REGIONS: CENTRAL OTTER TAIL LAKES COUNTRY By Jenna Kvidt of Wander The Map With over 1,000 lakes in Otter Tail County, there are plenty to pick from when selecting a Minnesota lake vacation destination. For our weeklong getaway to Central Minnesota, Micah and I settled on Holly’s Resort , located on the shores of Otter Tail Lake. Even though we grew up about an hour away from this resort, we never discovered all that the area has to offer and figured it was high time that we do. As we checked into our lakefront cabin, we took a breath of fresh air and attuned ourselves to the sounds of life at the lake. The softly lapping waves, the soft laughter ringing out in the distance and the zooming boat motors conjured a wonderful Minnesota lake vacation feeling. Most of our days at the cabin were spent alternating between soaking up rays on the dock, paddling in our kayaks, boating with our fishing lines dropped in the water and screaming with laughter as we tubed across the lake behind a jet ski. Once the sun set, we built a bonfire and roasted sticky marshmallows over the fire’s flickering glow. Fish frys and grilling were our daily meal staples, but we also decided we couldn’t miss out on one of the most iconic summertime lake experiences around: boating to Zorbaz , a lakeside restaurant that offers an unlikely but delicious combination of pizza and Mexican food. Even though there was plenty to keep us occupied at the resort, we were set on exploring the surrounding area, as well. Hiking adventures are always at the top of our list, so we climbed to the highest point in the county: Inspiration Peak. Then, we went to Maplewood State Park to hike up Hallaway Hill and take in the expansive view of the lakes and rolling hills below. For a quirky roadside attraction, we made our way to Vining to check out the Nyberg Sculpture Park . There, we were greeted by more than 15 whimsical sculptures, including a pair of dancing silverware, a massive watermelon, an astronaut, a metal elephant and a giant cactus. After, we popped into Disgruntled Brewing for a pint. It was great to take a break and lounge on the cozy yellow indoor couches, then head to the large patio outside, fresh brews in hand. Looking back at our week at the lake, we can’t help but smile. There’s something about the fresh air and water that will keep us coming back for more—it’s a tradition we want to repeat for many years to come. 62 | EXPLORE MINNESOTA .COM Plyers & Roach at Nyberg Sculpture Park Photo by Kenneth Alvin A WEEK EXPLORING 1 2
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2021 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 62
