Tour of 10,000 Lakes: 
Destination Onamia
by Megan Rinerson, WJON.com

ONAMIA -- Gas prices have fallen, but staying closer to home to vacation is still not a bad idea especially since the summer will be over before we know it.

Every week this summer the WJON newsroom is taking you on a "Tour of 10,000 Lakes", Today on our weekly "Tour of 10,000 Lakes", we'll stay in Central Minnesota and visit Onamia in Mille Lacs County.

  Mille Lacs County is known as the fishing capital of the Central Minnesota, but that isn't the only thing to do.

However, if fishing isyour thing, you can fish for Walleye with Ivan's Guide service on Lake Mille Lacs. 

Or, if you like animals you can join Ivan's wife with a guided farm tour.

Ruth Barandt is the owner and guide at the Rolling Hills Arabians and Farm Tours. She says she has a lot of animals to see on her farm. Barandt says she'll also take you on a trail ride with one of her rare black Arabian horses.

If you would like take a tour you do need to set up an appointment by calling Barandt at 320-532-3261.

You also won't have to go far to find a campsite that has activities galore.

Jim Cummings is the Park Naturalist at the Kathio State Park. He says they offer many guided tours including archeological and bird tours at the park. But, he says there is a lot to do and see on your own as well.

You can also bike along the Mille Lacs Soo Line Trail, which is 11 miles and extends from the Kathio State Park in Onamia to the Hennepin State Park in Isle. You can also ride ATV's from the Soo line trail and ride over 110 miles to Superior, WI.

If you would like to learn about the Indian culture of Mille Lacs County, you can visit the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and trading post.

Travis Zimmerman is the Site manager at the museum. He says you can learn everything from how the Ojibwa or Chippewa Indians lived in the past to how they live now.

Next week we'll head even farther north to the International Falls area.

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