Heading for Lake Superior

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We pulled out of Lewis & Clark State Park, N Dakota on July 20. We have until August 1 to get to our next camp host assignment in SE Wisconsin. The plan is to go around Lake Superior on the north shore, reenter the US at Sault Ste Marie, and then head south into Wisconsin.

The first night we stayed at Fort Stevenson, a ND state park near the Garrison Dam, which backs up the Missouri River to form Lake Sakakawea. one of the largest reservoirs in the US. Lewis & Clark S/P, our home for the past month is also on this lake, a hundred miles or so to the west. Fort Stevenson was built in 1867, primarily to protect settlers migrating to the west. It is a big park, with large grassy sites right on the lake.

Night two found us at Graham Island S/P in Devils Lake, ND. Devils Lake is a closed basin to the Red River, and has been significantly rising over the last 20 years, causing some serious flooding. One of the locals I met told me a bridge he fished from as a boy was now under about 50 feet of water. The causeway linking the island to the mainland has been relocated and raised several times, and is now looks to be only several inches above the water level. We saw several houses partially under water as we drove to the island. The water level is still rising, so I wonder if the island will be accessible next time we come out here.

The next day as we were driving through Minnesota, the road crossed what looked to be a small stream, but the sign said "Mississippi River". Of course, we were just north of Lake Itasca, the source of the great river. We went into the park located at the spot where the river flows out of the lake and begins its long journey to the Gulf of Mexico. We couldn't resist the temptation to roll up our pants and wade across the river, which at that point was about 15 feet wide and maybe a foot deep. Pretty neat, eh?

The arduous river crossing left us tired, so we found a nice campground on a nearby lake and settled in for a couple of days. Next stop, Lake Superior.

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Photos

Jan Hard at Work
This was our campsite at Fort Stevenson, right on the lake. A very relaxing setting, and there was a large grassy area behind the site which I used as my personal driving range.

The Causeway out to Devils Island
This was a little scary. The water looked like it was about to come over the road.

Flooded Houses
We saw these on the way in to Devils Island. There were literally hundreds more that we couldn't see because they were completely under water.

Mississippi River Crossing
We came across this river crossing just north of Lake Itasca in Minnesota.

Old Man River
Yep, that's the Mississippi River behind Jan. This was less than a mile from Lake Itasca, where the river begins.

The Beginning
Lake Itasca is in the background. When the water flows across these rocks, it becomes the Mississippi River.

Bob about to Cross the River.
I'm trying to figure out how to do this without getting my feet wet.

Comments

[Jerry and Martha]

Great Pics
Dear Bob and Jan, so good to hear from you complete with pics of the great river crossing. Sounds like you are having a great time. We are envious and now we will talk about a 5th wheel once or twice in the next few days only to have it slip into a fading memory. Can't seem to muster the will to act on our musings. We have been in Connestee Falls since July 10th and will be here until August 28th. Martha talked to Kristin this morning. We are going to try to get over to their cabin later in the week. They may follow us back to Connestee for a day of golf, etc. Wish you could be here to join us. Keep on having a good time and lets us know what's going on with you complete with pics. I'm going to send you some pics of Connestee Falls. Hugs, Jerry and Martha

[Kristin]

Fun trip--enjoyed the history lesson
Anxious to hear how the new assignment is going! We are still busy re-staining the cabin, have installed A/C but it is much cooler now without it!! Martha called today and we plan to get together with them at our place and theirs this week. Hope you are enjoying the new park, which sounded wonderful! K and R

[sally]

That is so cool... the mississippi river I love reading these. you teach a lot, eh!

[Richard & Nell Reed]

Traveling along
Good pictures and a great dialoge. It sounds as if you are really having a Great Time. You say the water is rising, but did not give a reason. Is this one of the great US Army Corp ideas, and did the people get compensated for their loss? That is one way to keep from flooding downstreat. Glad you are having a Great time. We leave in less than two (2) weeks. After, not just the greatest summer, experience wise and Lymes Disease, I am ready to head back to Fla. Always better to heal the mental soul by being at home in your own enviroment. Have a Great trip and talk to you later. Dick