Downtown Bemidji is an interesting place. Paul Bunyon and his blue ox, Babe take a prominent spot in the city park on the waterfront. We found there is a lot of artwork scattered across the town similar to what Racine does for the summer. Pretty pricey stuff but unique. We shopped a couple of the souvenir stores purchasing couple of pairs of Minnetonka moccasins (made in china of course). This is a nice downtown with a mix of the old and the new with mostly crafty type shops and restaurants. All the big name stores are on the Northeast side of town along US 2.

There are a lot of things to do in the area like kayaking the Mississippi, fishing and biking. We followed the Mississippi south on the Great River Road and every bridge crossing had multiple suv’s parked on the road side. People were out in canoes, kayaks, and tubes floating the river. The Paul Bunyon State Trail starts in Bemidji and runs 111 miles south to Brainerd. This looks like a fine rails to trails multiuse trail for biking and hiking. Of course the area is dotted with lakes that have fishing resorts and summer camps. There is BLM protesting at the Paul Bunyon and Babe visitor center for those who wish to exercise their right to free speech. A nice friendly group of folks demanding change.

Today we are doing some laundry, cleaning and planning for the trip ahead. Tomorrow we follow US 2 west for a couple of hundred miles to Turtle River State Park North Dakota for four days that will encompass Peg’s birthday and the 4th of July. Reservations have been confirmed through the last week in July. This part of the trip is in some fairly remote country that we are looking forward to seeing. Covid is a growing concern for us now as it is to all Americans. We certainly hope not to get quarantined as we cross state borders up in this part of the country.

As we get across Montana at the end of July the plan is to cross into Idaho. Right now Idaho is a Covid hot spot and we are monitoring the situation closely. The alternative route would be down into Wyoming where Covid seems to be under control right now. RV life is always flexible and adaptable so we shall plug along as safely as we can.

Be safe.

Sjh