#6: [22-Jun-15]

#5: [21-Jun-09]

#4: [24-Aug-08]

#3: [20-Aug-06]

#2: [29-May-02]

#1: [17-Feb-01]

27-May-2023 -- It had been two years since I had the opportunity to take a multi day trip just for collecting confluence points, seeing the landscape, and meeting local people. Finally the opportunity arose. My goal was to connect my block of Minnesota points to the block of points east and south and west, in Iowa, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas. To fill those gaps would require some planning but could be quite fun and doable. Thus after flying to Sioux Falls the previous day and visiting 3 points, including 2 in Iowa, today my goal was to at least visit the remaining 2 points in Iowa that I had not yet visited, along 43 North Latitude. That was done---now I had visited all 16 points in Iowa over the span of 20 years!

And thus, after visiting 43 North 92 West, I drove north along some fantastic beautiful landscapes into Minnesota. I was a bit later than my plan but that time I spent at the last point with the landowner was priceless and well worth it. Treasured memories! My route northward roughly along the 92nd Meridian took me through river valleys and ridges, past Memorial Day picnics, junkyards, churches, and farms, and other wonderful things to photograph, but I pressed on as I had hoped to visit 5 confluence points. I had 2 done and 3 to go and was encouraged as I crossed into Minnesota that it was still only a little after noon and the day was clear. I crossed I-90, went through the town of Utica, and then northwest on a few country roads, parking at the intersection of highway 115 and highway 37. I gathered supplies and set out to the south and southwest.

What I remember about this confluence point: Bright, bright, bright. No trees, full sun. There were no trees anywhere near the confluence point, which lies in a cultivated field, and within minutes after setting out I had zeroed out the GPS receiver. It was a glorious late spring early afternoon, moderate breeze, temperature about 85 F (29 C). The confluence lies on a sloping ground rising to the west, and a bit in a bowl between hills; however, the view to the east was about a half mile. I saw no people, animals, a few birds, and fortunately no flies or mosquitos. Rest assured that I stepped very gingerly to avoid harming the new plants there.

I had stood on 44 North many times, from South Dakota on the west to Maine on the east, now including most of the points along 44 North in Minnesota. In fact the day before this one, I stood on 44 North on the west side of Minnesota. I have a memory of one of my points along 44 North in Ontario, Canada which was in a beautiful wooded area and I was gingerly walking on snow and ice. I had also stood on 92 West many times over the years, across a variety of landscapes, from Wisconsin on the north to Louisiana on the south. I filmed a video and placed it on my Our Earth channel, here.

I thought about the indigenous people who had traversed this area, and perhaps this very field, about the settlers in part from northern Europe who settled this area in the 1800s, and of others who visited; those who stayed here on the landscape, enduring all seasons and weather conditions, and those who were just passing through. This is indeed a beautiful part of Minnesota.

It was a bit sad to think about leaving this peaceful spot, but after a short time, and given today's self-imposed travel schedule, I walked back out the way I came in--to the east, and gingerly through the plants to the north. I arrived back on the road and photographed the road signs there. I stood there a moment and enjoyed the peaceful scene. This was one of my fastest confluence visits over the past 25 years: The whole thing was accomplished in about 45 minutes from vehicle to vehicle. Now I set off for 44 North 91 West, to the east, in Wisconsin. First, I would have to cross the Mississippi River!

When the trip was all said and done, here are the final statistics:

 
Confluence points attempted:  15.  

Confluence points successfully visited:  15. 

Points where I met the local landowner = 4 of 15 points. 

Miles = 1731, Kilometers = 2785.  

Campgrounds = 3.  

Windy confluence points:  6 of 15.

Beautiful confluence points:   15 of 15.

Kwik Trip convenience store stops = 5.  Casey's = 1.  Circle K = 1.  Flying J = 1.  

Points along 	43 North 4 
		44 North 3 
		45 North 4 
		46 North 1 
		47 North 3 
		-------------
			 15 points.

Points visited on 	Day 1 = 3 
			Day 2 = 5 
			Day 3 = 4 
			Day 4 = 3
		-------------------
			   	15 points.  

Points visited in the 	morning = 	5 
			afternoon = 	7 
			evening = 	3 
		-------------------------------
			   		15 points

Points visited in 	Minnesota =     6
			North Dakota =  2
			Wisconsin =     3 
			Iowa =          4
		-------------------------------
			   		15 points 

Get out there and explore!