Big Splash Water Park, Arrowwood

Bowl a game 42 Grab your friends, head for a local bowling alley and bowl a game or two. You can even try your hand at some fun games in the local arcade.

Get a tattoo 43 You know you’ve been wanting one. Why not get it done? Call up a local professional and schedule your appointment.

Enjoy the state park – by daylight or candlelight 44 Sculpted by ancient glaciers, the 1,231- acre Lake Carlos State Park is a perfect setting for camping, hiking, swimming, canoeing and exploring all nature has to offer. In winter, cross country ski, walk, hike or snowshoe on trails illuminated by candles, then warm up around a toasty fire.

Visit a petting zoo 45 Meet all kinds of interesting animals – pygmy goats, sheep, miniature horses, llamas, potbelly pigs, as well as some feathered friends – ducks, chickens, geese, peacocks, pheasants, pigeons and doves. You find all this variety at the next best thing to Grandpa’s farm – a petting zoo.

Try geocaching 46 Geocaching involves hunting for a hidden object with the use of GPS coordinates. It’s a high-tech treasure hunt in the great outdoors! There are opportunities to join the fun locally.

Learn to scuba dive! 47 Douglas County lakes are good for more than just fishing. They also offer a great opportunity for those looking to explore what’s below the surface. The Alexandria area has instructors who offer courses for those looking to become scuba certified.

Cast off in a fishing tournament 48 Many local tournaments and some fishing tours from all over the country offer a chance to compete for fun and prizes against other competitive anglers, on the water or on the ice!

Head out for ice cream 49 Have a weakness for ice cream? Not to worry. Douglas County is rich with places to indulge that craving for ice cream, smoothies, frozen custard and other cool summer-time treats.

Attend a summer festival 50 Most of the communities in Douglas County celebrate summer with an annual festival. Attend one or all for good food, fun parades, sporting events, creative displays and some old-fashioned fun.

How about a round of mini-golf? 51 Local amusement parks include minigolf, a fun pastime for any age. As long as you’re there, how about giving the go-karts and bumper boats a try?

Sip some wine 52 There are a variety of local establishments that offer wine tasting opportunities. Test out the different flavors and find the perfect fit for you!

Fly high on the lakes 53 Want an exciting new experience? How about trying a water Jet Pack? You can propel yourself up to 30 feet in the air with this system, then hover over the lake as you fly without wings.

Learn at the terrace garden 54 Check out the Terrace Learning Garden by the Douglas County Services Center. This garden is a labor of love, created and maintained by the Douglas County Master Gardeners.

Attend a vintage car show 55 For decades, vintage car shows have been held in Alexandria and Osakis, drawing car lovers from hundreds of miles.

Make a splash at a water park 56 If you’ve got water fun on your mind but the weather won’t cooperate, don’t despair! Tons of fun awaits you at the local water park. 101 Things Things to Do • 2020 9

Firepit Foods 57 It’s always great to sit around the firepit or campfire, and it’s even more fun to fix up some fun foods. Why not give these recipes a try next time you gather around the fire for a fun evening with friends and family.

CAMPFIRE DONUTS

INGREDIENTS: Cast iron pan Vegetable oil Biscuit dough Cinnamon sugar mixture

DIRECTIONS:

Place cast iron pan on a grate over a fire. Fill pan 1/3 full with vegetable oil and heated until surface is shimmery. Test with a small piece of dough – it it starts to float and brown, the oil is ready. If it sinks, the oil’s not ready. If it burns, the oil is too hot. Move the pan a little more away from the direct fire.

Poke a hole in each biscuit to create a donut shape. Add biscuit to oil and cook until the bottom is browned, then flip and cook until that side is browned.

Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Serve immediately.

CAMPFIRE CINNAMON ROLL-UPS

INGREDIENTS: 1 package of crescent rolls 1/4 cup sugar 1 Tbsp. cinnamon

DIRECTIONS: Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.

Separate crescent rolls and wrap them around a skewer. Roll in sugar mixture.

Cook over campfire for 5 minutes, rotating frequently.

FOIL BREAKFAST BURRITOS

INGREDIENTS: 4 large flour tortillas 1/2 pound chorizo sausage 6 large eggs Salt and pepper, to taste 4 cups cooked hash browns or skillet potatoes 4 slices Monterey Jack or provolone cheese

DIRECTIONS:

In large skillet, brown chorizo. Drain on paper towel-lined plate.

Scramble eggs in skillet; add salt and pepper, to taste.

Heat tortillas and place each one on a large square of aluminum foil. Top with cheese, chorizo, eggs and hash browns. Roll up tightly and enclose in aluminum foil.

Store in refrigerator or cooler until ready to use. Can also be frozen.

Re-heat burrito, wrapped in foil, on the campfire or grill until contents are heat through. Serve with salsa.

S’MORES FIREPIT PIES

INGREDIENTS: Non-stick spray or oil for pie irons 8 slices cinnamon swirl bread 4 graham cracker squares, crushed into large crumbs 1/2 cup chocolate chips 1 cup mini marshmallows Pie irons

DIRECTIONS: Lightly grease pie iron with oil or non-stick spray.

Place one slice of bread in one half of the pie iron. Sprinkle with one-fourth of the graham cracker crumbs, 2 Tbsp. chocolate chips and 1/4 cup marshmallows.

Place another slice of bread over the marshmallows and close the pie iron. Trim off excess bread.

Cook pies over fire for 1 minute, flip and cook for an additional minute on the other side. Slowly open pie iron to keep from breaking the pie apart and remove pie.

Makes 4 pies.

CAMPFIRE PIZZA ROLL

INGREDIENTS: Canned pizza dough Pizza sauce Mozzerella cheese Favorite toppings (pepperoni, onions, sausage, etc.) Dried Italian seasoning, salt, pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Roll pizza dough to form a rectangle. Spread pizza sauce over top.

Top with cheese, additional toppings and seasonings.

Roll up to form a log and tuck in the edges. Wrap in thick foil. Freeze until ready for use. Thaw until nearly thawed.

Placed pizza log, still in foil, on hot grill or fire pit. Cook for about 15 minutes, flip and cook additional 10-15 minutes. Slice and serve.