Itasca State Park

Fred took off last Friday so we could go to Itasca State Park to show the boys the headwaters of the Mississippi. We got up there on Friday a little afternoon. We soaked up some knowledge in the visitors center before heading out to explore the highlights of the park - excluding the headwaters (we saved that for Saturday). We hiked on Brower's Trail, checked out the Peace Pipe Vista (and got drenched in a downpour), saw the Wegman's shop, and viewed the largest (or once largest) trees in the park (the red pine had been damaged by wind in 2007 and was no longer the tallest in the state).

 

The boys exploring in the visitor's center.

 

Posing amongst the tall trees.

Gavin, Jacob, Wyatt and Fred ready to hike.

Along the trail we spotted some Ladyslippers.

Also, beautiful views of Lake Itasca.

Gavin and Wyatt were our trail guides.

Checking out the info at Peace Pipe Vista.

Gavin and Jacob with the tallest White Pine in the state. 112 feet tall and over 300 years old.

Wyatt was a trooper with all the hiking.

 

We had supper in Douglas Lodge's restaurant, which was right by our cabin. Then we returned to the cabin for checkers and cards before tucking in.

 

The next morning we got going around 8 to explore the headwaters before they got too crowded. Our plan worked well as there were only a couple other groups there while we were there. 

Gavin, Wyatt, and Jacob at the headwaters marker.

Gavin in the middle of Lake Itasca and the Mississippi River.

Jacob.

Fred and Wyatt making there way across.

Yeah - made it! First of many times back and forth across the rocks.

Mom with the boys.

Wyatt, Jacob, and Gavin on the log that crosses the Mississippi near the sorce.

A self-timer photo.



 

After finishing at the headwaters, we trekked to the Afton Heights Fire Tower and climbed up the 100 ft worth of stairs to the top. The people behind us didn't read the sign about there being a 6 person capacity on the tower, so that made me nervous and we didn't spend much time at the top.

 

The fire tower.

 

We ventured out of the park to find lunch at a cafe in Lake George. Then returned to the park to try some fishing from the pier near our cabin. Fred pulled up a perch, but no one else had any luck and Wyatt had a meltdown so we retreated to the cabin. After Wyatt screamed and cried for about a half hour we loaded up to go for a bike ride. Gavin and Wyatt fell asleep on the way over to the rental shop, so Fred and Jacob went biking while the rest of us napped. After their bike ride we hit the beach on Lake Itasca. Played in the sand, tried catching minnows with our nets, and did some swimming. 

Inspired by some teens buring each other - we buried the boys in the sand at the beach.

 

After Fred had recovered from his first bike ride, we all mounted bikes and took another ride. It was Wyatt's first ride in a Burley and he was my constant cheerleader "Go, mama, go!" We had such perfect weather and were having such a good time we didn't stop for supper until about 7:30, but didn't find anywhere to eat until about 8:30 - finally finding Lobos (biker) bar outside the north side of the park.

 

We really enjoyed our time at Itasca, except for ALL the mosquitos. 2 cans of bug spray and we are still itchy. They were everywhere all day long. Oof-da.

 

We headed out early on Sunday to get back to Melrose so I could get to a baby shower for my niece and meet the newest member of the Middendorf family - Scarlett Olmshenk, born at 1 pound 11 ounces and taking Jacob's title of tiniest Middendorf away from him.