Reasons We are Thankful for Otter Tail County
Story By Jenna Kvidt, photos by Micah Kvidt
The Thanksgiving season is upon us, and we’ve been reflecting on some of the many reasons we are thankful for Otter Tail County, especially this year. 2020 has brought many unexpected changes for everyone, us included. But through it all, we are grateful that we’ve been able to spend most of this year at our family home in Otter Tail County.
Even though we live in the heart of St. Paul, we love having a place to go to escape the noise of the city. Otter Tail County provides so many wonderful opportunities to explore nature, enjoy wide open spaces, and soak up a slower pace of life. These reasons, along with others, are why we are grateful for Otter Tail County. It’s a fantastic place to go for both short and long visits alike. Read on to learn more:
Wide Open Spaces
Spending a substantial quantity of time in Otter Tail County has meant that we have access to a vast area of wide-open space outdoors. it’s been great to easily roam outside while social distancing from others, rather than being stuck in our apartment in the cities. We’ve spent lots of time enjoying walks around our neighborhood, in state parks, and on trails throughout the county. The fresh air, space to get outside, and lack of crowds, have been so good for our souls.
An Abundance of Lakes
Minnesota is known for its large number of lakes, and Otter Tail County has over 1,000 of those lakes within its borders. In fact, the county has more lakes than any other county in the US. That’s a pretty cool feat if we must say so!
That being said, having access to so many lakes is something we never take for granted. No matter the season, there’s always something fun to do on the lake. Whether it’s jet skiing, swimming, fishing, and kayaking in the summer, or ice skating and ice fishing in the winter, the lakes always offer plenty excitement. We love spending time in Otter Tail County exploring both our favorite lakes and ones we have yet to visit. It would take a lifetime to properly explore them all, but we sure are trying!
Slower Pace of Life
Another nice aspect of spending more time in Otter Tail County this year has been the ability to soak up a slower pace of life. We have enjoyed less traffic, shorter lines, and fewer crowds, which makes it easier to go with the flow and see what the day brings rather than rushing to react to the hectic pace of others. With less distraction on the outside, we’ve been able to spend more time focusing on work, self-care, and family relationships.
Spending Time with Family and Friendly Locals
Being in close proximity to our small circle of family has really helped us through this year and has been a welcome treat. We’ve spent quality time playing games, putting together puzzles, having long chats by the fire, and enjoying each other’s company. But, regardless of the fact that we have family in the area, the people in Otter Tail County are top notch. It’s always nice to see smiling faces of friendly locals (which are currently behind masks and staying socially distant!) everywhere we go. There’s something special about this area, and the people are definitely part of that.
Ample Opportunities for Outdoor Adventures
If you know us (or have read any of our past posts), you might know that we seek out any opportunity for an outdoor adventure. Luckily, Otter Tail County has plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. This year alone, we went boating on 6 different lakes, kayaking on 8 lakes and 2 rivers, biking on 5 trails, and hiking on over 15 different trails, all while being mindful and social distancing from others. And we haven’t even made a dent in all of the opportunities available! Other options in the area include golfing, water-sports, fishing (both in the winter and summer), and Nordic skiing, to name a few.
Wide Range of Arts and Culture
It might seem like small town life could be lacking in art and culture, but Otter Tail County has so much to offer in this realm, as well. There’s an unending trail of shops throughout all the area towns where you can find locally crafted goods and foods. Several museums and historic sites, including the New York Mills Cultural Center, Otter Tail County Historical Society, and Prospect House and Civil War Museum, to name a few, provide history buffs and life-long learners with something to engage their brains.
River Walk – Fergus Falls, MN Prospect House – Battle Lake, MN
And, public art is everywhere you look—from the pelican statues in Pelican Rapids, to the murals along the Riverwalk in Fergus Falls, to the sculptures at the Nyberg Sculpture Park, and everywhere in between. You can also find plenty of giant town “mascot” sculptures in the form of quirky roadside attractions.
Disgruntled Brewing – Perham, MN 
Nyberg Sculpture Park – Vining, MN
Just because the towns in Otter Tail County are relatively small, it doesn’t mean they don’t have fantastic restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries. Because they certainly do! Some of our favorite restaurants are Mabel Murphy’s, Spanky’s Stone Hearth, Taqueria Escobar, The Cornfield Cafe, Muddy Moose, Rusty Nail, Shoreline, Brew Ale and Eats, Gathering Grounds, Fabled Farmer, and the list could go on. We’ve ordered plenty of takeout this year, and it’s been fun to try out so many new (to us) spots! There are also plenty of great breweries in the area, as well. We have spent a few nice afternoons relaxing on the patios at Disgruntled Brewing and Upstate Brewing Company. There are lots of wonderful shops for coffee and treats, too. We love Sunroom, The Nest, Uncle Eddie’s, Otter Coffee and Ice Cream, Smackin’ Cakes, and so many more. In other words, there’s no shortage of delicious spots to fill your belly!
All of the above are just some of the reasons we are grateful for Otter Tail County. This area was a wonderful place to grow up, and as time goes on, we appreciate it more and more every day!
