Trail Wayfinding: Utilizing the Lake Bemidji Bicycle and Pedestrian Route Map
Have the intern do it! Part 2/3
This is Dan Schueppert reporting in on the next installment of my three part series. For those that may not have seen my previous blog post, I was challenged to bicycle around Lake Bemidji using only the new Active Living Pedestrian and Bicycle Route Map to find my way.
For most of the ride I was on the Paul Bunyan Trail. It’s a paved multi-use path lined with trees and sided by Lake Bemidji. With the exception of a few roads and driveways this leg of the trail is virtually uninterrupted. While I was biking I realized that Bemidji has really come a long way since I graduated from BHS in ’07. It’s still the same pleasant town that i grew up in; the difference is now that with all the new opportunities (like new bike routes) I feel drawn to the areas for reasons beyond it being my hometown.
While you’re on the Paul Bunyan Trail it’s easy to forget that even as pedestrians, bicyclists, or roller bladders that we need to be aware of other poeple and animals, along the trail. I actually found it a little tough not to lose myself in the natural beauty of the ride at some places. In my case, I was reminded of how important it is to be aware of my surroundings when I was startled by some movement in a field and almost went face first into a bush. Without even noticing it, I had come across a group of whitetail deer not more than 50 years from the trail head. I was fast enough to snap a picture of one before it ran away.
As I made my way towards the north end of the lake I came across this intersection in the pucture. If you’re planing a bike or jog around Lake Bemidji keep an eye out for this spot. I had some trouble matching this trail offshoot with the route on the map. If you plan on going around the lake I would suggest you take this turn or you might end up on a narrow shoulder lane of Birchmont Beach Road instead of scenic trail through the Lake Bemidji State Park.
Thanks for reading. I will be posting the final chapter of the trilogy next week.
Dan Schueppert
