Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Mississippi River Trail (MRT)

The Mississippi River Trail, coursing along America’s backbone, the Mississippi River, from its headwaters in Itasca, Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, offers approximately 3,000 miles of on-road bicycle trails and pedestrian pathways for the recreational enjoyment, health, conservation and tourism development of river communities, river states, and the nation.

http://www.mississippirivertrail.org/

Have you ever done this trail? Did you conquer the whole thing, or just a piece of it? Do you have any pictures? How about an epic story? Is there a part of this trail that you shouldn't miss? Is there a part of this trail that you definitely SHOULD miss?

I'm planning on riding the MRT this summer, but I've heard that there's some pretty big portions of it that are incomplete. Does anyone know if this trail is completed yet?
Also, does anyone know the exact beginning and end of this trail? I was really just planning on going from new orleans to minneapolis, but if the added distance if I go from the beginning to the end (I guess it'd really be end to beginning in this case) isn't too much more, I figure I might as well do the whole thing for good measure.

This is a question for the touring forum.

what's the difference between long distance and touring?

Im putting the Mississippi river trail at the top of my list to ride/ people who have done it should keep posting places to stay and visit in the forums./Kenneth