Mississippi Head Waters

Mississippi river head waters - Itasca State Park
Question - Do you know how long it takes a drop of water to travel from start o the Mississippi (Itasca State Park) to the end (New Orleans)? READ ON












Sunday we packed a picnic lunch and headed off to Itasca State park. The park is about 45 minutes NW of us here in Nevis MN. The park is full of fun things to see and do. This is where the Mississippi river starts from the parks water shed. ://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/index.html



After a bike ride we enjoyed lunch followed by a tour of the park.



Jenny of course had to show off and walk across the river.

A drop takes 3 months to travel the river.

Fishing with the Booths

The fishing here is great....



After an early start we hit Toad Lake with a vengeance. Taking on all types of fish. We viewed several birds feeding on the lake. The highlight was a bald eagle swooping down from about 200 feet to scope up a small fish just in front of us. At the conclusion of the day it was Booth boat 35 and lake zero. Also, for honorable mention Jenny landed a nice bass.

Nevis Minn

Nevis Minn - Friday we arrived in Nevis, Minn. This is truly a beautiful part of God's creation full of lakes, trees, and animals. We have already played tennis & cards, been fishing, rode bikes, went to church and attended the Dorset festival. Great food and much to see.
We are staying at http://www.belleshoresresort.com/ The Booth's are just 100 yards down the road and it is such fun to reconnect with them. The resort is peaceful with a sand beach and much to do. I am off for a swim and to get the tackle ready for fishing tomorrow at 5:00am. (you know Larry)

God bless,

Motor Home Stuck at Corey's

Departed Iowa after a great visit with Corey & Kim Sawatzky, but not with out some challenges.

So while Corey was traveling I took the opportunity to place several ruts in his front yard while heading out for Omaha. His neighbor Derrick was kind enough to pull me out with his 2 ton logging truck.

We then had a blow out on the truck we we towing but made it to Omaha all the same. After 2 days of golf and fun with the Cuda's we were off to Nevis, Minn.

RAGBRAI 2008 in the books

Yes, I did complete the 2008 bicycle ride across Iowa.

Stats:

484 miles and my first century ride. See route: http://www.ragbrai.org/

Brats, corn, pieces of pie, pork chops, rib eyes and ice creams eaten - a lot.

Yes, there was an Elvis sighting somewhere in central Iowa. The folks of Iowa did their self's proud. The towns we visited and stayed in were friendly and very accommodating.
At the mid point in Ames we were treated to a great concert by Styx and they played all of the hits. Lance Armstrong spoke to the crowd of 20,000 and all of the proceeds went for flood relief in Iowa.
The first several days were very hot with elevation climbs from 3,000 to 5,000 feet daily. We finished the week with two pretty easy days of 63 and 53 miles which were relatively flat. We had the joy of spending time with Sandy Miller and her daughter Bridgett. (In the picture below) Also, check out the photo album link to the right.

RAGBRAI 2008

Well made it to Iowa for the RAGBRAI annual bicycle ride across IOWA. The ride will total 471 miles. Day 1 & 2 was filed with hills a lot of elevation. Day 2 was also my first century ride of 100 miles. Today, day 3 we ended up in Ames and are camping at the university. Off for some Mexican food and the STYX concert tonight. I will post a photo album later in the week. And yes Elvis has left the building, but not Coon Rapids, IOWA!

Good by - Chicago

We had a wonderful time in Chicago with Tyler, Tracy, Teya and family. We ended our time with a great BBQ out at the RV park we stayed at.