I can’t even comprehend the amount of times my vehicle or bicycle has traveled over the Viking Trail in Douglas County, yet it wasn’t until I took this job as Executive Director of Explore Alexandria Tourism that I knew a trail by that name existed. A national article was being written about a trip they took through Alexandria last year. They informed me that one of the highlights of their ride was traveling on the Viking Trail. For the purpose of understanding “how” I could be oblivious to it is that I’m also the guy who looks right at his keys and asks his wife if she’s seen my keys. To bring this statement to an embarrassing reality, the Viking Trail actually passes only one block away from my office at 324 Broadway Street in Alexandria.
The Viking Trail is defined in 161.14 Subd. 19 (pg. 7) of the Minnesota Statutes that defines names and designations of certain highways. It is a riveting read. I hope you can sense the sarcasm from wherever you are currently reading this.
The Viking Trail actually starts in Clay County on the Minnesota/North Dakota border on Clay County CSAH 36 and zigzags its way east until it eventually ends on the south side of Sauk Centre on State Highway 71 (I realize the enclosed map doesn’t start until it gets to Barrett and stops at Little Sauk….but hey, just drive south on 71 through Sauk Centre and voila, you’re at the finish line).
I suspect that I will be on the Viking Trail probably before the end of the day, and will travel it many more times before I exit this life…..but at least now I’ll (and possibly you) will know where it is.
Don’t get me started on the Glacial Ridge Trail (Scenic Bypass). That’s for another day.
