Autumn Life in the Driftless

Sunsets, bike rides, volleyball, church dinners and more -- fall in the Driftless is beautiful

By Renée Bergstrom and Craig Johnson, October 14, 2025

A glowing autumn sunset fills the sky with brilliant shades of orange and red above a wooded bluff. Below, a black steel railroad bridge spans a calm river that reflects the sunset colors. The trees along the water’s edge are beginning to show fall hues of gold and brown, creating a tranquil, scenic view.

October Sunday morning over the Root River. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

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A group of five cyclists, including children and adults wearing colorful helmets, ride together down a sunlit forest trail surrounded by trees with early autumn leaves. The family pedals leisurely through dappled light, embodying a peaceful day outdoors on Minnesota’s Root River Trail.

Family fall biking trip on the Root River Trail. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

Golden soybean fields stretch across the valley, framed by tree branches in the foreground. Beyond the field, wooded hills glow in late-afternoon sunlight under a clear blue sky, showcasing a serene rural Minnesota harvest scene.

Soybean field bathed in sunlight in Holt Township/Fillmore County. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

A stately brick church with white trim and arched windows stands under a clear blue sky. A banner on the front lawn reads, “Harmony Methodist Church Beef Dinner – First Sunday in November,” announcing a long-standing small-town community tradition.

Fall is also the season of local church dinners. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

Two volleyball teams compete in a gymnasium filled with spectators. A player in an orange jersey leaps to block a spike from an opponent in purple as teammates watch intently. The action unfolds near the net with focused energy, while the scoreboard area reads “Lanesboro” in the background.

Fall High School sports fill gyms and fields across the Driftless. (Photo by Craig Johnson)

A bright orange tent stands on lush green grass near a small river, shaded by tall trees. A few people relax on lawn chairs under the sunlight, with picnic tables and parked cars in the distance. It’s a peaceful autumn day for camping in southeastern Minnesota.

No orange leaves, but an orange tent as campers enjoy the season at Eagle Cliff Campground. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

An Amish man and child ride a horse-drawn wagon loaded with lumber along a quiet country road. The wagon passes a weathered red barn and mailbox, framed by rolling green hills and a bright blue sky — a timeless image of rural life in the Midwest.

Amish folks hauling lumber to their next project. (Photo by Renee Bergstrom)

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Contributors

Renée Bergstrom

A. Renée Bergstrom, EdD was a Root River Current founding board member. She 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 also writes and some of her essays are published in RRC. Renée travels with international organizations addressing female human rights abuses.

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.