Mille Lacs Lake

After enjoying an extended visit with family, we set our sights on new territory. Our first stop was along the shores of Mille Lacs Lake, at Father Hennepin State Park in Isle, MN. The position of one tree made backing in a little tight, but once parked we had plenty of room. Beside us were the most pleasant neighbors, Dave and Theresa. We enjoyed chatting with them and listening to how our varied paths led us to this tranquil Minnesota State Park.

After settling in, a short walk on one of the many trails in the park led to the lakeshore where you could sit and watch the colorful sunset views reflecting across the water. A deer was enjoying an evening meal along the path, not afraid of human presence. She saw that I was no harm, and went back to her grazing.

An evening of traversing around the lake and we were impressed at how immense the lake really is: you can not see the other side in many places. We reflected upon a historic marker designating the location of the great Sioux village of Izatys that was built on the shores of Mille Lacs Lake. Nothing remains, but reading the marker fills you with wonder about what the village and people were like. It was interesting to see some of the blended traditions of Native Americans demonstrated just down the road in the local cemetery. Small hand-made houses are found atop many of the graves, this is done so the person’s spirit always has a home.

Going further along the way we were surprised to see a whimsical little shed for sale whose shape would make any fairy tale character proud to call it their home. Coincidently, we saw an abandoned broom a few moments later aside the road.

As we continued, we came across the larger than life statue of Wally Walleye as we stopped to get get pictures from the Garrison Concourse Park along the lake. His bright, golden colored scales glowed in the late day sun. The concourse was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930’s and was intended to be large in scale to match the lake.

We were torn as to whether we should stay and enjoy the view from the concourse or rush forward. But not knowing how long it might take to get around the lake, and not wanting to miss the setting of the sun, we proceeded to a scenic overlook on the east side. From there we could admire the delightful yellows, blues, and oranges of another peaceful sunset. The quiet of the evening was broken only by a family of ducks swimming by and a fisherman returning his boat to shore.

Already having a state park pass, we dedicated a day to nearby Mille Lacs Kathio State Park . Make sure you use plenty of bug repellant, since the voracious mosquitos will quickly feast upon those that invade their territory, as we found out while hurrying along the trails. The area where the park is now located is rich in history. Several permanent Native American villages were once dotted here along the shores of Lake Ogechie, where they would harvest the wild rice that grows naturally in Lake Ogechie and Mille Lacs Lake. You can hike to some of the village sites, and walking among them, a sense of the people and village life back then comes over you, especially the gathering and processing of wild rice at the edge of the lake.

In another throw back to yesteryear, when human eyes were needed in the treetops to scout for fire danger, the park has an old fire tower. You can get a feel for what a forest ranger would have gone through by climbing to the top of the stairs, if your lungs, heart, and legs cooperate. From up there sweeping views of the lake and surrounding area are usually found, but unfortunately on this particular day, the smoke from northern wildfires made it hard to see very far. The climb was a good workout anyway, and pleasantly there were no mosquitos at the top.

Springtime in the woods brings the added bonus of wildflowers on the forest floor. Remember to take the time to stop along the path and admire their show, as we did.

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