bemidji, minnesota (rest day)

 3rd Street Station Coffee in Bemidji, Minnesota (Loved the graphics)

Another rest day with little resting . . . but we did have fun, saw the headwaters of the Mississippi, visited Gifts O' The Wild in Laporte, and saw Paul and Babe. Good day!

First stop today was Perkins Pancake House and a healthy breakfast of scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, and strawberry crepes. Yep, strawberry stuff is healthy. (OK, I'm gonna ramble through today since we didn't do any pedaling.)

We picked up Phil and Gale and headed into downtown Bemidji to see Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox. They seem to be downtown favorites and are the subjects of many pictures by tourists just like us. After the photo session, we walked into Bemidji, across the street, and checked out shops, bike shops, souvenir stores, and anything else of interest. Most of the stores were still closed but that probably saved us a few dollars. We did find one souvenir shop that was open and bought a few more travel decals and a t-shirt for Elliott, our great grandson.

After the grand walking tour of downtown we headed to Itaska State Park to find the headwaters of the Mississippi. The monument designating the tiny start of the Mighty Mississippi tells this story:

HERE 1475 FT ABOVE THE OCEAN THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI BEGINS TO FLOW ON ITS WINDING WAY 2552 MILES TO THE GULF OF MEXICO. 

Many people were walking across the Mississippi at that point. It is an impressive site and a special thing to see. Mighty rivers begin small and the Mighty Mississippi is just like them all. The Mississippi River also reminds me that we are now in the Eastern United States. Another day or two in Minnesota and a day in Wisconsin and we'll even be in the Eastern Time Zone. Don't get me wrong, we still have a lot of pedaling to go but the Mississippi and the time zone change makes me feel a little closer to Maine and the Atlantic . . . and home.

Coming back to our homes for the evening, we stopped and shopped in Gifts O' The Wild in Laporte. I don't know how old Gifts O' The Wild is but the gal working there didn't either. She just said when asked, "I don't know but it's been around a long long time." You could buy just about anything in that place: crossbows and bolts, jams, jellies, souvenirs, t-shirts, sweatshirts, bumper stickers, crafts, knives, fireworks, pet gifts, Indian items, cookbooks, and over 230 styles of moccasins. It was a very interesting place, indeed.

Then, to top off this good day, we met Lauren, Tabitha, and William at Mi Rancho Restaurant for a great Mexican food finale. And it was very good as was the hang out time together.

Tomorrow, Lord willing, we pedal sixty-nine miles to Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The day after that . . . Duluth and then into Wisconsin on our way to Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Let me finish with these words of advice I'm borrowing from my daughter's Facebook page:

FRIDAY'S GOOD NEWS: (These will work every day.)

1. Joy + peace are available at every moment.

2. Pain helps you know where you need healing.

3. You only need a mustard seed of faith.

4. Grace abounds. Walk in that freedom.

5. Your gifts are needed in this world.

6. Not everyone will like you and that's okay.

7. God isn't scared of your worst mistakes.

8. You get to empower others with your words.

9. You don't need more stuff to live a full life.

10. You get to be an includer of everyone.

This is the day . . .

If you're ever in Laporte, stop by Gifts O' The Wild. It will make your day.