The Mississippi River trickles out of Lake Itasca as it begins its long journey to the Gulf of Mexico, meandering its way through the forests, marshes, and plains of northern Minnesota, a region where extremes are the norm. The Headwaters Region Guide explores the area in depth, from the Ojibwe communities to the cities along the river like Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Brainerd, and St. Cloud. The book details local history and culture and offers ideas on how to experience life like a local, whether by canoeing on the Mississippi River or hiking, biking, or cross-country skiing one of the many trails in the area