The Mighty Mississippi

 Two hours north of us, at Itasca State Park, the mighty Mississippi River begins the 2,500 plus mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico.

You can easily walk across the river if you wish.  Most Minnesota kids do it at least once in their life.

 

The river waters flow out of Lake Itasca.

The river is very narrow for a short distance and it actually runs north through portions of Minnesota before turning south.

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My sister Gail lives at nearby Park Rapids with her husband Spike.  They invited us up for a tour of the Mississippi Headwaters, and a pontoon ride on the Fish Hook River.  We jumped at the chance.

Here we are at the Mississippi Headwaters.

No, we did not wade across the river this trip.

Gail and Spike have a neat home in the woods.  They are surrounded by deer and bear at their 10-acre spread.

Gail is working from home and this is her office.  Neat.

Spike took me on a long hike in the woods.  We saw plenty of deer trails.

The neighbor has an interesting deer stand (above).

Spike arranged a pontoon ride on the Fish Hook River which flows through Park Rapids.  We set out from the Red Bridge Inn.

then cruised up the river and out into Fish Hook Lake.  Great fun.  Relaxing.

It was a very nice trip as we left the corn fields of the prairie and ventured into the north woods.

Thanks Gail and Spike.