JourneyEtc

Chelan, Washington by Lake Chelan

Lake Chelan is a 50 mile lake located in Washington. Its glacier-fed waters are perfect for swimming, kayaking, windsurfing and fishing which is why the adventurous hike off there. On the shores of the Lake Chelan, lies Stillwater Inn. The inn is ideal for those who want lodgings that feel like they are home away from home. The staff at Stillwater offer the best breakfasts which include fruits and pastries. The town of Chelan also boasts of treasure like the Ruby Theatre. This facility serves as a gathering place for Chelan locals and as a venue for hosting presentations. Go to the harbor and ride the ferry to see the sites that the lake is hiding like the cliffs of the North Cascades towering over the waters. Midway across the trip, the ferry will stop at a little town of 95 people called Stehekin. You can savor the locally grown food like their vegetables as well as their dairy just fresh off the livestock. Enjoy their yogurt and the goat cheese while you picnic along the banks of Chelan.
Grand Marais, Minnesota by Lake Superior

Start your trip of Lake Superior at Grand Marais in Minnesota. The town sits on the part of the lake called Boundary Waters. Boundary Waters is a group of interconnected lakes which offer the adventurous 1,500 miles worth of canoeing. Sport fishers who are thirsting for a little salmon and some trout will find that Lake Superior offers these games in abundance after being repopulated by the local authorities. Before casting off your journey to trade civilization for the solitude of the wilderness, enjoy the doughnuts at the World’s Best Donuts. With a name like the place is worth giving a chance. If you have a night to spare, try eating dinner at the Angry Trout which serves freshly caught fish.

Dillon, Colorado by Lake Dillon

If you want a lake experience in Colorado after some skiing in Keystone, Breckenridge and Copper Mountain, Lake Dillon is the place to go. Go to the Dillon Marina and view the regattas or rent a boat. Guides also take hikers during Saturdays around the lush environment near the lake. Kids can also enjoy these guided walks for some serious wildflower viewing. During the night time venture into the Tiki Bar where people sip rum runners on the island-themed bar. Rum Runners is the marquee drink of the Tiki Bar but people can only be served a maximum of two rounds of the spirit. The rum runner kicks hard. An afternoon stroll into the farmers market on a Friday guarantees that a find as a hundred sellers set up stall. Musicians provide folk-rock accompaniments to the bustling market scene. You can challenge some locals to a round of bowling in the Lakeside Bowl.  If you’re looking for a place to stay travelers recommend the Best Western Ptarmigan Lodge because of its proximity to the dock.

Forest Grove, Oregon by Hagg Lake

A  vacation in Hagg Lake means staying in Forest Grove. Forest Grove’s downtown is a throwback to the golden years of old as it is replete with classic street lamps, wine bars with staff who know what they are serving, and interesting gift shops. Places like Joe’s Ice Cream and Deli transports travelers back to their youth and rewards nostalgia with real servings of home made flavors like  black-licorice. When you have gotten your fill of the town, you can travel to Lake Hagg itself. The mountain range of Oregon is within view of Lake Hagg’s shores. The lake offers picnic spots as well as facilities for boats. There are also various hiking trails around the lake. People who love to fish will find an abundance of bass of both the largemouth and smallmouth variety as well as rainbow trout and yellow perch. The lake is also a haven for kayakers and waterskiiers. Travelers who are looking for lodgings near the lake can try the 77-room McMenamins Grand Lodge. This masonic-styled house offers a soaking pool and some movies in its Compass Room Theater.

Rangeley, Maine by Rangeley Lakes

Travelers hankering after some time alone in the wilderness, can find their escape in Maine. If you want to share some space with eagles, moose and herons, you can get a tour of Rangeley Lake with Sam-O-Set Four Seasons and Dockside Sports Center or you can simply ask the staff there to  provide you with a canoe. If you want to cruise the lakes at faster speed, they also have a speedboat for rent. Before you cast off, you can try supporting the community by visiting the shops which sell antiques and quilts. Some establishments even offer quilting classes which present opportunities for travelers to mingle with the townies. The Main Mountain Maple sugar plantation is also an interesting stop where after seeing the process of making syrup, tourists are treated a taste which they will likely never forget. For lodgings, people go to North Country Inn Bed and Breakfast which provides one of the highly recommended morning meals in this part of the country.

Leland, Michigan by Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan

What better way to go on a lake vacation but to have two lake trips in one. The town of Leland lies on a strip of land between Lake Michigan and its smaller neighbor Lake Leelanau. Because the town is largely bordered by fresh water, cars are rare in Leland. The modern day town harkens back to its roots as the small cluster of shanties that provided shelter for the town’s founders are still alive in Fishtown. Fishtown provides the downtown  experience to Leland with the shanties now housing shops and restaurants. One of the mainstays in the Fishtown scene is the Village Cheese Shanty known for its sandwich made of pretzel-bread. The Dam Candy Store supplies the locals with sweets like ice cream and cherries coated with chocolate. Travelers looking for some fine dining can go to Riverside Inn and Restaurant. This upscale yet humble establishment offers a varied array of wines. The Leland River provides a backdrop for diners.  For travelers who were able to bring vehicles, there are a lot of winemakers waiting with a sample of their products. One of these wineries is Chateau Fontaine, known for its pinot noir.

Truckee, California by Donner Lake

Along the warm waters of Donner Lake is the town of Truckee. This small town is a witness to the days of the  Old West. As proof of this, Truckee still maintains its old 1875 jail. Aside from the rich history simmering in the streets of the town, there is also an array of outdoor activities visitors can do in the lake. The current trend in water activities is stand-up paddleboarding. The artists of Truckee are likewise getting in on the action as new spaces featuring their work have opened. One of these galleries is Riverside Studios which feature art in different kinds of mediums. Carbo-loaders will love the restaurant called Jax at the Tracks. Their best meal is called All Day Addiction and is an interesting mix of avocado, hash browns, Canadian Bacon and eggs. Later in the night, travelers can wet their whistles at the Fifty Fifty Brewing Co. The signature brew is the Base Camp Golden Ale. For people who want to stay over, Loch Leven Lodge awaits.

Oakland, Maryland by Deep Creek Lake

The people of Oakland, take pride in the various establishments of their town. People hungry for some ice cream will find satisfaction in the flavors the Lakeside Creamery serves. Their peach ice cream is one of the all time favorites there. It is made only with the peaches from the nearby orchards and the freshest dairy from the local farms. Along the street as the Lakeside Creamery, travelers can find the Copper Kettle Popcorn. The popcorn stand sells a variety of flavors from the standard salty-saccharine to local flavors like Old Bay. Aside from popcorn, the store also sells fudge and chocolate-coated pretzels. People can choose to  drive there or drop by boat. People who want to see the waters can rent different kinds of freshwater craft and amusements e.g. water trampolines. Swimmers can go to Deep Creek Lake State Park. Nature lovers can avail of the guided hikes into the woods. These treks culminate in campfire conversations about the animals that live in the area. People looking for a place to stay can rent a cabin in Lodges at Sunset Village. This establishment is nestled by a forest just eight miles off Oakland. The cabins can fit as much as ten people while warming them with fireplaces.