PEQUOT LAKES. That central Minnesota town name rolls off my tongue in a poetic way that pleases me. Pequot Lakes.
Kids walk home from school in Pequot Lakes on a mid-September afternoon.
A short vacation in mid-September 2017 took Randy and me to this community of some 2,000 in the Brainerd Lakes area, a popular summer vacation and weekend destination spot. On the day of our end-of-the-season visit, few people were in Pequot Lakes. I prefer the quiet of an uncrowded location with no hurry, no schedule.
I knew even before we drove into town that I wanted to photograph the unique bobber-shaped water tower that marks the community as a fishing destination. I’ve previously photographed the tower and the Babe the Blue Ox sculpture in Bobber Park.
After finishing that shoot, we poked around town, ducking into Thurlow Hardware and Rental complete with trophy head mounts. While I’m not one who likes suspended dead animal heads, I recognize this as part of the hunting culture. Plus, the trophies make for a memorable visual characterizing Thurlow.
We ended our late Thursday afternoon visit with a quick tour through the Jack Pine Center mini mall.
Art details on the Babe the Blue Ox sculpture.
It was a slow day in Pequot Lakes. Just like some days on the lake, when the bobber floats and the fish don’t bite.
FYI: Please check back for more photos from Thurlow Hardware.
© Copyright 2017 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Oh my…delightful.
Loved all the photo and writing detail Audrey.
Thank you, dear Becky.
Little getaways to places like this are the best because you discover really great things. Thanks for sharing —especially Babe the Blue Ox. One of my favorites.
There are numerous Babes and Paul Bunyans in this region of Minnesota. Always fun to see.
i enjoyed your reminiscing about a small town up north and sent the link to Cathy who just opened a new consignment store in Pequot called Timeless Appeal so she could share with other town business owners. Have a great day!. .
Thank you for passing along my post.
You know the city by their iconic water tower and of course Paul Bunyan and Babe and Loons. Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
I love when a community distinguishes itself in a unique way as Pequot Lakes does.
I love traveling along with you! 🙂 Nice piece, Audrey.
Thank you. I’m digging into my photo archives to post images I’ve taken but never got around to showing my readers. Since I can’t take photos now due to the broken wrist, this seems a good time to show you some of the other places I’ve traveled.
Such a relaxing post and, I agree Pequot Lakes is fun to say. Have a great day!
Thank you, Bernadette, from one fan of words to another.
Fun to see your photos from this great “up north” town.
Thank you. I’ll be pulling out more pix from past trips since I can’t currently use my camera. 😦
Nisswa and Cross Lake are also fun towns to explore if you’re ever in the area again!
I visited Nisswa during this same vacation last September and posted about it.
https://mnprairieroots.com/2017/11/09/up-north-in-nisswa/
https://mnprairieroots.com/2017/11/13/the-story-of-babe-the-blue-ox-in-nisswa/
That is an interesting shaped water tower. I love Babe the Ox! This Main Street is so well up kept. What a cute place to visit
Unique for sure. I love artsy stuff like this that makes me remember a community.