid ecosystem carves the line between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Take a drive (or float) to the small towns, big views and natural wonders of the Upper Mississippi.
Check out the views from Buena Vista Park in Alma.
ice, ice baby
When summer’s doing that dog-days thing, you can crack a cold one—or you can quench your thirst for kitsch with a frozen, fruity cocktail made in a zip-top bag.
Watch how to create summer drink garnishes!
EVEN MORE WAYS TO WATER
A bucket-list guide to the most Midwest ways to float in, swim through and chill out by the H20 near you. Summer is here. Drink it up.
Add these locations to your travel list!
Escape into a canyon
Home to some of the best scenery in the Black Hills, the Spearfish Canyon gorge holds cliffs, waterfalls and forests, easily accessible from the 22-mile Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. Spearfish, SD
Discover a mule’s pace
It’s slow going on a replica 19th-century mule-pulled canal boat, but that’s the point of a journey on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Period guides will even give you a lesson in mule-tending. LaSalle, IL
Explore an island park
The 900-acre Belle Isle Park in the Detroit River delivers a lineup of next-to-nature moments. Its free aquarium features more than 1,000 fish; also see a marble lighthouse, beach, conservatory and maritime museum. Detroit
Vacation in a houseboat
See fire and water
At the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas rivers, Keeper of the Plains honors local Native American tribes. At 9 p.m. in the summer, flames from the fire drums illuminate the river. Another way to experience the statue: sunset or sunrise views from a kayak. Wichita
LOVE A LILY POND
Starting in July, giant water lilies bloom in the reflecting pools of the Missouri Botanical Garden. The plants—which can grow as fast as an inch an hour—have leaf spans of up to six feet. If St. Louis isn’t on your summer itinerary, most Midwest botanical gardens boast one or more lakes or ponds that might show off aquatic plants, fountains or waterfalls. St. Louis, MO
Get a million-dollar view
The famously clear Geneva Lake is ringed by resorts, vacation homes and 19th-century mansions. Excursions on Lake Geneva Cruise Line offer close-up views of the Victorian mansions around the spring-fed lake, while more than 25 miles of lakeshore walking paths run through the manicured grounds of estates, most still privately owned. Lake Geneva, WI
Watch history rise
Gawk at the 135-foot-tall Aerial Lift Bridge as it rises more than 20 times each day for sailboats and skyscraper-length ships traveling between Lake Superior and Duluth Harbor. The first version of the unusual bridge was completed in 1905, and a remodeled bridge opened in 1930. Duluth, MN
Raft across a spring
At Palms Book State Park, ride on a hand-cranked raft across Kitch-iti-kipi, the state’s largest freshwater spring, gushing more than 10,000 gallons per minute. You’ll be mesmerized by swirling clouds of sand and ancient tree trunks. Manistique, MI
Go for a gondola ride
Former Boundary Waters guide John Kerschbaum traded canoe paddling for cruising on Gondola Romantica in 2000 (after shipping an authentic vessel from Venice to Minnesota). He's been crooning to lovers on the St. Croix ever since. Stillwater, MN
Climb to a lighthouse lookout
Hundreds of lighthouses ring the Great Lakes, many open seasonally for visitors (some even for overnight guests). Get ready for a steep climb up spiral steps to see sweeping lake vistas—and hear or read tales about lighthouse keepers’ solitary lives. MI, WI, IL, OH, MN, IN
CRUISE COLORED CLIFFS
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore gets its name from striking sandstone cliffs streaked by minerals. It’s especially lovely at sunset. See the Lake Superior shore by tour boat or kayak, or take a forested hike to beaches and waterfalls. Munising to Grand Marais, MI
At Voyageurs National Park, a maze of waterways carries boaters into boreal forest where the namesake fur trappers once reigned. Rented houseboats are a popular choice for multiday trips in the 340-square-mile park. International Falls, MN
Cheer for water-skiers
The Min-Aqua Bats Waterski Show lures visitors three nights a week throughout the summer to the lakeside vacation hub of Minocqua. Started in 1950, the show bills itself as the oldest continual amateur waterski show in the U.S. Minocqua, WI
Play on the prairie
Sailing, parasailing, fishing and kiteboarding are all popular on Lake McConaughy, Nebraska’s largest lake (near the Colorado border). The 100-mile shoreline is perfect for camping—spots fill quickly. Lake McConaughy, NE
Do the docks
A walk down the docks in Fishtown— one of the few unmodernized fishing villages on the Great Lakes— reveals weathered shanties that house both a working waterfront as well as cafes and boutiques. Leland, MI
FLOAT UNDERGROUND
Descend 110 feet into a drippy cavern and board a boat to explore Indiana’s longest cave, with a 35-foot waterfall, blind cave crayfish and rimstone dams. Also at Indiana Caverns Family Adventure Park: the Deep Darkness tour, four hours of splashing, kayaking, climbing and crawling.
