Starbuck, Minnesota celebrates Lefsa Dagen on May15th as the day during the Starbuck Centinnial in 1983 when a team of 8 men set the record for the World's Biggest Lefse !!  If you've never tried Lefse now is your chance.  Just Ridin' Inn, Bed and Breakfast and Barn serves this Norwegian staple at our European Sideboard Breakfast. Join the townfolk at the historic train depot for some lefse or the all-time favorite pudding called Rommegrot.  Other Norwegian pastries are available to tantilize you tastebuds.  Come join the fun !

Fishing Season Opens !!  The weekend of May 15th and the lakes are fully open.  The Walleye fish are expected to be hungry after their long rest after stocking and the nice early warm spring we have had.  The Fishing Opener Pancake breakfast is scheduled at the Minnewaska Lutheran Church in Starbuck beginning at 7 AM. 

In 2010: July 2nd, 3rd, 4th Plan to attend Heritage Days and celebrate with true Scandinavian spirit !  Surrounding towns contribute floats and their special event Royalty to the festive parade.  Shown here is the lovely Royal Court of Glenwood's 2009 Waterama Festival.

2010:  August 13 & 14 join in the fun of Dragon Boat Races !!  Do you want to be on a team?  Contact Gwen at 320-239-2444.  Got gray hair?  Let's get a team together to challenge the popular Bucket List team !  We can call ourselves The Silver Streakers !  We'd be a big splash for the event !

Dragon Boat racers pulling those oars hard !

Local Recreation and Attractions:

     This region abounds with recreational opportunities for equestrians, bicyclists, water sport enthusiasts, historians, golfers, bird watchers, nature lovers and antique collectors.  Check out these links for more information.

Equestrians:

      Just Ridin' Inn is located on a gravel road ideal for riding your horse or driving your rig through the pastoral countryside.  An easy short horseback ride will take you to Glacial Lakes State Park where you can amble around the 56 acre spring fed lake on 9 miles of well maintained equestrian paths, tie up to enjoy a picnic in the beautiful picnic area or rent a canoe or rowboat for a chance to hook some large mouth bass, northern pike or panfish.  For more information, Link to http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/glacial_lakes/index.html.

Bicyclists:

Just Ridin' Inn is located near hundreds of miles of scenic paths and by-ways for the cyclist. One mile from our door a cyclist can get on The Glacial Lakes Trail which then intercepts the Glacial Ridge By-Pass. This By-way is a labyrinth of 245 miles of Federal, State, County and Township roads that meanders through an area rich in scenic lakes, streams and woodlands by many sites of historic and cultural interest. The truly adventurous cyclist can ride South to Willmar and then head North by an entirely different route all the way to Paynesville and never leave the Glacial Ridge Bypass trail. Cross Interstate 94 to pick up the paved Wobegon Trail and then head Northwest to Osakis. From there the paved Central Lakes Trail begins, which is another converted Soo Line railroad bed, that will take you all the way to Fergus Falls. You can design the tour of your dreams in this region using Just Ridin' Inn, Bed and Breakfast and Barn as your hub.  We would be happy to discuss with you how we can help you discover West Central Minnesota by bicycle. Bring your own wheels or rent a Trek Comfort Bike at http://www.minnewaskawellness.com.

Historians:

    From the Viking explorers to the Scandanavian settlers, the historical development of Pope County is captivating reading. These early pioneers carved bountiful farmsteads from this land that resembled their homelands. Their tales of immigration and settlement can be traced in the records and photographs in the Pope County Historical Museum in Glenwood.  Link to popecountyhistory.com for hours of operation.  Day tours can be arranged with your host, Gwen Meier, to glimpse into her family's history and view the tiny cabin overlooking Hanson Lake where her mother was born. Gwen's library contains chronicals of her family's tale of settling here.

