Getting started on the Great River Road

Everyone arrived by early afternoon on the 10th. After saying hi and then letting them all set up we went to dinner at the Peppercorn Restaurant. We knew most of the people or had at least met them along the way so we all fell into easy conversations.

Next am, the 11th, we drove to Lake Itasca and the headwaters of the Mississippi. It was cold. Hard to believe Shirley, Annie and I had been there just two days earlier and had worn shorts.

Also, the 11th is Shirley's birthday. For dinner we all went out to Sparkling Waters and had a delightful dinner. After the horrible incident just 13 years ago is was a very fitting way to end our day.

Our tour boat, the Chester Charles II.

This was a two and one-half hour boat ride, the cold made it seem even longer. Hard to believe this is the source of the Mississippi. While on board we had cinnamon rolls that were the largest I have ever seen. We shared one and were stuffed.

Annie did not get to go on the boat ride, but satisfied her curiosity by looking out and waiting for us.

You can almost pee across the Mighty Mississippi at this point.

Yep, just a few more feet to go.

Are we dressed warm enough, NO! As it turned out is snowed last night in
Grand Rapids, the earliest snow since 1880




More to come, Barry, Shirley and Annie