Day 1 - Minneapolis to Lake City - Mississippi River Trail - Minneapolis to New Orleans - CycleBlaze

September 23, 2024

Day 1 - Minneapolis to Lake City

This morning I left Minneapolis, it was a cool (48 degrees) sunny day.  The goal was to bike to Lake City, Minnesota.  I made a last minute decision and decided to bike to the Hennepin Ave bridge to get my first picture of the Mississippi River.

Mississippi River from Hennepin Ave bridge in Minneapolis.
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Another picture of the river from St. Paul. 

Mississippi River from St. Paul - looking north
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Several barges along the river, both floating and sunken. 

Barges along the river north of South St. Paul
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The trail from St. Paul has a slight detour for road construction.   Luckily,  I got a head start on a long line of semi's and navigated the dirt road without an issue.   Here are some random pictures from St. Paul to Hastings.

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Benjamin-Lewis sculpture park. North of Hastings
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The bridge over the Mississippi River at Hastings, MN
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Biking through Hastings tou cross the Vermillion River.   Nice small waterfall and a bridge with love locks.

Vermillion River in Hastings
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Bridge over Vermilion River in Hastings
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From Hastings to Red Wing you bike on the shoulder of the highway,  couple of decent hills, but was a nice ride.  When you get into Red Wing a bike path takes you along the river.

Bridge over Mississippi River in Red Wing
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Barge being filled in Red Wing
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Statue in Red Wing
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From Red Wing to Lake City is also on the shoulder of the highway.   It was very windy but very flat.  

Lake Pepin
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View from my room at Sunset Motel in Lake City
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Neil MortlandThat’s my friends motel! Good choice!
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1 month ago

Day 1 biking is in the book without any issues.  Had a nice Chicken dinner at Kelly's Lake House.  Had a great conversation with a couple that has done lots of traveling and Paris is their favorite city.

Tomorrow should be another nice weather day.

More to come.

Today's ride: 84 miles (135 km)
Total: 84 miles (135 km)

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