We were spending 5 days in Detroit Lakes to visit some friends/relatives. I had to trust Kathy on the “relative” aspect as I would have needed a flow chart to follow the relationships. Turns out they were visiting relatives too, and they lived right on Little Detroit Lake year round. (I cannot imagine what it would be like to live on a large lake in northern Minnesota in the winter)
The funniest thing occurred, our campground was maybe a mile from their house. Not sure how we did that as I did not know where they were in Detroit Lakes when I made the reservation.
Detroit Lakes is a nice little town with lots of railroad tracks and lots of long trains on them. We all went to breakfast the first morning at a small cafe in the heart of downtown. Wheat or white toast. Geez, the Midwest. Where’s my sourdough or even rye bread? The food was good, but don’t ask for Chulula sauce, just received a blank stare. The best part was at the end of the meal we tried to pay the bill with our credit cards. They didn’t take cards, just cash. the Midwest strikes again. Between the 4 of us, we scrounged up enough to be allowed to leave without doing the dishes… Off to the ATM.
Afterward we toured the lakes and Kathy wanted to see the turkey farm Jacki’s family grew up on, so we headed out there. The farmhouse, barn and a few outbuildings were still there, but the rest of the farm was sold to a large corporation. Not sure what they are doing over there. A funny thing happened as we drove up the driveway and around to the back of the house, there was a woman and a young child sitting there and she waved to us to come in, she said she had been expecting us. I started thinking I was in a Twilight Zone episode. We were all wondering why she was expecting us.. It was just a bit odd to me. (turns out she was actually expecting a real estate agent, as they are selling the property)
Jacki gave us the grand tour of the area: the cabin she and John owned with her parents, schools they went to, where friends lived, and just a beautiful drive around the lake and the town. We ended the day with hors d’oeuvres and beers at the Longbridge Grill, overlooking the lake in the afternoon. Left as it was about to rain.
Tuesday started late, delicious albondigas soup by Jacki at the house, then Dairy Queen. Haven’t been there in ages!!
Wednesday, we all piled in the car with the dogs and drove to Park Rapids, a cute little town about an hour east of Detroit Lakes. Spent a couple hours strolling through the shops with a stop for John to get a haircut! We never did find the rapids!
When we got back, we enjoyed burgers and beer at the Shorewood Pub on Lake Street. Great burgers!! Then after a break for a rest, we got together and went to the movies: War of the Planet of the Apes. Fun to go to the movies, which we hardly ever do, but it was a sad one 🙁
Thursday Jacki invited us over for relaxing at their beautiful backyard on the lake and a wonderful salmon dinner. Her cousins were there and some other friends came over. It was so nice to see Jacki and John for a longer visit. Crazy that we met up about 2,000 miles from San Diego!!!!! Who would have thought that?!