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| Spencer @ Itasca State Park, Minnesota |
Showing posts with label Itasca State Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Itasca State Park. Show all posts
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Spencer
This one is for my Aunt Sally. To this day, squirrels are always named "Spencer".
Friday, December 14, 2012
Heartwaters Caretaker Woman
Next to the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center in Itasca State Park at the start of the trail to the Headwaters is a beautiful bronze statue by Jeff Savage.
From a sign posted next to the sculpture:
"In Anishinabe (Ojibwe) belief it is the women who are the Caretakers of the Water. We are to respect this responsibility of the sacred work of women by keeping this precious resource pristine and renewable for all future generations to enjoy.
In this sculpture, a woman is leaning over, releasing a clutch of small turtles from a basket, renewing the seasons and continuing the waters of life. Her flowing hair is like that of flowing water. The turtles, strong water symbols, also symbolize the universal cycles of life in Anishinabe belief.
The turtle's round shell represents the earth, moon, sun and seasonal cycles. The legs of the turtle point in the four directions, his head points up to honor Grandfather Sun and his tail points down towards Mother Earth. Turtles show us all directions of life - they live in the water, walk on land and breathe air. Turtles are a strong symbol of the importance of this site, located here at the beginning of the Headwaters."
From a sign posted next to the sculpture:
"In Anishinabe (Ojibwe) belief it is the women who are the Caretakers of the Water. We are to respect this responsibility of the sacred work of women by keeping this precious resource pristine and renewable for all future generations to enjoy.
In this sculpture, a woman is leaning over, releasing a clutch of small turtles from a basket, renewing the seasons and continuing the waters of life. Her flowing hair is like that of flowing water. The turtles, strong water symbols, also symbolize the universal cycles of life in Anishinabe belief.
The turtle's round shell represents the earth, moon, sun and seasonal cycles. The legs of the turtle point in the four directions, his head points up to honor Grandfather Sun and his tail points down towards Mother Earth. Turtles show us all directions of life - they live in the water, walk on land and breathe air. Turtles are a strong symbol of the importance of this site, located here at the beginning of the Headwaters."
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| Heartwaters Caretaker Woman Sculpture by Jeff Savage |
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Watery Wednesday - The Mighty Mississippi
On one of my recent weekend stays in Minnesota, I sought out the Headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park north of Park Rapids. I almost didn't venture out that Sunday. The day started out with freezing fog. I just about landed on my butt in the hotel parking lot trying to get to my car. Back to my room I went to wait for warmer temps. Attempt #2 about an hour later found conditions the same. Back to my room I went to wait for warmer temps.
Finally around 11:30 a.m., the fog started to lift and the temperature was above freezing. I decided to head north to Itasca for fear a future weekend would find me looking at snow and not being able to go at all. I am so glad I did!
A short path from the parking lot takes you to the Headwaters. The sign post says, "Here 1475 ft above the ocean the Mighty Mississippi begins to flow on it's winding way 2552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico". Even though Lake Itasca was frozen, there was water flowing across the rocks separating the lake from the start of the river.
I found it interesting that the river flows north towards Bemidji before heading south.
It was worth the trip! At least I thought so. Who would believe I stood in the water at the start of the Mighty Mississippi River?
Tricia at Bluff Area Daily is the host each week of Watery Wednesday. Click on the icon below to see what others are sharing.
Finally around 11:30 a.m., the fog started to lift and the temperature was above freezing. I decided to head north to Itasca for fear a future weekend would find me looking at snow and not being able to go at all. I am so glad I did!
A short path from the parking lot takes you to the Headwaters. The sign post says, "Here 1475 ft above the ocean the Mighty Mississippi begins to flow on it's winding way 2552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico". Even though Lake Itasca was frozen, there was water flowing across the rocks separating the lake from the start of the river.
I found it interesting that the river flows north towards Bemidji before heading south.
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| Headwaters of the Mississippi River |
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| Looking across the stones separating Lake Itasca and the start of the river |
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| Starting the Journey Down River |
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| More of the Mississippi River |
It was worth the trip! At least I thought so. Who would believe I stood in the water at the start of the Mighty Mississippi River?
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| Standing in the headwaters of the Mississippi River |
Tricia at Bluff Area Daily is the host each week of Watery Wednesday. Click on the icon below to see what others are sharing.
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