Living Life...Boomer Style

Photographs and Text By Dawn Bonner

 

 

From intimate and fun family vacations, to outings with the boys or the girls, to outragously huge family reunions; Osakis more than answers the call for relaxation and amusement.

 

 

 

 

 

15080 Gardenia Drive    320.859.4252        

is our number one choice to stay while vacationing on Lake Osakis.  It is a family owned business by a brother/sister combo and their spouses.  They each have two lovely children who also work at the resort.  The entire family is friendly, lively, and know how to deliver great customer service.  Head of the Lakes Resort is on the smaller part of the lake, and they have a cabin that faces Little Lake Osakis.  It is an easy jaunt to the larger section of the lake from here as well.

 

The resort has a sandy beach for swimmers, a paddleboat  for guest use (no charge), a ramp to drop the boat, gas, bait, good food at great prices, small fishing boats and pontoon rentals, and one of the few places left in the United States that actually welcomes tenters.  Even if you choose not to stay here (beyond me why you wouldn't), you definitely need to visit the lodge for breakfast, lunch, and a dinner special.  Stop by, have a few beers, fill up the boat, grab some more bait and be on your way.  But, you will remember what a great crew they have here and wonder...why?  Why did we choose to go elsewhere?

 

Another fabulous find, for those of us who cannot bare to leave the high tech toys at home; they do have wireless high-speed Internet service, so you won't be completely cut-off from the outside world. Believe it, or not, there is no charge for using the service.  Refreshing.

 

This is also one of the few resorts on Lake Osakis that is open year round.  Two of the seven cabins are winterized, so you can plan your winter holiday here, too.  Osakis has miles and miles of official snowmobile trails that go through 500 landowner's property, and you guessed it, the groomed trail goes right through the resort.  Don't have an old rambler, or a fish house to take advantage of for ice fishing?  Have no fear, you can rent a fish house from Head of the Lakes Resort.

 

Last, but definitely not least, if you choose to bring your home away from home, the RV, they also have slips for it.  You can rent them by the season, if someone leaves, you can purchase the spot from the owner, or Head of the Lakes Resort may have a spot, or two available for short term rental.

 

You see, they are the best of the best....

 

 

 

 

The happy camper photos were taken by Starlene Rankin; there were five generations of family in the pontoon rented from Head of the Lakes Resort, from Grandmother to Great Granddaughter. The photos of the resort are by photographer Dawn Bonner.

 

 

 

 

 

If Head of the Lakes is full, check this resort out.  It is straight across from Battle Point and on a point itself.  This point separates the big lake from the smaller lake.  There are lots of trees, a lodge, and 12 cabins.  They rent out small fishing boats and pontoons, too.  They have a good reputation and are user friendly.

  

 

 

If you would like to be closer to the town of Osakis and on the big kahuna itself, Big Lake Osakis stay at Idlewilde Resort.  The have 11 cabins and 10 rental units inside the lodge.  Check out their website for specials, more information on the resort, and see their big fish catches.  They also have an indoor pool, and they too have an excellent reputation for clean cabins, great customer care, and lots of amenities for your comfort.

 

 

 

 

 

Grand Prize:  $500.00.  $300.00 towards accommodations at any participating Osakis chamber member resorts, plus $200.00 in Osakis Chamber Bucks to spend at any chamber member merchant. May be used at any time during 2009 by making reservations. Each adult who entered a fish in the contest, regardless of size, entitles that person into the drawing for this prize. Drawing will be held shortly after Sept. 4th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go cart racing, arcade, 18 hole miniature golf course, and batting cages.   Open May 1 through Oct. 15

 

They also have an RV Park. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. The Drive In Movies: Long Drive-In

 

8.  A Night at the Races

Photo Couresy of Shawn Swanstrom

 

Two speedways to choose from   

 

I-94 Speedway

Hwy. 29 on County Road 82    320.762.1559 

NASCAR Racing each Friday evening, May-Mid Sept. and see shows like Eve of Destruction: Monster Truck, UCARs, Legends, and more.

  

Viking Speedway 
Alexandria     320.760.9614
NASCAR Winston Racing Series.

Bring your family out on a Saturday night for five classes of exciting WISSOTA racing action. The speedway is a1/2 Mile Dirt High-Bank Oval and is open on Saturday nights from May-Sept. 

                           

801 E. Nokomis                            320.859.3777 

Open Daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

 

 

Summer                                           
  

10. Central Lakes Trail & Lake Wobegon Trail 

866-784-8941 

The Central Lakes Trail is Minnesota's 23rd State Trail running from Osakis to Fergus Falls. This scenic recreational trail covers 55 miles and goes through Osakis. Central Lakes Trail is an all season recreational trail that provides a 14' wide bituminous surface for safe off road non-motorized travel by biking, walking, or rollerblading spring through fall.  The Central Lakes Trail offers beautiful prairie and lakes scenery along with an opportunity for families to participate together in outdoor activities. It also connects to the Lake Wobegon Trail which covers 65 miles from Osakis to St. Joseph, Minn., with an extension from Albany to Royalton, making the combined asphalt trail system over 120 miles and one of the longest paved trail systems in the country.

 

 

320-834-2033  

Douglas Area Trails Association (DATA) welcomes you to snowmobiling in Douglas County. There are 430 miles of marked and groomed trails for your enjoyment that have been made possible through the efforts of DATA and more than 500 landowners. We ask that you observe the trail markings and respect the property of the landowners. Maps available through the Osakis Information Center.

 

Perfect Week 2

 

 

And, Your Thoughts...                                                                                                                                         Newsletter 

                                                                                                                      

All newsletter recipients are eligible to receive great prizes from our drawings.    Click here for privacy policy.