2017 MinnWisMi - Bemidji to Cass Lake

Friday - September 8 - Bemidji to Cass Lake
The clouds are gone, the winds are mild, and the town is very bicycle friendly. 

It is home to Bemidji State University.

It is also home to the famous Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues. This area is home to the legend.

Mississippi River crossing #5

The northern terminus of this trail is at Lake Bemidji State Park about 6 miles from here. The whole trail is 115 miles long, longest paved rail trail in the country.

We will be following the trail for a few miles before heading east.

Looking west across Lake Bemidji towards town.

Mississippi River crossing #6 and #7 as it leaves the lake. We crossed it on the trail then turned south and crossed it on the road.

Crossing #8 - it is definitely looking like a river now!

Our lunch spot at the Greenwood Golf Course, the only food available for miles.

Crossing #9

Leech Lake Reservation - part of the Ojibwe Nation

This is the Chippewa National Forest Supervisor's Offce, one of the most beautiful SO's that we have ever seen. It was built by the CCC's for the Forest Service and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

We were eating our ice cream cones at a picnic table outside the SO main building when Craig walked by and we distracted him from his work for a few minutes. He is an engineer that deals with more than 200 dams on the forest. He is also interested in bike touring. We enjoyed our time with you, Craig!

Craig recommended that we tour the inside and found it delightful.

This quilt was crafted by employees for the Centennial of the Chippewa Forest.

Another nice bike path....so far Minnesota has been very impressive.

Our home for tonight is in the Chippewa Campground, an USFS campground that even has showers!

Cass Lake

As you can see, we had the beach to ourselves, except for the couple in the chairs.

It has been invaded by zebra mussels, which is not a good thing for all the other aquatic life.

Goodnight, most excellent day