On Monday, we left the center of North America at 0818 hrs. We were at a junction in the road, we're we going to head north from Rugby into Manitobia or continue heading east through to Minnesota as planned? Aw what the heck, neither of us have been to Minnesota and it had been the original plan. So continued east we did. About an hour into the drive we noticed a helicopter flying fairly low to the ground. As he flew low over the highway over our truck, Ray put the window down to wave at the pilot. That was when we got a huge whiff on chemical smell! It was disgusting! Obviously the pilot was not just out for a nice Monday flight, he was crop dusting! This was no organic farm we were driving past . We continued our way through North Dakota noticing the terrain was getting less flat with some rolling hills. We were also leaving behind the the wheat fields and the beautiful fields sunflowers with their faces smiling at the sky. I hope that helicopter doesn't spit in their pretty faces!
Minnesota, well at least the area on Highway 2 is very beautiful. It is lush with groups of trees and pin neat homes. Not being farmers, we can only guess that the fields we saw were full of potatoes! There was also corn and smaller versions of sunflowers with darker faces, not the usual sunny yellow that we had been seeing. We saw not one oil field/refinery!
At Bemidji we headed north. Bermidji is home to Paul Bunyan and his blue ox named Babe. But I bet you didn't know that Bemidji is where the Mississippi begins its very long journey south. Truthfully, I didn't know that little fact until I googled it. I love Google! Anyway what we saw of this little town was very quaint with old brick buildings and once again very neat and tidy as though the residents are proud of their little town.
We drove for miles and miles with the highway to ourself. I think school started on Tuesday so all the lovely little families were not out driving around looking for campsites, like the Riggins' were doing! Well at that point we were hell bent on getting to Into Ontario. We were crossing at International Falls. Now I have to ask you what you envision when you hear that name? International Falls,,,, beautiful green rolling hills with flowers, birds (yeah throw in a bee or two for fun!) and of course some beautiful waterfalls!
Well we pull into this rather drab for what we had seen earlier in Minnesota, little border town. There were no flowers, bees or birds. I think there was a waterfall because I did hear it for a split second when I rolled down my window at the toll bridge. Yup, it cost us $10 to leave Minnesota, which Ray paid with a big smile. I only had my window down for a split because,,,,,,there was a pulp mill on the US side and of course the Canadians don't want to be outdone, so there was one on the Canadian side too. What a stink!!
The most positive thing about this particular experience for moi, you may be wondering? As we cross into Fort Francis and wound our way through the streets, I spotted a Safeway and hanging my head out the window I looked for and saw,,,,,,Starbucks! At that minute I really didn't care if the town was stinky or not,,,,Ray,,,look,,,Starbucks,,,,,pleasssse let's stop for a Latte.
My wonderful husband gladly pulled into the parking lot! I love him so much! It was the best coffee either of us had had in days!
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