LITMIR.BIZ

      While in the area, eat at the historic Douglas Lodge (218-266-2122), located near the park’s east entrance. Open Memorial Day weekend through the first Sunday in October. Decidedly Minnesotan, the menu includes such mainstays as wild rice soup and walleye. Wash down the meal with a nice bottle of wine—a Minnesota vintage, of course.

      If you’re looking for some evening entertainment, cruise on over to the Woodtick Musical Theater at the junction of Highways 34 & 64 in downtown Akeley (roughly a 40-mile drive). Enjoy two lively hours of country, gospel and bluegrass music and comedy routines. Mid-Jun through mid-Sep, W–Sa. Fee charged. Call 800-644-6892 for reservations or 218-652-4200 for information, or visit www.woodtick-theater.com.

      Return to the Twin Cities via the Great River Road as it follows the Mississippi River between Itasca State Park and Little Falls. Travel the 200 miles through Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Aitkin and Brainerd. Watch for signs. NOTE: With all of the thick hardwood forests, the Great River Road is also a designated route for viewing fall color.

      OPTION

      If you have the time, head north of Itasca State Park to Bemidji. Have your picture taken next to huge statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, or any of the many sculptures along the waterfront. • Lake Bemidji State Park is 5 miles north of town on County 21, then 2 miles east on Highway 20, and worth your trip. You’ll find naturalist programs, a boardwalk through a bog with insect-eating pitcher plants, miles of wooded trails and a swimming beach. The Showy Lady’s Slipper (Minnesota’s state flower) is in bloom from early June to early July. • The 32-mile Scenic Byway County 39 runs between Blackduck and Cass Lake. Star Island (accessible by boat only) sits smack-dab in the middle of Cass Lake. The nearly 1,200-acre island is a mecca for Bald Eagles and boasts its own 195-acre lake, Lake Windigo—forming “a lake within an island within a lake.” Say what?

4 Rock Climb & Sea Kayak

      The University of Minnesota Duluth; 218-726-7128; www.umdrsop.org. Duluth is approximately 150 miles north of the Twin Cities on I-35. The actual site of the trips varies, so call ahead for locations.

      Have you always wanted to learn how to kayak or rock climb? The University of Minnesota Duluth offers several options for learning these skills, including safety and rescue clinics. Take an introductory course at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, kayaking the open waters of Lake Superior, or paddle next to anchored ocean freighters on Duluth Waterfront Tours. Rock climb on the North Shore and enjoy nature’s beauty. Half- or full-day courses. Once you’ve mastered the courses, sign up for the University’s adventure trips. There are several to choose from throughout the summer and they change from year to year. Skill level of trips varies from beginner to intermediate. Call or visit the University’s website for schedule and pricing. A couple examples:

      Mountain bike and rock climb in the Moab desert. Cycle through sandstone landscapes and stand on ancient rock spires.

      Alpine climb in Rocky Mountain National Park. Attempt to take the summit at 14,225 feet.

5 Room to Roam Farm Vacations

      Room to Roam, W656 Veraguth Drive, Fountain City, WI; 608-687-8575. Approximately 120 miles southeast of the Twin Cities.

      As a guest at the Room to Roam, a registered Holstein dairy farm, you gather fresh eggs and feed the cows—all before breakfast! Afterward, watch farmer Jess work up the fields, bale some hay or harvest the crops. Learn what it’s like to be a farmer in this challenging global economy or just pet the animals and enjoy the peace and quiet.

      The furnished 3-bedroom, century-old, two-story farmhouse sits high on the bluffs overlooking the mighty Mississippi River. You’ll have your own big maple tree in the front yard and a garden ripe for the picking in the back. There’s a volleyball setup, Schwan’s vanilla ice cream in the freezer, a firepit with a supply of wood, hayrides and plenty of time for eagle watching (so bring your binoculars). Rent by the night, weekend, week or longer. The house sleeps eight comfortably.

      NOTE: This is not a bed and breakfast. You are responsible for your own meals. The farmhouse is separate from the owners’ house.