The 2018-2019 NHL season began Wednesday and it is Reggie Jackson‘s favorite time of the year. It is also the time of year to tackle the leaves in your yard and do other things (furnace check-up, gutter cleaning, etc.) to prepare for the winter season. Ice greeted me at our office door this morning. Uff da.

There will be nice days this October and if you have some free time, there is plenty to do in and around Alexandria. Here are five suggestions for enjoying a fall day in the Alexandria Lakes Area.

1. Enjoy an afternoon bike ride on the Central Lakes Trail. Head west, pass by lakes (Cowdry, Taylor, Stony, North Union, and Brophy) with Garfield as your objective. Stop into the Garfield Pub or Firestation Bar & Grill to replenish.
2. Visit Country Blossom Farm. Tonight, with flashlight in hand you can weave your way through a corn maze and tomorrow is Pumpkin Mania
3. Hike the trails of Carlos State Park. A one day vehicle pass is $7 and an annual pass is $35. The annual pass is definitely worth it if you live anywhere near a state park.
4. Stop at the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and pick up some walking maps. The chamber has laminated maps that take you on guided routes around historic Alexandria with explanations of what you are viewing. Take a break at Nice Juicery (one block east of Broadway on Sixth Avenue) for cold pressed juice or a smoothie bowl.
5. Drive south to Glenwood mid-morning on a Saturday and visit visit Glacial Lakes State Park. Go for a walk and find plenty of content for your Instagram feed. Then, drive back to downtown Glenwood in time for lunch at historic Lakeside Ballroom. Grab a booth next to one of the large lakeside windows in the bar area. Not only will you have a nice lake view but also will have an easy view of college football games in progress one of their many mounted televisions.

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