Bernie takes the lakes area

Bernie Sanders went viral this week, following President Joe Biden's inauguration Wednesday, Jan. 20.

The 79-year-old Independent senator from Vermont showed up to the festivities in a puffy brown coat and big sweater mittens to keep warm. A photo of him in the outfit with a mask on, sitting cross-legged in a folding chair by himself has since become the newest internet meme.

Internet users have gone wild with the image, cutting out Sanders himself and pasting him in different venues around the world. Lakes area residents and business owners joined in on the fun, too, posting edited photos of Sanders appearing to have visited several local spots.