We walked across the Headwaters of the Mississippi River…about ankle deep.

Where the Mississippi River begins

It is amazing to think that this little steam here at Itasca Lake becomes that wide, mighty river.  We kayaked on waters that in just 90 days will be spilling into the Gulf.  What a cool thought.

Itasca Park also protects some of the last remnants of old growth red and white pine that once covered a huge swath across the northern US and Canada.  Preachers Grove includes trees over 300 years old.  They are not as big as the great Sequoias but the sharp smell of pine and the lattice of boughs reaching for the skies are awesome.  It’s impossible to image what it must have looked like when the loggers first arrived.

Hot, humid days kept us off the trails.  Maybe we will make it back one day and get out into the forest a bit more.