Humble Beginnings

We could not have picked a more beautiful day to explore Itasca and the Mississippi headwaters. Last Saturday was crystal clear and brisk.

We headed up to the park...about another 45 minutes north of the B and B...after our amazing breakfast. And despite the sun being out full force by the time we pulled up to the visitor center, the temperature had barely reached 45. Thankfully Ross had the foresight to throw our winter coats in the trunk before leaving Minneapolis. That being said, we were awfully toasty by the time we finished our first three mile loop on the South end of the Park.

Itasca State Park has the claim of being the largest and most developed of the state's parks. But it's real claim to fame, and the reason most people make the trek up North, is to see were the Mighty Mississippi ekes out of Lake Itasca as barely more than a stream. So shallow and humble you can walk across the slippery stones that marks it's exit from the massive lake.

It's so humbling. The water is so clear, so shallow. On warmer days you could probably wade across the river without the aid of the stone footings. hard to believe this is the same river that tumbles over turbines just a stone throw from our apartment. The same body of water that enveloped the collapsed 35W bridge just a few years back. The same mighty body of water that will swallow entire neighbors as flood waters rise. Here...it was a safe wet playground for toddlers and tweens. You'd never guess from the look of it that this little creek would pick up so much strength on its route to the Gulf.

Itasca preserves so much. The Mississippi headwaters is indeed the most iconic. However, much of the park remains unsullied wilderness. Despite its massive acreage, the park contains a mere 33 miles of trails...mostly on the Southern most edge. The state's largest white pine and the nation's largest red (both topping 300+ in age) are viewable via a short trek off of a circular drive through the park. A few other short interpretive trails...most only about 1.5 miles...spur off of this road. It lends itself to a leisurely drive through an amazing woods, dotted with frequent, short leg stretching.

The fall colors were just starting to break out in their splendor. I can only imagine how vivid the trees are now, a mere week later...