A Visit to Bemidji MN

The statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe The Blue Ox were built in 1937 for the Winter Carnival. These statues symbolize Bemidji's logging history.

Bemidji, the first city on the Mississippi

Even with the rain it took awhile for our turn with the 2 celebrities 

The back side of the visitor center

Some of Paul's personal items

A beautiful fireplace that was built with stones from all 50 states and some Canadian Provinces

Paul's fishing pole and pocket watch

 This is part of the Visitor Center Park.

This statue is dedicated to all pow-wow dances

The dogs looking over Bemidji Lake

Time for lunch

Lovely ironwork and decor'

Great music with a fine lunch

Driving through Bemidji

Not Paul Bunyan size logs!

Seems like a nice college town. Beautiful campus right on the water.

Exploring Lake Itasca State Park

Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center

Love these gliders

 This quilted banner was made in celebration of the grand opening of this visitor's center in 2002. Each medallion is a reflection of Itasca's rich heritage. 

This Trumpeter Swan and others below are examples of the native fauna

A Black Bear

A Bald Eagle

 A Beaver

Even big kids are invited to dress up like a fire fighter

Off on the Wilderness Drive

Thank goodness this is a one way road

Beautiful water lilies and in the background is a beaver lodge

 Signs at Elk Lake. The Loon is the state bird.

Beaver lodges on either side of the trees. See close up pictures below.

Back to an empty campground but beautiful sunset

Lake Itasca, the headwaters of the Mississippi River

Two days at the headwaters. Last time we were here in July 2006 with our friend David. We're sure missing our traveling buddy.

 Lake Itasca forming the start of the Mississippi River

A drop of water here will arrive in the Gulf of Mexico in 90 days

 Floating in the background is the boat Chester Charles II, coincidently, Susan's fathers name was Chester Charles Summers. We hope to take a lake tour in a couple of days. They said the dogs could ride along.

Walking across the Mississippi River