Days 10 and 11: Lake Itasca

Bemidji, Minnesota

We're 2552 miles from the Gulf of Mexico at the headwaters of the Mississippi River and it's awesome!  Today we arrived in Bemidji, Minnesota, looked around, and headed to Lake Itasca.  We are camping here for 2 days.

Paul Bunyan and Babe, the Blue Ox

This is a walking bridge over the Mississippi River in Bemidji.  

Here's our truck and trailer driving over the Mississippi River before it enters Lake Bemidji.

Lake Itasca State Park

The Mississippi River near our Pine Ridge campground.

Scott standing in the middle of the Mississippi River.

Headwaters of the Mississippi River 

I'm hugging the sign - can't believe I'm actually here!  We got up early and for 30 minutes we had the mighty Mississippi all to ourselves!  AMAZING!

Lake Itasca

Crossing the rocks, only went a little ways and then got in the water.  Water was warm and only needed to roll my pants up to my knees!  Can you see the log bridge in the background?

Scott standing on the log bridge.

Another view...

Preacher's Grove

Chester Charles II

We took a 2 hour boat tour around Lake Itasca on the Chester Charles II.  

Railing

Hull, lily pads, and wild rice.

 

All around Lake Itasca grows wild rice (looks like dry grass) - most wild rice sold in the United States comes from Minnesota lakes.

We saw several mature bald eagles.

Schoolcraft Island

Lake view of the headwaters - look at all the people out on the rocks that cross the river!  And to think we had it all to ourselves earlier in the day!

View of lake edge; such a calm, relaxing trip across Lake Itasca.