Sunday, July 3. Bemidji area

We headed off this morning to a restaurant our Warm Showers host had mentioned, but just got some good-tasting muffins as they were busy and so we could make it to First Presbyterian Church on time. Found out that it was the very first church in Bemidji.  Like many small congregations, it was struggling with how to reach out to young people. Afterwards, we headed to a grocery store for lunch; we had to check it out as it had the same name as our son-in-law's family name! We went to the 4th of July parade and a fun time watching fire trucks, politicians, old cars, big trucks and the one marching band.


 After the obligatory tourist visit to Paul Bunyan and Babe the blue ox, we headed around Lake Bemidji, crossing the Mississippi twice, at both its outlet and inlet. Kay stopped to look at a Baltimore oriole and then Jim noticed a bald eagle perched high in a tree in that same place. On a recommendation, we went to Bemidji State Park and walked the bog trail which had many  different kind of flowers and plants.

Pitcher plant flower

 We went to our next warm showers host  and had a great time chatting with them. They had just got back from a fly-fishing trip to the Upper Peninsula. They’re also into bicycling, hiking and backpacking, canoeing, duck and deer hunting, and making their own maple syrup.  
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