Brainerd Lakes 2008 Relocation Guide - (Page 42) RECREATION Day Tripping Exploring the Lakes Area’s hidden gems Go ahead, be adventurous. Take a day and do something completely different. Ride a horse, try crosscountry skis, explore a part of the Lakes Area you’ve never seen. We have lots of hidden natural gems here, and they’re beckoning just beyond your doorstep. We specialize in “soft adventures,” the coming trend in tourism. You decide on the activity and everything is planned and provided for you. The equipment, including all safety gear, is ready and waiting when you arrive at your destination. Trained personnel teach you the basics, and off you go. The best part is, you don’t need any expertise to participate, since the activity is geared to your ability. You also don’t need to invest in all the necessary equipment, or haul your own along with you, because it’s all provided for you right here. Knowledgeable guides will come along, too, and large or small groups can be accommodated with ease. So, to plan your business or family endeavors, read on. Biking is one of the most popular ways to “get off the beaten path,” and a site that is becoming more and more popular is the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area (CCSRA) with its incredible mine pit lakes. The Cuyuna Lakes State Trail winds through the area, providing bikers and inline skaters People love to explore the clear, deep mine pit lakes in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. with 5.2 miles of paved, scenic, easily-accessible pathway. “It runs right along the mine lakes,” says Jenny Smith, owner of Cycle Path & Paddle, a recreational rental business. “It’s not strenuous and it’s not just a straight rail trail. There are benches along the way where you can rest and enjoy the scenic views. “People are fascinated by the mine lakes. The water clarity is down to 40 feet, so they can look down and see the trees and rock structures.” Some of her favorite sites include an old elevator shaft that predates that mine’s open-pit days, and a shallow strip that used to be a road between two steep, deep mines. Smith is very knowledgeable of the CCSRA. For more than three years, her Crosby business has rented bikes, inline skates, canoes, and kayaks to people interested in exploring there. She provides guided tours and delivers the equipment right to the area, so, while people are enjoying the outdoors, they can experience the area’s history and culture as well. She also outfits groups that paddle the Pine, Crow Wing, and Mississippi rivers, providing delivery and pick-up services at the beginning and end of the trips. And her new store in Pequot Lakes is located near the Paul CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 42 Brainerd Lakes Area Business & Relocation Guide
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