We both thought this water tower at Sauk Rapids looked like a hot air balloon rising over the trees! After lunch we finally arrived at Itasca State Park south entrance where we unloaded our bikes and Tobey got ready for his first segment on the Mississippi River. This was the road going into the park.
We rode together from the parking lot up to the headwaters – about six miles. The trail was beautiful and surprisingly not crowded.
We were almost there and parked our bikes to walk over to the headwaters.
Tobey walked across the Mississippi River.
If you look closely, you can see where Tobey is pointing – this is where the water bubbling up by the rocks is the start of the Mississippi River!
We left the headwaters and stopped at the Mary Gibbs Visitor’s Center and then Tobey began his “official” ride!
I, on the other hand, wished him luck then rode back to the RV to load my bike and drive to Bemidji to meet him. I took time to smell the roses (well, flowers) along the way and see some of the sights along the trail we had ridden.
This was an old log sled used back in the late 1800s and early 1900s in the area and an old cabin.
We rode together from the parking lot up to the headwaters – about six miles. The trail was beautiful and surprisingly not crowded.
We were almost there and parked our bikes to walk over to the headwaters.
Tobey walked across the Mississippi River.
If you look closely, you can see where Tobey is pointing – this is where the water bubbling up by the rocks is the start of the Mississippi River!
We left the headwaters and stopped at the Mary Gibbs Visitor’s Center and then Tobey began his “official” ride!
I, on the other hand, wished him luck then rode back to the RV to load my bike and drive to Bemidji to meet him. I took time to smell the roses (well, flowers) along the way and see some of the sights along the trail we had ridden.
This was an old log sled used back in the late 1800s and early 1900s in the area and an old cabin.
It wasn’t that hot out, but there were kids – and some adults – enjoying the water at one of the swim beaches on Lake Itasca.
It was the first time I have loaded my bike by myself, so I was a it nervous heading out to Bemidji. Then Tobey called me to let me know that the fellows who took our picture at the Headwaters hit a deer along the road he was on and warned me to be careful. I luckily didn’t see any deer – but did see two flocks of wild turkeys and one hawk. Fortunately, everything on the bike was done correctly, no wild animals were injured, and I arrived safely in time to see Tobey ride in about 5:30 this evening.
Tobey’s route had him on trails part of the way and roads part of the way. This was his first “Mississippi River” crossing on his ride. You have to look closely to actually see the river!
This is his route south – the MRT and Great River Road National Route.
Some of the shoulders were in terrible condition so he rode out on the road. Fortunately, there was little traffic.
In other areas the shoulder wasn’t as bad.
We met at the Paul Bunyan Park on Lake Irving in Bemidji. He was still smiling after his 38-mile ride today.
We took the customary tourist pictures in front of the Paul Bunyan and Babe (the Blue Ox) statues at the park.
After a stop at the grocery store we made our way to the Unitarian Church where we are spending the night. It was quiet and we appreciate the church’s hospitality! Tomorrow the weather is sketchy, so we are hoping it doesn’t rain. We'll go back to the park to unload the bike and Tobey will take off from there.
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