Beginnings Rerouted

My active walking abilities are diminishing and it’s uncertain what I can do on any given day. We will get to my backstory in a near-future post.

Last year we had decided to put our house up for sale, pause our working lives and start traveling full-time in our motorhome. We felt it is time to see and accomplish so many things that may not be possible in our retirement.

We discussed many ideas of where to start, and the place that repeatedly came to mind was visiting Lake Itasca State Park, something we had not done even though it wasn’t far from where either of us had been raised. With the start of the new adventure, why not start at the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.

While it took longer than expected, the house sold in February. As it was not an ideal time to head north, the detours allowed us to get our affairs in order, finish up some modifications, maintenance, and repairs to the old Tiffin, and acclimate to such a smaller abode for five old geezers to cohabitate: two people, two dogs and a cat.

It’s now June, but we can officially say we WALKED across the Mississippi River! I wasn’t expecting that it would be a surreal experience, but to me it was. Maybe the obstacles such as a longer Winter, delays of many sorts, and even the recent mosquito massacre seemed like we’d never make it, but we did.

It was Tuesday the 13th. There were few visitors during our time there, making it more pleasant and inviting. While we saw a few mosquitoes, they mostly kept away. For me, it’s a strange phenomenon that nothing is going irritably wrong.

The tunnel of trees surrounding the trailway lured us right past the Visitor Center. Signs of decreasing distance declaring only this far, now this far, and so on, build the anticipation. The canopy opens up at the base of Lake Itasca and one last sign informs that you have arrived. The Mighty, Muddy Mississippi River that we saw flooding uncontrollably downstream a few days ago begins as this small babbling brook of crystal clear water before us now.

Forgoing the stepping stones, I chose to trudge through the shin-deep current, shod in, of all things, flip flops, the very things that changed my life for the worse. Again, you’ll hear about that soon if you don’t already know. With no slips or falls, I made it across. The chilly waters and slippery rocks couldn’t stop me. Perseverence won this time! We achieved our first goal!

Deciding to traverse the park further, we stopped to see the Wegmann’s store cabin replica and deteriorating remains of their old home, then drove across the first bridge over the river, proceeding to Wilderness Drive. We didn’t see much for wildlife along the route. As I was experiencing more pain that day, I sent AL to see the Formerly Largest White Pine. He described it as damaged but still alive, it’s grand trunk firmly planted, having many living branches, but it’s wounded top had fallen from a windstorm.

I’m not disputing the true start of the Mississippi, but the stop at Elk Lake, with Chambers Creek flowing to Lake Itasca, had me all warm again about beginnings. I would have liked to hike up to Little Elk Lake, but today I was not in any condition for it. I was satisfied and content with my accomplishments.

Further down the road, we stopped at the Aiton Heights Observation Tower parking area. AL ventured down the trail, past Kasey & Allen Lakes, and climbed the many flights to the top. He struggled to catch his breath while taking in the views. There’s a lot of green spring foliage offering slight glimpses of the lakes, but it would be full of spectacular color in the fall.

Passing Mary Lake, we shared more photo texts with another dear friend. Some struggles with the camera prevented getting the floating swans necks making a perfect heart shape. We had good intentions, but didn’t get the shot.

Our last stop was revisiting all of the signs, kiosks, and displays we had missed at the Mary Gibbs Visitor Center. Who was Mary Gibbs and why is her name on this place? There is so much history that we don’t learn unless specifically there.

It was a day of magnificence. While not this year, I would like to plan a future return during the fall.

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Coming upon the trail to the Formerly Largest Red Pine, I joined AL on the trail. It was sad to see that it had not survived long after also losing it’s top. Heading back to the truck, I spotted a showy lady’s slipper of a color I had not seen, excitedly sharing pics by text to our friends whom are traveling on their own adventure.