Learn about your drivers at Superior By Nature!

Drivers are WFA Certified

Meet Superior by Nature’s Owner and Driver, Linda Newman

Linda has been in Cook County for 24 years with 11 of those years being full time, living remotely and off grid in Hovland, up the Arrowhead Trail. She handcrafts beeswax candles in her off grid homestead for her Scent from Nature beeswax candle company and is the owner/operator of Points Unknown, an educational outdoor adventure business specializing in dog sledding adventure. Points Unknown is our base camp headquarters. Having grown up in a US Forest Service family, and then living on the edge of Minnesota’s largest Dark Sky Sanctuary and 12 miles from the least utilized BWCA Entry Point, she is no stranger to Remote Access experiences and looks forward to supporting you on yours!

Meet Superior by Nature’s Owner and Driver, Ryan Merriman

Growing up in the Brainerd Lakes Area, Ryan enjoyed many outdoor adventures. After many years in the Twin Cities, and some travel abroad, he has migrated back north where he belongs. Ryan is an adventure motorcycle camping enthusiast and has done many a trip to Colorado, Wyoming, the UP and various spots in Canada. Ryan enjoys an annual remote winter cross country skiing and camping trip to Ely. One of his new favorite places, Cook County and the Superior National Forest, is providing an excellent playground for exploring. Aiding in your adventures through Superior by Nature’s services will help everyone, including him, reach their exploration goals.

Meet Superior by Nature’s Driver, Natalie Bradshaw (she’s the one on the right)

Natalie has lived in Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region for a year. She is currently fulfilling her childhood dream to live and work in the wilderness with some amazing sled dogs and humans. Natalie’s love of nature sparked early with her attendance at an environmental preschool. Since then, she’s been unable to imagine a life that does not involve the greater outdoors in some capacity. She graduated from Cornell College with a major in English/Creative Writing and a minor in Environmental Studies, so naturally, nature writing is her passion. The one thing that excites her more than a good hike is hearing a story about someone else’s adventure. Sharing a connection with nature is one of the most important aspects of life. She is thrilled to be working for Points Unknown and Superior by Nature where this mission of environmental connection and education is paramount. 

Meet Superior by Nature’s Mascot, AGATE!

Agate has been driving the shuttle for… nope, just kidding. She doesn’t have a license, she’s a dog! But not just any dog. Agate is a Hedlund Husky, a rare line of traditional Alaskan Husky purpose-bred for trapline work and subsistence living in the 1930s by the Hedlund family in the Illiamna Region of Alaska. You could say that Agate does drive (a sled) as a working member of Points Unknown’s team. When she was less than a week old she chose Linda as her favorite. So,, she is often an adventuring partner on beach walks and state park strolls around the area. You may even meet her on your Superior By Nature supported adventure. If you do, make sure to tell her heWoOOoOOO!