Travelling Trio

I'm always fascinated with signs and businesses in family names.  Here is to Abby. Our goal for today was the Geographical Center of North America in Rugby ND> For the Coop Man. For my railroad boys.  Redoing this old depot; but it actually is a Amtrak station too. We don't know what we stumbled into; but there were hundreds of bikers in this little town.  Lined up along the streets and hanging out around the pubs. For the Coop Man.  This is canola.  Who would have thought it was a yellow flower?

Gary has been doing a great job on finding us campgrounds.   Here we are crossing the Red River leaving Minnesota. Can't forget to add one more sticker.  Actually two, Manitoba too.

Gramps isn't too good at playing "Annie Over".  Satelitte hit the dirt while at Randall.  Won't pick up anything.  Seems to be getting stuck on the edge of the dome.  Called Dish, Took to Dish office, and today we are going down to Twin Forks to see if we can get help.  We did learn at the last stop that the King domes are made at Bloomington (down by the Twin Cities). A lot of large fields covering a lot of acres.  We have seen many spray plans.  Sure wouldn't want to be driving one of those and no way would you get me in one. For the Coop Man. Crossing the river. Try to keep up with us.  We are covering a lot of miles. A smile to great you into their fair city. On the way back to Thief River Falls, we stopped at the Old Mill State Park. This is why I don't like to go to museums with him.  He reads every sign and I'm a look and see person. Old cabin and toilet. This is the mill. This...

Here we are at the Canadian border.  If we knew now what we found out, we would never have gone for this short drive.......  The guards decided that the ole man had too much stuff.  They made us get out and Gary had to clean his pockets and lay everything on the black truck to the left.  One guard was told to go through my purse.  He was nice and asked what I had in it, just my money.  Ha!  kept asking if we were taking over $100,00 over the border.  We were then asked to go into the lobby with cameras while they preceeded to go through everything inside and outside the truck.  My handicap sign was even laying on the dash and it was stored under the towel over the console.  They did find two bottles of medicine.  I bet they have never seen so much stuff shoved into one vehicle before.  I asked if I could take a picture of them searching Gary.  They didn't seem to think that was funny.  Good ole honest Gary? ...

We left Randall MN early because we had several miles to cover today.  Our first stop was the Itasca State Park.  The headwaters for the Mississippi River was located here. This next picture represents a new milestone for me.  I actually got off my big rear end and walked through the woods to the area were the headwaters was located.  No problems.  Balance is still and issue, but I've come a long way baby. You can't hardly drive around this state without coming across huge lakes.  Gary and I decided that there was not much going on but recreation and vacation lands. Next stop was Bemidja MN.  It is know for its large statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.  The driver got grumbly because we got there and there was construction in the area surrounding the statues.  I was able to zoom and get a pretty good shot. Now, I'm hungry and we can't find anywhere to eat that easy to get the camper in and out.  Ended up ...

We kind of like this little park between the interstate and the railroad tracks.  It only has six slots, but it is green and pretty.  Randall Minnesota The grey between the trees is the interstate. First thing we did was go the the Linbergh State Park.  It was small.  Had a few campsites.  Around ten with electricity.  All were in the shaded woods with no chance of getting a satellite signal. This picture is a water tower made from rock/stone.  Go figure. Disappointed that the house was not the mansion.  It was the farm caretaker and later the park manager home. It took Gary longer to fill out the day pass for the park than it did for us to drive through it. Old Catholic Church Mississippi River on the upside of the dan. Tomorrow we will be heading north.  This is the Missisippi River Dam in the center of Little Falls, MN. That's all for today.  Washing the bedding and bath towels...