THE MEANDERING MISSISSIPPI

Segment IV: Upper Mississippi

Long before the Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico, it travels 2,500 miles through the heartland of America. Join us as we follow this river across the country. This segment of the tour will meander from the Gateway City of St. Louis to the headwaters of the Mississippi deep in Minnesota.

Day 1: Meet in LaCrosse, Wisconsin at 5:00pm for an orientation and dinner with the guides. If you arrive here early there’s lots to see and do, including the downtown commercial historic district. Or you can just relax and watch the paddlewheel cruise boats as they make their regular stops along the river. 0 miles.

Day 2: Follow the Great River Bicycle Trail out of LaCrosse, and then pick up the Great River Road to make your way to another state crossing into Wabasha, Minn. It is home to the National Eagle Center, but perhaps is better known as the filming site of the Grumpy Old Men movies. 60 miles.

Day 3: We’ll have some spectacular vistas as we ride the bluffs above the river today. We’ll climb a little to reach Lake City, where the river is at its widest and water skiing was invented. We’ll overnight in Red Wing, noted for its large winter concentration of the Bald Eagle, and for Red Wing shoes and boots. This area is hillier than most we’ve cycled through because it experienced four glacial advances. Our shorter day will make up for the more challenging terrain. 32 miles.

Day 4: Our overnight spot is the fascinating town of Stillwater, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Some of the buildings are carved into the hillside while others sit perched on cliffs. 48 miles.

Day 5: During today’s ride, we’ll cross the St. Croix River twice as we ride away from the Mississippi. Once past Osceola, the terrain flattens and we see the oak woods give way to pine forests. We’ll call it a day in Cambridge. 51 miles.

Day 6: Our ride to Little Falls will cut westerly across Minnesota over lightly rolling back roads through cultivated farm land and grazing dairy cattle. The rural landscape makes you forget that we are but a few miles north of the Twin Cities. Little Falls is the boyhood home of the aviator Charles Lindberg. 77 miles.

Day 7: A layover day in Little Falls will give you time to explore this lovely town and discover if there are still any waterfalls here. 0 miles.

Day 8: We’ll make our way to Pine River on the Paul Bunyan State Trail built on the abandoned Burlington Northern Railway. We’ll ride through quaint towns with intriguing shops and references to the legendary Paul Bunyan and his blue ox Babe. 65 miles.

Day 9: We continue on the Paul Bunyan Trail for another 20 miles before riding on lightly rolling terrain through serene pine forests, until we pick up the bike path at Itasca State Park to the headwaters of the Mississippi. We’ll celebrate by walking across the river and taking a group photo before heading to our park cabins for dinner. 87 miles.

Day 10: Take the day to enjoy this lovely park. Its 32,000 acres encompass more than 100 lakes. Visit the Itasca Indian Cemetery, stand under the towering pines at Preacher’s Grove or sit and listen to the serenade of the Loon, the Minnesota state bird. 0 miles.

Day 11: After a farewell breakfast, we will shuttle everyone to the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport by 2:00pm.

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