Two more days of travel brought us to Bemidji, Minnesota, where we will meet up with the members of our Mississippi River tour with Fantasy RV. Day 12 took us from Alma Center to the town of Cloquet, Minnesota, just outside the city of Duluth. During this day we stopped at Scheel’s outdoor store in Eau Claire to pick up a few things we forgot to bring with us (or thought we forgot). Des stocked up on socks and woolen base layers. I picked up some warm, waterproof boots and some cold-weather pants. When we were back in the trailer, Des found the socks and base layers she thought she had left at home. Oh well, you can never have too many of any of those!

Tonight’s dinner again featured some of our bountiful veggie collection. This one used zucchini, onion, tomato, some olive salad and seasonings we brought from home. And some nice Finger Lakes rose. Delish!

The last travel day of the journey from home to Bemidji was Day 13. It was a relatively short day on the road. The land we traveled through was mostly flat, with some marshy expanses, some dying pine forests, and some small lakes here and there. We passed through 2 Native American reservations, Fond du Lac and Leech Lake. It was a very different landscape from the rolling hills and lush farms of Wisconsin. Tomorrow we hope to take a hike with Gracie to do a little exploring.

Several members of our tour group, including the wagon masters (leaders) and tail gunners (assistant leaders) were here at the campground when we arrived, and a few others came in later in the afternoon. Most of the rest of the group is expected to arrive tomorrow. Tomorrow will be our last day on our own, before the tour officially begins on Friday.

Gracie got some good exercise in the campground’s dog park, then we made dinner (the rest of the wine caps, green beans, onion, tomato, and Hummingbird Hills magic wine). Des has already turned in, and I’m on my way now too. Sweet dreams!

Day 12 stats: 220.8 miles, 5 hours driving time, 11.0 mpg

Day 13 stats: 148.2 miles, 3 hours 15 minutes driving time, 12.7 mpg