Headwaters of the Mississippi

Neither of us slept well at all. There was a steady, hard rain that was just loud enough on the logs of the cabin to keep us from deep sleep. We both laid there until about 2:30 AM, drifting in and out of hazy consciousness before we decided to just get up for awhile. The storms passed, leaving a beautiful sky above with a crystal clear view of a zillion stars, and the Moon and Venus gleaming bright as anything. We awoke late to the sound of drips on the cabin, and just when we were about to shrug and say, "Let's stay in bed, it sounds gloomy out there", John got up for some water and looked out to the lake. He called me out to see the most gorgeous morning, sunny and bright, fluffy clouds dotting the morning sky, the suns' rays beaming over everything in just such a way that made our hearts leap to be alive. We spent a long while just listening to peace on this exquisite lake.

After brekkies, we made our way to Itasca State Park to visit the headwaters of the Mississippi. Firstly, the drive into the park's South entrance is spectacular enough: rolling by our windows were endless trees, bogs, leafy traces of autumn, and lakes of such a great number it's hard to believe they're all contained within one state park. It was cool just driving in, and we hadn't seen a fraction of all this park had to offer. The headwaters were surprisingly serene. A couple of ducks cleaned themselves along the rocks at the crest, and a few tourists who were respectfully mellow. We took many photos on either side of the bank, and then took a very lovely hike along the humble stream that becomes the great river.

Many photographs later, we headed out for Bemidji to get some groceries (I decided against getting jeans) for the week's meals. In a word, Bemidji was lame. I'd been there many times as a kid and never thought much of it, and after John saw it, he felt the same way. It reminded us a bit of "the suburbs" back home with all the same shit: jocks, backwards attitudes and hick-ness that I never seem to figure out how it befalls people. No offense to anyone, but it was just another one-story town. Actually, it looked so similar to Sioux Falls, ND that one might mistake it for the same place, if it weren't for Lake Bemidji sitting right there. It being too much like real life after dealing with Target and the grocery store (and me getting crabbier every second) we headed back to the cabin promptly for some grilling!

This part needs it's own paragraph, because those of us condo-dwellers who've been stripped of grilling capabilities due to new fire regulations are seriously missing out on one of life's greatest gifts: cooking on an open flame. We made teriyaki marinated chicken kebabs with new potatoes, cherry tomatoes, green peppers and a side of steamed broccoli and cauliflower. There is something about fire roasted tomatoes that is pure heavenly bliss, and pair that with a mouthful of perfectly cooked chicken, zesty bell peppers and creamy new potatoes in each delicious bite....yum. Just, yum. The resident kitty (who goes by "Kitty" or "Brownie") was in attendance as well, and though skeptical at first of teriyaki chicken (he prefers fish, and from the sounds of it, everyone spoils him rotten with their leftover minnows), he finally had a taste of it and approved. He hung around the rest of the evening with us as we watched the sun sink, the lake turn still and glassy, and while we viewed Jupiter through the telescope. Another perfect day!!