December 2010 Take time to smell the hot chocolate Mother Nature decorated the countryside with snow before Thanksgiving, and up north that means the white-frosted ground and trees will stay beautiful all winter. A few more inches of the white stuff will give snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and other outdoor enthusiasts the Christmas gift they want […]
November 2010 Quiet descends on the north woods Crisp morning air and smoke curling from chimneys signal the change of seasons. The architecture of bare branches dominates the landscape, but after the leaves drop, hidden vistas of lakes and forests emerge. For many of those fortunate enough to live here year round, the days ahead […]
October 2010 Carve out some time to relax “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like falling leaves.” – John Muir No mountains here, but […]
September 2010 Bring on September If you polled area residents and asked “What’s your favorite time of the year?”, most would say “fall.” The pace of life slows a bit, the scenery is spectacular and the mosquitoes are gone. Because rain was plentiful in August, the trees and landscape are still green and fresh as […]
August 2010 Festivals fill August weekends We have enjoyed some of the most spectacular evenings ever this summer as the day’s heat melts away, dragonflies swoop in on a meal of mosquitoes, a breeze washes the air and the setting sun paints clouds with pastel colors. August promises more of the same as the landscape […]
July 2010 Fantastic fireworks, festivals, the county fair, theater and more fill the July calendar. You could say July begins and ends with a dazzling array of fun events. The PBR Challenger Tour Bull Ride kicks off the 4th of July weekend in Park Rapids. July 1, 2 and 3 arena action abounds, followed by […]
June Northern nights promise a cool escape If you live in southern Minnesota or other Midwestern states and endure the heat of the day that blankets the night air and hangs on until a storm passes, an escape to the north woods and naturally air-conditioned nights bring welcome relief. Northern nights offer possibilities for a […]
May brings fishing opener and so much more Heading west into Park Rapids, a patch of golden flowers – marsh marigolds, also known as cowslips – thrives on the side of a hill sloping down to Mud Lake. Every spring, as the snow melts, anyone driving on State Highway 34 can watch the slope turn […]
Spring comes early The ice has pulled away from the shore, pussy willows are ready to burst from their shells, daffodils are sprouting, geese are returning and eagles soar. Signs of spring inhabit the north woods, but require patience. There’s still ice in the bird bath each morning and it’s too soon to take the […]
