Chamber Blog

August 2009
Summer’s not over ‘til it’s over


Yesterday we saw a dad and his two kids buying bait. A clerk netted small, wiggling, silvery shiners from a water tank for the trio and they headed out the door. It’s fun to imagine the rest of the story. The kids donning life jackets as their dad unloads a boat from the trailer and parks the car or maybe as they wait on the dock at a local resort for dad to load gear. Then the kids jump in and feel the breeze on their faces as the boat skims the water and they head out onto the lake.
It’s likely that between nibbles on their bait, the kids will see a loon diving under the water or an osprey or eagle circling overhead.
It’s an experience hundreds of families travel here to share each summer, youngsters learning the joy of landing a crappie, sunfish or walleye as their dad remembers the first time his dad brought him to the lake. Only the equipment has changed; the memories are the same.
If you haven’t made it up north yet; it’s not too late. Labor Day is weeks away. Our lakes, parks and trails invite exploring.
Maybe the summer memories you want to create with your family are water skiing or building a sand castle, walking across the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park or riding bikes as a hint of fall’s colors begin to change the landscape.
It’s not too late to plan a trip. The Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber Website can get you started. You will find events, ideas for day trips, guides to our parks, trails and attractions and information about places to stay.
We should say you may be pleasantly surprised at the “hot deals” you will find for some local accommodations as the season winds down. A stay doesn’t have to cost a bundle and many of the activities here are free or cost much less than you expect.
If you need help putting together plans for a memorable and affordable visit or if you have questions, call our friendly staff at 800-247-0054 to learn more.

Labels: fall, Spring Happenings in the Park Rapids Lakes Area Vacation Destination

April 2009

It is truly spring in the north woods. The Great Blue Herons are diving into ice-free lakes and the loons are calling out their happy return.

Or as a writer named Doug Larson put it: “Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.”

Our shoes here at your Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce tread carefully as we put everything together in preparation for the launch of our new Website April 30. We sorted through thousands of pieces of information and, like puzzle masters, have worked to put them together into a whole that will serve our members in a new and better way. Now that the picture is whole again, we hope you will walk through the site, let us know if we have missed something and call on us to help you better promote your own business as partners with us.

The new Website will always be a work in progress and it will be better with your help.
Let us know your “Hot Deals.” Contribute to our calendar with your events. Link your Website to your business presence on our site. If technology isn’t your friend, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

We know everyone is putting on a welcome face in preparation for the fishing opener in two weeks. Many of our “snowbirds” have returned, smiling and suntanned. It is part of life here that we are optimists at the beginning of each new season and its progression of change. In spite of the economy, we have every reason to be hopeful this will be a good year.

Traditionally, when the going gets tough, people stay closer to home when they travel and are mindful of what’s important in their lives - family and time away from their stress and worry. We are their destination for enjoying life. Our accommodations are their personal retreat and our wonderful community is their home away from home.

That is all we need to remember - and we can whistle as we welcome them all to our north woods home.

Labels: Spring Happenings in the Park Rapids Lakes Area Vacation Destination