The Last Ditch by Tom Paine

I had a pleasant drive through Minnesotan wetlands to Itasca State Park today. There was still snow on the ground and some lakes were part-frozen, but the roads were clear and dry. A day or so of sunshine will clear away the last evidence of Winter soon. 

I stopped at an interesting little cafe along the way to eat what (bar a memorable occasion in provincial Russia) must have been my cheapest lunch in decades. It was good though. Everyone beyond working age in the small farming village seemed to be eating there. The conversation was cacaphonic, but pleasant. It seemed like a strong little community.

The cafe’s slogan was risque for these Lutheran parts, but that’s farmers for you; always with the reproductive humour.

My goal for the day was the source of the Mississippi River; a stream flowing out of Lake Itasca (a made up name explained in one of the photos – please click to enlarge so it’s readable). My Canadian soon-to-be companion on this tour disputes that. He claims that the river, like all good things, comes from his homeland. As I shall be following the stream I saw today all the way to New Orleans, I guess I have bought the American version of events.

Itasca State Park is beautiful and well-managed. I loved the trust system for buying an entry pass. You left cash, a cheque or your credit card details in an envelope available from a box at the gate – and then wrote out your own ticket and displayed it on your dashboard.

The nice ladies at the Headwaters Visitor Center opened up the shop for me, because I looked sad at not being able to buy a souvenir. Then, when I asked about local accommodation, they referred me to the main visitor centre where I could book a lodge, cabin or suite. I have a comfortable little apartment in a big log building. I must be the first foreigner ever as they couldn’t take a credit card without a US zip code! I solved that problem easily enough by paying cash.

Maybe I will see more of this beautiful place tomorrow, before I head south for the first time on this tour. The jolly tips in the information booklet about avoiding a “bad bear day” (ho ho!) do not encourage me to give my hiking boots a second outing however. I am all alone for now, so no-one would be left to blog the amusing epitaph, “exit, pursued by a bear”.

I brought the boots specifically for today’s visit to the Headwaters and have constantly regretted the space they occupy in my limited baggage space. In true American style, of course, there was an easy path from a nearby car park today, so I could have left them at home. I guess they helped me fit in with the local fishermen and other outdoor types.

There’s a jolly-looking bar and grill along the park road, so your humble blogger is now off to look for nourishment. Sadly, it’s not in walking distance so I shall be near the source, but – alas – not on the sauce.