     There is evidence, with the discovery of the Kensington Runestone, that the hardy Vikings extended their exploration to this area around 1362.  This stone, with it's mysterious writings, is now housed in the museum in Alexandria. For information call 320-763-3160, visit 206 Broadway St, Alexandria, or link to www.runestonemuseum.  Neighbors have field boulders that are reported to be mooring stones left by the early Viking explorers. .org

Watersport Enthusiasts:

     Lake Minnewaska is a 7000 acre lake located just 5 miles from The Inn. The sandy beach at Starbuck offers a delightful place to stretch out to enjoy the sun or a splash in the lake. The adjoining park has picnic tables arranged under towering trees, some situated near the lakeshore. If you prefer, anglers can enjoy fishing for small mouth bass, walleye, northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, black crappie, and large mouth bass. Bring your own boat or rent canoes, paddle boats or kayaks. For information on rentals available, link to: glenwoodlakesarea.info/pages/visitors.php or minnewaskamn.com or paddling.net/trips/region or minnewaskakayak.com.

   Pope County boasts more than 12 top lakes for fishing and recreation. Take the time to explore the merits of each: Lakes Reno, Emily, Johanna, Amelia, Villard, Pelican, Scandinavian, Grove, Gilchrist, Leven and Linka.

Golfers:

     Two 18 hole courses and one 9 hole course are within a short drive of our BandB. Learn more by linking to: glenwood-lakes-area.info or starbuckmn.org.  Each course brings something unique to the game either through its location, hole design or scenic views.  Minnewaska Golf Club is located between Starbuck and Glenwood on Highway 28-29. Call 320-634-3680 for tee times. You can learn more about Pezhekee National Golf Course by linking to: petersresort.com or calling 320-634-4501 for tee times.  The newest course, has a nine hole venue and is located near the Pope-Douglas county line. Call 320-554-3385 for tee times. 

Antiques and Amish Collectables:

     The  Amish Store and More in Starbuck is the place to find one of a kind and custom created treasures. Antiques, collectables, knick-knacks and memorabilia galore can be found on 'Antique Row', the 500-600 blocks on Broadway Street in Alexandria.  Even closer are shops between Starbuck and Glenwood, in Morris and Cyrus.  Grab our Viking Land Yellow Book to find days worth of antique store browsing.

Bird Watchers:

     Just Ridin' Inn is it's own little aviary.  In the month of June 2008 we had a feathered parade we viewed from our windows. Three pair of Canadian Geese raised a brood in the rushes and reeds of Outlet Creek behind our property. Ducks of various hues charted paths overhead.  We frequently were entertained by the courting calls of pheasant as we watched their brilliantly colored males strut their stuff. Wild turkey marched through the yard and we had to grab the bird book to verify that our eyes were really seeing a ruffled grouse ambling by the window.  White pelicans and egrets, hawks and even a eagles soared overhead as we routinely enjoy the industrious robins, wrens, sparrows, red-winged blackbirds, grossbeaks and orioles, martins and the darting, dazzling swallows and fly-catchers and hummingbirds.  We will continue to feed and build houses to encourage these beautiful residents.

Outdoor Lovers:

Both the West Deck and the Bar-B-Q pavilion give guests the opportunity to sit outside to enjoy the lovely views.   The antics of the wildlife entertain us frequently.  The Artesian spring feeds into Signalness Creek and keeps our colony of beaver busy in their efforts to re-route the flow to suit them. If you are very quiet and stealthy you may even catch a glimpse of them in the late evening or early morning hours. Our resident wood chuck, Chucky, is frequently out and about during the day checking on our activities as the red squirrels flit around in the trees.

   Deer use our B and B as their personal hiway as they go from choice feeding spots to bedding areas early morning and late evening. The scourge of the gardener is the cute striped ground squirrels that scamper around the grounds; that is, unless our resident family of barn cats are doing their job. 

Littlist leading Ruff and Carter stalking the 'Chippies".

      Sunrises and Sunsets have been known to be 'postcard perfect'.  Come to enjoy the tranquility of Just Ridin' Inn, a premier Bed and Breakfast and Barn after a full day of recreation.  You'll be glad you did.