Goin' to the Lake: Brainerd Lakes area

It's sad when a vacation is over, but it's always fun to look back at the memories you've made. This week, WCCO has been about two hours north of the Twin Cities in Crosby. Here's a look at what Heather Brown and A.J. Hilton were up to!

The Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area has more than 50 miles of mountain bike trails spread out over 800 acres. We were told this is a must-do activity, so we reached out to Unbound Adventures to give us a lesson and tour.

They just opened a new path that's wider, less hilly, and perfect for adaptive bikes, so everyone can enjoy the trails. Ashley and Andrew also offer kayak tours and rentals.

A.J. and Heather are in Crosby Thursday, which is part of the Cuyuna Lakes Area. It includes Nisswa, Ironton, Deerwood and Emily.

Of course before there were cars, trains were an important means of transportation. They stopped at the Cuyuna Range Museum in Crosby. It's a former train station, and the tracks are still outside its doors. Inside, you'll find decades of history and artifacts -- paying homage to the city's first settlers. Many came here to work in the iron mines, a dangerous but important job in the early 1900s. 

Crosby is named after George Crosby, a mining businessman. But what does "Cuyuna" mean? Well, one of the founders of the area is Cuyler Adams, a mining surveyor. His dog, a St. Bernard, was named Una. Merge their names together, you get Cuyuna!

WCCO Weather Watcher Maxine stopped by to say hi to our Goin' to the Lake crew.

Every summer, some of the most popular races in Minnesota are also the slowest – and Nisswa is home to the most famous one!  

As far as road trips go, this one is pretty easy. Just two hours north, surrounded by beautiful scenery, you'll find yourself in Crosby. It's just outside Brainerd and Nisswa.

We're right in the heart of the Cuyuna Range, where life revolved around iron mining for nearly a century.

The city sits right along Serpent Lake. Its beautiful, crystal clear water and park are just steps away from Main Street. City lore says there's a mythical sea serpent that lives in the lake, but the only one we've seen so far is this beautiful giant serpent that sits in Crosby Memorial Park. It's 20-feet tall and is made out of styrofoam! It's name is Kahnah' Bek, which means "serpent" in Ojibwe.

Just a short drive from Serpent Lake is a thrill-seeker's oasis. The Cuyuna State Recreation Area is a cycling enthusiasts playground. The entire park, including the lakes, were made on former iron mines. There are more than 50 miles of trails to explore for everyone from beginners to world-class experts.

AJ & Heather hit the trails with a guide from Unbound Adventures, a local tour and gear rental company. The old mining pits are now filled with pristine water, perfect for kayaking, fishing, stand-up paddle-boarding and even scuba diving.

One of the biggest attractions is the Brainerd International Raceway. If you're not old enough to drive, or have the need for speed yourself, we found the perfect place to get in on the action: Northland Kart Kountry.

It's open daily from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. They also host team building events, so it's not just for kids and families.

In Crosby, there's a different type of thrill-seeking: mountain biking. But it wasn't always that way.

Crosby was founded just over a century ago, in 1910. Many European and Scandinavian immigrants came here to work in the underground mines. Their work was imperative for steel production during World War I and World War II. But demand fell by the 1980s and the mines all closed.

Then, in the mid-90s, state and local lawmakers turned those vacant mines into the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. It was filled with hiking and biking trails, giving the area an instant revitalization.

Heather and A.J. geared up and hit the bike trails Wednesday afternoon, and it certainly was an adventure. We'll show you what they learned, and what they saw on the trails -- plus all the adventures from around Crosby -- at 4, 5, 6 and 10 p.m.

Heather and A.J. made sure to make a stop in Crosby, in the Brainerd Lakes Area. About 60% of its residents are seasonal. This is historically a mining town. In fact, Crosby gets its name from a mining businessman. The mines are now closed and filled with crystal-clear water, perfect for kayaking, fishing, and even scuba diving

Prior to their trip, Heather and A.J. asked viewers to share some of their song recommendations for the trip north, and we're sharing that road trip playlist with you now.  

Click here to listen to the full playlist.