CAA Manitoba Spring 2016 | Page 59

Save 10% at The Lodge on Lake Detroit, a Best Western Premier resort Waterfront at The Lodge on Lake Detroit GETAWAY Escape to Detroit Lakes Where recreation and relaxation come in equal measure BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL BY SHEL ZOLKEWICH TELL PEOPLE YOU’RE HEADED to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and you’re likely to be met with a raised eyebrow or two. “I think you mean Michigan,” a friend might chide. But the North Star state is indeed home to Detroit Lakes, a scenic spot more than 1,400 kilometres from the better-known metropolis that partially shares its name. So what’s the connection? Back in 1871, the Northern Pacific Railway blasted through the Minnesota wilderness and a community was born. At first, the settlement was simply called Detroit, so named by a French Catholic priest who was camping on the shoreline, admiring his view of a sandbar in the distance. “Détroit,” he said, referring, en français, to a strait—a narrow, crossable passage. Before long, postal mixups with Detroit, Michigan became intolerable, and in 1926, the Minnesota town’s residents formally added “Lakes” to its name. The change made sense— after all, the town is huddled along the north shore of Detroit Lake. Today, Detroit Lakes is a picturesque resort community about 400 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg. Its curving West Lake Drive separates a public beach and marina from shops and restaurants with sprawling patios. It’s an outdoorsy kind of place where you can fish, cruise in a pontoon boat or spread a blanket on the sand and wait for a spectacular sunset. Active Escapes If you prefer a more lively getaway, hop on a fat-tire bike and head for Detroit Mountain. Just don’t expect your ride to be a walk in the park. None of the trails are easy; they all require a certain degree of bike control and physical endurance. But there’s a serious rush to be had in tackling the creatively named tracks—Shakedown Street and More Cowbell among them. In winter, serious downhill skiers won’t be disappointed by runs like CAA MANITOBA SPRING 2016 59