June 4, 2014, Wednesday

Early morning in Bemidji.  We find the waterfront (Lake Bemidji) and the statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the blue ox built for a winter carnival in 1937.  I'll have to read up on Paul Bunyan to see what area of the country he supposedly was from....I remember statues of him in Maine too.  Perhaps anywhere there is logging industry.

We are still searching for apple cider donuts and a pastry called potica, which people have recommended along the way.  Asked the lady at the welcome center here and she recommended a local bakery called Raphael's "you won't regret it!", so we went there.  Raphael's has some potica, but only large family-size packages, so we go with donuts instead.  No apple cider ones, but those we do have are wonderful.   This is quite a gathering place and is doing a brisk business.  I love their cookie jar collection in the front windows.

We head towards Itasca State Park and the headwaters of the Mississippi and end of the Great River Road.  The GRR, it turns out, has been a combination of many different roads which approximately follow the Mississippi.  The river travels over 2,300 miles, through 10 states to get to the Gulf.  We have traveled twice that with our meandering and wandering to interesting places away from the river. It has gradually been getting smaller.

 

The water in Lake Itasca is high and the spot where the river begins is also high. Greg's Mom tells us that they camped here when Greg was small, but he has no recollection of it.  No walking across the river on the rocks which are mostly submerged under a swift-flowing stream.

The source is somewhat controversial since there are so many lakes and streams in the area, but this source identified in 1832 by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft with the help of Ojibwe guides, is generally accepted.

"A raindrop that falls in Lake Itasca will arrive at the Gulf of Mexico in about 90 days."

Lovely park with lots of tall pines and various hardwoods.  We stop at Peace Pipe vista, Preacher's Grove, and drive the 10 mile Wilderness trail which passes Elk Lake which is full of clouds today!

Greg notices this collection of butterflies , must have been 30 or so all in a bunch.

  We walked a trail recommended by a ranger along the shore.

Saw these lovely flowers, later identified as trillium and yellow lady slippers. The pink lady slippers (state flower)have yet to start blooming.

 Nice walk but the mosquitos were thick despite our spray and when we returned we found many ticks.  Had to strip and search and then headed to the campsite and showers!

Wine, cheese and crackers and a planning session for the next few days.  A bit of rain again. The mosquitos left us in peace tonight.