Hey Alexandria, you're in the spotlight, again

Here's what they're saying about Alexandria in today's paper

By Berit Thorkelson, Special to the Star Tribune
We were looking for that typical Minnesota Lake Country experience. The lake cabin, the empty schedule and enough attractions to surprise us should we stray from resort grounds. Alexandria, one of our state's prime lake areas, seemed a sure bet. It was. There's a bike trail, lots of golf courses, a winery and just enough going on in Alex to keep my husband and me occupied for the better part of a drizzly day. Most important, varied resorts edge a cluster of clear, lovely lakes, always the main event.
Why go now
You won't regret carving out time to savor the last vestiges of fall, before winter takes hold. The Alexandria area, with its rolling hills and lakes formed by glaciers, is one of the prettiest places to do it.
What to do
Fish, boat, or otherwise enjoy the myriad lakes. Do the barbecue-and-bonfire thing at night and get in some quality stargazing. You might even catch some Northern Lights if you're lucky. Golf is a pretty big deal here, too. There are about a dozen courses in the area.
Put on the brakes
When your main goal is to slow down, just tooling around on area back roads is an attraction. Antique stores and cafes let you get out and stretch your legs, and Inspiration Peak, one of the state's highest places, holds a couple of short-but-steep hikes to a view author Sinclair Lewis held dear. Before you head out, pick up a handy (and free) Chamber of Commerce map at the office in the Runestone Museum building downtown.
Best souvenir
There's the clear head that comes from technology-free time in the great outdoors. If you'd rather try something with longevity, buy hnefatafl, a chesslike board game along the lines of what the vikings played hundreds of years ago, at the Runestone Museum's gift shop for $12.99. It's good for rainy days or family bonding nights in your cabin. The Runestone Museum (1-320-763-3160) houses, among other things, the Kensington Runestone, found in 1898. Some call it proof the vikings made it to Minnesota. Others call it a hoax.
Great grapes
An impressive representation of Minnesota's expanding wine industry is Carlos Creek Winery , a complex of 200-plus acres that contains grapevines, an apple orchard and Arabian horse stables. Tastings from the lengthy wine list are free. So are the behind-the-scenes tours, which include samples straight from the barrel -- a rarity in winery tours (1-320-846-5443; www.carloscreek winery.com).
Looking ahead
We visited the Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum's (1-320-759-1114) new building in downtown Alexandria before it closed for the season. There were impressive vintage boats, local resort history and examples of early lakes-area marketing efforts touting Minnesota's smooth roads and healthy breezes. After a winter of perfecting the displays, the museum will reopen in spring (probably May 1, but call ahead to make sure).
Geography lesson
Ancient glaciers created hills and lakes, where prairie and forest mingle.
Weather watch
The Alexandria Lakes Area tends to be a tad cooler than the Twin Cities, a good excuse to bring hot chocolate mix along.
Checking in
Alexandria's big full-service facility, Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center (1-866-386-5263; www.arrowwoodresort.com), is a hotel-like complex, with some new townhouse units. Amenities include stables, indoor tennis, spa, water park, executive putting course and 18-hole golf course (it's being upgraded to championship holes, scheduled to be ready in spring).
There are plenty of smaller mom-and-pops sprinkled around the lakes. The Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (see "Traveler's info" below) has a great directory that also lets you check availability. (This feature is not always completely up to date, but is a good starting point.) Ask the resort owner lots of questions. Is your cabin on the water? When was it last updated? Does it have a phone? A TV? A fireplace? Is the resort quiet? Kid-friendly? Does it have boat rentals? An on-site store or restaurant? A little investigative work upfront ensures your vacation expectations are met.
Dining out
Plenty of restaurants in and near Alexandria are just fine. One standout is Weston Station (1-320-763-6677; www.westonstation.com), a popular local dinner spot for half a century that's housed, in part, in a 1950s Great Northern dining car. The pasta's homemade, the steaks are aged and charcoal grilled, and Big Band music plays in the background. Reservations are recommended. Specify a table in the dining car.
Traveler's info
Contact the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-235-9441 or www. alexandriamn.org.
Berit Thorkelson is a freelance writer based in St. Paul.