Biggs Cross Country 2017: Day 44- Int'l Falls, Bemijii, Grand Forks

(Answer to the math quiz: If a liter of diesel costs $107.9 Canadian, what is the equivalent cost per gallon in US dollars? You have to know that there are 3.78 liters per gallon and the exchange rate - today - to convert Canadian to US dollars is .7766. So, the answer is $3.16 US per gallon. That's about 50 cents higher than in the US)

Interesting changes today as we drove across northern Minnesota. The first 100 miles or so heading west out of "Falls" was pine forests and wood products industry. Gradually the landscape changed from totally flat to mostly flat and turned more agricultural. As we neared Grand Forks it was all agriculture and mostly sugar beets. Surprisingly, few cows and no dairy operations were seen. Grand Forks has a huge sugar beet processing plant, gas refinery, trucking and railroad terminals, the University of North Dakota (which has the Center for Aerospace Sciences) and the new Alerus Center where UND plays football. There's an Air Force base around here somewhere.

The most interesting stop of the day was the halfway point - Bemidji, Minn. As a kid, I always remember the Boston TV weatherman telling about the cold temps in Bemidji in the winter! I think he just enjoyed saying it. But it does get cold! Lots of winter sports here.

Bemidji is famous for the giant statue of Paul Bunyan and Gabe, his trusted ox. (Gabe is credited to the Bemidji Rotary Club in 1937). The city is located on Lake Bemidji which is the headwaters of the Mississippi. Nice lunch at a little cafe called Minnesota Nice which was recommended by the lady at the tourist info desk.

Our hotel is a newish Sleep Inn (our FIFTH free night through Choice), among a half dozen new hotels along this street, I presume because of the new Alerus Center.

Sunny day today, but pretty warm getting into the upper 80s.