Day 49 - Grand Rapids, MN to Chisholm, MN - Two Far 2020 - NTF (Not Two Far)

July 18, 2020

Day 49 - Grand Rapids, MN to Chisholm, MN

Heart

Comment

Mother Nature was good to us today. It stormed hard during the night, but it was clear and sunny when we woke up. After crepes for breakfast at the hotel bistro, we set out for the Mesabi Trail.

We rode through Grand Rapids and past a lovely local park and lake.

This is the western terminus of the Mesabi Trail. Each town through which it passes has an archway like this one withe the town's name. It is a nice welcoming touch.

The trail traverses the Mesabi Iron Range. It is the most prolific iron ore producing region in the United States.

I just caught a photo of these guys headed out to go fishing as we rode over the Prairie River.

Mesabi trail shelter - its the only one we saw on the trail.

One of the numerous tailings and waste piles we saw along the trail today.

We also saw numerous pit lakes along the trail.

There were natural lakes as well (or at least we thought this was a natural lake as we rode by).

The city municipal building says Soldiers Memorial. I wonder what it's original use was?

I understand even and odd day alternate parking, but what is an even week?

An ATV trail adjacent to the Mesabi Trail.

We came to a railroad crossing on the trail. There were train cars on the right...

A GE 60-ton steeple-cab electric locomotive in the Keewatin city park. It worked on the Mesabi Chief Washing Plant haulage line near Keewatin.

There was a small platform to climb for a great view of this lake.

We decided to get some highway miles past Keewatin. The trail ran mostly right along the roadway and the road was perfect for cycling.

There were many of these pretty pink flowers along the highway.

Conveyer belt carrying ore across the Trail and highway to a loading facility.

Just past the conveyer belt, we saw this line of empty hopper cars, presumably waiting to get loaded.

Tribute to iron miners just outside of Chisholm.

Today's ride: 46 miles (74 km)
Total: 1,408 miles (2,266 km)

Rate this entry's writing	Heart	6
Comment on this entry	Comment	0