Up early. In-room coffee was undrinkable.. 🙁 We are finally getting into a pack and go routine. I cant believe things I brought that didn’t need and stuff I forgot. Out the door. First stop – Starbucks down the street.

Back on US 2 heading west. A detour first. Minnesota’s Itasca state park. Another beautiful day. Sun. 50’s. Trees in color. No traffic. At speed the whole way. Stopped for a break mid-morning at Cass Lake. Its amazing how much time you can wasted before you realize you need to scoot.

The day just got better and better. Warmer.  We basically had the whole road to ourselves.  The farms and the forest clicking by.  Just what you would want.

After 4 days within 3 feet of each other, Irena and I are appreciating the dynamics of a road trip.  We can either talk or not talk for hours..  (Christopher Guest movie fans will get this)  🙂

We were at Itasca State Park at some point. Huge park. Found a visitor’s center to go see what we could see. Found two bus loads of kids. Wow. Irena thought the boys were the loudest.

A the gift shop we found out that we needed to drive 5 miles down the road. By the big gift shop. There we would find the head waters. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. We snooped around a bit there, then headed down the road. The park is beautiful. Did I mention how big it is?

We got in the car before the schools buses loaded up and headed to the head waters.  Nice drive to the big gift shop. We decided to save the gift shop for on the way out. We headed down the path. Signs tell you how far you have to go. Every 100 feet or so. At any rate, it is pretty neat. Factoid – a drop of rain falling there takes 90 days to reach the Gulf of Mexico. That’s all I got.

I didn’t read this because I found it just by following the path.

Irena took this because its supposed to symbolize the woman as protector of the water or something.. 

This is it!  The beginning.  Not sure what I expected.  But this is it.

Took some pics. Followed the stream (Mississippi R) back to the gift shop.  It really was a nice stop.

Found the park exit. Decided to head to Fargo, ND. Stops in Park Rapids and Detroit Lakes on the way were planned. Followed the recommended ‘National By-Way Scenic Route’. Meh. Pretty but over-hyped. We did not stop in Park Rapids but took a breather on Little Detroit Lake. Both towns are very nice. Well kept up and bustling.

Some time mid to late afternoon we crossed the Red River into North Dakota. There was no fanfare.  Except for the sign.

We found suitable accommodations.  Unloaded.  Relaxed for a few, then an easy dinner.  Stopped for a couple of things then hunkered down for the evening.

About 1,600 miles to Seattle.  Not really sure because we are not following the interstate.  But that’s what Google says.  We’ve gone +/- 1,400 miles so far.  Only about 250 miles today.  Many stops.  But that’s ok.  It felt like a full day.

Tomorrow the general plan is to go back roads north and west towards Minot or Williston.  This should be interesting.  All back roads across North Dakota.  Can it be done?  Or will  we cave?  Then Montana and points west.

Contractor is good about keeping in touch.  All things are in motion.

Life is good…