Day 2: Kakabeka Falls, ON to Fargo, North Dakota

Day 2: Kakabeka Falls, ON to Fargo, North Dakota

Start: Kakabeka Falls, ON

Finish: Fargo, North Dakota

Distance: 776 km  485 miles

Campground: Red River Campground, West Fargo, North Dakota; $25/site with electrical

Gas: Atakokan, ON 12.285L @ $1.269/L $15.59; International Falls, MN $5.26 Gal @ $2.349/G $12.35; Park Rapids, MN 4.899 Gal @ $2.449/g $12.00; 

On Day 2, before we left the campground, we went to see the 130 foot Kakabeka Falls along the Kaministiquia River as it cascades into a gorge. There are different vantage area where you can enjoy the views.

We then headed down Highway 11 towards Fort Francis. The temperature was 70 degrees with an expected high of 26, so we took off our jackets and headed down the road. After about 10 minutes, the temperature dropped to 64 degrees, so we stopped, put on our jackets and then continued our travels. 

Hwy 11 is an excellent motorcycle route. It has very little traffic, it's hilly with nice smooth curves and has interesting scenery of small lakes with little islands as well as beautiful meadows with reeds, cat tails and beaver dams.

When we got to Fort Francis we saw Rainy Lake with it's beautiful little islands. We drove over an impressive causeway that crossed the lake and headed towards the International bridge. Before we crossed the border, we stopped at a cute little coffee shop, From the Grind Up, and had a bite to eat.

Entering Minnesota, we quickly remembered why we took the Lake Superior route. Almost immediately, the land became flat, the scenery lifeless as we headed down Hwy 71. It's a great road to go from Point A to Point B quickly, but it's not an exhilerating ride.

Once we got to Bemidgi, the landscape became more interesting as it changed to rolling hills and meadows.

We continued on Hwy 71 to Park Rapids. This place could be also called Park Central as it is a very recreational area with many lakes, resorts and camping facilities. 

From Park Rapids, we headed west on Hwy 34 towards Detroit Lakes. From there, we took Hwy 10 into Moorhead, MN which is a sister city of Fargo, North Dakota. The state lines divide the two cities as you cross over a very decorative bridge.

We went west about 10 miles to find the only RV park in the area. It's nothing to write home about, but it's a place to set up for the night.

Tomorrow, we'll head west along Interstate 93 and then south along Hwy 83 to make it near the 1880 town, a replica town that is on the Interstate 90 and on our way to the Badlands National Park in South Dakota.