Grand. Vast. Powerful. Overwhelming. These are some adjectives that come to my mind when I think of the Mississippi River. It is the river of legends, providing access to the heart of America for centuries. It practically cuts our country into two pieces. On this leg of the voyage, I learned just how close it comes to doing exactly that.
Minnesota is called the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but it could be called “The Birthplace of the Most American of Rivers”. Past the countless lakes, nestled away, hidden by behemoth forests of pine, are the headwaters of the Mississippi River. A small, knee deep river spanning 18 feet across spans, branches off of Lake Itasca, starting the waterways journey into becoming its behemoth self. Interestingly, it starts off by heading north towards Bemidji. Before turning south and traveling almost 700 miles before it exits Minnesota.
I never really expected the beginning of something so big to be, well, so underwhelming. I expected a branch of a lake roaring off into the distance but got a peaceful little creek. I don’t want to imply that I was disappointed though. The lake provides a calming atmosphere perfect for hiking or wading. Further into the park, you can find some amazing hikes and spectacular views. A highlight that I would surely suggest is the old fire watchtower. The view from the top is wondrous, just be prepared for stairs.
Closest Supercharger Baxter MN 96 mi
6967 Lake Forest Rd, Baxter, MN 56425
If you would like to continue on north, there are Level two chargers in both Bemidji and Blackduck.
Blackduck Wayside Rest
72 Frontage Rd
Blackduck MN 56630
Lake Itasca State Park
36750 Main Park Drive, Park Rapids, MN 56470
