International Falls Minnesota

The Woman wanted her drugs – Tylenol with Codeine – which used to be over the counter in Canada. She tried to buy some in Winnipeg and learned it was now considered prescription only. However, she learned that was a Provincial determination, and Ontario hadn’t adopted that as yet. So, we headed to International Falls via Kenora Ontario – an hour out of the way, but the Woman got her opioids. On top of that, I got to see Husky the Musky, allegedly the largest statue of a Musky in the world!

It was nice to cross the border and be back in the States again – no more translation fees on the credit card or roaming charges from Sprint – yippeeeeeeee! However, the Canadians weren’t about to let us leave without one last gift. The gift that keeps on giving – and giving. I am really glad that I don’t have to walk across this field!

I hadn’t been in International Falls in maybe 40 years, and the Woman had never been here. It seemed actually balmy compared to Winnipeg and Churchill – temps in the low 60’s had us out walking around, and seeing folk in lawn chairs in their yards.  We took the pooch to Smokey the Bear Park, where the largest Smokey statue has been claimed by the city of International Falls. Built in 1953, me and the bear are the same age – I think I am fairing age better, but give it another 20 and maybe not.

We headed to Voyageurs National Park. Although born in Minnesota, neither of us had ever been here. It’s essentially a water park – even though it covers over 200,000 acres, the vast majority can only be reached by water. The Kabetogoma Peninsula, which lies entirely within the Park, can only be reached by water. We hit the Rainy Lake Visitor center which is the only one open year-round. We hiked the only trail available in our balmy weather and had a great time.

On the way to the National Park we passed by the town of Rainier. The former 3-time mayor of the town, Vic Davis, owned an island in Rainy Lake. The US Government decided to expand the size of Voyageur National Park in 1980 and through eminent domain, seized his land and told him to vacate. In protest, he had a 25-foot-tall statue made of himself as a Voyageur and placed it on the island. Not amused, the NPS removed the statue and forced Vic from the island.

After suing the Feds, Vic was awarded $90,000 in compensation for his stolen land, and he gifted his statue to his town of Rainier, where it stands today. We swung through Rainier just to see what all the hub bub was about. It was a very small town, that looked like it might sport a bit more action during the summer lake season. If we ever get back here, I’m pretty sure I would want to try out Woody’s Guide Service – wouldn’t you?

Apparently, folks in International Falls are statue fanatics. While he was actually born in Rainy River Ontario to Eastern European immigrants, the world famous early football star Bronko Nagurski was raised in International Falls. Playing football in Bemidji where he graduated high school, he went on to play with the University of Minnesota Gophers. He helped the Gophers to an 18-4-2 record during his time, and took them to the Big 10 Conference Championship in 1927. Apparently Nagurski considered the Falls as his home town, and dedicated a wing of the Koochiching County Museum.

Talk to you soon!