Itasca

On one of the days during our reunion, about half of us took a little day trip up to Itasca State Park (about an hour and half drive away from where we were staying).  The main purpose going was to see the headwaters of the Mississippi River, which is located in the park.  It's something I've always wanted to go see, so I was really glad we got the chance to go.

The mighty Mississippi!  The river winds around a bit, and so you pass by part of it on the way to the headwaters.

Following the path to the beginning of the river!

We made it!  (It wasn't hard to get to, maybe an 800 foot walk).

Ann really enjoyed getting to come see "the river"

There are these rocks that you can walk across, and I wanted to go with Ann.  She didn't want to walk in the water, so I had the (not so) brilliant idea to carry her across.  After about two steps, I slipped and we both fell into the river (the rocks under the water are SUPER slippery - I'm not sure what I was expecting).  So I had a lovely wet bum for the rest of our trip.  Ann dried off okay.  She got a little cut on her feet from the rocks and I got a good sized bruise on the inside of one of my feet as well.

Heading across the rive by myself this time (and doing my best to avoid the totally submerged rocks).

I then waded back across the river.

Lake Itasca, the source of the Mississippi

Janelle's turn to head across the river

She didn't slip and fall :)

It was a beautiful day and I loved the reflection of the clouds in the lake

Coming back

A little further down stream was this log bridge.  Ann liked crossing the river this way :)  She went back and forth across the bridge multiple times.

Sweet girl

I set Ian down on the end of the wood bridge

I asked Ann to help hold Ian up so he wouldn't fall off the bridge.  These two are so cute and love each other so much

Rebekah took her son Archer across the river.

They slipped too.  Though they didn't fall completely in like I did

Falling in did not lessen Archer's interest in going across the river.  He wanted to go again (and actually went another one or two times after this too.  He would have gone more times if we hadn't have said nope, we need to go now).

Ian got to stick his feet in the Mississippi too!

My cute boy

With my two littles on the wooden bridge.

This statute was at the beginning of the trail heading to the lake and river headwaters

The description of the statue.  It said the the Ojibwe belief is that women are the caretakers of the headwaters, and that we should respect this sacred responsibility of women by keeping the waters pristine and enjoyable for all generations.

A globe statue at the headwaters park entrance.  After this it was time for the drive back to the cabin.  We all had a great time.