Tri-Lake's sights are for me less a marketing slogan than a personal note that there is more than the usual country life. Honestly, the small village originated at the beginning of the 20th century. The century, when a few peasant families decided to renegotiate the three neighboring lakes and to trade a bit – and this has shaped the image of Thorncreek Township to this day. I remember driving the old Ford from the neighborhood over the State Road 5 as a child, which practically forms the backbone for visitors from Indianapolis or even Ohio; a short stop at the gas station is enough to get the first impression, and you can feel the light nostalgic flair that is still in the field roads.
When you finally arrive at the center of Whitley County, you notice that history is not only in dusty plaques, but in the people who still cultivate their own veggie beds here and are talking loudly about the latest trends in the city. I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but the tranquility here, the occasional quaken of the frogs at the lake and the unfaithful smile of the locals – this is the true highlight for me. And yes, the Tri-Lake sights are not only found on brochures, but in every small café that you discover on the way to the lakes, where you get the feeling that life here is still a bit slower but more real for that.
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The first stop I never miss is that Pokagon State Park on the edge of Angola – a piece of nature that has almost too much to offer to capture it in a short visit. I remember the day that I took down the 2 miles-long Trail-Loop with my old mountain bike, while a swarm duck protested loudly because I blocked the way. The visitor center is a bit like a museum for people who are too lazy to explore the actual forests, but this is exactly my thing when I look for a quick snack and a toilet. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you do not arrive at the weekend with the families from the whole of the Middle West – then the Feldparkplatz-Chaos becomes almost one of its own attractions.
A short detour to the north leads you to Chain O'Lakes State Parkwhere the three interconnected lakes actually look a little like a knot of water, which one can only unravel with a kayaking. I once tried to make a picnic, while a curious beaver “learned” my sandwiches – an experience that taught me that one would look better at his food in Indiana. The boat rental is uncomplicated, and the water is so clear that you almost feel you would swim in an aquarium, only without the annoying sharks.
If you have enough of lakes that constantly remind you of your swimming skills, that is Wawasee State Park exactly the counterpart you need. The lake is Indiana's largest natural lake, and the shore is spiced with small but fine beach bars that have more charm than the whole city center of Whitley. I once lit a campfire on the beach – that was not quite legal, but the Rangers only gave a tired head shake of themselves before they moved on. Parking is a bit more tricky here, because most of the places in the summer are occupied by campers, but a bit of a way around the side streets is always worth it.
Back in the heart of Whitley Whitley County Historical Museum, a place where you could learn more about local history than you would have ever thought necessary. I discovered an old photo of a horse car that looked like it just missed the time travel show in a bad science fiction movie. The exhibition is small, but each exhibit has its own history, and the staff is so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you are a part of the family – until you realize that you are holding a 19-year old gum from the 80s.
A short walk from the museum Whitley County Courthouse, an imposing brick building that expresses more about the power of the bureaucracy than any modern government building. I once tried to make a selfie with the statue of the founder, just to realize that the statue has a stricter look than my boss on Monday morning. The courtyard is freely accessible, and parking is almost always a children's game thanks to the surrounding citizens' parking spaces – unless you are on the first Friday of the month, when the town hall holds a citizens' forum and suddenly all the seats of chairs and tables are blocked.
For those who are looking for a change all year round, this is Whitley County Fairgrounds a place you shouldn't underestimate. The annual fair is a collection of cattle equipment, carousel and a selection of snack bars that provide more calories per bite than an average fitness tracker. I once tried a caramel apple popcorn that was so sweet that I almost felt my teeth would start dancing. The approach is uncomplicated because the terrain is located directly on the main road, and parking is practically a huge asphalt node that offers enough space for anyone coming by car.
A little away from the known paths lies the Tri-Lakes Golf Club, a place that says more about the patience of its visitors than about their golf talent. I once tried the 9th. Playing hole while a sudden rain shower turned the green into a muddy battlefield – an experience that taught me that you should always have an umbrella in the glove compartment in Indiana. The clubhouse offers a small proviant shop where you get a sandwich that tastes almost as good as what you would do at home if you weren't standing in the rain.
Whether you want to explore the quiet waters of Pokagon, Chain O'Lakes and Wawasee, a bit of history in the Whitley County Historical Museum or just want to enjoy the flair of local life on the fairgrounds or during golfing – the surroundings of Tri-Lakes have something to offer for everyone. And that's exactly what makes Tri-Lakes Attractions to an unmistakable mix of nature, history and light chaos that you should not miss.
I must confess that my favorite place in Tri-Lakes is not some hip Rooftop bar, but that Tri-Lakes Community Center. At first glance, the building looks like an oversized classroom from the 80s, but in the interior there is a swimming pool that almost serves as a social meeting point for the whole neighborhood. I once performed a spontaneous waterball competition with a couple of pensioners from Thorncreek Township – no joke, they have more stamina than I did after a marathon. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the weekly “Senioren‐Bingo-Baden” will take place.
A short walk (or better said a short sprint if you take the path to Tri-Lakes Golf Club ) leads you to a private golf course, which looks almost like a well kept secret for outsiders. I don't understand the hype about exclusive golf clubs, but the well-maintained fairways and the small clubhouse with its old-fashioned coffee maker convinced me that at least once I can experience the feeling of “I belong to it” – as long as I'm not asked for the handicap.
If you prefer water instead of green, that is Lake of the Woods Your goal. The public beach is not spectacular, but it has exactly what you expect from a small Indiana lake: a sandy shore section, a few old wooden chairs and a lifeguard who knows more about the weather than the local radio. I remember the day I unpacked my fishing just to see that the only bites came from a group of ducks that apparently share the same hobby. Nevertheless, the water is really soothing, and parking is almost always free until the local fishing group organizes its annual “carp festival”.
A few kilometers further, this is Lake George Boat Launch. Here you can push your little inflatable into the water without a watchman putting a ticket for the “unsafe maneuvering”. I once tried to round the lake with an old kayak, just to realize that the water works like a mirror on every small wind blow that doubles my incompetence. The launch is particularly practical because it is located directly on a small picnic area – ideal if you want to enjoy a sandwich after a short paddle tour.
For those who prefer to stay on the shore Tri-Lakes Marina at the southern end of Lake of the Woods. The marina is not exactly a luxury harbour, but it has a small kiosk that serves the best hot dogs in the area (I swear they are better than those in the city). I met an old sailboat owner there who told me that he has been here every summer since 1972 – a real Indiana man who knows more about sailing than about social media.
A little off the waterways lies the Tri-Lakes Nature Trail, a narrow path that leads through a piece of forest that is surprisingly well preserved. The path is not signposted, so you have to rely on your abdominal feeling – that makes it kind of adventurous. I discovered a squirrel that was braver than me, and it stole almost a piece of my cereal bar. The trail is perfect if you are looking for a short walk that distracts you from the everyday routine without having to buy a ticket for the national park.
And yes, if you are looking for a compact overview, then these are Tri-Lakes Attractions exactly what you need: a mix of water, green and a bit of local nature that reminds you that not every trip to the big metropolis has to lead to be interesting.
At the end of the day, when you go back with a cool drink on the shores of Lake of the Woods and listen to the quiet plunder, you realize that Tri-Lakes may not be the glittering capital of the state, but it definitely has its own charm – and this is worth more for me than any overpriced tourist attraction.
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