If you need a break from boating, fishing, or just want to check out some other fun things to do in the area, there are some out of the way options just a short drive from Scott's Peaceful Valley. Shifting gears (either by choice or weather) could provide the memorable moment to your family vacation.

Golf Outing There are many golf courses in the area with the closest one being Vermilion River Greens. It is a 9-hole golf course located on the Vermilion River in Buyck (pronounced bike) or as the local folks say: “I Luyck Buyck”. Two other local courses less than an hours drive and are located near Cook. One is Vermilion Fairways and the other is Wolfridge Golf Course. Both are 9-hole courses laid out in rural woods settings.

Golf Outing and a Game of Chance If you want to make a day of it you can combine golfing and gamming at the Fortune Bay Casino Hotel on the Tower side of Lake Vermilion. The 18-hole golf course makes the game a scenic adventure as well as a golf game. Enjoy meals and refreshments at the pro shop or dine at the casino for their tasty buffets and special dining offerings. At Fortune Bay Casino there is a Bois Forte Heritage Museum and gift shop

Hit the Trail, the ECHO TRAIL: Enjoy a rural drive along this 52 mile rustic trail along many lakes and forests with occasional sightings of bear, deer, moose, ruffed grouse, fox and pine marten. There is a Managed Ruffed Grouse Habitat as well as Fire and Ice Sioux Overlook. Stop along the way to enjoy one of the numerous hiking trails. Some of the more popular ones include: Astrid Lakes Trail (2 trailheads), Norway Trail (2 trailheads) and Big Moose Trail Echo Trail. Ely has numerous points of interest including the North American Bear Center, the International Wolf Center, the Dorothy Molter Museum as well as a variety of shopping opportunities.

South of the Border It maybe summer but visit the cold capital of the USA, International Falls. The city is on the Canadian border and only a 40 minute drive north of Orr. There are a variety of shops, restaurants and bars available to satisfy every palette. Voyageurs National Parks Rainy Lake Information Center can also be found there. Be sure to see Smoky Bear! This is a point of entry into Canada so if you do cross the border ensure to have passports for all car occupants so one can re-enter the USA.

Each rural town in our area has its own special character. The towns Orr, Cook, Tower, and Ely all have unique shopping opportunities as well as family oriented restaurants and bars. The Comet Theater in Cook is not only a movie theater, but a unique gift shop and coffee house. Also in Cook go to the Homestead Mills, a working feed and seed mill for some of their specialty cereals and food items. In Orr stop by the Big Blue Gill for a picture and Patten’s Café for the big donut. In Ely, Tower, and Cook there is a local grocery chain called Zup’s that specializes in there fresh cut meats and sausages. A couple of key specialty items to put in your cart include their homemade sauerkraut and native hand parched wild rice.