Day 2 - Bemidji and the headwaters of the Mississippi

by Madi and Spence Schaaf, Tailgunners - Adventure 2

Spence and Madi Schaaf
crossing the Mississippi River

This morning our bus arrived promptly at 8:00 a.m. to take us to what we came here to see; the headwaters of the Mississippi River.  Our first stop was at Itasca State Park.  We learned that many explorers tried to find the source of the mighty Mississippi, but it took many, many years before Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, in 1832, enlisted the help of an Ojibwe guide, Ozawindib, who took him right to it.   We were gathered around the relief map of the area, and had an informative talk by Connie, our park naturalist guide.  We then went outside to see a relief map of the entire length of the Mississippi from here in Bemidji on down to New Orleans.  Then we headed out to see the headwaters of the Mississippi River. 

Connie is giving us lots of good information

This relief map goes all the way down to the
Gulf of Mexico

Ken took this opportunity to get a group photo of us standing at the headwaters sign, but because the sun was in the wrong place, could not get a picture of the sign.  But it says, “HERE 1475 FT ABOVE THE OCEAN THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI BEGINS TO FLOW ON ITS WINDING WAY 2552 MILES TO THE GULF OF MEXICO.”

Even though the nauralist warned against crossing on the rocks due to slippery conditions, several did anyway.  I was also surprised at how many took their shoes off and waded across the river in the cold water.  Even Lela Grime went across, shoes and all. 

Jeff Totten, treading carefully across

followed by Gary Johnson and Carol Gosline

Darrell Marshall has a laid back attitude on the
slippery rocks

Hazel and Dave Crowder seem to be waltzing across

Noreene Totten and Beverly Miller made their
way across by wading through the icy water

as did Linda Marshall...........

Noreene Totten escorts Lela Grime across, with shoes and all

We were then driven to lunch at the historic Douglas Lodge, built in 1905. A popular place for tourists to this day.  Our lunch consisted of local cuisine, Wild Rice Hot Dish, coleslaw, and fresh baked bread. 



Douglas Lodge



Lunch time

On our way back to the RV park we stopped at the Bemidji Wollen Mills, which has not only been in business since 1920, but has been in the same location as well.  We were given a guided tour of the factory by one of the employees.  None of the workers were present as we wandered about, admiring the beautiful wool and amazing vintage machines that still operate as they did from the beginning.

the "batting" machine makes batting
for quilting

rolls and rolls of beautiful woolen fabric

This evening we had s’mores and doughboys and were entertained again by Ira and his magical bass guitar.  It, was Fred Osmun’s birthday today as well.  I think someone fixed him a special doughboy to commemorate the occasion. 

Hazel Crowder, Darrell Marshall, Ken Adams,
and Jeff Totten busily making doughboys...yum

birthday boy Fred Osmun enjoying Ira Miller's music