Marla Goes North is a collection of essays, field notes, and reflections from Norway and beyond.

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Born in Wisconsin’s Driftless region, I now live in western Norway, tracing the landscapes and migration stories that connect the two places. My great-great-grandfather left Norway for America in 1861. More than a century later, I find myself traveling the same path in reverse.

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Part field journal and part creative practice, this site explores what it means to build a life rooted in two landscapes. I write about place, migration, music, nature, and the experience of learning as I go.

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Here you’ll find:

Mixtapes — seasonal updates from my life in Norway, featuring what I’m reading, listening to, and inspired by
Field Notes — snapshots of people, places, and stories that offer a closer look at everyday life and culture in Norway
Journeys — travel stories from Oslo, Stavanger, Denmark, and beyond
Life Stories — personal essays drawn from lived experience and reflection

​About Me —  a bit about my background and the path that led me from the banks of the Mississippi River to Norway’s west coast

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Subscribe to receive new Mixtapes and Field Notes as they’re published.