Splash in a creek
You probably don’t need to go much beyond your neighborhood to find a creek. Get your trusty Tevas wet as you step from stone to stone and see where the journey leads. Look for minnows, dragonflies and tadpoles, and take a few deep breaths while you listen to the calming sound of water tumbling over rocks. Anywhere!
GO WITH THE FLOW
Try to steer a barge down the Mississippi or control the flow of water in a lock at exhibits at the National Great Rivers Museum—then head outside for a guided tour of the lock and dam. Alton, IL Corydon, IN
whatever floats your boat
The crew behind Living Lands and Waters, a nonprofit environmental organization based in East Moline, Illinois, spends most of the year living and traveling on a barge, hosting conservation efforts like river cleanups, workshops and tree plantings.
Learn more about Living Lands and Waters!
Learn more!
LAKE VIBES
MWL's top picks for ON and OFF the water. Perfect for a day on the lake.
Lake vibes
MWL's favorite products for a day on and off the water.
clip 3 speaker
JBL
You’ll get snowmelt-clear sound on this petite, waterproof speaker. $69; jbl.com
Shop now!
INDIGO-DYED LINEN LUMBAR THROW PILLOW
dale & blue
A gold zipper and leather pull add spark to the soothing water pattern, designed in Detroit. $105
SHOP NOW!
ECO TEDDY CREW
Lake Effect Co.
Designed in Wisconsin with cozy fleece on the outside—ideal for breezy boat rides. $60
cover-up beach pants
Lands' End
Comfy and stretchy, with pockets and UPF 50 protection. $70
Double loop knot
CB2
Handcrafted stoneware lends a nautical touch to any bookshelf. $60
pelican Micro case
Pelican
So long, plastic baggie: Keep stuff dry in a watertight case with a secure clip. From $18
SHOW NOW!
32-ounce wide mouth bottle
Hydro Flask
32-ounce wide mouth bottle Stay hydrated. Look hip. ’Nuff said. $45
Lake Candles
Poured in landlocked Kansas City, with scents like Lake House and Canoe Club. $29
river rat sunglasses
Midwest Shades
A Cincinnati biz makes these floatable, polarized shades. $30
striped box tote
Shore Bags
Up your beach-bag game with this super-sturdy tote, from Indiana. $70
shop now!
Better homes and Gardens blue/teal resort beach towel
Walmart
Giant, thick, soft, affordable. Done. $20; at Walmart
personalized family puzzle
Uncommon Goods
Grand Rapids, Michigan, artist Shelly Klein customizes each 200-piece beach scene by family size, hair and skin color, name, and more. $129
bubble-glaze dishes
Leelanau Pottery Co.
Collect trinkets in these hand-formed, Michigan-made jewels. From $12
roadie 24 hard cooler
YETI
This revamped mini Yeti is lighter, insulates better and now fits wine bottles. $199
Click to download the wave photo we used, by Des Moines photographer Austin Day.
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MIDWEST STICKER
Made in KC
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