Goin' To The Lake: WCCO Goes To McGregor (Day 1)
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Once again, the weekend is upon us, and that means WCCO is gearing up for another installment of Goin' to the Lake. This week, WCCO-TV's Liz Collin and Chris Shaffer and NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Dave Lee are visiting the McGregor area and Big Sandy Lake.
On Thursday morning, Dave talked with the WCCO This Morning team about his plans for the trip. He will be hosting a special WCCO Radio live broadcast Friday, July 10 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at McGregor's School House Café, so make sure to tune in!
Also, Liz and Chris have their road trip playlist locked and loaded. Chris's selections fixated notably on pavement, and the act of hitting thereof, whereas Liz unabashedly reveled in her love for country music. (Don't be surprised if she ends up flipping the dial to BUZ'N @ 102.9 during a few of Chris's selections.)
She also thought Chris would love taking a break from the tunes to take in the audiobook of Fifty Shades of Grey. We'll call The Weeknd's hit single from the movie's soundtrack our compromise of the week.
Check out all their selections below:
Goin' To The Lake: Liz & Chris's Road Trip Playlist
[spotify id="spotify:user:ephender:playlist:2fNnJXBp7od0vlzAX8QTdA" /]
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Big Sandy Lodge and Resort got new ownership a few years ago, and they're really making something special.
Don and Elisa are busy building town homes and making improvements to the great amenities already here.
They have a big event they have to get ready for: The Governor's Fishing Opener at Big Sandy next May. It's really a great opportunity to show off a resort and a town that not that many people have heard of.
It's just a quick two-hour drive from the cities, and it has everything that any other up-north getaway has to offer.
Chris & Liz Visit Big Sandy Lodge and Resort
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Just about everyone who heads to the cabin in Minnesota looks forward to spending some time on the water.
And in McGregor, there's a business that helps make your trip more enjoyable. Floe International is a big part of the community, started by a guy who grew up there.
In 1983, at age 19, Wayne Floe started Floe International by making a better boat lift. Then he made a better dock. And now, his prodcts are all over Big Sandy Lake and on bodies of water around the world.
What started in a lakeside garage is now an international business.
From A Lakeside Garage To An International Boating Business
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All great towns have to have great food.
Our crew stopped at McGregor bakery Thursday morning for some coffee and pastries.
Viewers told us the bakery was a can't miss. We love getting suggestions from people who spend time in the towns we visit, so keep 'em coming!
Coffee And Pastries At McGregor Bakery
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Just outside of town, there's a great attraction for nature-lovers.
Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge is home to one of the best spots in the state for waterfowl.
The 3,600 acre Rice Lake is only about two-and-a-half feet deep. That's perfect for growing wild rice, which waterfowl loves to eat in the fall.
At one point in the mid-90s, there were 1 million ducks on the lake at once.
"It's a unique treasure that's kind of tucked away in sleepy little McGregor," said Walt Ford, the refuge's manager. "Oftentimes people don't realize what's in their backyard or what they've been driving by for decades."
Ducks Flock To Rice Lake Wildlife Refuge
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On Thursday night, Chris and Liz headed to Minnesota National Golf Course, one of the premier golf courses in the state.
It has 27 holes, 330 acres and you can take a boat to get there.
Teeing Up At Minnesota National Golf Course
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Neither Chris nor Liz had ever ridden an ATV.
So on Thursday, they got an opportunity to try something new
McGregor ATV Ride
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GALLERY: WCCO Goes To McGregor & Big Sandy Lake
Here are highlights from other Goin' To The Lake trips:
— Watch the past 'Goin' To The Lake' segments.
— Watch the past 'Goin' To The (Frozen) Lake' segments.
