More than a century ago, an Alexandria area farmer pulled a slab of stone carved with mysterious characters from the tangled roots of an aspen tree. To this day, the Kensington Runestone is held by some as evidence that Vikings visited the Alexandria area in 1362, as the writing on the stone contends. They probably came for the fishing.

While academics still argue about the authenticity of the runestone, nobody argues about the fishing. Countless fine fishing lakes dot the Alexandria area, ringed by dozens of resorts catering to anglers and other lovers of outdoor fun. Fall offers some of the most productive fishing of the year, for walleye, northern, panfish, largemouth bass and more. Lake Osakis has been one of the state's more popular fishing lakes for decades, rivaled by lakes such as Ida, Minnewaska, Miltona, Mary, Pelican, and Carlos.

The area's hilly forests offer spectacular fall color viewing in September and October, dominated by maple, oak, aspen and other colorful hardwoods, with occasional stretches of prairie and pine. One of the best places to admire the color is Inspiration Peak, northeast of Alexandria, one of the highest points in this quarter of the state. After a 10-minute walk from the parking area, visitors are treated to a vista of brilliant foliage and lakes for 20 miles in every direction.

Another good fall color spot is Lake Carlos State Park, with several trails through forests and past wetlands and the clear waters of Lake Carlos. The park also offers campgrounds and a boat launch for anglers in this excellent fishing lake.

In town, visitors to the Runestone Museum are welcomed by Big Ole, a Viking statue proclaiming "Alexandria, Birthplace of America," originally built for the 1965 World's Fair in New York. Inside is a video telling the history of the runestone. There are also displays on the area's American Indian heritage, early settlers, and wildlife. The star of the show, of course, is the Kensington Runestone itself. Whether the runestone is genuine or not, the mystery is compelling, and recent geological examinations have touched off a new round of controversy.

Adjoining the museum is Fort Alexandria, a replica of the original 1862 stockade, including an authentic 1860s log cabin, a school from the late 1800s, and a smoke house from the 1870s. Replica buildings include a general store, blacksmith shop, and church.

Carlos Creek Winery, Minnesota's largest vineyard, hosts a Food and Wine Festival Sept. 10-12, with grape-stomping competitions, live music and entertainment, tours of the winery, an 8,000-tree apple orchard, and purebred Arabian horse stables.

###

Media Contact: C-J Johnson +1 651-297-3488 curt.johnson@state.mn.us