What) The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. About 2,320 miles (3,730 km) long, the river originates at the northern tip of Lake Itasca, Minnesota and flows slowly southwards in sweeping meanders, terminating 95 miles (153 km) by river below New Orleans, Louisiana where it begins to flow into the Gulf of Mexico. Along with its major tributary, the Missouri River, the river drains all or parts of 31 U.S. states stretching from the Rocky Mountains in the west to the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Canada-U.S. border in the north, including most of the Great Plains, and is the fourth longest river and the tenth most powerful river in the world. (1)

    Where) Highway 200 right on Co Highway 122, then right on Co Road 117 then turn On Miss Headwaters Visitor Park $5

    Why) Originally, we planned to drive the entire length of the Mississippi starting in Lake Itasca and ending in Venice, Louisiana.  Unfortunately, there was a bit of a blizzard on the day we drove near the lake and Pam did not feel comfortable with the combination of gravel roads and the rather sketchy directions above.  So, she “convinced” me that I did  not want to visit Lake Itasca either.  Don't worry though, I have found a couple of interesting pictures for you.