Autumn Colors in the Driftless

By Craig Johnson, Renée Bergstrom, John Gaddo and Julie Fryer, November 10, 2025

Autumn arrives in rich golden hues in the Root River Valley. (Photo by Craig Johnson)

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Under overcast autumn skies, the subdued shades of the fall harvest are set against surrounding blufflands during cornstalk baling on this Houston County acreage near the Root River. (Panoramic photo by John Gaddo)

Inviting trails lure hikers deeper into the region’s forestlands. (Photo by Craig Johnson)

Local storefronts reflect the warmth of the season as we approach the holidays. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

“Deer Friends” – Area wildlife are increasingly blending into their natural surroundings as winter – and hunting season – approach. (Photo by Craig Johnson)

Sunlit foliage along the Root River Trail near Lanesboro. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

The mesmerizing magic of an autumn campfire. (Photo by Craig Johnson)

Brilliant Northern Lights in shades of deep red and green stretch across a star-filled night sky above leafless winter trees. The vibrant aurora glows over the quiet landscape, capturing the rare red aurora borealis seen across Minnesota in November 2025.

Brilliant Northern Lights in shades of deep red and green stretch across a star-filled night sky above leafless winter trees on November 11, 2025. (Photo by Julie Fryer)

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Contributors

Craig Johnson

When not otherwise drumming with area musicians or assisting customers at Rushford’s Ace Hardware, Craig Johnson’s photographer’s eye focuses on the region’s picturesque scenery and its sports teams. Look for his work in a variety of regional publications.

Renée Bergstrom

Renée Bergstrom is a photographer, weaver and painter whose artwork is available at Lanesboro Arts. Renée loves to dig in the dirt so you may see her in her garden along the Root River Trail. She is currently a Public Voices Fellow on Advancing the Rights of Women and Girls with the OpEd Project and Equality Now. The cohort of twenty women is publishing thought provoking articles.

John Gaddo

John Gaddo is co-publisher of Root River Current. His professional career has included stints as a public media manager, journalist and audio producer.

Julie Fryer

Julie Fryer is a marketing and writing consultant who helps small businesses and nonprofits navigate the digital world. She lives in Chatfield, Minn. and is an avid gardener, sugarmaker and camper with a full bookshelf of to-be-read books. Julie is Root River Current's production manager.