Day 10: International Falls - Fargo, ND
On this route from north central Minnesota to Fargo we left some of the woods and got back to some farm country, but we didn’t leave the lakes behind. We checked out a number of small towns and the origin of the Mississippi River.
This was our cool little motel in International Falls. This place is an old motel that was completely remodeled last year. It is bare bones but the bed was comfortable and it had a small frig, a Keurig and a microwave. Price was right too at about $78.
International Falls is a pretty quiet place, but the Smokey the Bear statue is one of the top attractions.
The border is closed, and there was no sign of life. The border here is the Rainy River.
Like the border, Border Bobs was closed. It is also for sale if you are interested. Just yards from the border crossing.
International Fall’s Broncos Stadium. Hometown football hero Bronko Nagurski received a lot of attention up here, including a museum for him. We didn’t make it to that one.
This place is for sale too. Big Falls, MN.
Black Duck, MN. The reading was in progress over the PA in the public park.
This crossing of the Mississippi River is about 5 miles from the origin of the river.
The initial source of the Mississippi River is Lake Istaca in Lake Istaca State Park. It is a very beautiful lake and state park. In the photo the lake is on the right of the rocks and the Mississippi River is on the left. The thing to do is walk across the Mississippi on those rocks. I have now been at the source and gone out the mouth in Louisiana.
Lake Istaca
Detroit Lakes, MN. Typical of the main streets of the central Minnesota small towns. A healthy little town of almost 10,000 folks. Big lake is a destination for visitors too.
Detroit Lakes, MN across the street from the shore of Detroit Lake. There were other motels and restaurants along the shore. Many parked pontoon boats with owners visiting these restaurants.
Fargo was about what I expected. Not much going on, and flat as a pancake. Then we found the downtown area when looking for dinner and it had a lot going on. Lots of folks moving around.