2017 MinnWisMi - Park Rapids to Itasca State Park

Tuesday - September 5
Park Rapids to Itasca State Park
It was a bit chilly this morning, the wind was blowing at 13 mph out of the northwest and, after 3 days of heading east, we are now headed north.

And the road is mostly uphill....but with a wonderful shoulder and not much traffic because the construction project is literally closing the highway today and the detour starts back in Park Rapids.

It is always nice to know how far we are from everywhere!

We stopped at Camp 71 in search of food and a restroom. Jeff and Laura do screen print some great t-shirts but they aren't fully up and running in the food department yet. It is a permit thing. The road closure isn't helping business either!

Even when the road wasn't uphill the wind made it feel that way so it took us almost 3 hours to do those 20 miles. After successfully negotiating our way between the heavy equipment at the junction we are very happy to finally be here.

This is also the beginning of the Mississippi River Trail, a paved, signed bike route that follows the river from its source to the Iowa stateline.

We had lunch at Douglas Lodge and consulted the weather. It is supposed to get down to the 30's tonight, it is still really windy and they have such lovely lodging options here at the south end of the lake. It is quite interesting how different temps in the 30s sound when we are snow camping than when we are bike touring!!

We decided that staying is a cabin for the night just sounded prudent. Reservations  needed to be made in the Visitor Center. We couldn't check in until 4:00.

That was OK though as the Visitor Center has so much to see, including the history of the CCC in the area.

Timber industry history

Natural history...which fur is the softest?

And a lot about how the source of the Mississippi River was located, incorrectly and correctly.

It is easy to see why they might have been confused!

Here is some quilting for you Mom :) It was done in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the park.

Almost check in time.

Before dinner we took a little hike to the Old Timer's Cabin.

It was built by the CCC......"From a day when trees were trees"

The size is right but it is a little lumpy.

Looking across the lake to the tour boat and the Douglas Lodge area.

Just a little fall color starting to come out.

Our home for the night.

The bikes are happy.....

And so are we!