Itasca State Park

On President's Day weekend in mid-February, Cristin and I spent the long weekend at Itasca State Park, where the Mississippi River begins. Itasca SP is one of my favorite places, and I was excited to be there with Cristin, who had never been here. We stayed at a very modern condo in Itasca State Park.  The condo's are technically called the Douglas Lodge Six-plex. They were great!

The big news of the weekend is we got engaged at the Headwaters of the Mississippi R!

Due to the lack of snow in 2011-12 winter, we didn't even bring our X/C skis or snowshoes. We planned to hike. We arrived Friday evening and shortly after settling in at the condo, I was struck suddenly and dramatically by the seasonal flu, which really restricted my ability to hike very much for the entire weekend. On Saturday morning we went to the Visitor Center and Gift Shop and looked at the many displays on the history of the park and the epic search for the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

Cristin walks across the Mississippi River at the exact spot it begins its 2550 mile journey to the Gulf Of Mexico! 

We then headed to the hallmark of the park, the Headwaters area.  I had planned to propose to Cristin here but I was so feverish and achy from the flu that it didn't seem like the right time.  Later that day,we hiked the Dr. Robert's Trail, a short but very scenic trail convenient to our cabin that I had never hiked. 

A New Timer enjoys the comforts at the Old Timer's Cabin

Lyendecker Lake, one of over 100 lakes at Itasca State Park

On Sunday we hiked to the state's alleged oldest and tallest tree, a red pine.  I was very disappointed that the tree died several years ago but the PR and advertizing only acknowledge that fact at the site of the tree itself.  I hate it when state park brochures, maps and historical markers lie! 

NOT the state's tallest tree!!

Cristin continued on for about a mile to see the state's tallest white pine.  

We walked on the road over the channel that connects Elk Lake and Lake Itasca.  This is a very historic location, as early Native Americans settled here.  Since Europeans discovered the area, there has much debate regarding the true head waters of the Mississippi. If Elk Lake flows into Lake Itasca, why isn't Elk Lake the headwaters of the Mississippi?  This is a very good question!  Many more intriguing questions exist related to these two lakes and their history.  Visit Lake Itasca State Park to experience the drama first hand!

History and intrigue abound!  

Cristin at our weekend's swanky HQ.  Cable TV included!

 When we departed on Monday AM, I asked Cristin if it was ok to stop briefly at the Headwaters again; that I really thought it was a special place.  Due to her good nature, Cristin agreed, not at all aware of my real motives for wanting to stop again: that engagement ring had been burning a hole in my pocket all weekend!      

Jack smiles in relief as Cristin demo's her new engagement ring!