Mississippi River - continued

Our journey along the Mississippi River continues at La Crosse Regional Airport (KLSE) in Wisconsin.

French fur traders were the first Europeans to explore the La Crosse region in the late 17th century. The area wasn't officially documented until 1805, when Lt. Zebulon Pike led an expedition up the Mississippi River for the United States. Pike recorded the name as "Prairie La Crosse," derived from a Native American game played with sticks resembling a bishop's crozier, or "la crosse" in French.

We cross into Minnesota and reach Winona (KONA). European immigrants, primarily from New England, settled the area in 1851, with the town being formally laid out between 1852 and 1853. Winona experienced rapid growth, with its population skyrocketing from 815 in December 1855 to 3,000 by December 1856. German immigrants arrived in 1856, collaborating with the original settlers to establish businesses centered around lumber, wheat, steamboating, and railroads. Between 1859 and 1900, approximately 5,000 Poles and Kashubians emigrated to Winona, making up a quarter of the population. With 80% of these immigrants being Kashubian, Winona earned the nickname "Kashubian Capital of America." The influx of Polish Catholic immigrants led to the construction of the Church of St. Stanislaus. For a time, Winona boasted more millionaires than any other U.S. city of its size. Continuing north along the river, we arrive at Red Wing (KRGK). This city is named after the early 19th-century Dakota Sioux chief Red Wing. In 1936, the federal government established a Mdewakanton Sioux Indian reservation, now known as the Prairie Island Indian Community, along the Mississippi River, around which the city of Red Wing developed.

Further north, we reach the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metropolitan Region, landing at St. Paul Downtown Airport (KSTP). This region is commonly known as the Twin Cities due to its two largest cities, Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and is centered around the confluence of the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix rivers. After a scenic flight around the Twin Cities, we land at Crystal (KMIC). From Crystal, we continue north along the Mississippi River to Monticello's Airport Pilots Cove (20Y). Monticello offers an extensive park and pathway system, featuring 28 city-owned parks and miles of winding trails. Notable green spaces include Lake Maria State Park, Montissippi Regional Park, and the Harry Larsen Memorial Park. Each winter, from December to March, Swan Park becomes a temporary home for as many as 2,700 trumpeter swans, drawn to the Mississippi River's warm waters discharged by the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant. The City of Monticello and Wright County collaborated to acquire 1,200 acres of open space in Wright County, now known as the Bertram Chain of Lakes. This chain includes four lakes and acres of undisturbed shoreline, natural habitat, and oak forest, with 812 acres open for public enjoyment.

We make a low pass over Clear Lake (8Y6) before landing at St. Cloud (KSTC). The city is named after Saint-Cloud, a suburb of Paris, which in turn was named for the 6th-century monk Clodoald. For thousands of years, the St. Cloud area was inhabited by various indigenous peoples. Voyageurs and coureurs des bois from New France were the first to encounter the Ojibwe and Dakota through the profitable North American fur trade with local Native American communities.

Overflying St. Cloud, we head north, following the river to our final destination for the day: Little Falls (KLXL). The town developed at and was named after the falls on the Mississippi River. Throughout its history, several dams have been built over the falls, some of which powered 19th-century sawmills. Today, the Little Falls Dam is a hydroelectric station providing power to the surrounding area. Little Falls is also notable as the boyhood home of the renowned aviator Charles Lindbergh. Just across from his former residence is Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, named after Lindbergh's father, a prominent Minnesota lawyer and U.S. Congressman, Charles August Lindbergh.

The flight has a length os 195 miles with 7 landings.  We want to cruise at about 150 knots. I will probably be in the COWS DA-42. Any single-engine or twin aircraft in that speed range is suitable. As always, please fly what you like.

The flight plans are here.

There are 6 freeware addons available:

KLSE

KRKG

KSTP

KMIC

KSTC

KLXL

The complete package is here.

We try real weather. Please set your simulator for a 9 am local departure.

Multiplayer Particulars:

Date and time: Sunday, March 30, 2025. 1600 UTC

Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: United States East server.

These flights are events posted at DigitalThemePark and use DTP's Teamspeak Channel for communication.

If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!