Sunday, August 22, 2021

Day #28

Sunday morning dawned with clear skies, 48 degrees and cozy warm rays of sun. We packed, got on the road and soon discovered that one bar of cell service would not allow us to watch Grace CC services on Facebook. So gospel music via Sirus XM would be our worship this morning and we would watch service tonight on Wi-Fi.

We are heading north to International Falls and hopefully the Waters of the Dancing Sky Scenic Byway. I would love to see the aurora borealis tonight. The most northern part of Minnesota is supposed to be able to see the northern lights.

I’m writing today’s blog as we head out, maybe I can get caught up soon and be able to do this every day! The lack of internet service early in the trip for a week or longer put me way behind. I continued to write daily blogs, but uploading the pictures is lengthy process.

Traveling in the Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota is not called “Land of a ten thousand Lakes” for nothing – cattails line the road on both sides, lakes appear every few miles. In this part of northern Minnesota there are more stands of Aspen than pines and hardwoods. The aspens are yellowing now, making us think Fall will be arriving anytime now to this part of the country. We found out the brush that lines the roads in bogy areas – quaking aspen as a bush. 

There is not a shoulder to the road that I would trust. One wheel off would slide into the marshy areas of the landscape. As Doug says, “One step and you are knee deep in mud.”

Canadian Border in
International Falls, Minnesota

The road took us to International Falls, Minnesota on the Canadian Border. International Falls are now under the International Bridge and were originally named Koochiching Falls. 

Paul Bunyan

Driving into and through International Falls, we came across Paul Bunyan and Smokey

          

Then we motored up to Voyageurs National Park, named by Travel & Leisure as the #15 least visited National Park.  Voyageurs, named after the French-Canadians in the late 1700 and early 1800, who braved the waters of the Canadian and American waterways in birchbark canoes hauling tons of beaver and other pelts from the trappers in the North Woods. Touring the visitor center for Rainy Lake, we encounter several species of wildlife.

Only Moose we encounter on the trip.

Huge Wolf

           

Moonshine jugs flown
out during prohibition

Canadian shore across the Rainy River

Hwy 11, the “Waters of the Dancing Sky” was not like we expected, but similar to the landscapes we had already traveled, except after leaving International Falls on Hwy. 71, then 11, we were following the Rainy River and the Canadian border.  

Canadian Shore

Willie Walleye of Baudete, Minnesota

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Moving through the towns of Pelland, Birchdale, Baudette, Loman, Roosevelt, Swift and now Warroad, Minnesota.  

Loman City Park
 Pit Toilet resident!

We stopped at the city park in Loman for a picnic lunch.  Nice park with picnic shelter with tables and other picnic tables spread around the park.  It has an interesting history  and is currently maintained by the Koochiching County Land and Forestry.

From 1910 - 1944, the General Store was on the spot, then 1944 - 1965 was Dahl's Fairway Store. The old buildings were removed and the Loman Park was established in 1965.

A Being built in 1944 by "Erickson Brothers" to a depth of 200 feet with a three inch casing. In the 1950's, the Flowing Well was tested and was providing 16 gallons of water per minute. 

As with all the parks in Minnesota, a vault toilet was installed in the park. I went over to the toilet and meet up the resident garter snake. I left his residence to him.

Doug is enjoyed golf on cable TV and now the movie – Ford vs Ferrari at the Hampton Inn!

Supper was from a Lao and Thai restaurant, who assured us that it was not spicy unless it was requested. Even Doug commented on how spicy his beef Pad Thai was after he had requested only a “little spice”. I ask for “no hot” on my chicken Pad Thai. Red pepper flakes were abundant.

The rain started while picking up supper, along with the lightening and thunder - crashing any hopes of the Aurora Borealis.