Tales from the River's Edge

I can remember sitting in the back of Grandpa and Grandma Higdem's Lincoln Mercury travelling the wooded northern Minnesota roads on our way to Lake Itasca State Park. Grandpa Higdem proudly served on the park's Board of Directors for a time and so we would have to drive down for meetings.I always loved going along, hanging with Grandma, taking in a little hiking, great food, lakes galore...afterall, Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes!! And I believe it!

However, this particular state park is also the birthplace of our nations longest, largest river. The Mississippi River begins as a trickling brook, water tripping over a few rocks, and it's headwaters are merely a bubbling area that you can cross with your barefeet. Many a time did I cross this area. Many a time did I bring friends to this site to experience it for themselves. It was always an experience hiking the back trails, seeing deer cross your hiking path, and going through the woods carefully on the lookout for the patch of poinson ivy or the occasional rabid badger.

This was the closest Justin and I got to the Mississippi River on our summer excursion...It was not the bubbling crossable headwaters...but it was definitely an adventure and a moment to stop by the roadside for a photo op.