Time in the Car A Time-Honored Tradition

Byway Bylines April, 2024

“Turning time in the car into time-honored traditions.” That phrase was used some years ago to describe traveling along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway.

Time-honored traditions are ways to bond over shared experiences. Simple traditions are more likely to stand the test of time. They don’t need to cost a lot of money; they do need to be fun. It’s as easy as that.

Tall tales can be a lot of fun. Along the Byway route there are thirteen kiosks, each with a different story about the Byway told in the Paul Bunyan tall tale style. One site has a beautiful garden surrounding the kiosk; another serves as part of the trailhead for a walking trail. See if you can find these; see if you can find all the kiosks. https://paulbunyanscenicbyway.org/explore/tour-map-paul-bunyan-scenic-byway

Parks and trails can be a lot of fun. From ball parks to quiet reflective parks to recreational parks, there’s a good fit for everyone. When you’re ready to stretch your legs, let the dog out, or get a few photos of the kids, visit your favorite. There are more than a dozen parks on or near the route. Keep your eyes peeled for seven sites that have concrete footprints from Paul Bunyan’s baby boots; his grown up boots would have been much too large! https://paulbunyanscenicbyway.org/news/paul-bunyan-footprints

Fishing can be a lot of fun. If you always have a tackle box and a rod and reel in your trunk, you’re ready for this kind of a good time. If not, watching fishing and just watching fish can be good fun too. The Crosslake Corps of Engineers Campground and Recreation Area has a fishing pier along the south side of the dam that’s often a lucky catching spot. On the other end of the Whitefish Chain, Pine River shows off with a great fishing area near their new rock riffle dam. Paul Bunyan reminds everybody, “Don’t store your fish in your pocket.” If you’re curious as to why he knows a lot about fish, maybe this story is the answer you’re looking for. https://paulbunyanscenicbyway.org/tall-tales/legend-paul-bunyans-bobber

Stories about the ‘old days’ can be a lot of fun. Someone in your car may have stories to tell, but if you’ve already heard those before, maybe you’d like to hear something new; maybe a true story from back in prohibition days about cows that escaped their fence and got drunk, or a fellow who hollowed out a hole in the ground to live and took a job collecting pine cone seeds. There’s more! They all happened along the byway. Hear them while you drive. https://paulbunyanscenicbyway.org/content/podcast-series-paul-bunyan-sce...

Is it time yet? Is it your time to turn time in the car into time-honored traditions? Take a drive along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. Enjoy every bit of it. Remember to support what you enjoy. https://paulbunyanscenicbyway.org/explore/donate-support-byway

Published Date: 
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Published By: 
Pineandlakesnews