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[narr] The mighty Mississippi. There's a reason it's called that.
It's one of the world's greatest rivers.
[man] It's the 3rd largest watershed on the globe which,
encompasses about 40% of the United States.
[narr] These are the humble beginnings. The water from this lake, Lake Itasca,
will take about 90 days to flow downhill 2350 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.
Itasca State Park was the first state park in Minnesota designed to protect the white pines from lumbering
and preserve this spot, the source of the Mississippi River.
[man] At Lake Itasca you can virtually straddle the Mississippi.
That's pretty interesting when you consider
that it is a watershed for one third of our nation.
[narr] In 1938, Harold Ickes, the Secretary of the Interior,
urged the governors of the 10 states
bordering the river to form the Mississippi River Parkway Commission
and develop the Great River Road.
Today there is almost 2700 miles of Great River Road, 575 miles are right here in Minnesota.
Along the road you can bike and canoe, kayak, scuba dive,
roller blade with a friend, enjoy the serenity of a garden
or haul in a lunker to hang on the wall.
[man] Take America's best road trip which would be on the Great River Road
and just experience all the diversity that it has to offer.
[narr] There are about a dozen Minnesota State Park and Recreation areas along the Great River Road.
[man] We've been exploring the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area,
we have great kayaking, great canoeing, great nature photography
and new emerging sports like geo-caching.
[narr] In Minnesota from the river's origins to the 500 foot bluffs watching over it, there is much to see and do.
[man] Get up, boy! Get up!
[narr] You can do more than see, hear, and touch history. You can smell it at the Kelley Farm, outside of Elk RIver,
the Forest History Center Logging Camp in Grand Rapids,
and Fort Snelling, a national historic landmark in the Twin Cities.
There are 8 locks operated by the Army Corps of Engineers in Minnesota -
most with observations decks for visitors.
[woman] Winona has 2 historic districts in the downtown area.
We probably have over 200 buildings that
are listed on
the National Register of Historic Places.
[narr] Winona is one of the dozens of Minnesota river towns along the Mississippi.
Many of them among the oldest settlements in the state; rich in history and outdoor fun.
[man] The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is one of almost 400 units
of the national park system and this national park is the national park about the Mississippi River.
[narr] This 72 mile long park includes the largest metropolitan area in the state.
[man] We talk about the entire 2350 mile long Mississippi River,
and this is the place you come to in the United States to learn about it.
[woman] People need to be able to access the river, making our young people appreciate what's in their backyard,
getting their toes wet or fishing or whatever they want to do.
[narr] This river is a national treasure. Choose a stretch to explore,
and experience the beauty of nature and ingenuity of mankind for yourself.
No matter where you travel on the Great River Road you won't be disappointed.
You can get more information on our website:
mnmississippiriver.com