The Mississippi River is the 4th largest river in the world, behind the Nile in Africa at 4,147 miles, the Amazon in South America at 3,938 miles, and the Yangtze in Asia at 3,760 miles. We have such a treasure right here in the heartland, which is fed by two more large American river systems, the Missouri and the Ohio-Allegheny. Can you imagine our world without these river giants?
Back on the bikes we find ourselves crossing the first vehicle bridge across the Mississippi near the headwaters. I find it hard to imagine this stream will grow in width to 2 miles over it’s several thousand mile journey.
It’s off to Bemidji and around three of Minnesota’s largest lakes; Cass, Winnibigoshish and Leech. For some of you who’ve never ridden a bike I thought I’d give you a glimpse of riding behind Dan330 with my helmet cam. Awesome, right?
https://vimeo.com/73471219
And here’s what a hot harley engine sound like when it’s cooling during a photo stop.
https://vimeo.com/73470709
Bemidji is officially the first city on the Mississippi and is proud of it’s legendary lumberjack, Paul Bunyan and his helper, Babe the Blue Ox. The Visitor Center is filled with Paul’s over-sized personal belongings.
Check out this link to the Tall Tale for the full story. As we leave Bemidji you’ll notice the bridges are getting bigger and so are the fish. That’s what you can expect when you’re in the Northlands, inhabited first by the Native peoples of Minnesota and then the voyageurs, fur traders, loggers, and today vacationers.