An Ancient Highway
Tucked away in the northern reaches of Minnesota is the Savanna Portage, once a thriving route but now a hidden passage. Not a grand canal of stone and mortar, but a six-mile thread of earth etched by the footsteps of countless travelers. For centuries, Native Americans, fur traders, explorers, and missionaries journeyed on this path, connecting the East Savanna River, a tributary of Lake Superior, to the West Savanna River that joins the mighty Mississippi.
Where the Mississippi Meets the Great Lakes
Here, where the boreal forest stretches its emerald arms towards the sky, the continental divide becomes a gentle bump, a mere kiss between two titans. It's a point of geographical intimacy, a place where the Great Lakes, those freshwater behemoths, come closest to their southern cousin, the Mississippi, the artery of American dreams.
Experience History
Standing at the water's edge, on the shores of Birch Lake, a tributary of the East Savanna, one can almost hear the echoes of paddles striking the water, the creak of laden canoes, and the murmur of hushed conversations between voyageurs exchanging furs for supplies. Imagine the thrill of pushing off from the familiar embrace of the Great Lakes, knowing that beyond the next bend lay the uncharted wilderness of the Mississippi basin, a land of boundless possibilities and hidden dangers.
The Savanna Portage is more than just a historical relic. It's a living bridge, a testament to the interconnectedness of our lands and the unwavering spirit of exploration. It reminds us that boundaries, whether geographical or cultural, are often permeable, waiting to be crossed by those with the courage to seek something new.