The Mission.....Kayak, SUP or Wade Headwaters of Great Rivers!

~ Instructions from Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, July 4, 1803

“The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri River and such principle stream of  it....and what may offer the most direct and practicable water communication across this continent....” 

Standing here, we are where the Jefferson and the Madison Rivers converge, and next, the Gallatin, to form the Missouri. Yes, the town is named “Three Forks,” Montana!   Meriwether named the first two rivers after the President issuing him orders, and James Madison.  

In 1805, Lewis and Clark stood where we stand today, two hundred 210 years later...in the very same month of July (very hot and buggy). This is the spot where the longest river in the United States begins.  “The Missouri River provides water for commerce, irrigation, recreation and wildlife to a large portion of the nation.”  Guess we’ll try the recreation. 

Surveying the situation, we get the kayaks down from the top of the Jeep.  

How about over that way first?

Or....this way first?

Coming to some agreement....maybe like Lewis and Clark on deciding routes, departure times, stopping places??...we take the dogs back to the rig, set them up with peanut butter laced chew bones, and return with the kayaks.  There is a current, but it doesn't seem all that swift.  Yeah, right.

Heading across the Jefferson...or is it the Madison?

Here we go!

Ok!  We did it~

Cooling off....today it's 95 degrees!

Seems calm enough now.

We spend about an hour paddling up and down, over and around...finding that the current where the two rivers converge to begin the Missouri is pretty swift. (no pictures there!)  Kayaking rivers...definitely different than our lazy Sea of Cortez - Conception Bay.

Two nights here and we are off toward the mighty Mississippi Headwaters...with a little stop over in Medora, North Dakota at Theodore Roosevelt NP...mostly to sleep.

Medora Musical set

A little after dinner drive takes us to the top of the hill overlooking the infamous...or famous...Medora Musical in progress.  We didn't get here in time for the show...but I think I might be able to skip it for now...I saw enough!~

Road rodeo....

Our day of driving proves interesting...it's the old two seasons of the year in this part of the county..."Winter and Road Construction."  The dogs are totally bored, the driver is focused and the passenger (me)...is, well, not bored...gasp.

Ho Hum...

Checked out...almost...still watching with one eye!

Another long day of driving takes us into Minnesota and the back roads bring us to Itasca State Park.
After dinner we drive the Jeep up to the headwaters area.

We wade the Headwaters of the Mississippi

Steve and Sparky make it across first....of course!

We have only one night at Itasca State Park on Lake Itasca, Minnesota.  I remember a day experience here as an 11 year old...and Steve remembers one too.  So why not, over 50 years later...do it again!?

We arrive late in the afternoon and head for our camping spot.  Then it's off for a tour of the headwaters area and the now closed visitor center.  The art and displays outside the center are great!

Here's a bronze sculpture of "Turtle Woman."  Since we have named our RV "Honu Two" (honu = Hawaiian for sea turtle and our RV moves at turtle speed and has a nice protective shell to keep us safe and sheltered), we enjoy reading the legend portrayed by the sculpture.

The Objiwe People believe that women are the keepers of the water.  Here a woman releases small turtles into the water.  Her hair represents the flowing water.  The round turtle shell represents earth, moon, sun and seasonal cycles. The turtle's four legs point in four directions, head points up to honor GrandFather Sun and the tail points down toward Mother Earth.  They live in the water, walk on the earth and breathe air.  A strong symbol of the importance of this site, The Headwaters of the Mississippi!

Women and their turtles!

Same sign?!

A little reminder that water from this very spot ends up in the Gulf of Mexico some 2,552 miles later.

The next morning we are up early (for us) and off to SUP (paddle board) Lake Itasca up to the point where it empties into the spot where we stood last night.

Pondering the launch...and waiting for Nan

First time on the 12 ft. boards!

Almost to the actual head of the Mighty Mississippi, by SUP!

Ok then!  Check the Mississippi off our list...pack up the boards and by noon we are on our way to Voyager's National Park on the northern border of Minnesota and some cousin time with Don and Lynn!