Smokey Bear, Rainy Lake Visitors Center Voyageurs National Park

August 13
We left the Walmart parking lot where it was the place to be. I called the local Ace Hardware and they said they could fill the propane tank for us. We drove across town and pulled off the tank, which for us, requires removing the bicycles, an arduous task that Patrick hates. Anyways, the girl in Ace had no idea what she was talking about and all they could do was exchanges not fills. We headed north again, our destination Voyageurs National Park. 

 The roads would become like this for most of our time in MN, WI and the UP.

 Saw this guy as we passed through Big Falls. It was a very small town. As I was circling around to get the picture, I saw a place that filled propane tanks and we got ours filled.

 A tracked log skidder with a wooden cabin.

 Next stop was International Falls, MN at the Smokey Bear Park. Beside the park was the Bronko Nagurski Museum. Bronko played for the Chicago Bears in the 1940s on both sides of the ball. The museum was closed on Sunday when we passed through.

 The road to Rainy Lake Visitors Center was under construction and part of the parking lot was closed. The VC has boat docks and lots of fishermen were out today. Their trucks and trailers were jammed into the parking lot. I had to back the trailer out of the slot we were in, around two boat trailers, and close to a third parked behind me. It took a few tries to get out, but we made it. Should have taken a picture of the tight quarters. 

 I think I need one of these top hats but Becky keeps saying no.

  We passed this guy on the way to the visitors center and stopped on the way back to International Falls.

 The last stop of the day was at the Lake Kabetogama Visitors Center, the second of three for Voyageurs NP. Then it was off to find a camping spot. So many of the places around the border are small resorts with cabins and several RV spots, many of them already occupied by seasonal campers. Finding a camping spot can be difficult on the weekends. We found a place at the Wooden Frog Campground, part of the MN park system. Campfire, marshmallows and food over the fire.