Following the Old Red Trail

Little Missouri Rive winding through Wind Canyon

Mississippi Headwaters

What interesting things one learns when you watch local PBS TV stations.  We've learned that we're following the Old Red Trail - now I-94, previously US 10 - and arrived at Medora, ND.  This is home of the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  Since leaving Voyageurs, we've stopped at Bemidji, MN (near the Mississippi Headwaters), and stopped for our wedding anniversary dinner at Casselton, ND (west of Fargo, ND).

The mighty Mississippi River (not yet muddy)

Mississippi Headwaters is actually part of Itasca State Park - a very beautiful state park, too.  For some reason I thought the stream of water would be smaller.  I may be confusing it with the Colorado River Headwaters.  So the second photo from the top is the official Headwaters of the Mississippi River. That water is moving at about four cubic ft of water per second.

We've only spent one afternoon in Theodore Roosevelt NP.  It's a greener, softer version of the South Dakota Badlands.  It doesn't "hit-you-in-the-face" like the South Dakota Badlands do.  Pretty, though.  We're currently waiting for a line of showers to pass before heading out this morning.  Medora, ND is a small, pretty town and appears built for lodging and selling trinkets.  To say supplies are limited would be an understatement.  If you consider a 7-Eleven a supply depot, then you'd struggle a little here, but probably do OK.  They've dressed the town up as an old western town.  It's clean and well maintained.  Campgrounds are typical Dakota fare - good hookups, but otherwise just a place to park your rig in the Dakota dirt.  It's not pristine, but Donna can run any combination of appliances and that's a good thing.

Well, this post is probably getting a little long.  That's it for now.  Later, David

PS - Don't like seeing your picture posted in other people's blog?  Then don't ask everyone to move from a memorial so you can take your family's picture in front of it, and then spend the rest of the day leaning against the memorial.  Just sayin'.