Driving north from Point Douglas, prepare to be impressed by the great beauty of the St. Croix Valley and the fact that it remains relatively open and uncluttered by wall-to-wall development and industrial growth. Although you are traveling through some of Minnesota's oldest settlements from the European immigrations, the communities along this river and the old Military Road have retained much of their history, culture, and scenic beauty. There is great local pride both for what they had in the past and what they have kept alive for future generations.

In your journey, watch the scenery change from a rolling landscape in the south, to a more rugged environment of rock, cliffs, woods. Once you reach Pine County, you will ultimately realize that you have truly arrived in the "North Country."